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?… 😆🤷♂️
When you've got the guitar to pitch, BEFORE you lock the nut, you have to stretch the strings then tune it again. BEFORE you lock the nut set the micro tuners a tiny bit more than half way in. Make sure your in tune, then lock the nut. Once you retune with the micro tuners it should be extremely tuning stable. Once you've done it a few times you'll develop some of your own tricks.
You'll have to learn "The Gates of Babylon" (both versions if you like, but Rainbow's for sure) for the next "not really feelin bluesy" guitar you want to noodle on; it's straightforward, proto-metal, and you can reuse a lot of blues minor modality stuff on it. Once you do that a few times, it will be fun to see you explore the new-ish path while ripping on classic, yet arguably much more rock/metal, riffage.
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.
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.
@@guymansfield-smith1135 Yeah, I have a Fullerton G&L too and it's made this way. Fender USA necks were made like this for a while too, but it wasn't oldfashioned enough for their traditionalist customer base I guess.
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.
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!
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.
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!😊
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 UA-cam channels where the playing is so good I leave depressed
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
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) 😊
Great review. I'm not much of a wah wah player, and had no interest in Floyd Rose tremolos, but this video confirmed for me that despite whatever alleged benefits they claim to confer, they aren't worth the extra hassle. For one thing the whole concept of locking the tuning in is suspect since relatively minor changes in temperature or humidity will affect the tuning anyway, and then you have to faff around again for too long a time. Thanks for the video.
@ericandrews1661How stable the tuning is depends a lot on temperature stability no matter which system you are using. I have a small house that can vary a fairly significant amount (about 4 degrees F) in temperature over a short time, especially in the winter. As a result I have to tune my guitars almost every time I pick one up. Also, with new strings a locking nut won't prevent going out of tune until the strings are fully stretched and broken in. All things combined, I prefer to be able to tune my guitar in a minute without excess fiddling. That's my preference for myself, but of course if others think the Floyd Roses are worthwhile, more power to them.
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.
Agreed about high end floyds. Although I hate all floyd rose bridge, the cheap one are simply horrible. The metal is so soft on those they easily strip out even the first time the strings are changed.
its easier to fully crank the springs and lock the trem with cards/cloth/whatever to the position you want. tune the guitar up, then release the trem from the blockage and retune it using the screws that way the trem will be where you had it when you are in tune. makes a basic string change a thing of less than 10 minutes. only thing thats crap on floyds is doing the intonation, so better not change stringgauge to often ;P also the "settling in"... stretch the strings as much as you can. once you did this it will be stable. if its off "alot" cause temperature, use the backscrews to tune. else you should be fine with tiny amounts on the fine tuners
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.
Well worth the wait! Some proper laugh out loud moments. Terrific. Loved my 80’s metal and thrash and my guitar choices getting back into playing reflected this. You channel and playing has inspired me to try “other” stuff. Cheers fella.
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."
I had my first Floyd Rose trem on 1973 Strat, they came out in 1976 I think that Floyd Rose trem is still on the guitar nearly 50 years after great never goes out of tune , But I have had one's from 2000s not the same quality not as good. ps putting the Floyd Rose on the strat effected price of guitar .
Love your channel Colin!!! You are the reason I purchased (2) Epiphone 1959 Les Pauls and (1) Epiphone 1961 SG. Your Epiphone Firebird video has now made me want to purchase that model too. U ROCK!!!!🤘😁
I have three guitars with Floyd Rose locking system installed. One is an original 1983 Kramer Striker. Back then they didn’t have the locking nut and fine tuners. Had to install that on my own. The other two are a Gibson LP Custom and a Tele parts caster I built a few years ago. I had no idea you channeled EVH. lol…
Wow I wasn’t expecting that this week and yes I am starting to get that kind of feeling that you were talking about when playing and it’s a great feeling at that and I want to feel it more and more.
Thanks Colin! Your review was very helpful. You covered that Floyd Rose setup very well. I don't own anything with a FW but you covered all the surprises very well especially the strings and the fine tuners. I enjoyed this and Thanks Again!
It is absolutely a pfaff dealing with floyds. I've hated string changes on them since day one. I guess that explains why I have six guitars fitted with them......😅
That was one of my favorite of all your episodes. And I watch the majority of them. Well done, good sir! Totally enjoyed that start to finish. Love to see you compare a EVH Wolfgang Special to this or another similar entry level floating bridge style. Cheers!
Thanks for review! Still have my original stage master with its hockey stick head stock. I wondered how the new ones compaired. Yes a Floyd is a funky lot. Of course it was all the rage after Eddie.
Pulling out the VH! Awesome! I love it. When I was a youngster in the 80's, all I wanted to be was Eddie with a killer Super Strat and a Floyd Rose. I even had a Kramer Baretta at one point. Not anymore. I now love a fixed bridge that gives me NO tuning issues...maybe I've lost my patience as I get older, lol.
Great vid Col. Tips I picked up online. When restringing wind the fine tuners out fully then back in 2 turns to give decent range of adjustment. Also keep ball ends run them straight through the tuners, pull all strings tight together, line them all up with the back of the low E saddle and cut all 6 to that length. That's from Steve Vai's guitar tech.
