Kramer SM-1 in Antique White w/EMGs | Kramer is BACK!

[@mathias6423]

Yeah that Kramer SM-1 in the " Orange Crush " color with the Duncans in it is a damn epic guitar and not that expensive for what you get with Floyd 1000 and neck through construction, love it. There is not a better 80s metal guitar I can think of.

[@redsix49]

Love the SM-1 sure makes me miss my 86 Kramer that I put a really nice floyd rose on it ... but I just got a new ESP E-II M-II neck thru black and its badass... I will always love the old Kramer...and would pay for 1 Miss my Aerostar...was so darn fun

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

Owned a SM-1 With the Duncans for 4 years... Got to be said. The most versatile and sweetest sounding instrument bar none at the price point.. Plays like butter... At the time a impulse buy... So very glad I pulled the trigger.. Never been a fan of active pickups... I think the Duncan version sounds way better... But thats just me...

[@jeffsmith2222]

I am pumped for the new Kramer line. Love your SM!!

[@sleevelessace]

im from 5 years in the future marty!!!! they have a Dave Mustaine kramer Vanguard (flying V) and its AMAZING

[@philliportega3279]

Me and my brother both got Kramer's in about 1987 still have them . Love um . Glad to see Kramer guitars come back .

[@b00neDawg00]

I honestly can't wait for the jersey star reissue

[@TrochezCovers]

i would love a new Voyager line

[@weonboard9430]

@DxPx Same for me. Drooling over the Jersey star forever. Richie has been my go to guitar hero since childhood.

[@rrguitar1]

@@weonboard9430 The star in Red does it for me. Really nice looking.

[@01_SPACE_C0WB0Y]

Nice profile pic

[@BonJovi1987Fan]

I own a Alpine White Kramer jersey star because of the 1987 mtv awards show bon jovi livin on a prayer live performance.

[@GuitarLordGR]

I have an original kramer stagemaster from 1986. Incredible instrument (the flat top)

[@bigsauce1116]

I think the emgs are a perfect match for that guitar. Killer axe. Been itchin' to get a Kramer for ages! Rock on Steve 🤟

[@musicgearnetwork]

Stellar demo buddy! I'm 100% in love with the brand to say the least. Nice to finally meet you at NAMM. Working on my Kramer documentary as we speak as well. Cheers buddy!

[@mattyh3000]

I just got my guitar back from my sister. I have not seen it in 25 years. My buddy gave it to me before he died 87 kramer. It has star space graphic on it but can't find any info on it but I am 46 and have played for year but its time to learn it again. Great video

[@peevee605]

I have a 1987 Kramer American....great guitar. Plays like butter.

[@kssioguita]

I'm so glad Kramer is back!!! Great video as always.

[@kongandbasses8732]

Last time I had a guitarist with a Kramer in a band playing with me, was about 1993. I love seeing those metal-axes again. It brings back memmorys. Sad end of the story: The artist (and holy smokes, this cat was a talent! He really was able to play his single humbucker model) passed at the age of 30 suffering from cystic fibrosis.

[@maxwellwinter2114]

Once i heard Kramer is finally Making new models and reissuing new stuff i immediatly thought. STEVE IS GONNA EAT THIS UP

[@mattewmackes]

Steve. You really have a great channel. You know where to be and when, you buy, or acquire the right instruments at the right time, and your reviews and discussions are excellent. You your passion and professionalism. You have become the rock star of the the 201*'s !

[@johannesrindt2569]

Played one of these in the store the other day, if ur thinking of buying, dont hesitate, superb instrument.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Always wanted one of these since I started playing in the late 80's.

[@Kammoflars]

The original Stagemaster were not made in the usa, the were more or less 100% ESP made in Japan. Therefore the high quallity.

[@Claimjumper55]

Sweet demo Steve!!! The hardest part is going to be choosing WHICH new Kramer.

[@PDXguitarfreak]

That tone you did Panama etc on was KILLER bro.. nice. Can't wait to see more of the show!

[@GIa_DM]

Oh God, I love superstrats. All of them.

[@AtacamaHumanoid]

But, don't you think in some weird way they just don't look very cool? I love them, too, but swap out Slash's Les Paul for this Kramer and he'll suddenly look a whole lot lamer. Same with Angus Young if you swap his SG out for this. Bob Weir looked so out of place when he played one. The only guitarist I can think of who doesn't usually play a superstrat who wouldn't look weird with one is maybe Prince.

[@GIa_DM]

@@AtacamaHumanoid Swap Steve Vai's jem with a les paul or a (boring) fender strat, and he's no longer Steve Vai. Same goes for Eddie Van Halen. So yeah, it depends on the player.

