Upgrading My Kramer Pacer Series Guitar With Better Pickups - For Science - Sound Demo And Review!

[@timemerson2691]

I learn something every time I hang out with my friend Marty. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I’ll bet it plays as good as it looks.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're very welcome man! I love to share and interact with everybody. Thanks for checking out the video! 😁🥂

[@satchrules101]

Hi Marty I have a couple of questions I really need help with on my krammer 84 reissue… first question is how on earth do I get the Floyd rose flush to the body of the guitar ? I can get the backside flush , but if I try to lower the height screws all the way flush..the strings will be way to low can’t play it at all .. I tried shims on the saddles , when measuring the 12inch radius.. I also did the truss rode set up .. still not happing .. do u think putting shims under neck pocket will work? How did Eddie Van Halen get his Floyd flush to the body ? I can’t find anyone teaching how to do this on KZbin or on line.. hope u can help ! Love ur channel by the way bro ! Was learning 5150 from u the ongher day , great job ! Thank you .

[@dotkennedy7443]

I love your videos Marty! I also appreciate your candor as well ad your frugality.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks brother! I love trying to make stuff work for a good cost! Granted... there are some amazing things out there that cost a lot. But man, there are other options too that are amazing. Heck.. it's worth a shot for the money is what I think. Eddie was like that too j think.... tinker around and make things work!

[@dotkennedy7443]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker except I'm a woman. lol I have built a kit guitar, bought a squier tele & put 4 different necks on it, settled on a player series neck, rewired it &put dimarzios on it. I like it, but I wish the body was alder. I put a mustang neck on my jaguar, so I tinker a lot too. Always put locking tuners on and usually swAp pickups.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@dotkennedy7443 thanks sister! 😂😂😂😂😂😂 So sorry!

[@dotkennedy7443]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker no worries!

[@GuitarShack]

Ok Marty, Kramer vs. Guitar Madness pickups take 4. Lol. I enjoyed this video. The new pickups definitely look way better. Changes the look of the guitar. They sound great too. Love the DL riffs. You should do an Armageddon it video if you haven’t already. And your tabs are great! I always preferred them.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

😂 thanks man! I appreciate you feedback. An Armageddon It lesson is a great idea. And I will continue with the tabs. 😎🙌

[@GuitarShack]

You played it so well, you made me want to play it too.

[@CollinMcMIchael]

very good playing, very skilled composer Marty!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks so much Collin. That's very nice of you to say. 😎☮️

[@martincloutier666]

I am such a geek I had spotted the new pickups in the Black and Blue lesson 😅

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You're just very observant man! But hey there's nothing wrong with being a guitar geek. Speaking from one geek to another I suppose lol

[@countrylapi9245]

I actually like the sound of the factory pick ups here (Other than white... oof). For what it is, I didn't hear enough of a difference to upgrade based on sound alone. But love the chrome covers. And spoiler alert, the future chrome rings.

[@anthonymiller3970]

I have a white 2014 Kramer Pacer Classic with the non painted headstock. I bought the guitar new from Sweetwater. The pots in the guitar I never changed but the are full sized Alpha pots. I’m surprise they now come with dime sized.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh. These new ones have some pretty cheap specs. New pots, pickups and a Floyd 1000 would get this thing sorted out.

[@craigpoole2602]

The 59s seem much tighter with none of that extra flubby bottom end the others had. Much more clarity overall.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You hit the nail on the head man. The old ones are flubby. That's it. 😎🤟🏻

[@terrycoatney2555]

Killer tone man, spot on technique 👌

[@martincloutier666]

The new pickups sounds better, more midrange like you said, but the old ones seems to respond better to the hammers/pull offs on the high strings in the Def Leppard solo… maybe just an height adjustment thing….

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks, I really like them so much better! It maybe the height as well. The white ones were a little spongier sounding.

[@wjewell63]

Wow ,looks a whole lot better,not a fan of the white ones either.,your the first on youtube to purchase the GM pickups that I've seen...I use their stuff as well and I love the 59ers...