You're a legend - love your channel! my first guitar in about 1989 was Fender HM Strat which had a similar whammy bar. Imagine my suprise years later when I learnt that chopping the ring off wasn't the norm when it comes to stringing up a guitar :-) 5-6 hours trying to immitate Eddie? I've spent over 20 years and you just blew me away - keep up the great work mate!
Another great video there, Colin 👍 And i love how diverse us guitar players can be. For me, it has maybe one redeeming feature at best, so I'd pass on that if i saw one in a shop 😄
Hello. My friend Paul Unkert master luthier and production manager at Kramer helped design the original 5150 for Eddie. Paul said it was a poplar body with an SD JB which you can hear in Live Without A Net!
You are very much like my statistics lecturer, a humble old man with a rocking heart. By the way he talked about the Van Halen brown m&ms story to remind us to read instructions carefully.
Hello mate" from St Paul Minnesota. My new guitar friend across the pond. Love your videos... subscribed! Just bought this same Kramer today at a music go round store. Red. $179. It's supposed to be uses but absolutely brand new condition. I'm doing a full complete overall setup now as I'm watching your video. I have much experience seeing up floyd roses. When I'm done it will play like an good $800 guitar! I always thought these looked cool as hell and totally 80"s! Cheers bro 👍
Great videos Colin, keep it up. By the way for the pickups you don't even have to take the strings out of the trem. Just pull the springs off from the back and take the whole trem off the posts.
I’ve been playing Floyd Rose guitars for over 30 years, they’re not as difficult as they appear in the video.. keeping in mind it’s a cheap guitar with a very cheap and nasty version of a locking trem.
Nice guitar in nice red color. The quality for the mentioned and excellent price is, in my personal opinion, fully acceptable. The adjustments are not essential, many other brands also need them. I like it. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍🎸
I got mine for £189 in the sales last year and still can't believe it! The Floyd Rose took some "breaking in" but works perfectly fine. To compare it to the high end Floyd on my much more expensive guitar, I only need to tune the Kramer about once a week when playing it daily, whereas the expensive one only needs tuning after a string change lol. Thanks Colin for another really entertaining episode!
Thanks for this video, a good in depth look at this style of guitar. I've always thought these locking trem set ups where too much fuss and bother, I'm glad this video reinforced my thoughts. Looking forward to next Friday!
For 199 pounds....great deal !! Was that " fall-of-a-truck" special Christmas price 😅 Seriously ....sounds great, looks great....and make people happy. God enough...😊
Wonderful to see you try out a Floyd Rose guitar. They're a labour of love, that's for sure. Cheaper Floyd Rose systems aren't usually worth the hassle but a full fat or decent 3rd party system like a Gotoh 1996t are solid and reliable. If I have to change strings on a Floyd I tend to leave the nut unlocked so I can tune a bit more like normal until everything really settles down. I'll give 2 tips to every budding Floyd Rose enthusiast (and also to other systems like Ibanez) tune your guitar in your normal playing position if possible. The difference in position from flat to hanging round your neck alters the tuning ever so slightly. Secondly, tune your strings in symmetrical pairs (E's, B and A, G and D) I find this gives me *less* faffing around before I lock the nut again. A full fat Floyd Rose costs 1.5 times the guitar so well done for giving it a go. I'd love to see you tackle something like an Ibanez RG-370AHM with the Ibanez Zero Edge 2 system to see how it compares. Apparently the Floyd Rose Special/1000 are meant to be better. Cracking episode once again. Suffering a cheap Floyd Rose for your viewers is dedication to your craft :P
I’m in between studios, whilst we plan our retirement to france later this year. I cannot WAIT to get a studio back up and running, and getting my guitars to europe! I don’t have your expert level of GAS, but I’m excited to do some new guitar days!!
Aloha Colin! Great new experience! There are some other locking bridges out now! Wilkinson make one now. Used on Suhr guitars. Pete Thron models. Not cheap.
Glad you didn’t skip today’s vid as threatened. Only got to see last weeks one earlier today. Keep up the good work a lot of people really enjoy this Friday ritual, me included!
I had one of the original pacers with the ball headstock, wish I could find it again. Great video Colin, I have always wondered about the modern models.
What a nice Kramer! Edward Van Halen's 5150 Kramer was said to be a Kramer Pacer Special. Paul Unkert said that at least. I have a Kramer 84, I tightened the claw which decked the the Floyd bridge. I raised the action a bit at the posts. Put EVH .9 gauge strings on it and an EVH DTuna. Decking that bridge down onto the body was the best move that I ever made. Tons more sustain, and resonance. It added 100% tuning stability as well. The Floyd 1,000 bridge isn't perfectly horizontal with the body now but works amazingly. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻
Another good vid Colin. The rose t system is intimidating for sure. That's exactly how it was when I first got my Ibanez RG470DX. Tuning was (and is) a pain in the proverbial ass. Sounds great when it's on, but it goes out quicker than my hardtails and Fender trems. That t system is slightly different, but same level of initial frustration. Great to learn new things though right? Cheers!