[@AtacamaHumanoid]

@@GIa_DM You're right, somehow it depends on the player. Although I think this particular guitar would just look bad on most musicians I can think of. Sad because it's an awesome guitar. Vai started out playing on strats and he would still look perfectly normal on one to me. He wouldn't look aesthetically bad or weird with a Les Paul to me, but it would just look like he's trying to join the club and do whatever's cool. And that would be a bad look.

[@GIa_DM]

@@AtacamaHumanoid Mate, that's totally fine. I reckon it's a matter of personal taste. Superstrats remind me of my teenage years, y'know.

[@AtacamaHumanoid]

@@GIa_DM Yeah, it's all subjective. I just wasn't sure if I was feeling the zeitgeist correctly. Super strats are definitely coming back with people half my age, so I guess I'll see how this guitar strikes me in a few years. If my opinion completely changes, then I am just a mindless fool twisting in the wind. :)

[@GeorgeBonez]

I had a super impulse and bought a Beretta Snake Sabo mostly because I liked the classic graphics. Well the super quality of that guitar impressed me so much I turned right around and bought a new Dot Nightswan. Again it blew my mind so I had to have a SM 1H and WOW!!! Btw when he was talking about the SM 1 that has only one Humbucker that’s the SM1 H …. In my early days of guitar back in the 80’s I was strictly a Kramer freak but after Kramer disappeared in 91 or 92 I moved to Ibanez and pretty much stayed there until now. Don’t get me wrong I still love all my Ibanez guitars but these new Kramers are just phenomenal. I’ve bought 3 Kramers in 2023 from three different stores and all three came in perfect shredder setup (action slammed) and perfect tune right out of the box! Gibson seems to be putting more effort in Kramer than Gibson. Lol 😊

[@motordonkey]

Glad to see Kramer is gettin' their shit together! I have an '89 Kramer American Showster. LOVE IT!

[@jayguitar]

That sounds really cool man! I played the night swan at the show. This one has a really good range of tones! 😊 thanks Steve. Had a blast hanging with you dude! Have an awesome weekend!

[@redmuun519]

Kramer needs to bring back the Star/Voyager body shape. It was such a beautiful design, Steve if you ever read this tell kramer to bring it back

[@pridenjoy9437]

i like your hair

[@redmuun519]

Azu WaN well thank you!

[@kostadinzhelev3981]

I think charvel owns the rights now

[@larrmad7919]

Drool Tone Brother! THATS what it's ALL about no matter what guitfiddle's in the hands. But THATs a nice one too. 24 frets - the ONLY way whenever possible IMHO. Thanks for the Demo.

[@chrislink007]

Thanks Steve I love that SM1guitar! Kramer is back the legend lives on!

[@orion681]

The volume knob pull bypasses everything and sends the bridge straight to the output jack. I think thats what you were trying to say 😊

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

MMM!!!! I have a vintage Stage Master (Deluxe)... I'm so stoked to see these guitars back on the market. They are just a musical harpoon!!!

[@SeanPierceJohnson]

Yeah the new Kramer’s really caught my eye...I liked the Nightswan WAAAAAAAAYYYY too much!

[@dominicsosa7405]

I bought the aztec msrble love the nazle sound

[@MuvoTX]

[Corrections made... thanks] The original stagemasters were not USA made. The bodies / necks were made in Japan by ESP, and assembled in Japan. Awesome guitars though. I have an ESP-Japan made Baretta II from 1987 and it plays great. Awesome fretwork, Love it to death.

[@assortedproductions6083]

The Stagemaster and the Paul Dean model were the only guitars ESP made complete, and shipped to the United States. Both of which were neck-through.They were the only guitars in the American series that had this done. All others as you said; were assembled in the states.

[@MuvoTX]

@@assortedproductions6083 OK thanks... I have corrected my original commentary.

[@gerblonsking]

Gorgeous guitar! I can still remember the day we bought my '87 Kramer Pacer at LaSalle's in Boston.

[@davidallen346]

The Seymour Duncan option are either the JB or the 59's , so the EMGs are a wise choice esp the SA single coils are good sounding active pickup with the 5 switch and coil-tap.

[@bobbusby5058]

I need this in the worst way, thx for the very detailed and inspired review! Kramer is Back baby!

[@FunkyMonkey-ip4xy]

Now that's a guitar! EMG's Floyd pointy headstock sweet. That's why I love ESP and Jackson's as well. Nice one.