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks! I love the looks a lot better too! Very cool man, a fellow madness pickup guy!! 🤟🏻😎🤟🏻

[@charlielamp2739]

I like the 59's, the lower Mid's are way better, thanks for the demo.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the comment man! I agree with ya!!

[@rodmiller5111]

I think they look much better on your Pacer for sure. They sound better also. Very nice playing!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Rod! 🙏. I appreciate the feedback and compliment. I ordered some chrome rings today to complete the look. I think the black look nice but chrome pickup rings will be the bees knees. 😎

[@OHSteve5150]

Mine is arriving tomorrow. Guess I’ll be considering a pick up swap. Sounds better, and the chrome covers look much better than the white. Excellent video. ✌🏻🤟🏻

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

New subscriber here, love the Pacer! Kramer just makes great guitars.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Tyler!! I appreciate the support and you watching. Kramer do make great guitars. Agreed. 💯😎

[@BillyE5150]

You rock dude!! Both sets sound good to me, but I agree, the white was not so good, visually. Something still might be worth looking at… it would probably look good with double black uncovered or zebras. Each guitar is different for me. I love covers on some but not others. I also agree about the backwards switch… sorry Eddie, but like Marty, I like up for top & down for bottom. You definitely improved it!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yes! Great minds think alike! No go in the reverse toggle! lol. Thanks for watching man! 😎🤟🏻

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Lovely guitar I agree that the 59s sounded brighter and clearer particularly the billy idol riff.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! I agree. The 59ers are a lot more toneful! 🙌

[@Murphy_R9]

Both sounded fine but i preferred the stock bridge one. had more of a old school VH thing going on. I really don't understand Kramer/Gibson at all? The original Pacer's had black Schaller Golden 50 humbucker's so why didn't they just use black 59 style pu's in the first place? The replacements you put in are closer to the old Kramer stock.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I think the stock ones were pretty good man. Really it was the color that turned me off the most. I tend to prefer a crunchy pickup with mids so I like the replacements, but they fit my style more. I think it impacts how I play. 😎☮️

[@Murphy_R9]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yes there were a few times the stock bridge sounded real Old school VH to me. What amp rig did you use here?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@Murphy_R9 for simplicity when I record KZbin I just run a fractal ax8 in stereo to pro tools. I have a sweet Friedman BE patch (stock patch) that I tweaked a little with gain and use Friedman IR's. My effects are ran in pro tools so I can mix them in as desired later. Stereo Delay and Reverb. I widen the stereo to make it sound as huge as possible. 😎🙌. Thanks man!

[@Murphy_R9]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker damn i thought you were using a tube amp?

[@mrod3526]

Should replace those little dime sized pots too. The original pickups sounded ok. The white is kind of a put off though.

[@wizaxed]

Marty - If you keep the pickup selector the way it is/was - you have it like King Edward's guitars. Nice swap and those chrome pickup covers look great!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I just can't handle the reverse switch lol. 😎

[@JoeR203]

You should join the McRocklin channel and submit your solo when he does the solo challenge to backing tracks he makes. He usually gives away plugins to the winner. But his latest prize was a chance to perform on his next album.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Oh sweet!! 🥂

[@Jaloja]

I ordered the Black 59 set on a urge to try them for the plastic top. Probably will use chrome rings for the contrast. I have always been a skeptic on all the theories of what is right and wrong in pickups. However the metal top on pickups does seem to be possible difference good or bad. Logic would seem to indicate the metal top may mix the pole response of the pickup. Good or bad everybody can decide themselves. Open top pickups are favored by many and Chrome cover pickups are also on many high end guitars. My ears may never tell me for sure but its fun to try different things. I am sure this discussion goes back to around the time EVH started breaking the rules with his transplanted 335 pickup.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I almost got the zebra ones but decided I'd go all Chrome. I really want chrome pickup rings. I think I'm gonna get some for it!

