Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Brow on December 04, 2014, 11:08:22 PM
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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! :D
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:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/Guitars/10811453_10152368639036090_500983750_n_zpsb43459dd.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/Guitars/10811453_10152368639036090_500983750_n_zpsb43459dd.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/Guitars/10805299_10152368639051090_1883088273_n_zpscde7f73e.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/Guitars/10805299_10152368639051090_1883088273_n_zpscde7f73e.jpg.html) (the headstock Says Kramer American Series, and the Truss Rod cover says Pacer Custom II)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/Guitars/10811684_10152368639046090_938333464_n_zpsd35a195e.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/Guitars/10811684_10152368639046090_938333464_n_zpsd35a195e.jpg.html)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/Guitars/10476113_10152582406061359_5243312097658433911_n_zpseed17b03.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/Guitars/10476113_10152582406061359_5243312097658433911_n_zpseed17b03.jpg.html)
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 :D
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Oh yeah!!! Bring it on :) great axe. :afro:
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Ah, I think that's from the era when Kramer had (advertising) ownership of the back cover of every issue of Guitar Player...!
It looks good, I think they got the body and headstock shapes just right during that period.
(http://pointyguitar.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/gftpm_01_89_kramer_rose.jpg)
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That's sick!!
I would totally take that over a faded V! Nice score.
How many dive bombs have you done since getting it home? :grin:
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There is a certain charm about those 80s guitars. Congrats on it!
Also Duncan just shared this on their facebook page!
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I was into pointy headstocks long time ago. I had an early Jem FP. Necks are a little too thin for me in general. Nevertheless some of those youngtimers look badass, especially when you play music from that era. Great colour on your Kramer btw. Smart looker!
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Cool guitar! That will be a vintage axe in a few years :cool:
Philly: Haha, cool poster. Fattest mullet I've seen outside Germany in the 80s! :grin:
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I have to admit I had a similar hairstyle myself at that time....
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I have to admit I had a similar hairstyle myself at that time....
ssschhh, we'll keep that to ourselves :wink:
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Pics or it didn't happen! :grin:
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Great guitar, ticks all the 80s boxes. This is one of Kramer's best periods look-wise, it all just fits.
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I don't think there are any pics of my mullet. Thankfully.
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THat is an absolutely awesome guitar. I'll take it when you sell it :D
Also if you come up around or after new year the Yeti will be ready.
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Looks killer!
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Wow awesome :D
The JB's a bit weird like that... I've tried it in guitars where I've hated it, and then in other guitars where I've actually really liked it. And for no apparent reason that I can figure out. :laugh:
I dunno what's going on with floyd's hair there.
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Hey guys.
Thanks for the replies. I thought I remembered there being some lovers of 80s guitars here so figured it'd go down well :cool:
Whilst it's not the 1st or only Super Strat style guitar I currently own, it's probably the nicest playing.
I'm not really sure what to do about the pickups either tbh. I do quite like the JB that's currently in there, as much as it pains me to say that as I usually hate them, but on the same note I already have all the BKPs I have any interest in in other guitars.
Ah well, I'm in no rush to swap it out at the minute so I'll see how it goes I guess.
THat is an absolutely awesome guitar. I'll take it when you sell it :D
Also if you come up around or after new year the Yeti will be ready.
Think this 1s a keeper mate, sorry! :grin:
Can try and sort something out for a visit if you want. Either I can come upto you again or you're free to come here if you want to?
Wow awesome :D
The JB's a bit weird like that... I've tried it in guitars where I've hated it, and then in other guitars where I've actually really liked it. And for no apparent reason that I can figure out. :laugh:
I dunno what's going on with floyd's hair there.
I've had JBs in a few guitars and never liked them, I replaced the stock JB in my Jackson DK2M with a pair of HDs, but as I said above. Even if I wanted to change it I have no idea what I'd go for.
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Think this 1s a keeper mate, sorry! :grin:
Can try and sort something out for a visit if you want. Either I can come upto you again or you're free to come here if you want to?