[@maidenthe80sla]

The new Gibson team did right by bringing Kramer back into the fold. Now they need to give Marketing a nice budget and freedom to get the name out. My 1986 Kramer American Pacer (fully loaded) back then retailed for around $1,000 MSRP. As you said, that was a large number of greenbacks in the late '80s. Due to that, it took me a few weeks to bite the bullet. But, the manager at Guitar Center was a friend of mine, so he gave me a drastic discount and out came the wallet. Glad I did, as one of the sales guys always tried to dissuade me from buying the guitar, as he wanted it for himself. In 2019, she is still my #1!

[@turaly0n]

Those EMGs sound so good. I know 81 is popular for the bridge, but i really like the 85 in the bridge. Warmer sounding.

[@johnlopez5531]

Ugh that's such a gorgeous guitar. Definitely adding it to my wishlist! Thanks for the demonstration, sir!

[@derekthrasher1116]

Thanks for the video! I was living in Singapore in the 80s and I would go into Swee Lee Music Co and they had this Kramer Baretta that I couldn't stop looking it. It was behind "the glass" because it was a USA Model. Looked just like the new Kramer Baretta Vintage - Ruby Red they featured at Namm '19. I'm so going to get it. It's the memories, man! Sweet!!

[@derekthrasher1116]

Also, I think these Kramer's are made in Indonesia. The Indo factories have come a long way. =)

[@derekthrasher1116]

After further investigation, the model you have was made in Korea. Ahhhhhh...

[@georgesester6083]

So good to watch you playing !

[@johngudonis2015]

Beautiful Guitars and I don’t even play guitar I just loved the sound of the old Kramer’s.

[@petebrown3715]

Outstanding Steve! You rock bruh 🤘

[@spyhawk36]

Thank you Steve. I was looking forward to this Guitar for a long time.

[@davedynamite77]

I bought of the wall at Manny Music in NYC in 1986, I'm left handed and there was a lefty Kramer American baretta, I still have it, I put in a EMG in the bridge..This guitar has the original Floyd rose that since I've had this guitar I've never the extra spring mechanism on any other guitar...

[@soykanmuri7277]

Dad loves his, got him one not to long ago from Amizon. He has always wowed me til this day. Wish I would have visited him when I had a chance, he would have showed me the guitar and how to play a guitar with experience so much talent good vibe on the video

[@garrettboomerbender]

The other guitarist in my band has an old Kramer Focus 3000 that he got from his dad. His dad bought it new maybe mid to late 80s. He scalloped the fretboard and put an EVH humbucker in the bridge and it’s a shred machine. I think you can find a video of his dad playing it if you search Brent Cone Kramer Focus 3000.

[@JoeR203]

I wish I kept the Kramer Strikers I bought from MusicYo.com years ago. I sold the Candy Apple Red and the Black & White Crackle ones, but kept the Splatter painted one and installed DiMarzio pickups. A Breed in the bridge, ToneZone in the middle and a PAF Pro in the neck. I wanted an Evolution for the neck position but they were back ordered and didn't want to wait. I also bought a Kramer Baretta with a Sustainer for only $399. The Strikers were around $179 at the time. I still use the Splatter (see profile pic) as my main player. I also got a Steinberger Spirit GU Deluxe from MusicYo for $229. I REALLY regret selling that because I can't find one for under $600 now.

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

_I’ve been checking out so many demos of this guitar, but this is definitely one of my favorites. 🎥🎶🎵🎸 I’m looking forward to when I can get this guitar._

[@robertclarkguitar]

Totally dig the newer setting here.

[@hotrodsgarage]

I have a Kramer Pacer Reissue and I really dig it. Love the Kramer guitars.

[@howardosugars8922]

Omg that's gorgeous, me wants one!! So pleased that Gibson are bouncing back.

[@kbschulze]

I have 1987 RIchie Sambora signature, his first. Guitar still rocks hard and in great condition.

[@gameaddict2744]

My first guitar real was an '86 Kramer Striker 300 ST... I worked all damned summer to pay for it. It was pretty rough compared to the Pacers and... well everything else Kramer made, but I loved playing it. I currently play 2 Floyd Rose Signatures (83 and 84) and they are by far my favorite model Kramer.

[@Terry3Gs]

Awesome job on this steve !! And that gibson namm footage was excellent !!

[@charlesb7831]

I need one of these in my life, and the Nightswan! I still have an original Kramer Nightswan I bought back in 1990 and it's still my favorite guitar to play, nothing like it . Hopefully they recreated these faithfully to the original. I always wanted a Stagemaster and Kramer American. Great video!

[@nealparler1980]

Nice Piece Steve! Reminds me of nice Epiphone neck through late 88 model! Really like late eighties guitars made in Korea, they were put together pretty well!