[@Jaloja]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Snag a return for short money and have what ever you want... You know that Floyd setup will cause many returns.. "Buying Opportunities"

[@mhillaxeman]

Good playing and good 80’s tones here! Both cosmetics and sound are subjective, but in my opinion the originals sound better due to having a touch more gain. I suppose that in the room the difference may be more noticeable but through my stereo speakers I don’t hear much change other than the slightly lower gain of the replacements.

[@alanjacob8542]

Personally I liked the higher output pups a bit better...the 59er's sound super good also...but the white ones sound a little hotter,which to me go better with that guitar,just my opinion on which suit the guitar better and not which sound better.

[@stephenpemberton85]

I live in Colt's country and it would be alright for a fan but the change looks sooooo much better! ✌️💛🤘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Haha! Glad to get your approval even with the color change. 😎🤟🏻

[@stephenpemberton85]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Tasty tunes man!

[@30pitchcleaver]

Yep, I think the Madness sounds better BUT I'm not big on the black P.U. rings. To give it balance the white rings will hook-up with the Logo To "Tie-in" better (For me).

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I thought about a direct mount to the body as well?? Or chrome. Hmmmm

[@30pitchcleaver]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yep, I'd say give them each a shot cuz (personally) Black makes it look aftermarket to me

[@MrEinsFernan]

I have the same guitar and prefer the stock bridge pickup for hard rock with high gain… But I don't like the neck muddy pickup so I'm upgrading to the Seymour Duncan APH-1 Alnico Il Pro

[@jondavis3582]

so i want to thank you bc of your GM 1984 video i got a set but i like these also so my question is did u notice any microphonics or anything odd about them...ive never owned 59 anything and i believe these would sound great in my 92 studio.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

They're just very good sounding pickups for $50 a set. Can't beat that. 🤟🏻

[@bluwng]

Cort came out with a model that is a cross between a Kramer Pacer and an Ibanez in a good way.

[@papablue3015]

If you got time? I've got lot's of guitar wiring to do!! Nice! Thanks Marty! I don't know if I'm going to commit on video's anymore? To many scammers out there we can't even have a dialog without being scammed! KZbin great at stopping the wrong people!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh man. I get scammed telegram stuff on other KZbin channels. So weird .... Man I'd help ya wire! Lol

[@freemanmt1]

Hey Marty, I ended up owning your guitar in this video. Craziest thing ever I've been subbed to your channel for over a year now. Just got it last week from Sam Ash Nashville. Absolutely love it. It looks like you put the Chrome pickup rings before you sold it?

[@papablue3015]

I found bell cat pickups! Cloth wrapped and ground wrapped are the good ones! Others aren't as good! Cheap also!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Cool! Bell Cat. Need to look em up.

[@steveoverdrive55]

For that money I was expecting something sounding flabby and muddy..but sound pretty good,very .. very similar.. maybe it's just cosmic as you wanted

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I've used these before. They're solid!

[@davismusic3674]

I really like the sound of lower output pickups. So in this case, for me, science has proven that the 59’rs sound better. Sometimes it seems high output pickups don’t have the “browniest” sound at all. I have an EVH Wolfgang special with the hotter EVH alnico 2 pickup and while I like it I often think it might sound better with a lower output alnico 2 pickup ? 😎🎸

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Same here man. Lower output is my preference! Over time I think Eddie's ears changed. He went continually higher gain for pickups and amps. That's fine... we all adapt and change etc. but I like a crunchy mid range pickup!

[@weslester5150]

I agree. The new pickups sound richer and fuller to me. How did you know which wires went where?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

They come with a chart. But green is always hot in the madness. So I just wired green to the volume lug and the black ground to the top of the pot. Easy cheesey. They are 4 wire pickups so the red and white just stay twisted together. I don't have coil taps.

[@weslester5150]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Okay. Definitely manageable! Thanks and take care.

[@timlaine6268]

The new pickups sound more defined and sweeter. The fret size on this guitar bothers me. I wonder if these frets are glued in. I have a lot of stainless fret wire on hand.