LIES. You said that about the Jackson then tried offloading it :D
Just give it some time...
Also you should check out that custom pickup I got made. It should work a treat in that guitar.
I'll see how things go with christmas commitment/bonus situation and get back to you on visits.
I am NOT bringing the Yeti down on the train though. Far too much effort. That is unless you give me cash for it at the other end :D
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Very nice guitar!
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I've had JBs in a few guitars and never liked them, I replaced the stock JB in my Jackson DK2M with a pair of HDs, but as I said above. Even if I wanted to change it I have no idea what I'd go for.
Yeah I have JBs in a few guitars and they seem to vary quite a bit. Doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to why, either. :laugh:
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Cheers Afghan!
Think this 1s a keeper mate, sorry! :grin:
Can try and sort something out for a visit if you want. Either I can come upto you again or you're free to come here if you want to?
LIES. You said that about the Jackson then tried offloading it :D
Just give it some time...
Also you should check out that custom pickup I got made. It should work a treat in that guitar.
I'll see how things go with christmas commitment/bonus situation and get back to you on visits.
I am NOT bringing the Yeti down on the train though. Far too much effort. That is unless you give me cash for it at the other end :D
That's only because I needed something to trade and the Jackson was nearest thing I had to what he wanted. I don't intend to get rid of it! :grin:
I'll talk to you about that pickup another time :wink:
The Yeti will be fine on the train,, don't worry about it!
I've had JBs in a few guitars and never liked them, I replaced the stock JB in my Jackson DK2M with a pair of HDs, but as I said above. Even if I wanted to change it I have no idea what I'd go for.
Yeah I have JBs in a few guitars and they seem to vary quite a bit. Doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to why, either. :laugh:
Yeah, it's odd! I had a JB in an Alder bodied Jackson and it was awful, but it's ok in this Kramer (unknown body wood).
Who knows, I may hate it again by next week!
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Floyd's hair ?
Even did the perm thing in the 80s
(http://www.floydrose.com//images/resized/article_images/296_363/851483d3e567bf7848a9d4fa4a622b25.jpg)
here he is today
(http://www.floydrose.com/upload/useruploads/images/floyd_2013.jpg)
His band Q5 were pretty good back in the day
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The new hairstyle is even worse.
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His band Q5 were pretty good back in the day
I always thought they were over-reliant on their good looks.... :huh:
(http://content.clearchannel.com/cc-common/mlib/862/05/862_1399925100.jpg)
No, they were pretty good as I recall. I've got both their albums on vinyl - I wonder if they're available (cheap) on CD?
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Yeah, it's odd! I had a JB in an Alder bodied Jackson and it was awful, but it's ok in this Kramer (unknown body wood).
Who knows, I may hate it again by next week!
LOL
I like it in my alder charvel. it's alright in my edwards (maybe a bit muddy in the bass) and not quite as nice in my ash framus.
I think I've heard they're quite finicky with how the polepieces and height are set, though. I'm pretty lazy and never bother messing much with that stuff. :laugh:
EDIT: wow is floyd rose going for the gandalf look these days?
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That's a really nice guitar, I like it a lot. Hope you keep enjoying it :)
My only experience of the JB is in my Charvel San Dimas. It seems to sound pretty good through a high gain amp, but it was pretty flat sounding through a rather nice Supro I tried it with. The '59 in the neck sounded quite good though.
I hadn't seen Floyd Rose himself before, that was quite a mullet indeed. But that band picture is the most eighties thing I've ever seen! They kind of look like they're standing posing along the road as Mad Max and the Humungus' gang roar past
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Sorry for continuing in an off-topic vein, but I found the two Q5 albums on Spotify last night.
Listening to the first one, Steel the Light, it all came flooding back like the last 29 years had never happened. It is bloody excellent.
Listening to the second one, When the Mirror Cracked, I could hardly remember it at all. It is bloody awful.