[@Demon-Knight]

Yes Steve they are made in Korea and Korean made guitars are excellent in my opinion, especially like the one you have

[@satchbooggy]

that's one sleek mother. cant wait to try a new swan. rock on Steve

[@johnroberts838]

Hi Steve, She's Beautiful, takes me back as well, I was Charvel, my mate was Kramer, it was an Awesome time! Excellent Review, I could add one to the Collection, nice Splitting option. Take care 👍👍👍. Melbourne, Australia.

[@TheIronWord]

I had to buy 2 of these, after i bought the orange one i found a black one, they feel like they were made for, incredible guitar!

[@ku812fubar4]

I’ve got a sm-1 vintage. It’s such a gorgeous looking hot lead sounding shred machine. I wish they did an American one. Great playing and demo. ❤️♥️🔥👍🏼

[@therevelshome]

That is a beautiful guitar. You are my hero, dude.

[@5timesthepain]

Thinking about picking up a Kramer Baretta special. I have heard good things about that guitar for its price. I just picked up a Wolfgang Standard a month ago. Great guitar

[@jodysanders1111]

You're one heck of a picker. Super good looking guitar,with very noticeable sounds in every position. I love the sound of your amp,sounds alot like a Canyon Delay at times. Pitch squeals are awesome. Always loved them Kramer guitars. Great video.

[@gingataff]

Looks and sounds really nice. Very nostalgic! Hope they do well and add some more to the line up, the single humbucker version would be cool.

[@toddflowers8052]

Like the color Steve , glad you are happy with it ! Rock on !

[@dinogiolitti6968]

ZZounds had one like this left for $739. I grabbed it based on your review thanks.

[@seeyaa_2ss]

This guitar is just perfect in so many ways that unique 80’s sound that everyone’s been looking for plus more it took me a while to find this guitar in candy apple red with the emgs let alone find the guitar at all let me tell you this was not an easy guitar to find in that candy red color but when I found it and it arrived to the house I played it all day let me tell you I will never buy another guitar this guitar is the only one I’ll keep for a long time talk about a shred guitar the tone and sound to this Kramer sm1 is unbelievable if y’all are looking into this specific Kramer go get it and if I were you I get it fast because this is not a easy guitar to find it’s one of those gems that will be worth a lot of money later I’m almost certain cause Kramer’s like this stage-master only pop up every once in awhile great guitar just love it best money I ever spent on a guitar period Kramer sm-1 emg get it while you can

[@arnyarny77]

been considering a floyd equipped guitar, a charvel, but now i'm liking the nightswan and sm-1

[@tommynoble3428]

Congrats, Steve1 I'm jonesing seriously for one of them Nightswans...wanted one since I was a little kid.

[@Travis-pf3gt]

Loud-a man loud-a!!! This is great news thanks for sharing Steve, cheers!

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Man I love it! Reminds me my Gibson WRC SR-71 that naturally aged to that color...similar no pick guard super-strat tupe set up...unfortunately stolen.missed that guitar finally got a workable replacement of sorts with the Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder in white with Sustainiac in the neck.

[@willvarela5187]

Okay now I have to have one. Thanks, cheers, Peace.

[@AljonGo]

Great walkthrough Steve! 🤘

[@PittPenguin]

Great vid as always... I’ve always had my eyes on Charvel and possibly Kramer... I’m lucky to have a Charvel SD now... looking at the 2019 line, the Baretta and 84 have my attention....

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

Great guitar Steve, SO THRILLED Kramer is back! We love ya brother!🎧🤘

[@gwhiz3708]

Run it through a good tube amp, Mesa or the likes. You can run a Squire through software or a modeling amp and make it sound great.

[@brianspilsted7320]

Really nice review Steve.

[@BobbyDidcott]

That guitar is my wet dream, really digging super strats lately!

[@Masterfighterx]

Finally a proper vid on this guitar :-D

[@JBI1]

These are great guitars with excellent specs, just bought one from AMS for $739

[@tankdarla637]

Grerat video Steve, I think I saw you have a really long video on it too, gotta check

[@therugburnz]

Reminds me of a PV Brandenburg. Just reverse the headstock and never use the middle pup.

[@starrude]

i have sm1 with Duncan PU. Very good Gear.

[@TVLTNT]

Steve, I love those inlays in the ebony fingerboard. Just an awesome guitar. Congrats on getting that bad boy my man.

[@atomega369]

Great demo. So, is this SM guitar model 2019? Thank you 🤘

[@rollingstart_90s]

The difference between the Floyd Rose 1000 and Original German made, is the fact that 1000 Floyd is made out of softer material. I've experimented a lot and always come to the same conclusion: swapping to German manufactured OFR always gives you better string response, resonation and brighter overall sound. Acousticly also much morr pleasant, because the strings just ring out nicely, rather than having more muffled "held back" sound and feel/response of the 1000 series.

