The Strat-Head Pacer has landed

[nhspike]

A Saturday FedEX delivery no less!
Color me stunned.
OK, the Rockinger trem has to go.
Couldn't even stand the string-lock up on the headstock.
Setscrews? I mean, really now.
LOL
Replaced with a string tree/bar (uses same holes).
This things getting a gold Floyd.
Sounds and plays like butter, just amazing, a real tone beast.
I even dig the carvin pickup they put in the bridge position.
Very happy over here!

[quiksilver]

Yeah, a gold OFR would really set that off. Love the headstock.

[nhspike]

thanks quik

[fuel0707]

Very cool and rare guitar.

What are you planning to do with the Rockinger after you replace it? I can imagine that there is a small but rabid market for those.

[straycat]

Post a pic of the neck plate.That is bad ass.Keep the trem if you go with the floyd its worth silly money right now just think in 5 years what it will be worth.They are good trems just need a little work underneath to make them function properly.
Those are very rare good score.
Should be Schaller pickups.

[Cygnus X1]

Noooicey, spikey...
I mean, Morton...I mean...Starts with an "N", I know it....

[straycat]

Been drinking again Cyggie?

[nhspike]

Thanks Dudes!
I'll prolly just sell the trem at some point.
The collector value of the guitar is not there anyhow, since that middle pickup was added, and the extra switches were added.
So I figure, it's a player.
And damn does she play nice too!!!
Harmonics jumping out everywhere... very sweet.

[Franx]

Very beautiful ! (and nice stones, too !)

[krimson]

Has it been refinished? It looks like the red burst is darker towards the top.

[nhspike]

According to the previous owner, that's the wood...
After looking at it carefully, I can't tell... It's a toss up.
Doesn't look like a refin... but I'm no expert.
I'm hoping Uncle Al and tell me for sure (he's knows wood types/what's normal).

[Bengal]

Nice Kramer.

[Vass]

If the harmonics are jumping, could be a Schaller pickup in there rather than a Carvin. I have one on my USA pacer & the artificials are just effortless. Who knows, maybe both pickups had similar characteristics.

I'd disagree with you on the collectability. Sure, it hurt to add the pickup route. But go check ebay completed auctions. There was a pacer special that a guy chopped up pretty good with the beak neck that went for alot. Another pacer special, a bit more mint, went for just shy of $1000.

Just that strathead neck would make guys go absolutely nuts. Go over to www.kramerforum.com/forum & ask them. They'll jump all over that.

EDIT- LOL I see you already went... also good info on the pickup switch over...http://www.kramerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24002
I would leave the trem as is, myself, or hold on to it for restoration down the road.

In just the last 6 months, as Jackson prices have gotten a bit soft, USA Kramers appear to be going up. I bought my Pacer Special for $250 (admitedly a nice deal) and like I said, one with just a fancier racing stripe on it vs. mine w/ a B serial plate, like mine, went for almost a grand.

Yours would go for more than that, I'm pretty sure.

I know this is the Jackson forum but I'll say this anyway- If you don't have an old USA Kramer and you're thinking about it, do it. I L O V E mine. Very different from my Jacksons but an absolute joy to play. And compared to Jacksons I just don't think there are as many around.

Vass

[nhspike]

Thanks Bengal!

Vass,
Yeah, although I'm going back and forth, the more I play it, I think that body will stay as is... it's just too fuggin nice to mess with!!!

It's unique, and plays killer.

[Bengal]

I'm growing rather fond of the Kramer neck profile. A bit more chunkier, more of a shoulder to "dig" your thumb into.