[@Jaloja]

I was sort of put off myself by the white pickups and rings. But we can fix that.. I have to wonder if the Guitar manufacturer does any market testing on what a preference of the public is before making production decisions. Crazy little things like that can sell or or not sell on a visual impression. Some of Kramers choices put me off. I am also surprised Gibson allows a affordable option.. not very "authentic" of them... :)

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I can only imagine they were going for "80's" when they did the bright white pickups. Since it stands out. But if that's the case they should have went pink or green pickups haha. I'm a Gibson guy. I won't hide that... but Gibson has to offer affordable stuff to stay relevant and profitable. But yeh man... 179-199 for the special and $299 for this one is really CHEAP. I think they're some of the best affordable guitars you can get for rock/metal.

[@jimmyjames7946]

Definitely better with 59 madness.. has way better clarity,, the stock pickups sounded processed? If that makes sense, dull... Plus the chrome looks awesome!! White stock pickups and pu rings look cheep,,🤘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I agree man! The original pickups were spongey and didn't have character. They were decent. But just no life!

[@pixieloco]

I got the purple one. I actually like the stock pups, I have a dimarzio paf pro and a Wilde L500XL that I could put on it... nah, the stock ones have their own mojo. 🤤

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I like the stock ones too. They aren't bad at all. No just didn't like the color. That was what was my main issue. I could have put covers over them. I thought about that too! 🎵😁

[@Murphy_R9]

The PAF pro's are one of my all time favorite pickup's! That p'u will do any style i throw at it. Metal,jazz,blues,country,fusion, classic rock! Excellent and underrated pickup! I have them in my old 1989 RG 550 and in the bridge spot of my Custom shop Jackson Adrian smith San Dimas. The PAF pro works amazing with the singles. Much much better than the stock Super distortion the Jackson had!

[@jeffreybranco5702]

The 59's for sure.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks! I agree, they have a pleasing tone and midrange. More bite!

[@gaytanmtz]

Which pickup set do you like the most? GM 59's or GM 1984's? Thank you Marty.

[@kennethhoneycutt4513]

I still want to know how they're able to make pickups for that cheap it's just hard to fathom I don't know I've seen a lot of pickups cost a lot of money but I also believe that some guitars are meant to have certain pickups I'm not an expert so I can't really comment but those sounded pretty good man

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Who knows man. Parts are cheap and it's probably all machines winding them. But yeh, they are solid pickups!!

[@adam5744]

Factory pickups sound better maybe you could of put the chrome covers on the white pickups if the poles line up properly

[@bluwng]

Black pickups would have looked good as well.

[@adambolian4425]

The new pickups sound 100x better

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I concur, those all white pickups are hideous. The new pickups are a major visual improvement. As far as tone, it was a toss up depending on the riffs you were playing.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for chiming in man! I appreciate it. 😎🥂

[@marcbrewer6931]

Does anybody know what delay effect Marty is using in this video?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Hey man! I hate to admit it but the delays I use are in pro tools. I record direct with a fractal ax8 but put delays in post. (For mixing) It's a stereo analog delays. Usually: 385 ms left 650-750 right Mix 10-14% left Mix 6-10 % right Feedback: 20-25%

[@marcbrewer6931]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Hey Marty, thanks for the reply. No shame in your game, it sounds great! Btw, I have a Kramer Pacer in electric radio blue on the way. Enjoyed you stock and mod side by side. Planting ideas 💡

[@dotkennedy7443]

The chrome pups look WAY better.

[@sixstringer3783]

The Guitar Madness pickups sound way better alot more articulation and punch let alone look way better the chrome rings would be killer I know I've seen them before Ibanez makes dark chrome but I think DiMarzio might make the chrome rings 🤘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I agree man. Much more neat in the bone. I snagged some chrome ones off eBay today. So I'm a week or so I'll slap em on and post to the community. 🙌

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Should have just painted the pup rings chrome then

[@JayBirdGuitars]

i know this is 2 years old but i just want to say i finally found someone that knows the pickup rings on these are hideous...everyone else is like " it makes it pop etc" lmao uh no it makes it look cheap...

[@guypierce6323]

From a cosmetic perspective, the silver pickup covers are 100% better. Sound quality: the Kramer pickups were hotter, more fire.

