NGD: 80s Content

[Brow]

Hey guys.

As some of you may know as I'd mentioned it on here before a few times I've been trying to move my 2005 Gibson Faded V on for a while now with no luck, either selling or trades. There's only so many times I can be offered an Epiphone Les Paul with 'upgrades' in trade before it does my head in!

Anyways, a local shop took in the guitar below as a commission sale for someone and I thought I'd try my luck at offering my V (minus it's BKPs) in a straight swap for it, and the owner went for it. I've not seen many around to know if the price is the same on both my V and this, but we were both happy with the trade and I'd sooner have a guitar I play than 1 I don't that just sits there in it's case.

So here it is:



(the headstock Says Kramer American Series, and the Truss Rod cover says Pacer Custom II)





I believe it to be a 1986 Kramer Pacer Custom II. Looking on the Vintage Kramer site the year seems to tie in with the style of headstock and logo from around then as do the pickups, which I think are Seymour Duncan JB/APS-1/APS-1, as they're certainly not the Schaller pickups the earlier Pacer Custom IIs came with.

To be honest it's the 1st guitar I've used where I've not pretty much instantly hated the JB, I always have in other guitars I've had them in. Play wise it's setup in Eb but I need to put some 11s on it and re-set it up as it plays a bit too lightly for my tastes.

I'd appreciate it if any Kramer experts could chime in as I've not been able to find that much info out about these, and I'm always curious as to what I have

 

[Kac]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

I'm Certainly not a Kramer expert. But that is one absolutely beautiful guitar!


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[DankStar]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Dig it

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

siiiiick

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Me likey, Happy New Guitar Day man!!!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Oh my slippery **** thats nice.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: 80s Content

That's awesome.

You've got a mid to late 80's Pacer Custom II and those Duncan's came stock. Body and neck were made by ESP with all the finishing and assembly being done in Neptune, NJ. What's even cooler it has a claw neck (indicated by the inlays, which are actually headstocks). Those claw necks are highly sought after by Kramer fanatics.

Those old Kramers are great, IMO.

 

[autologic]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

That would look right at home in the hands of any discerning '80s metal fanatic. Very, very nice.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Looks kinda like a Stagemaster. I don't know man...since it's an 80s relic, I don't think it's worth your 2005 Gibson. Today Kramer is like zombie.

 

[ErikH]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Stagemasters were neck-thru. This one is bolt-on.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

That's awesome.

You've got a mid to late 80's Pacer Custom II and those Duncan's came stock. Body and neck were made by ESP with all the finishing and assembly being done in Neptune, NJ. What's even cooler it has a claw neck (indicated by the inlays, which are actually headstocks). Those claw necks are highly sought after by Kramer fanatics.

Those old Kramers are great, IMO.

Exactly!! Kramer folks love Klaws!!! haha Very sought after and my fav logo too! And yes, Duncans should be stock on that one. Great score! Break out the spandex and hair spray !
I friggin love it! Ive wanted one just like it in black for Years!!! jealous, I am...

 

[ErikH]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Looks kinda like a Stagemaster. I don't know man...since it's an 80s relic, I don't think it's worth your 2005 Gibson. Today Kramer is like zombie.

The value of those old Pacer Customs today is on par with what a used Faded V would go for right now so it's actually a very fair trade.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

I rather have an old Kramer than anything......faded.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

What you've got there is a proper kosher "American" Kramer made in Japan by ESP. 1987 or 86, I guess.

Hey Brian G. - this is not a "relic", this is a proper authentic vintage piece from an important era in electric guitar history. Something a Gibson Faded will never be.

 

[ErikH]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

What you've got there is a proper kosher "American" Kramer made in Japan by ESP. 1987 or 86, I guess.

Hey Brian G. - this is not a "relic", this is a proper authentic vintage piece from an important era in electric guitar history. Something a Gibson Faded will never be.

The body and neck were made in Japan, yes. They were then shipped to NJ, in raw form, to be painted and polished, the necks fretted and finished, the electronics installed and everything else. ESP supplied the raw bodies and necks. Now, the Focus models, they were entirely built in Japan and imported to the U.S.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

You're right.

 

[Brow]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Hey guys.

Thanks for all the comments. I thought I remembered there being some 80s guitar fans on here so thought it might go down quite well

Whilst it's not my 1st and/or only current Super Strat style guitar it's probably my best playing 1.

Pickup wise I think I'll stick with the JB for a bit and see how I get on.

That's awesome.

You've got a mid to late 80's Pacer Custom II and those Duncan's came stock. Body and neck were made by ESP with all the finishing and assembly being done in Neptune, NJ. What's even cooler it has a claw neck (indicated by the inlays, which are actually headstocks). Those claw necks are highly sought after by Kramer fanatics.

Those old Kramers are great, IMO.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I found something similar myself after a bit of digging on the Vintage Kramer site. It seems some see it as a bad thing they're not 'all MIA' guitars, me; I don't mind aslong as it plays well.

Looks kinda like a Stagemaster. I don't know man...since it's an 80s relic, I don't think it's worth your 2005 Gibson. Today Kramer is like zombie.

Admittedly I have seen some Vs over here going for over £500 2nd hand, it's all about finding that right buyer at the right time that happens to have the cash.

I could never get used to the V, it never hung right on me and the bottom fin always got in the way as I'm short. Unless I wore the guitar quite high and that was just uncomfortable!

I'd much rather have a guitar that whilst may possibly be worth less to some people, that I like to play and will use sooner than just have 1 that sits in it's case going unused, like the V was for a long time.

 

[J E C]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Oh......I LIKE IT!

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Beautiful!!! Congratulations. And IMHO, especially in that condition...I'd say that's a $750 Sweet Ass Kramer PCII. Those Claw Necks sell for $350 alone...Hell...there's one on eBay for $795.00 for just the NOS Claw Neck. I'd take it over the Gibby you traded any day!!!

 

[ErikH]

Re: NGD: 80s Content

Hey guys.

Thanks for all the comments. I thought I remembered there being some 80s guitar fans on here so thought it might go down quite well

Whilst it's not my 1st and/or only current Super Strat style guitar it's probably my best playing 1.

Pickup wise I think I'll stick with the JB for a bit and see how I get on.



Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I found something similar myself after a bit of digging on the Vintage Kramer site. It seems some see it as a bad thing they're not 'all MIA' guitars, me; I don't mind aslong as it plays well.

I have a Baretta from the same era, it's a 1988 model. Came stock with a JB but when I bought it there was a different pickup in it. That was taken care of and I found an 80's JB for it on eBay. It had a Custom Custom in it for a while too but the JB is right at home. Like you, it's one of my best playing guitars.

Those that talk down about the source of bodies and necks don't know that some of the large boutique builders don't make their own bodies and necks either. The way I see it, raw unfinished material arrived in NJ and left as beautiful guitars. Enjoy it.