Guitars that are tension balanced on springs, such as these Floyd Rose, Evertune, and Ibanez Edge can often stay in tune for months on end, despite seasonal changes. This was a learning experience for me, as I started playing them towards my 50s. For many years I was a hard tail kinda guy. Disadvantages include poorly machined parts, and stripped threads, but that’s not a problem with some more reliable brands. I’ve seen techs prefer spray silicone lubricants for moving parts and to help everything return to perfect pitch, myself I don’t play too often to need it. Total amateur here. Always a pleasure Cole. Thank you.
Great to see a super strat on your channel! Funny, in the 80's and 90's I had a stable of them, all loaded with Floyds and today, in a collection of nearly 50 guitars, I don't own a single one. It took me a long time to finally realize that I can do everything I did on a Floyd with a properly setup, good quality two-point, vintage style trem (G&L Dual-Fulcrum, Gotoh, etc.) without all the fuss or tuning issues... A quick recommendation when changing strings on a Floyd... do one string at a time instead of removing all six at once. It will keep the bridge more stable and require less tweaking when you're done. The only time I ever took all 6 off at once was to occasionally oil the fretboard, which is obviously not a worry with a maple fretboard.
Great point also about learning how to play new things on a new style of guitar. I just got a 12 string Ibanez and it was a whole new experience - played different stuff - struggled with fretting - all stops you getting bored and improves skills
I have an Ibanez rg. Block under the trem to keep it level when taking the strings off, ball ends in the tuners and trim at the bridge. Stretch the string until staying in tune, lock but down and fine tune. Works for me. Believe Eddie’s Kramer was the 5150
Hi Colette, Better late than never mate.😊Enjoy! Not everyone uses Those types of locking systems. Yeah, fiddling around with Them! I like them on a few of my Guitars. Well done showing Floyd Rose to your many Loyal viewers 👏 🙏😊
Kramer's are great imho and I have used them ever since the eighties. The Floyd Rose does have a learning curve but once you are used to it it's really no big deal. Great video my friend and keep shredding. ✌🏻
I had a Floyd years ago (before the internet) and abused it! I learnt to never take all the strings off and only tighten just enough at the clamps. Also putting the ball end through the tuner ! Nice review. Great playing, always good to try something new .
There you go, that´s how we love Col !!! I realized Colin that on the last Num, Epiphone only released artist signature models, and the cheapest was this Wax Nighthawk for 790€ . It´s a shame !
That's pretty cool that you are reviewing the Kramer. While at a Guitar Center last month I noticed they had about 8 or so new Kramers so I tried 2 different models....an HSS in red just like the one you have in finish,and the HH in a beautiful blue finish. The GC Technician was hanging out with me,saw how badly the HSS played and he took it back and set it up. The blue Guitar was spot on,though, and I had a good time playing around on it. At $199.99,I'd say go for it to anybody that wants to try a fun and different kind of player. Thanks buddy, Steve O
I have used Floyds on my guitars since the late 80’s when I had one put on my 79 Strat which I still have. I also have a 73 Strat with a Floyd (would never have been able to afford it if it hadn’t!) and a 98 USA Voodoo with one. I accept that string changes and setting them up is a PITA but once you have got there they work a treat. The secret is to really stretch the stings when you put them on, move your hand up and down the neck giving a good pull before you lock them at the nut. Also have the fine tuners almost fully slackened off as you will have more scope for raising the pitch (they rarely go sharp). Then give them a good play, lots of bends and using the bar and recheck the tuning. You can usually then get it right with the fine tuners without having to undo the locknut. Once it’s right you should be sorted! I always cut the strings two and a half tuners longer to get more winds on the tuners. With Floyds strings tend to break at the bridge so you can cut at the break, slacken the string keeping the tension with your hand then retighten the nut, clamp the newly cut end in the bridge and reuse the same string. Saves a few bob if you are a hard wanger! Also the Original Floyds are better than the Specials and a lot of the “Licensed by” ones are cheap crap. Great job on the EVH chops, I’ve been trying for years to nail Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love and not got there, you’ve done it in 6 hours! Enjoy your videos a lot.
Another great review and good to go out of your comfort zone ! This is really not my sort of guitar and it just reconfirmed that I’d never touch a Floyd rose but it was very interested nevertheless !
Thats what its all about! Being inspired! I have a Schecter Blackhawk that is a bit of a beast and not exactly my style of playing but its such a great guitar and those high output pickups demand some metal fun!
Brave stuff! I’d never go anywhere near a guitar with a Floyd Rose having set up a couple for other people. The Pacer was ridiculously inexpensive but it’s definitely Marmite.
I love the look of the banana and pointy Kramer headstocks especially the Japanese necks made by ESP, but as far as functional and straight string pull the beak headstock is where it’s at.
Awsome guitar love the matching headstock paint. I would upgrade that 1000 series bridge to an 1984 Floyd rose reissue or a gotoh and it would be bulletproof.
Good morning Colin and fellow Guitaristas! 🎵🎶🎵🎥 Thanks Colin for helping me to forget my 'flu-symptoms' this morning.🤧🥶 I am not typically a super-strat fan, but I really liked your presentation of this Kramer.
Good to see you going outside of your comfort zone. Great review. When are you going to get one of the $1700 Epi firebirds or that $1300 DG335? I just picture the pain in your face throughout when you keep coming back to the fact similar guitars from them used to be $600 or so. Even more exaggerated version of the Bonamassa SG review.
