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Cap’n Krunch
Four hardrocking six-strings from the newly revived Kramer line
by Dominic Hilton
Reposted with permission from the September 2000 issue of Guitar World
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FOCUS VT111S
From its vintage-inspired design to its expressive electronics, this beginner’s axe has everything you need to create classic tones and look good doing it. The bolt-on neck has a comfortable 12-inch radius, 21 mirror-polished jumbo frets and pleasingly low action, and the three single-coil pickups and five-way selector do a very capable job of producing snappy, percussive tones. Kramer has even included a heavy-duty whammy bar that makes conjuring Duane Eddy vibrato a breeze. Finished in a commanding Lake Placid blue and topped off with a black pickguard and chrome knobs, the Focus packs a tough, ready-to-rock vibe.
STRIKER FR422S/D
The Striker is Kramer’s budget-priced pro-level entry. The sculpted alder body is crammed with high-tech goodies, including two Dual-Rail pickups and a Quad-Rail pickup in the bridge position, a licensed Floyd Rose tremolo and a D-tuna to let you automatically drop your low E a whole step and raise it back. The Striker also boasts a comprehensive control system that includes a pull switch to split the dual coils into singles and convert the four-coil bridge pickup into a lighter-toned humbucker. The bolt-on neck has a slim, shred-ready profile, and the body’s cutaways are sculpted to give you easy access to the upper reaches of the Striker’s 24 jumbo frets. A fast set-up and dazzling fretwork combine with impressive electronics to produce a fearsome axe that defies its price.
VOYAGER
One look tells you this guitar isn’t for sissies. From its speed-metal neck to its trio of open-coil humbuckers and licensed Floyd Rose, the Voyager is metal incarnate. The guitar has a superbly set-up bolt-on neck with a 16-inch radius and 22 jumbo frets, and the dangerously proportioned alder body emphasizes its retro-Eighties attitude with a distressed, glossy finish. The three humbuckers produce a freight-load of thump and grind, while the electronics- a single master volume and a mini toggle switch for each pickup-provide a surprising range of cool tones, including clean sounds. Best of all, you don’t have to sell your soul for this little piece of Armageddon.
IMPERIAL AX
Reminiscent of the old Kramer Ferrington acoustic electrics, the Imperial takes its lack of respect for conservative acoustic luthiery several notches higher. The bolt-on maple neck is pure shred, with its spiky headstock, 16-inch radius, jumbo frets and super-fast profile. Plus, it has a classy, bound rosewood fingerboard with monster-tooth inlays for warp-speed navigation. The shallow maple-laminate body is no less radical, with a Firebird-inspired outline and asymmetrical, soundhole. The bright focused tone is perfect for campfire riffage, but the Imperial also boasts an under-the-saddle Shadow piezo pickup, a powerful active preamp, a master volume and four bands of eq. Its punchy, detailed tones make the Imperial an excellent choice for strumming and lead work.
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