Kramer Pacer Vintage neck: what to expect?

[The JEM Ghost]

Hi to all forum brothers and sisters!

I noticed a really good deal on the Kramer Pacer Vintage series (the new ones owned by Gibson, not a true vintage Kramer from back in the day).
I am wondering what to expect from the neck, what kind of profile it has, and about the fretsize.
Of course the best way to find out would be to get out and play it, but the shop that offers them at such a nice price is 220km away, and not a single dealer that is somewhat near has one in stock.

I really like thin necks with big jumbo frets, I play Ibanez RG's and a Jackson Dinky and I am looking for a neck and frets with about the same feel as those guitars. I am concerned about the Kramer Pacer Vintage neck meeting those demands. From pictures on the net it seems like the fret size is medium jumbo, more like on a current Fender Standard Strat than on an Ibanez RG or Jackson Dinky, in other words not as tall. The neck profile seems to be chunkier on the Kramer as well, once again more like a Standard Strat.

Anyone played the Kramer Pacer Vintage?? Anyone can make the comparison between it's neck and frets compared to an RG or Dinky??

Thanks a lot in advance for any replies!!

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Kramer Pacer Vintage neck: what to expect?

I have played several Kramer Pacer Vintages. The neck is pretty chunky, even bigger than a standard Strat, which I like, but which you probably wouldn't.

I've been searching for a while for a Floyd-equipped superstrat with a chunky neck. The Kramer Pacer Vintage seems to be the most affordable option out there, b/c otherwise one is basically just looking at the Jackson Phil Collen model = $$$. The main thing that keeps me away from the Kramer Pacer Vintage is that it tends to be very heavy (over 8 pounds) because of its all-maple body.

If you like RGs and Dinkys... why don't you just get more of those?

The Kramer Pacer Vintage is not at all like an RG or Dinky. In addition to the bigger neck, the body is somewhat lumpy and thick. It is definitely not a streamlined modern shredding machine. It feels old-school, which I like, but probably doesn't meet your requirements.

A more likely candidate for you might be the Kramer Pacer Classic. I only played one briefly; its neck was smaller than that of the Kramer Pacer Vintage. Its construction is cheaper than that of the Vintage, which reflects in its lower price.

I don't remember how the fret size on either model felt.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Kramer Pacer Vintage neck: what to expect?

Thanks for your reply stratguy23!

The way you describe the neck I would'nt like it at all, as you suggested.
The main reason I got into the Kramer Pacer Vintage was the very, very low price I had noticed with a certain dealer in a clearance action. He gave 40% discount making it a very attractive deal at 389 euro, but it seems I'll have to pass on it cause I won't like the neck.
The main reason I don't get another (new) Ibanez RG is because of the crazy prices Ibanez asks for their Japanese models, and I found the quality of the non-Japanese ones went down seriously the latest ten years.

Thanks a lot for your helpful reply!!

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Kramer Pacer Vintage neck: what to expect?

No worries, glad to help.

If I were you, I would just check the used market for RGs. RGs have been around long enough so that one could conceivably spend the rest of one's life shopping only for RGs. There are so many good ones out there used, and, as you know, some of the older ones are friggin awesome. Save those 389 euro and find yourself a good old Prestige