I'd definitely recommend an EVH branded guitar. For your next foire into Floyd Roses. Stay with the top mounted ones, they're easier to setup and the tuning stability is much improved. I'm fortunate enough to own an old American made Peavey Wolfgang, which is in essence the same design before Eddie tweaked it. They're really comfortable to play.
Life's too short for all that faffing around when you can string and tune and play a Telecaster in 10 minutes. I've never seen the point. My Stratocaster never goes out of tune. Good for you for branching out.
I've always kind of wanted a shred type guitar. Might get one for fun!
9 місяців тому
I picked up a Kramer Pacer FT211S (body and neck only) a few months back. Needs hardware and electronics, but it is a really nice metallic blue from the mid 80s.
Hey hey Col, Welcome back mate ! Friday is back on! You know you are so diplomatic about budget guitars, and that says much more about you than the guitar, often as much😂 "Faf" probably cuts it, as you rightly observed😮 You did really well rinsing a decent solo out of that axe, funnily enough, the arse end did look a bit like a washing machine😂😂😂 cheers Col 😊
Floyds are certainly a steep learning curve. I've got a couple now but remember my first thinking how the hell can I get this set up, but with a bit of patience and working out what is required you'll get there in the end. I'm now a whizz at getting mine set up. just a fine balance of spring and string, make sure fine tuners are wound down half way to give adjustment both ways, bridge must be flat to the body to get a decent action. Just for info I have couple of highly modded Kramer baretta Specials which are absolutely superb (not Floyd Rose), theres a massive following for them. My foray into Floyd Rose was a Kramer Pacer Vintage Tiger (Sachel from Steel Panther signature guitar at the time before he went to Charvel). I didn't realise how good it was at the time as a newish player and sold it, seller remorse big style! Chuck a set of Seymour Duncan's JB & Jazz in that guitar and you'll have a great guitar. Great content as always Colin, cheers.
My first "real" guitar was a Kramer Striker 300ST, either from 1986 or 1987. Bought it brand new, had the bridge pickup replaced with some Seymour Duncan, though I can't remember what model. I think I still have the original pickup in the plastic Seymour Duncan case around here somewhere. Wish I still had that guitar for nostalgia reason. It was probably in the $300-400 range because I couldn't afford a Pacer or Baretta or Stagemaster, which were the higher end models back in the day. I had some of my High School senior pictures taken with it so I get to see it when I go visit Mom for the holidays.
Great vid Collin, didn't know Gibson owned Kramer. This has to be the best up close look at these guitars on the net mate, love the chat and the playing!. Those pick ups do have some attitude, sounds perfect for what these guitars are aimed at. The RoHS label is just a sticker to show the pick ups are compliant with RoHS standards meaning they have not used lead based solder to meet EU regulation on electronic parts. At least that's the simple explanation and even me bringing that up reminds me of the dull stuff from when I had my electronics business! Floyd Rose set ups are not for everyone but once you get the set up technique down they can be pretty awesome. My first one took a while but now find them pretty straight forward. Cheers for this vid I enjoyed it and no doubt will be really helpful to folks! :)
The next highest up Kramer was the first FR for me as well. I was also surprised to see no ball at the end of my string! Once i got it dialed in, the amount you can dive on the FR is really impressive i think. Definitely a shredders guitar, and im not that kind of player. Its fun to pretend though!
The striped guitar in the Jump video is actually his “Frankenstein” with a Kramer neck (same headstock as yours) In “Hot For Teacher” he’s using an actual Kramer with a hockey stick headstock, eventually it would have the “5150” decals behind the bridge
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?… 😆🤷♂️
When you've got the guitar to pitch, BEFORE you lock the nut, you have to stretch the strings then tune it again. BEFORE you lock the nut set the micro tuners a tiny bit more than half way in. Make sure your in tune, then lock the nut. Once you retune with the micro tuners it should be extremely tuning stable. Once you've done it a few times you'll develop some of your own tricks.
I would put a frankenstrat evh pickup in the bridge of that guitar.
😂😂😂 I love artistic license…that’s how EVH came up with Eruption…
You'll have to learn "The Gates of Babylon" (both versions if you like, but Rainbow's for sure) for the next "not really feelin bluesy" guitar you want to noodle on; it's straightforward, proto-metal, and you can reuse a lot of blues minor modality stuff on it. Once you do that a few times, it will be fun to see you explore the new-ish path while ripping on classic, yet arguably much more rock/metal, riffage.
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.
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.
My American made G&L is the same. Definitely not a cost saving measure.
@@guymansfield-smith1135 Yeah, I have a Fullerton G&L too and it's made this way. Fender USA necks were made like this for a while too, but it wasn't oldfashioned enough for their traditionalist customer base I guess.
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.
Thanks for support it’s appreciated! 😁👍
"I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it."
Nice one, McFly !
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!
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!' 😂👌
I missed a couple in this one… cutting your balls off etc 😆🤦♂️
@@theguitaristasmany of us caught that one 😮
well made colin . love how you style your videos it must take a lot of time.
i must say its very much appreciated 👍
This video is so much fun Colin!
Guitar techs in the 80's really earned their pay.
