Spotted a used Kramer Pacer at Guitar Center recently, priced just over $300, and it immediately grabbed my attention. Like many, I flipped the guitar over, hoping to find a “Made in…” sticker on the headstock to pinpoint its origin. No luck – just a serial number and a small round sticker. The mystery of its manufacturing location remained unsolved right there in the store.
The tremolo system looked like a Floyd Rose style, possibly even branded Kramer or Pacer. To be honest, it didn’t scream “genuine Floyd Rose” to my admittedly untrained eye, but it seemed functional enough. However, the real standout feature of this Kramer Pacer was undeniably the neck. Seriously, this neck was something else.
The action was set incredibly low, around 1.5mm, and yet there was absolutely no fret buzz. The feel of the neck was simply divine. Imagine something slightly thicker than an Ibanez Super Wizard neck, but only marginally so. It had a soft C profile, lacking any sharp shoulders, which made it incredibly comfortable in hand. For me, the neck is often the make-or-break element of any guitar, and this Pacer’s neck was a home run. Plus, the tremolo was top-mounted, suggesting it would be straightforward to block it and install a D-Tuna if desired.
It wasn’t entirely perfect, though. Shaking the guitar revealed a noticeable rattle from somewhere inside the body, which is never a good sign. Despite this minor concern, the exceptional neck has me seriously considering a Kramer Pacer. A quick online search reveals similar models available elsewhere. This leads to a key question for those in the know: are these thin, incredible necks consistent across Kramer Pacer Guitars? Or is Kramer’s quality control inconsistent, meaning each guitar could have a significantly different neck profile?
Given the guitar’s seemingly recent manufacture (it didn’t look older than five years), one would hope for consistent neck shapes across Pacer models to keep production costs down. But perhaps someone with more experience can confirm this? Furthermore, where are Pacers manufactured these days? Are recent models, within the last five years, made in Korea, Indonesia, or China? I’ve heard whispers of Korean production, but concrete information is elusive.
Finally, what’s the general consensus on the quality of Kramer Pacers? Are they reliable instruments, or are there known issues to be aware of? Any insights, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated. My search for a guitar with a top-mounted Floyd Rose that can be easily blocked and fitted with a D-Tuna has been ongoing. The only hurdle has been finding a neck I truly connect with – and this Kramer Pacer neck might just be the answer. I’m eager to hear your thoughts and experiences with the Kramer Pacer. What’s your two cents?