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Oh yeah!!! Bring it on :) great axe. :afro:
Nice one I've had a Kramer Pacer Custom 2 as my main gigging guitar for almost 25 years. If you are looking to mod it the go titanium big block and WCR Murkat. Murkats are like the perfect JB's based on the early '80's 14k examples rather then the later 16k versions that might be in yours?
They really are great sounding durable solid reliable guitars - but then I'm a Kramer nut!
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Nice one I've had a Kramer Pacer Custom 2 as my main gigging guitar for almost 25 years. If you are looking to mod it the go titanium big block and WCR Murkat. Murkats are like the perfect JB's based on the early '80's 14k examples rather then the later 16k versions that might be in yours?
They really are great sounding durable solid reliable guitars - but then I'm a Kramer nut!
Thanks for your post.
WCR Pickups are waaaaaaaay too expensive for me to be honest, as are BKPs nowadays if I'm honest, but luckilly I have all the 1s I have any interest in so no harm done. As for the Titanium Block mod; I've never tried a guitar that has it. How does it change the sound?
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Nice one I've had a Kramer Pacer Custom 2 as my main gigging guitar for almost 25 years. If you are looking to mod it the go titanium big block and WCR Murkat. Murkats are like the perfect JB's based on the early '80's 14k examples rather then the later 16k versions that might be in yours?
They really are great sounding durable solid reliable guitars - but then I'm a Kramer nut!
Thanks for your post.
WCR Pickups are waaaaaaaay too expensive for me to be honest, as are BKPs nowadays if I'm honest, but luckilly I have all the 1s I have any interest in so no harm done. As for the Titanium Block mod; I've never tried a guitar that has it. How does it change the sound?
Yeah I know wcr's are expensive but for me they are worth every penny - love 'em. The titanium block on my Custom 2 has probably been the best mod I've done. It seems to refine the sound of my guitar adding clarity and definition. It also seems to add for want of a better word 'sizzle' to the top end. I don't mean fizz but the notes jump out of the amp with real energy and purpose. The other noticeable difference Is positions 2 and 4 sound even more strat like - playing Nile Rodgers style funk licks is a joy since I fitted the block. The other unintended advantage is that the size of the block reduces the pull up to less then a semitones so I had my tech fill the gap meaning the floyd is no longer floating, a first for me and a major improvement.
I did install a titanium block in my Kramer Nightswan but it doesn't have as dramatic effect in mahogany and I'm still getting used to that.
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Nice one I've had a Kramer Pacer Custom 2 as my main gigging guitar for almost 25 years. If you are looking to mod it the go titanium big block and WCR Murkat. Murkats are like the perfect JB's based on the early '80's 14k examples rather then the later 16k versions that might be in yours?
They really are great sounding durable solid reliable guitars - but then I'm a Kramer nut!
Thanks for your post.
WCR Pickups are waaaaaaaay too expensive for me to be honest, as are BKPs nowadays if I'm honest, but luckilly I have all the 1s I have any interest in so no harm done. As for the Titanium Block mod; I've never tried a guitar that has it. How does it change the sound?
Yeah I know wcr's are expensive but for me they are worth every penny - love 'em. The titanium block on my Custom 2 has probably been the best mod I've done. It seems to refine the sound of my guitar adding clarity and definition. It also seems to add for want of a better word 'sizzle' to the top end. I don't mean fizz but the notes jump out of the amp with real energy and purpose. The other noticeable difference Is positions 2 and 4 sound even more strat like - playing Nile Rodgers style funk licks is a joy since I fitted the block. The other unintended advantage is that the size of the block reduces the pull up to less then a semitones so I had my tech fill the gap meaning the floyd is no longer floating, a first for me and a major improvement.
I did install a titanium block in my Kramer Nightswan but it doesn't have as dramatic effect in mahogany and I'm still getting used to that.
Thanks for the info on the block mod, might look into that for something different :)
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I had a regular pacer (same colour) which I pay miracle man in the bridge and a trilogy suite in the neck. Didn't work so I switched it to a Holy Diver in the bridge and can't remember what I put in the neck, but the diver worked well