Kramer is turning 50, and it’s celebrating the occasion with a lineup of high-performance guitars in solid Gold finishes.
The new Kramer 50th Anniversary collection brings together six of the brand’s most recognizable models, each finished in a glossy Anniversary Gold colorway and loaded with the shred-friendly appointments. If you’re not into reading about every individual model, here’s a quick rundown of the prices:
- 50th Anniversary SM-1 HH ($1,199)
- 50th Anniversary NightSwan ($1,099)
- 50th Anniversary 84 ($999)
- 50th Anniversary Baretta ($999)
- 50th Anniversary Pacer Carrera ($1,199)
- 50th Anniversary Volante HHFR ($1,299)
Shop the entire Kramer 50th Anniversary Collection: Sweetwater | Guitar Center | Musician’s Friend | American Musical Supply
SM-1 HH
Drawing inspiration from the Stagemaster Mach II, the SM-1 HH represents one of the most premium offerings in the anniversary collection. A neck-through Mahogany construction forms the foundation of the instrument, with matching Mahogany body wings delivering enhanced sustain and resonance.
The guitar pairs its 25.5-inch scale length with a 24-fret Ebony fingerboard and a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo, while a pair of Kramer Eruption PRO humbuckers provide the firepower. A series/parallel mini-toggle for the neck pickup adds extra tonal flexibility, making the SM-1 HH one of the most versatile guitars in the collection.
NightSwan
Few Kramer models are as visually distinctive as the NightSwan, and the anniversary edition stays true to the formula that made it a cult favorite. The Mahogany-bodied shred machine features a bolt-on three-piece Hard Maple neck with a satin finish and slim C profile, paired with a 24-fret Ebony fingerboard sporting the model’s signature “ping pong” inlays.
Two Kramer Eruption PRO humbuckers and a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo complete the package, while the simplified control layout remains faithful to the original’s no-extras philosophy.
The 84
The 50th Anniversary 84 pays homage to one of the defining guitars of Kramer’s golden era while retaining the performance characteristics demanded by modern players. Its lightweight Alder body is matched with a bolt-on Hard Maple neck and Maple fingerboard, all shaped around Kramer’s fast-playing K-Speed SlimTaper C profile.
A single direct-mounted Kramer Eruption PRO humbucker handles pickup duties, while a push/pull volume control unlocks both series and parallel wiring options. Combined with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo, it delivers the stripped-down, high-performance formula that helped make the original a legend.
Baretta
The Baretta has long been one of Kramer’s most iconic models, and the anniversary edition embraces everything that made the original famous. Featuring a Maple body, a three-piece Maple neck and an Ebony fingerboard, the guitar is built around a straightforward single-humbucker layout powered by a Kramer Eruption PRO pickup.
Like the 84, a push/pull volume control enables series and parallel wiring options, while a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo ensures tuning stability through even the most extreme whammy bar abuse.
Pacer Carrera
The Pacer Carrera sits somewhere between vintage Kramer styling and contemporary performance demands. A double-cutaway Maple body is paired with a bolt-on Maple neck and an Ebony fingerboard devoid of traditional fretboard inlays for a sleek appearance.
The electronics package is more flexible than many of its siblings, thanks to dual Kramer Eruption PRO humbuckers, individual tone controls and a three-way pickup selector. Combined with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo and all-black hardware, the Pacer Carrera delivers a lotta versatility.
Volante HHFR
Representing the most forward-thinking design in the collection, the Volante HHFR combines anniversary styling with some of Kramer’s newest engineering developments. The lightweight Alder body is paired with a thermally aged three-piece Maple neck featuring the company’s KeyLock neck stabilization system, which is designed to improve sustain, intonation and vibrational transfer.
An Ebony fingerboard with a 10-14-inch compound radius and 24 jumbo frets caters to modern players, while a pair of Kramer USA Neptune humbuckers provide a wide range of tones through an advanced five-way switching system.
