New Kramer Custom Graphics Collection - love it, hate it, meh?
- Thread starter Blille
- Start date
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
For hot-rod finishes, I like these better. 'Course they aren't as affordable...
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
If I were ever to get a hot rod graphic axe..
Dean MAB Armorflame.
\m/
Dean MAB Armorflame.
\m/
ErikH
Well-known member
Back in 85, and throughout the 80's really, there were actual artists / painters that were doing the graphics. These days, unless you are paying a premium, most graphics are simply decals made to look like painted graphics. That started back in the 90's when Fender had the Fotofinish Series with decal flamed maple tops. They were MIJ guitars, IIRC. Then Epiphone did the same with the Zack Wylde LP. I can about guarantee these Kramers are the same way. Cheaper to make.
ErikH
Well-known member
Glad they are selling for Gibson's sake. They need to up the QC on them though. And offer rosewood fretboards on the Barettas. Maple was an option back in the day but not widely seen. I'd rather go after an EVH 5150 Series or Striped Series 5150 if I wanted another Kramer-esque guitar.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
As far as I know they do have rosewood (equivalent...panga panga or something) fret boards on the black and the white one's. I have MIJ Charvel's, Jackson's & Ibanez's and my $200 Indo Baretta special's play as good (a hell of a lot better, out of the box) as all of them.....completely stock and untouched. Their fit/finishes are pretty damn flawless as well, at least on the two I had & from what I've heard. I could (and did) literally pick them up out of the box, tune up (a bit lol) and shred as comfortably on them as any other well-set-up-for-fast-playing axe I own. They sound phenomenal too...not just for the price. Frankly, you don't see that with most $1000+ (and even some 1500+) guitars these days. And it's happened not once but twice, since I own two of them (and may soon own a third...the rosewood fingerboard models are calling out to me) ..so unless lightning strikes twice..
I think Gibson (who are known for turning near every brand they acquire to shite) have done a great job with these Kramer's. And to have done so consistently at this price-point is pretty much unheard of. So hats off to them ....hope they keep it up. I'm not holding my breath though, that's why I'm going to keep stocking up on the Baretta Special's right now.
I think Gibson (who are known for turning near every brand they acquire to shite) have done a great job with these Kramer's. And to have done so consistently at this price-point is pretty much unheard of. So hats off to them ....hope they keep it up. I'm not holding my breath though, that's why I'm going to keep stocking up on the Baretta Special's right now.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Well, tbh there were some pretty cheesy/fugly hand-painted guitar's around at the time.. some were completely hideous :lmao:
I personally don't care how they make them as long as it's not detrimental to the way they sound and they look good. A couple of those Kramer's are passable....though I'd rather buy a Dean or Cort for graphics (I did actually :laugh2
...
ErikH
Well-known member
The rosewood-ish option is on the Baretta Special. A much cheaper option without a Floyd and cheaper wood. These here are $1000 and the solid colors of the same are $700. These graphics specifically have maple fingerboards only just like the solid color Baretta (formerly the Baretta Vintage). I’ve tried a few of the Pacers and Baretta Vintages before and I wasn’t impressed. They didn’t feel solid. The finish on the body was ok but the necks felt awful.
And yeah, the 80’s certainly had its fair share of terrible paint jobs. No doubt about it. Dennis Kline certainly turned out a lot of gems though. Each one unique since he painted them all and no two are the same, even the Marilyn Monroe’s.
And yeah, the 80’s certainly had its fair share of terrible paint jobs. No doubt about it. Dennis Kline certainly turned out a lot of gems though. Each one unique since he painted them all and no two are the same, even the Marilyn Monroe’s.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Have'nt tried the Vintage's (they're still around) so I can't say much about them other than they look cool and I'd probably have bought one if they retailed here for $700 (for some reason they're about double that) . But I was floored by the Special's. Like I said they played excellent out of the box and are tone machines with the stock pup's. Can't say how solid they feel compared to vintage Kramer's, but as a huge Ibby S series fan they're more than solid enough feeling for me haha. Can't complain about the neck's either ..they're 100% greased lightning, what more could a guy ask for??
This is how it plays straight out of the box...all I did was tune up.
This is how it plays straight out of the box...all I did was tune up.
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Lovegun
Active member
If I were ever to get a hot rod graphic axe..
Dean MAB Armorflame.
\m/
Wow that graphic has a really good 3-D look to it. That chainlink really looks like it is under that other graphic
UnderTheFlame83
New member
Those are hideous. The snake skin is decent.
G
Guest
Guest
It looked more like fishnets to me.
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