1986 Kramer Pacer Deluxe

Details

This Pacer Deluxe’s finish is one of the cool “flip flop” paint jobs. Basically, it’s a multi-layer finish that changes the appearance based on the angle of light and what angle you view it from. It is not nearly as extravagant as a modern “chameleon” finish, but does add a nice dimension to the look. This one in particular is flip flop pink, which has a hint of metallic blue flake underneath, which gives it a pale look in certain light. I think it looks great, with a little more depth than a single color pink finish. It’s quite clearly different from flip flop red when viewed side by side, but in differing lighting or camera conditions I can see how these two colors get mixed up a lot.

It arrived with the factory pickup arrangement, a JBJ and two SSL-1’s. I already had a Pacer Deluxe with the stock electronics, so I swapped in a recent Duncan Full Shred. I’m impressed with this pickup, it loses the JB’s mid spike in exchange for a flat, even curve but has some of the Custom flavor mixed in. That makes sense, since it’s the same wind as a Custom but with an A5 magnet (like a JB) plus hex pole pieces. The Duncan website lists the pickup EQ as being very strong on the treble, but I don’t find that to be the case. It is less brittle than the Distortion for sure, and has good thickness under gain.