[@gearhead2017]

The chrome pickups are hotter and they look better than the white junk

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! Totally agree. The white was so cheap looking!

[@Andrew-pk9vz]

The new pick ups sounded better overall though the originals had a definite sort of 80’s sound. For the price it’s darn well worth it 🤘🏼

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Andrew! I appreciate the feedback. I just ordered chrome pickup rings today to finish it off. I think the black is ok but chrome will do the trick?!

[@stephenpemberton85]

59ers have more bite👹

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Definitely. They have a mid range grit to them 👺

[@dotkennedy7443]

I couldn't get the Pacer I played yesterday to stay in tune, so I didn't buy it.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I found mine did not have the strings in the Floyd tightened enough. I don't think they lock them down good enough at the factory. I restrung and tightened down. No issues. 🥂

[@Jaloja]

It probably had a case of Floyd Rose "Special Syndrome" $300.00 guitar needs a $150.00 setup and perhaps some upgrades. They settle right down with some tweaking and I prefer a Tremolo stop in the back cavity which lets the Floyd "deck" like a EVH does. Sometimes the body posts are scored by people adjusting them under tension. This series Floyd had chrome plated copper metal post. Real bad ass Floyds have steel parts. A German Floyd cost as much as this entire guitar so its a choice of what is possible at a price level. I got my Pacer as a return for all the above reason. I fixed it and its great for what I paid for it. But it was a problem child when it was returned and sold "as is".

[@dotkennedy7443]

@@Jaloja yeah, I was about to pull the trigger on one from Sweetwater, but then he mentioned the $150 set up, so I didn't think it was worth it. I have too many guitars anyway. Lol. I just picked up my 2004 Wolfgang and realized I already have what the Pacer offers.

[@Jaloja]

@@dotkennedy7443 Learning to be your own Tech is both rewarding and a huge money saving education. Buy a cheap guitar and rework it. Buy a broken guitar and fix it. If you end up with to many guitars "not possible?" :)... Just find a kid that wants one so bad and give it to him.. Call a local guitar teacher and ask do you have a student that deserves better than what they have? Give away one.

[@dotkennedy7443]

@@Jaloja that's so funny, that's precisely what I have done! I bought an Eart tele and totally supped it up - new (expensive) tuners, new pups, new saddles and bridge plate, then gave it away. Same with a kit guitar I built - gave that to a friend's kid. Sold an Es339 with Seymour Duncans and new tuners to a friend for $175 and he is LOVING it. He's so enthused yo play now. I love working on them. I have a big rolling tool box in my music room with all kinds of parts, pickups, bridges, tuners etc. Bought many tools from stew Mac. Soldering station... Much fun and i have learned a ton! Not afraid to replace necks now.

[@pauliezx5134]

Originals sound better. More sustain, better suited for shred style guitar.

[@Nicegram_Rob_Scallon_Page]

Hello, fan! Thanks for reaching out congratulation 🎁🎊🎉You Won a (Flying guitar )it’s for your Christmas Cheerful send a message above to acknowledge your prize🎁❤..

[@taewankim6283]

You wasted your time and money, dude. I like the stock pickups better.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Nah, overall it was for content on the channel. 3800 views wasn't bad, plus I like the tone better. GMs are solid pickups for the money. I really don't like these cheap pacer guitars at all so I sold it and flipped it for a little more money. This wasn't the second one I got. Returned one. Sold the second one.

[@bob-e9q]

But the ones in it are anico 5

[@frankhandy7345]

I own 2 they suck as they buzz like they aren't grounded because they aren't wax potted..

[@MikeBall-sz2jf]

The 59's ars noisy. El crapola

[@AlternateUniverse]

Those stock pickups sound way better than the junk guitar madness ones you put in... Newer ones sound dull and weak.

[@bob-e9q]

Kramer pickups are better you runied the guitar

[@Nicegram_Rob_Scallon_Page]

Hello, fan! Thanks for reaching out congratulation 🎁🎊🎉You Won a (Flying guitar )it’s for your Christmas Cheerful send a message above to acknowledge your prize🎁❤..