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.
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!😊
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 UA-cam channels where the playing is so good I leave depressed
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
I think the more going on guitars generally struggle when trying to meet rock-bottom pricing. Good review..........
As always, thank you guys for contiuning to produce and share content like this. Cheers.
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) 😊
Thanks for the tutorial on stringing a Floyd! I'm going to refer to this the next time I have to change strings.
Don’t! Look up someone who knows what they’re doing
Great review. I'm not much of a wah wah player, and had no interest in Floyd Rose tremolos, but this video confirmed for me that despite whatever alleged benefits they claim to confer, they aren't worth the extra hassle. For one thing the whole concept of locking the tuning in is suspect since relatively minor changes in temperature or humidity will affect the tuning anyway, and then you have to faff around again for too long a time. Thanks for the video.
If you can use a wah wah for vibrato effect , then I guess using a vibrato for a tremolo effect is pretty simple .
@ericandrews1661How stable the tuning is depends a lot on temperature stability no matter which system you are using. I have a small house that can vary a fairly significant amount (about 4 degrees F) in temperature over a short time, especially in the winter. As a result I have to tune my guitars almost every time I pick one up. Also, with new strings a locking nut won't prevent going out of tune until the strings are fully stretched and broken in. All things combined, I prefer to be able to tune my guitar in a minute without excess fiddling. That's my preference for myself, but of course if others think the Floyd Roses are worthwhile, more power to them.
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.
Agreed about high end floyds. Although I hate all floyd rose bridge, the cheap one are simply horrible. The metal is so soft on those they easily strip out even the first time the strings are changed.
its easier to fully crank the springs and lock the trem with cards/cloth/whatever to the position you want. tune the guitar up, then release the trem from the blockage and retune it using the screws that way the trem will be where you had it when you are in tune. makes a basic string change a thing of less than 10 minutes.
only thing thats crap on floyds is doing the intonation, so better not change stringgauge to often ;P
also the "settling in"... stretch the strings as much as you can. once you did this it will be stable. if its off "alot" cause temperature, use the backscrews to tune. else you should be fine with tiny amounts on the fine tuners
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.
Well worth the wait! Some proper laugh out loud moments. Terrific. Loved my 80’s metal and thrash and my guitar choices getting back into playing reflected this. You channel and playing has inspired me to try “other” stuff. Cheers fella.
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."
I had my first Floyd Rose trem on 1973 Strat, they came out in 1976 I think that Floyd Rose trem is still on the guitar nearly 50 years after great never goes out of tune , But I have had one's from 2000s not the same quality not as good. ps putting the Floyd Rose on the strat effected price of guitar .
Love your channel Colin!!! You are the reason I purchased (2) Epiphone 1959 Les Pauls and (1) Epiphone 1961 SG. Your Epiphone Firebird video has now made me want to purchase that model too. U ROCK!!!!🤘😁
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I have three guitars with Floyd Rose locking system installed. One is an original 1983 Kramer Striker. Back then they didn’t have the locking nut and fine tuners. Had to install that on my own. The other two are a Gibson LP Custom and a Tele parts caster I built a few years ago. I had no idea you channeled EVH. lol…
enjoyed the vid mt, and i learnt something re: the cutting of the ball ends thanks m.
cheers col.
Wow I wasn’t expecting that this week and yes I am starting to get that kind of feeling that you were talking about when playing and it’s a great feeling at that and I want to feel it more and more.
Thanks Colin! Your review was very helpful. You covered that Floyd Rose setup very well. I don't own anything with a FW but you covered all the surprises very well especially the strings and the fine tuners. I enjoyed this and Thanks Again!
It is absolutely a pfaff dealing with floyds. I've hated string changes on them since day one. I guess that explains why I have six guitars fitted with them......😅
That was one of my favorite of all your episodes. And I watch the majority of them. Well done, good sir! Totally enjoyed that start to finish. Love to see you compare a EVH Wolfgang Special to this or another similar entry level floating bridge style. Cheers!
Thanks for review! Still have my original stage master with its hockey stick head stock. I wondered how the new ones compaired. Yes a Floyd is a funky lot. Of course it was all the rage after Eddie.
Pulling out the VH! Awesome! I love it. When I was a youngster in the 80's, all I wanted to be was Eddie with a killer Super Strat and a Floyd Rose. I even had a Kramer Baretta at one point. Not anymore. I now love a fixed bridge that gives me NO tuning issues...maybe I've lost my patience as I get older, lol.
Great vid Col. Tips I picked up online. When restringing wind the fine tuners out fully then back in 2 turns to give decent range of adjustment. Also keep ball ends run them straight through the tuners, pull all strings tight together, line them all up with the back of the low E saddle and cut all 6 to that length. That's from Steve Vai's guitar tech.
You're a legend - love your channel! my first guitar in about 1989 was Fender HM Strat which had a similar whammy bar. Imagine my suprise years later when I learnt that chopping the ring off wasn't the norm when it comes to stringing up a guitar :-)
5-6 hours trying to immitate Eddie? I've spent over 20 years and you just blew me away - keep up the great work mate!
