1985 KRAMER PACER DELUXE / Candy Apple Red / Floyd Rose

A look back: Kramer Guitars was founded in the late 1970s by Dennis Berardi and Gary Kramer. Gary Kramer had previously co-founded the Travis Bean Guitar Company, renowned for its innovative aluminum-neck guitars. After parting ways with Travis Bean in 1975, Kramer continued development, resulting in the first Kramer models: aluminum necks combined with wooden reinforcements to reduce weight while ensuring a more traditional feel.

The early years were promising, but around 1980/81, sales dropped rapidly as times had changed dramatically in the guitar world. Kramer had to react and realign itself, and on the advice of Guitar Center as an investor, the company began developing Strat-style guitars with wooden necks—tailored to the new sound of the era: hard rock and pop-metal.

Under the first instruments in the new line were the Pacer, a ´Strat-style guitar —at that time still with Fender-style headstocks. But soon, a certain Eddie van Halen would make himself and the Kramer brand world-famous: overnight, Van Halen became synonymous with new rock music, and Kramer shaped a new generation of electric guitars. Of course, then the distinctive “banana” or “hockey stick” headstock, a design the company had borrowed from the Gibson Explorer, was a must. Kramer Guitars had successfully reinvented itself – and in doing so wrote an important chapter in the history of the electric guitar.

Here is a rare opportunity to purchase a Pacer Deluxe that is no less than 40 years old. First, the facts:

Made in the USA

Year of manufacture: 1985

Serial number: D0325

Body: Ash

Finish: Candy Apple Red

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Frets: Medium jumbo (1.1 x 2.7 mm, HxW)

Bridge: Floyd Rose locking tremolo

Pickups: HSS, Seymour Duncan

Weight: 3.78 kg

The Pacer Deluxe was launched in 1983 and was the first Kramer guitar ever to feature HSS pickups. This Pacer Deluxe from around 1985 is in original condition, except for new knobs and a push/pull tone pot, which splits the humbucker.

This Pacer Deluxe has seen a lot of miles, has been played a lot throughout its life, and sounds simply sensational! It comes perfectly tuned incl. new Tremolo-saddles and locking screws.