Kramer Guitars
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1970s |
| Founder | Gary Kramer |
| Headquarters | United States , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Gary Kramer, Dennis Berardi, Henry Vaccaro |
| Products | Electric guitars, bass guitars |
| Owner | Gibson Guitar Corporation |
| Parent | Gibson Guitar Corporation |
Kramer Guitars is a U.S.-based producer of electric guitars and basses, initially recognized for its aluminum-neck instruments in the 1970s and later for wooden-neck guitars aimed at the hard rock and heavy metal scenes during the 1980s. Today, Kramer functions as a subsidiary under the Gibson Guitar Corporation umbrella.
Formation
The brand's beginnings are linked to luthier Travis Bean, who crafted guitars with aluminum necks and co-established the Travis Bean guitar company in 1974 alongside Gary Kramer in Sun Valley, Los Angeles. When Bean withdrew from active involvement, leaving business duties to Kramer, their partnership dissolved.
Subsequently, Kramer launched his own company, refining Bean’s original concept by incorporating wooden inserts to decrease weight and enhance playability. By 1975, Kramer joined forces with New Yorker Dennis Berardi to form BK International, commissioning luthier Phil Petillo to develop prototypes. The venture also included investor Henry Vaccaro and Peter LaPlaca, who brought experience from Norlin, former owners of Gibson. Although Kramer aimed to concentrate manufacturing on the West Coast, he eventually exited the collaboration under ambiguous conditions, selling his stake and negotiating royalties that reportedly were never paid.
1970s: aluminum necks
Kramer’s initial models, launched in 1976, showcased their signature "tuning fork head" aluminum-reinforced necks paired with Ebonol fretboards—a synthetic material akin to those used in bowling balls. These necks featured aluminum dot markers and a zero fret, complemented by epoxy-set walnut or maple inserts designed by Gary Kramer. The bodies were constructed from premium Walnut or Maple woods, with early editions also utilizing exotic tonewoods such as Koa, Afromosia, Shedua, and Bubinga. Components included high-quality Schaller tuners and bridges, pickups from Schaller and DiMarzio, custom strap locks, and aluminum cavity covers. This "alumi-neck" series remained in production until approximately 1982.
Production favored bass guitars over six-strings at about a four-to-one ratio, reflecting bassists’ greater openness to new designs. By 1981, leveraging existing tooling and expertise, Kramer expanded mass production of guitars by transitioning to wooden necks—reducing manufacturing costs while appealing to traditional guitar players.
Wooden neck period
Toward the end of 1981, Kramer introduced guitars featuring wooden necks that initially imitated Fender’s Stratocaster headstock shape. After producing roughly a thousand units, Fender issued a cease-and-desist order. In response, Kramer adopted a "beak" style headstock inspired by Kent guitars from the 1960s.
This era marked Kramer’s first move to outsource parts manufacturing to East Asia: Japanese firm Gotoh supplied tuning machines and vintage-style tremolos, while ESP Guitars crafted necks finished at a New Jersey facility. Recognizing the early 1980s market demand for advanced tremolo systems, Kramer collaborated with German inventor Helmut Rockinger to incorporate his innovative tremolos—the predecessors of Floyd Rose designs.
Early to mid-1980s
A critical encounter between Dennis Berardi and Eddie Van Halen’s management resulted in an important endorsement: Eddie sought a tremolo system capable of maintaining tuning stability—fulfilled by Rockinger’s design. Van Halen’s endorsement significantly boosted Kramer’s market presence.
By 1983, Floyd Rose tremolos had largely supplanted Rockinger’s models. Kramer became the exclusive guitar manufacturer offering original Floyd Rose tremolos as standard hardware—a significant competitive edge. Later that year, the company introduced the Gibson Explorer-inspired "hockey stick" headstock design, which enhanced brand identity among players. The flagship Baretta model—a single-humbucker superstrat resembling Eddie Van Halen’s performance guitars—was pivotal in popularizing this style.
By late 1985, Kramer transitioned from Schaller to Seymour Duncan pickups. That year saw Kramer become America’s top-selling guitar brand. In 1986, the firm unveiled its distinctive "pointy headstock," integrating Schaller tuners, Floyd Rose tremolos, Seymour Duncan pickups, and striking graphics created by artists like Dennis Kline—cementing its position as a market leader and driving substantial growth.
Late 1980s
During the late 1980s, Kramer maintained its prominence by endorsing hard rock and glam metal musicians, such as Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe and Vivian Campbell from Whitesnake. By 1987, Kramer had committed to using ESP Guitars exclusively for crafting necks and bodies. The "American Series" featured ESP components assembled in Neptune, New Jersey; the Aerostar line was manufactured in Korea; while the Focus series was produced by ESP, with some early Focus guitars constructed in Japan by Matsumoku.
In 1987, Kramer acquired licensing rights to guitarist Rich Excellente's patented designs, leading to the production of "The Kramer American Showster Series," which incorporated innovative body tapering and metal loading to improve tone and sustain. Production was limited to fewer than 1,000 units between 1988 and 1990 before being discontinued due to manufacturing complications. At this time, Kramer’s reputation declined as the brand shifted focus toward flashy, neon-colored guitars and lower-tier Aerostar models, weakening its standing in the marketplace.