[@kraM1t]

Yeah, but the Gotoh 1996T eclipses them both now, that's why Suhr now use those instead of the OFR. They're what EVH used to use on his EBMM signature

[@rollingstart_90s]

@@kraM1t I've read good things about Gotoh. I was mainly discussing about how certain materials of the trem has an effect on the string response, clarity and resonation. Do you have any experience on this aspect, when it comes to Gotoh 1996.

[@kraM1t]

@@rollingstart_90s I've only swapped from a 1000 series for a 1996T, and it was noticeably better, the tuning stability was rock solid too in comparison. Suhr himself said the reason he stopped using OFR's is because of the inconsistency from tremolo to tremolo, worksmanship mostly, I'm sure the OFR and 1996T are comparable in most ways

[@themcshits6766]

man that thing sounds fantastic

[@bobsurface908]

Kramers and Schecters - WAY underrated heavy metal machines.

[@ripley7t429]

Most shredders will not care for the neck profile on this one. Not Ibanez or Jackson compound radius type, more like old ESP LTD H series necks. Thicker than most care for to shred on. These have been around for 5 or more years. I have switched to hard tails or I might have given one a chance.

[@Lavietto]

I hope for some Lefties! Nightswan is one of my Fav top 3 wishlist guitars.

[@brooksrownd2275]

I've been interested in the Charlie Parra Nite-V for a couple years. If they have their factory bugs worked out now it may be the time to get one.

[@MPSoldado]

Excellent review, thank you! Just ordered one from AMS after seeing your review!

[@TimesBTough]

Sold..ordering one ASAP

[@jvanb231]

I've always wanted a nightswan, but in the probably now forboden lightning finish.

[@MuvoTX]

Another element that led to Kramers demise was the whole USA -VS- Japan thing that was happening across the industry in the mid-late 80s. Kramers were always marketed as being an American brand and USA made production. The neckplates had "Neptune, New Jersey, USA" and of course the "American" script was boldly visible on the headstock. Word got out that they were secretly sourcing bodies and necks from Japan (ESP). With assembly and final setup in New Jersey. It's also questionable if some of the production was 100% outsourced to ESP.... parts, assembly and setup. There was a lot of negativity and backlash against them for doing this. Most vocal about it was EVH himself in all the guitar magazines. The Kramer Focus 1000, 2000 and 3000 guitars came out at this time and were 100% Japanese-ESP made instruments. They did not have the New Jersey on the neckplates and had no American script anywhere. They were instantly discredited by most as being inferior entry level instruments... which I find to be totally bogus today. Of all my old Kramers the Focus 1000 and 2000 are top notch every bit as well made as the "American" script logo models. The fretwork and solidity of the necks in particular... outstanding. Sammy Hagars red Baretta with the I can't 55 decal... is only half Baretta. Its a Baretta body with a Focus 1000 neck. I am sure his neck plays just as well as any Japan-ESP neck. But anyways, Almost overnight everyone trashed the Kramer brand for this reason, and the influence of EVH himself.

[@Gloveberg1]

Also Kramer really watered their name and brand down with the Strikers and Aerostar's and pretty much tried to have too many models and too many irons in the fire. That led to lower sales and massive debt.

[@brettshawver2983]

Yes sir! I always wanted one of these back in the day but ended up with all Charvel or Jacksons. I'm really GAS'n for that white one but not sure if I want the EMG's or the Duncans yet. I've been trying to get some passive pickups back in rotation because I've been an EMG devotee since around '88 & just want to switch up the flavor a bit. Right now the only passive pups I have are in the Lester with the 498/490 & I'm fighting the urge to rip them out & put the 81/85 set in her. I already have 3 other guitars with the EMG's in them so I guess I'm just looking to change it up a bit. I've been using the EMG's so long & I'm not used to how the passive pickups "feel" & I lose some grit so it's definitely a tug of war. Thanks for sharing man! You definitely fanned my GAS in to a good ole bonfire! Keep doing the good stuff!🤘😁🤘

[@JS-tm1gq]

For some reason I really wanna hear Satch Boogie played on this beast. Panama sounds really nice

[@tankshred]

Thanks Steve. Great video!

[@russianbot2397]

I kind of want one, but i never owned a Floyd Rose guitar. I grew up around these guitars. Jacksons, Charvelles, you name it. I just kind of avoided them because I don't really use the whammy bar. I slam the bridge on all my strats, and strat style geets. Maybe someday ill get into them, but for now, less is more. Nice guitar though.