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Another great video there, Colin 👍 And i love how diverse us guitar players can be. For me, it has maybe one redeeming feature at best, so I'd pass on that if i saw one in a shop 😄
Hello. My friend Paul Unkert master luthier and production manager at Kramer helped design the original 5150 for Eddie. Paul said it was a poplar body with an SD JB which you can hear in Live Without A Net!
Well done I think I will get one of those .I want a Floyd Rose shred guitar to try and the price is right. Well Done.
You are very much like my statistics lecturer, a humble old man with a rocking heart. By the way he talked about the Van Halen brown m&ms story to remind us to read instructions carefully.
Well done for doing something out of your comfort zone 👍
Hello mate" from St Paul Minnesota. My new guitar friend across the pond. Love your videos... subscribed! Just bought this same Kramer today at a music go round store. Red. $179. It's supposed to be uses but absolutely brand new condition. I'm doing a full complete overall setup now as I'm watching your video. I have much experience seeing up floyd roses. When I'm done it will play like an good $800 guitar! I always thought these looked cool as hell and totally 80"s! Cheers bro 👍
Great videos Colin, keep it up. By the way for the pickups you don't even have to take the strings out of the trem. Just pull the springs off from the back and take the whole trem off the posts.
Thanks for teaching me a very valuable lesson today Colin, and that is, I'll never buy a Floyd Rose trem complication.....What a Fu**in' faff about.
I’ve been playing Floyd Rose guitars for over 30 years, they’re not as difficult as they appear in the video.. keeping in mind it’s a cheap guitar with a very cheap and nasty version of a locking trem.
Nice guitar in nice red color. The quality for the mentioned and excellent price is, in my personal opinion, fully acceptable. The adjustments are not essential, many other brands also need them. I like it. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍🎸
I got mine for £189 in the sales last year and still can't believe it! The Floyd Rose took some "breaking in" but works perfectly fine. To compare it to the high end Floyd on my much more expensive guitar, I only need to tune the Kramer about once a week when playing it daily, whereas the expensive one only needs tuning after a string change lol. Thanks Colin for another really entertaining episode!
Thank you for showing me I should never own a Floyd Rose. No wonder everyone loves Teles, including me!
Great video, homie. Cheers!
RoHS is a compliance sticker, not a brand: Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
Cheers Col, enjoyed that!
Thanks for this video, a good in depth look at this style of guitar. I've always thought these locking trem set ups where too much fuss and bother, I'm glad this video reinforced my thoughts. Looking forward to next Friday!
easier if you replace one string at a time.
For 199 pounds....great deal !! Was that
" fall-of-a-truck" special Christmas price 😅 Seriously ....sounds great, looks great....and make people happy. God enough...😊
Wonderful to see you try out a Floyd Rose guitar. They're a labour of love, that's for sure. Cheaper Floyd Rose systems aren't usually worth the hassle but a full fat or decent 3rd party system like a Gotoh 1996t are solid and reliable. If I have to change strings on a Floyd I tend to leave the nut unlocked so I can tune a bit more like normal until everything really settles down. I'll give 2 tips to every budding Floyd Rose enthusiast (and also to other systems like Ibanez) tune your guitar in your normal playing position if possible. The difference in position from flat to hanging round your neck alters the tuning ever so slightly. Secondly, tune your strings in symmetrical pairs (E's, B and A, G and D) I find this gives me *less* faffing around before I lock the nut again.
A full fat Floyd Rose costs 1.5 times the guitar so well done for giving it a go. I'd love to see you tackle something like an Ibanez RG-370AHM with the Ibanez Zero Edge 2 system to see how it compares. Apparently the Floyd Rose Special/1000 are meant to be better.
Cracking episode once again. Suffering a cheap Floyd Rose for your viewers is dedication to your craft :P
I’m in between studios, whilst we plan our retirement to france later this year. I cannot WAIT to get a studio back up and running, and getting my guitars to europe! I don’t have your expert level of GAS, but I’m excited to do some new guitar days!!
Aloha Colin! Great new experience! There are some other locking bridges out now! Wilkinson make one now. Used on Suhr guitars. Pete Thron models. Not cheap.
Glad you didn’t skip today’s vid as threatened. Only got to see last weeks one earlier today. Keep up the good work a lot of people really enjoy this Friday ritual, me included!
I had one of the original pacers with the ball headstock, wish I could find it again. Great video Colin, I have always wondered about the modern models.
What a nice Kramer! Edward Van Halen's 5150 Kramer was said to be a Kramer Pacer Special. Paul Unkert said that at least. I have a Kramer 84, I tightened the claw which decked the the Floyd bridge. I raised the action a bit at the posts. Put EVH .9 gauge strings on it and an EVH DTuna. Decking that bridge down onto the body was the best move that I ever made. Tons more sustain, and resonance. It added 100% tuning stability as well. The Floyd 1,000 bridge isn't perfectly horizontal with the body now but works amazingly. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻
Another good vid Colin. The rose t system is intimidating for sure. That's exactly how it was when I first got my Ibanez RG470DX. Tuning was (and is) a pain in the proverbial ass. Sounds great when it's on, but it goes out quicker than my hardtails and Fender trems. That t system is slightly different, but same level of initial frustration. Great to learn new things though right? Cheers!
100% agreed.