By 1989, Dennis Berardi established Berardi/Thomas Entertainment, Inc., which managed the Soviet rock group Gorky Park. To support the band’s promotion, BTE created promotional triangle-shaped "Gorky Park" guitars. However, the band’s modest success combined with the unpopular guitar design contributed to the downfall of Kramer’s initial business phase.
1990–present
Kramer’s original company ceased operations in January 1991 due to financial difficulties caused by excessive advertising costs and a lost royalties lawsuit involving Floyd D. Rose. Remaining inventory parts were liquidated in a clearance sale from New Jersey. To mitigate losses, ESP Japan assembled leftover bodies and necks using local hardware, marketing them exclusively in Japan under the name "Kramer by ESP."
By 1995, Henry Vaccaro Sr., the last original partner still involved with the guitar business, attempted limited production of Kramer guitars using surplus components at the Neptune facility. In 1997, Gibson Guitar Corporation purchased Kramer through bankruptcy proceedings. Since then, Gibson’s Epiphone division has manufactured Kramer guitars and basses, primarily distributing them factory-direct via MusicYo.com until its shutdown in 2009. Epiphone has reissued classic Kramer models such as the "1984 Model," "Jersey Star," and "1985 Baretta Reissue," with premium instruments assembled in the United States from American-made parts.
Under Gibson’s dedicated Kramer division, new models have entered the market including affordable options like the Baretta Special and innovative lines such as Pariah and Assault aimed at contemporary rock players. Vintage-inspired designs like the Stagemaster SM-1 and Pacer Vintage remain in production.
In 2007, Kramer licensed a Striker controller for Guitar Hero III on PlayStation 2. Multiple Kramer guitar models have appeared as playable instruments across various Guitar Hero games. In 2023, Lzzy Hale became the first female artist to receive a signature Kramer guitar model; she had previously been Gibson’s inaugural female brand ambassador.
Original Kramer guitars have become highly sought after collectibles following years of diminished esteem throughout the 1990s.
Kramer Aluminum Neck Guitars
- Kramer 250
- Kramer 335 (Hollowbody) – Only one known example
- Kramer 350
- Kramer 450
- Kramer 650
- Kramer DMZ series
- Kramer XL series
- Kramer XK series
- Kramer Duke series
- Kramer Gene Simmons axe guitar and bass
- Kramer Challenger
- Kramer Vanguard
Kramer USA and American
(Note: After 1986, Kramer instruments were exclusively assembled within the United States rather than fully manufactured there.)
- Kramer Baretta I, II, III
- Kramer Stagemaster
- Kramer Classic
- Kramer Condor
- Kramer Liberty
- Kramer Pacer
- Kramer Pacer Custom I & II
- Kramer Pioneer Bass
- Kramer Forum I & II Basses
- Kramer Proaxe
- Kramer Triax
- Kramer Enterprize
- Kramer Invader
- Kramer Vanguard
- Kramer Voyager
- Kramer Sustainer
- Kramer Telecaster
Kramer USA and American – Signature Editions
- Kramer Floyd Rose Model
- Kramer Elliot Easton Model
- Kramer NightSwan (Vivian Campbell Signature)
- Kramer Sambora ("Jersey Star") (Richie Sambora Signature)
- Kramer Ripley (Steve Ripley Signature)
- Kramer Gorky Park Signature
- Kramer Paul Dean Signature
- Kramer Lzzy Hale Voyager Signature
Kramer Overseas – Manufactured in the Czech Republic
- Kramer Pacer (S Serial Number, headstock lacks "American")
- Potentially produced after the 1990 closure of Neptune, New Jersey facility.
Kramer Overseas – Crafted in Japan
- Kramer Focus Series
- Kramer Forum III & IV Basses
- Kramer JK, LK, MK Series
- Kramer Glide
- Kramer Grace
(Designed for the Japanese marketplace)
Kramer Overseas – Produced in Korea (Neptune Period)
- Kramer Aerostar (ZX)
- Kramer Ferrington
- Kramer Gorky Park Model
- Kramer KS-400, KS400
- Kramer Metallist
- Kramer Regent
- Kramer Savant
- Kramer Showster
- Kramer Starfighter
- Kramer Striker Series
- Kramer Hundred Series
- Kramer XL series
Kramer by Gibson/MusicYo – USA-Manufactured Models (~2003–2010)
- 1985 Baretta Reissue
- 1984 and 1984 Custom Reissue
- Jersey Star
- Pacer Imperial Reissue
Kramer by Gibson Import Models (2019–Present)
- Baretta Special
- Baretta
- '83 Baretta Reissue
- Focus
- Jersey Star
- Nightswan
- Pacer
- SM-1/SM-1H
- Nite V
- Snake Sabo Signature
Kramer by Gibson '98–'08 – Korean Production Models (1998–2005)
(Referred to as "The Yo Era Guitars")
- Pacer (2xx series)
- Striker (fr/s 4xx series)
- Baretta Neck-Thru and bolt-on variants
- Vanguard (fr/s 4xx series)
- Assault (2xx series)
- Imperial