NGD: Kramer Stagemaster

[Dave L]

Hi guys, just as I thought I was pretty much done buying guitars an old buddy told me he was selling this. He barely plays at all anymore, so he was about to clean out some stuff. Anyway, we were in a band together 20-25 years ago and I always had a soft spot for - and fond memories of - this particular Kramer. It´s in great condition, apart from the general neglect, but after a round of fret work and a set-up it absolutely rocks again. I do remember it being a more vibrant pink back then, I wonder if it´s faded a bit or if a polish will bring back the "flourescent pink", as they called it.

For those not familiar, this is basically a ESP Horizon from the late 80s in a different trade dress. Really digging the JBJ in the bridge with the parallell option on that mini toggle.

 

[jchrisf]

I've always loved this guitar since seeing it on the cover of Speed Mechanics.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, those slightly earlier flat-tops are really cool too. Maybe not entirely unrelated, I think the guy I got this from also had that book way back when

 

[Fusionbear]

Yeah, those slightly earlier flat-tops are really cool too. Maybe not entirely unrelated, I think the guy I got this from also had that book way back when

My main guitar in the late 80's and early 90's was a flat top Stagemaster. It was a killer guitar. I did add and Switcharoo set up and Ultrasonic pickups.

 

[Dave L]

Late 80s Tom Anderson-style with those electronics, for sure. I put some Ultrasonics in a Valley Arts for a while, but that was straight-up five-way series operation. My Anderson is from 1993, and by then he´d gone away from the Ultrasonics.

 

[Dave L]

I´ve played this a lot the last few days, and that really is a sleek body shape. Despite being all but exactly the same outline and center thickness as my Soloists it looks and feels much smaller.

 

[SoooRad]

She's a beauty! You have a at least a couple sweet Kramers with this one and the EE Pro.

 

[Rackman]

It's sort of weird to remember that at one time they were the biggest guitar brand on the planet. A MIJ ESP Horizon isn't a bad thing AT ALL. Nice score!

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, I never had any Kramers until just a few years ago, oddly enough. Now I have those two, and a Sambora mutt that´s one of the KRS models for the japanese market but fitted with the neck and Floyd system from some American-series guitar of the same vintage.

 

[Speeddemon]

Nice axe! I got its white (re-issued tho' ) brother.
One of those guitars where a JB in the bridge just rips!

And I too did the Troy Stetina courses/books some 25+ years ago; Metal Lead Guitar I and II, and Speed Mechanics. The latter got pretty difficult fast, when you hear him do the licks at 100% speed. But this is going off really old memories...

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, I don´t think there was any VHS with it, just a cassette, so you couldn´t see him play it either.

... and those three I have also illustrate just how weird and sort of plotless the Kramer catalogue was. I guess the Sambora is somewhat of an actual Kramer, it has that slightly wonky strat shape similar to a Baretta or Pacer, but the Stagemaster is basically ESPs version of a Jackson archtop Soloist and the EE is a Tom Anderson. Beyond that you have the Nightswan, which was designed by another builder I can´t remember just now, and the large-bodies like the flat Stagey are basically the Kamikaze shape. Kramer just sort of absorbed different designs willy-nilly at that point.

 

[SoooRad]

Yeah, I don´t think there was any VHS with it, just a cassette, so you couldn´t see him play it either.

... and those three I have also illustrate just how weird and sort of plotless the Kramer catalogue was. I guess the Sambora is somewhat of an actual Kramer, it has that slightly wonky strat shape similar to a Baretta or Pacer, but the Stagemaster is basically ESPs version of a Jackson archtop Soloist and the EE is a Tom Anderson. Beyond that you have the Nightswan, which was designed by another builder I can´t remember just now, and the large-bodies like the flat Stagey are basically the Kamikaze shape. Kramer just sort of absorbed different designs willy-nilly at that point.

My understanding with the Horizon/Stagemaster thing is that in 85 Kramer had sent a prototype made in the US to ESP to build for them, allegedly it took "longer than they were expecting", and before they got their final version back from ESP, ESP had released the Horizon.

The Nightswan was a Buddy Blaze guitar. ESP took that body too and made the Maverick.

 

[Speeddemon]

I will say this though; the Kramer's output jack position is whack. It should be way more off to the side (closer to the strap button) than it is.

 

[jchrisf]

I would love to know how the new reissues of this Stagemaster compare to the originals. I've always wanted one but finding an original at a good price, in good condition is not easy

 

[Speeddemon]

I would love to know how the new reissues of this Stagemaster compare to the originals. I've always wanted one but finding an original at a good price, in good condition is not easy

Mine is a 2013 re-issue and really well made. Nice, reasonably chunky neck (through), good weight (not too light).

One weird thing though (although I did buy it used); it was supposed to come with Duncan JB (bridge) and 2 Cool Rails (middle & neck), yet in the middle and neck positions there were Hot Rails (...)...BRIDGE models, measuring 16.6k, (and the labels showed Hot Rails after taking them out).
It made those positions sound off, and right now there are 2 Dimarzio's there:
Chopper neck (great!) and a Fast Track 1 Middle (nice and reasonably mild/bright, for cleaner stuff).
Other upgrades were a 34mm big brass trem block (which did increase the sustain, but at the cost of some 'airy' qualities...so upgraders beware) and the Tone Vise Pitchshifter for instant drop-D stuff. I was one of the early adopters here on this forum; I don't see that dude around anymore, but hey, the product works.

Never played an original though, so I can't comment on that, but my RI SM-1 holds its own next to the 3~4 times more expensive ESP Horizon NT-II; but one does appreciate the overall next-level Japanese workmanship on that one; it adds that elusive 5%, where most $1000-1500 guitars may have cut corners or when you can't even put your finger on it what exactly that difference is.

 

[67mike]

Gorgeous.

 

[The~Kid]

Noice.....


Love that Kramer, looks sick man. Happy NGD and Cheers *_*

 

[napalmdeath]

I've seen some pretty blowout deals on the current production models. Like $699.

 

[The~Kid]

I would love to know how the new reissues of this Stagemaster compare to the originals. I've always wanted one but finding an original at a good price, in good condition is not easy

I've seen some pretty blowout deals on the current production models. Like $699.

My currently Production 84 is fucking awesome and I bet these are as good or better for a discount or full price.


They look sweet too and some have very Nice flame top as well or there are single bridge bucker models too.

 

[Speeddemon]

If I didn't already have a white one, I'd be all over that Carribean blue one.