Guitars that are tension balanced on springs, such as these Floyd Rose, Evertune, and Ibanez Edge can often stay in tune for months on end, despite seasonal changes. This was a learning experience for me, as I started playing them towards my 50s. For many years I was a hard tail kinda guy. Disadvantages include poorly machined parts, and stripped threads, but that’s not a problem with some more reliable brands. I’ve seen techs prefer spray silicone lubricants for moving parts and to help everything return to perfect pitch, myself I don’t play too often to need it. Total amateur here. Always a pleasure Cole. Thank you.
Great to see a super strat on your channel! Funny, in the 80's and 90's I had a stable of them, all loaded with Floyds and today, in a collection of nearly 50 guitars, I don't own a single one. It took me a long time to finally realize that I can do everything I did on a Floyd with a properly setup, good quality two-point, vintage style trem (G&L Dual-Fulcrum, Gotoh, etc.) without all the fuss or tuning issues...
A quick recommendation when changing strings on a Floyd... do one string at a time instead of removing all six at once. It will keep the bridge more stable and require less tweaking when you're done. The only time I ever took all 6 off at once was to occasionally oil the fretboard, which is obviously not a worry with a maple fretboard.
theres just something so iconic about these fiddles
Great point also about learning how to play new things on a new style of guitar. I just got a 12 string Ibanez and it was a whole new experience - played different stuff - struggled with fretting - all stops you getting bored and improves skills
I have an Ibanez rg. Block under the trem to keep it level when taking the strings off, ball ends in the tuners and trim at the bridge. Stretch the string until staying in tune, lock but down and fine tune. Works for me.
Believe Eddie’s Kramer was the 5150
Hi Colette, Better late than never mate.😊Enjoy! Not everyone uses Those types of locking systems. Yeah, fiddling around with Them! I like them on a few of my Guitars. Well done showing Floyd Rose to your many Loyal viewers 👏 🙏😊
Kramer's are great imho and I have used them ever since the eighties. The Floyd Rose does have a learning curve but once you are used to it it's really no big deal. Great video my friend and keep shredding. ✌🏻
Well done on the Col Van. Sounded pretty good made.
I had a Floyd years ago (before the internet) and abused it! I learnt to never take all the strings off and only tighten just enough at the clamps. Also putting the ball end through the tuner !
Nice review. Great playing, always good to try something new .
There you go, that´s how we love Col !!! I realized Colin that on the last Num, Epiphone only released artist signature models, and the cheapest was this Wax Nighthawk for 790€ . It´s a shame !
That's pretty cool that you are reviewing the Kramer. While at a Guitar Center last month I noticed they had about 8 or so new Kramers so I tried 2 different models....an HSS in red just like the one you have in finish,and the HH in a beautiful blue finish. The GC Technician was hanging out with me,saw how badly the HSS played and he took it back and set it up. The blue Guitar was spot on,though, and I had a good time playing around on it. At $199.99,I'd say go for it to anybody that wants to try a fun and different kind of player. Thanks buddy, Steve O
I have used Floyds on my guitars since the late 80’s when I had one put on my 79 Strat which I still have. I also have a 73 Strat with a Floyd (would never have been able to afford it if it hadn’t!) and a 98 USA Voodoo with one. I accept that string changes and setting them up is a PITA but once you have got there they work a treat. The secret is to really stretch the stings when you put them on, move your hand up and down the neck giving a good pull before you lock them at the nut. Also have the fine tuners almost fully slackened off as you will have more scope for raising the pitch (they rarely go sharp). Then give them a good play, lots of bends and using the bar and recheck the tuning. You can usually then get it right with the fine tuners without having to undo the locknut. Once it’s right you should be sorted! I always cut the strings two and a half tuners longer to get more winds on the tuners. With Floyds strings tend to break at the bridge so you can cut at the break, slacken the string keeping the tension with your hand then retighten the nut, clamp the newly cut end in the bridge and reuse the same string. Saves a few bob if you are a hard wanger! Also the Original Floyds are better than the Specials and a lot of the “Licensed by” ones are cheap crap.
Great job on the EVH chops, I’ve been trying for years to nail Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love and not got there, you’ve done it in 6 hours! Enjoy your videos a lot.
😁👍👍
Another great review and good to go out of your comfort zone ! This is really not my sort of guitar and it just reconfirmed that I’d never touch a Floyd rose but it was very interested nevertheless !
i just got the same one for the same deal here in the US. couldnt not get it lol.
Thats what its all about! Being inspired! I have a Schecter Blackhawk that is a bit of a beast and not exactly my style of playing but its such a great guitar and those high output pickups demand some metal fun!
Excellent video as usual Colin. That's a lot of guitar for the money.
I have one of these from ‘83…its made of ESP parts…its over 40yrs old, all original and it is a beast…I play it weekly!!!!
Lots of fun!!! Thanks
The Kramer model for King Edward was the 5150. At some point his Frankenstrat had a Kramer neck on it.
I think, you really did a great job playing the Eddie style! I really enjoyed this video…but I am a fan of you, anyway 😌
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Brave stuff! I’d never go anywhere near a guitar with a Floyd Rose having set up a couple for other people. The Pacer was ridiculously inexpensive but it’s definitely Marmite.
