1989 Kramer 610

Details

This guitar was described on Guitar Center’s online listings as a “Black Pacer Custom II” at a very low price - but had no picture. So like I’ve done many times, I risked it - and this time was not pleasantly surprised. Instead of a Pacer, this 610 arrived, and for what was a great price for a pacer was more of an average to below average deal on a guitar like this.

I am however pretty surprised at how nice this guitar sounds and plays and I see why people like these, for a budget option and especially if you don’t care about the American series guitars (for collecting, vanity, or whatever), this would definitely do the job quite well. Even the “Designed by Seymour Duncan” pickups are pretty decent sounding and are precursors to the “Duncan Designed” series out now. Looking at some tests and disassembly, those pickups are essentially just Seymour Duncan official models but made overseas instead of in the USA shop, so that explains why they still sound so good.

The neck has a 3-piece construction but no volute like an American or Focus/1000 neck, and cheaper tuners with no set screw. The finish on the neck is very smooth and like many cheaper Kramers, is the highlight of the guitar and the saving grace overall. The bridge is a Floyd II, which is basically an even cheaper version of the Schaller stamped floyds that were also popular at the time, made overseas as well - likely in Korea where this guitar was made as well.

Overall, I’m impressed with the quality of the guitar itself, but not with the price I paid or the description - so I’ve returned it to GC. Not long ago I almost purchased a 220 with a Floyd Pro, hesitated, and ended up missing it. It shares the same type of neck as this guitar and similar construction and I think if I had the opportunity again, I won’t hesitate this time.

I no longer own this instrument