My First Floyd Rose Guitar 🎸 Kramer Pacer Classic Review

Some guitars inspire us to reach beyond our own limited talent and attempt to play the songs they are best known for. In the case of a Floyd Rose equipped Kramer that meant trying to channel our inner Eddie Van Halen. It didn't go that well... 🤦‍♂️

Thanks for your comments and all who have corrected me on the frankenstrat… which was in fact based on a strat body but may at one time have worn a kramer neck. So let’s say my claim that it was a pacer is just me pushing the boundaries of artistic licence?… 😆🤷‍♂️

00:00 intro & coming up
01:06 a kramer & a floyd rose
03:05 some lazy research
05:06 colours & specs
06:12 what does it weigh?
06:31 the floyd rose
09:45 string removal
12:57 fingerboard & frets
15:56 neck profile & measurements
16:36 pickup readings
17:12 re-stringing a floyd rose
23:02 control cavity
23:40 tuning & whammy bar dramas
26:03 todays rig
26:35 this is what it sounds like
29:29 tuning problems
29:46 no noodling this week
30:40 my first attempt at tapping
32:03 learning something new
33:55 I forgot to look under the hood
34:50 let's look under the hood
37:30 the neck pickup
38:30 let's sum up
39:23 there's a better version
40:45 this won't be my last floyd rose guitar
42:01 tv channel plug
44:04 play out jam

I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Some things I do know and some things I don't know but think I know and sometimes I say things that are not entirely correct. Once I have said things it's too late to correct them so please check any 'so called facts' with an adult, google, wikipedia, or someone else that knows.

We run this channel to provide therapy for our gear addiction and for an excuse to buy more. Please like and subscribe and keep coming back to watch our films if you would like to support the channel!

#kramer #vanhalen #electricguitar #guitaraddict #theguitaristas #guitarist #guitarporn

[theguitaristas]

Thanks for your comments and all who have corrected me on the frankenstrat… which was in fact based on a strat body but may at one time have worn a kramer neck. So let’s say my claim that it was a pacer is just me pushing the boundaries of artistic licence?… 😆🤷‍♂️

[adrianguggisberg]

The reason why they glue the maple fretboard onto the maple neck is twofold:
1. they rout the channel for the truss rod into the neck from the top, hence no skunk stripe, and then cover it with the bord.
2. this construction makes the neck stronger and less likely to twist.

[catmandoodoo]

It’s a mark of how awesome this channel is that I have absolutely no interest in Kramer or Floyd Roses but will happily still watch from start to finish.

[jimmywalker]

Thank you for you honest review and deep dive into all of the guitars. Also it is a joy knowing you reply to the comments unlike most youtubers. You channel is like a visit to a mom and pop music store.

[S-T-E-V-E]

25:30 You missed a pun there Col! I was expecting you to say 'If you'e got a Wobbly Bar just fiddle with your Nuts!' 😂👌

[stevecw]

well made colin . love how you style your videos it must take a lot of time.
i must say its very much appreciated 👍

[bradyazell]

Thanks for confirming what I already suspected. I'll never buy one of these. But, as always, seeing your deep dive on something new gives me tremendous joy. Have a great weekend!

[roimodeste]

I have the same one in blue, I made quite a few modifications like rounding the edge of the frets, polishing the frets and leveling a few frets. I glued the locking nut, replaced 1 volume knob with a 500k master volume, disconnected the tone, replaced the mini switch with a large toggle switch, put in good quality and isolated vibrato springs. The guitar sounds a little more precise, the humbuckers are good for the price but I think they are ceramic contrary to what Kramer says? The Floyd rose special is not great in "floating" use, the steel is too "soft" but I block it with a tremstopper and it's not too bad in terms of tuning performance.

[ChrisG]

Great review Colin, from a massive EVH fan. The closest Kramer model to Ed's is the '84, a single humbucker at the bridge with a floyd rose and banana headstock. Retails around £700

[Andy_Fallon]

"I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it."

[mikederr]

Definitely a fun guitar for shure and I agree I like how a guitar can push you to learn new things! Great episode as always and fun times.Thanks mate!😊

[eoinjennings]

I don’t come here expecting EVH - great stuff ! What is so nice about this channel is you really enjoy it and play very well. I particularly admire your improv skills which I don’t have, but not to the extent of some YouTube channels where the playing is so good I leave depressed

[pinkiewerewolf]

This video is so much fun Colin!
Guitar techs in the 80's really earned their pay.

[El_Padre_Guitars]

Great review, Col, as always. I've often eyed Kramers up out of pure curiosity, but I think the 'faff factor' has convinced me to keep it at just that. (No beverage or nibbles this week, as i watched it while making dinner) 😊

[tonyb]

Thanks for the tutorial on stringing a Floyd! I'm going to refer to this the next time I have to change strings.

[jamesmgreen]

I think the more going on guitars generally struggle when trying to meet rock-bottom pricing. Good

[traviswaynedoyle]

As always, thank you guys for contiuning to produce and share content like this. Cheers.

[damonfraser]

When I used a Floyd I left the ball end on and used it on tuner pegs end. One day at a show I got a bit aggressive and pulled the bridge out of guitar. Went back to vintage strat bridge for awhile. I use a JB strat now. I prefer the roller nut locking keys over locking nut and fine tuners. But the Floyd can be pretty fun.

[iak]

ROHS is a regulatory compliance sticker.
"Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, is a product-level compliance regulation that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products (EEE) and originated in the European Union."

[mofomartianp]

The floyd rose is it's own animal and has a steep learning curve. But if you can get it to work, it's worth it. A few tips: stretching your strings before tuning is a must, always tune up (never down), and be patient as you cycle through each string. As you do this, adjust spring tension to keep the bridge level with the body as you set everything up the first time. Once it's tuned, lock it down nice and tight (so the strings don't slip) and make the final micro adjustments with the bridge tuners. It's worth noting that tuning stability is much better on the higher end floyds (1000s, 1500s and up), and this would include ibanez's Edge Tremolo as well.
On a new guitar, it might take a few days or weeks for the guitar to "settle in" and become completely stable, but once it does, it should be rock solid. My Ibanez RG570 seems to be the most stable guitar I own, and basically never goes out of tune once it's properly setup/tuned up.