I love the look of the banana and pointy Kramer headstocks especially the Japanese necks made by ESP, but as far as functional and straight string pull the beak headstock is where it’s at.
Great video! Looks like a really fun guitar!
Awsome guitar love the matching headstock paint. I would upgrade that 1000 series bridge to an 1984 Floyd rose reissue or a gotoh and it would be bulletproof.
Good morning Colin and fellow Guitaristas! 🎵🎶🎵🎥
Thanks Colin for helping me to forget my 'flu-symptoms' this morning.🤧🥶
I am not typically a super-strat fan, but I really liked your presentation of this Kramer.
Good to see you going outside of your comfort zone. Great review. When are you going to get one of the $1700 Epi firebirds or that $1300 DG335? I just picture the pain in your face throughout when you keep coming back to the fact similar guitars from them used to be $600 or so. Even more exaggerated version of the Bonamassa SG review.
I’ve vowed never to spend more than £1k on an Epiphone ever again… damn that bird looks nice!
@@theguitaristasthat Epiphone DG 355 is almost $3000 in Australia!! With a laurel fingerboard!! You’re killing me here Epiphone!
Great video, enjoyed seeing some EVH stuff
Nice one, finally a proper floyd rose!
If you change string gauge you will need to adjust the springs to counter the different string tension.
I'd definitely recommend an EVH branded guitar. For your next foire into Floyd Roses. Stay with the top mounted ones, they're easier to setup and the tuning stability is much improved.
I'm fortunate enough to own an old American made Peavey Wolfgang, which is in essence the same design before Eddie tweaked it. They're really comfortable to play.
Life's too short for all that faffing around when you can string and tune and play a Telecaster in 10 minutes. I've never seen the point. My Stratocaster never goes out of tune. Good for you for branching out.
I always like your playing and style Lord Colin.
I've always kind of wanted a shred type guitar. Might get one for fun!
I picked up a Kramer Pacer FT211S (body and neck only) a few months back. Needs hardware and electronics, but it is a really nice metallic blue from the mid 80s.
Hey hey Col, Welcome back mate ! Friday is back on! You know you are so diplomatic about budget guitars, and that says much more about you than the guitar, often as much😂 "Faf" probably cuts it, as you rightly observed😮 You did really well rinsing a decent solo out of that axe, funnily enough, the arse end did look a bit like a washing machine😂😂😂 cheers Col 😊
Floyds are certainly a steep learning curve. I've got a couple now but remember my first thinking how the hell can I get this set up, but with a bit of patience and working out what is required you'll get there in the end. I'm now a whizz at getting mine set up. just a fine balance of spring and string, make sure fine tuners are wound down half way to give adjustment both ways, bridge must be flat to the body to get a decent action. Just for info I have couple of highly modded Kramer baretta Specials which are absolutely superb (not Floyd Rose), theres a massive following for them. My foray into Floyd Rose was a Kramer Pacer Vintage Tiger (Sachel from Steel Panther signature guitar at the time before he went to Charvel). I didn't realise how good it was at the time as a newish player and sold it, seller remorse big style! Chuck a set of Seymour Duncan's JB & Jazz in that guitar and you'll have a great guitar. Great content as always Colin, cheers.
I was thinking about getting a Floyd Rose. Thanks. I believe I'll not. Great video
nailed it mate!
RoHS is not a brand, it is a certification. Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC
My first "real" guitar was a Kramer Striker 300ST, either from 1986 or 1987. Bought it brand new, had the bridge pickup replaced with some Seymour Duncan, though I can't remember what model. I think I still have the original pickup in the plastic Seymour Duncan case around here somewhere. Wish I still had that guitar for nostalgia reason. It was probably in the $300-400 range because I couldn't afford a Pacer or Baretta or Stagemaster, which were the higher end models back in the day. I had some of my High School senior pictures taken with it so I get to see it when I go visit Mom for the holidays.
Great vid Collin, didn't know Gibson owned Kramer. This has to be the best up close look at these guitars on the net mate, love the chat and the playing!. Those pick ups do have some attitude, sounds perfect for what these guitars are aimed at. The RoHS label is just a sticker to show the pick ups are compliant with RoHS standards meaning they have not used lead based solder to meet EU regulation on electronic parts. At least that's the simple explanation and even me bringing that up reminds me of the dull stuff from when I had my electronics business! Floyd Rose set ups are not for everyone but once you get the set up technique down they can be pretty awesome. My first one took a while but now find them pretty straight forward. Cheers for this vid I enjoyed it and no doubt will be really helpful to folks! :)
Cheers mate! 😁👍
The next highest up Kramer was the first FR for me as well.
I was also surprised to see no ball at the end of my string!
Once i got it dialed in, the amount you can dive on the FR is really impressive i think. Definitely a shredders guitar, and im not that kind of player. Its fun to pretend though!
The striped guitar in the Jump video is actually his “Frankenstein” with a Kramer neck (same headstock as yours) In “Hot For Teacher” he’s using an actual Kramer with a hockey stick headstock, eventually it would have the “5150” decals behind the bridge
I took the chrome knobs off. Replaced with Black fender knobs. Now looks much cooler and vintage.
Some also put the strings the other way in, with the ball ends being at the tuning pegs and not cut off