Post by rickblacker on Aug 17, 2009 10:17:16 GMT -5
(Leaving out reference to my mutt Igor as it was just that a mutt, not a factory guitar)
For some time now, i've been listening to Jim rave about his striker. As some of us my know he has approximatly 17 guitars ranging from Jackson, Ibanez, Fender. and he is big into putting together his own mutts. Been playing for years and years. Very tallented on the guitar and has a wonderful George Lynch style (yes, I'm a Lynch fan boy). Here is a link to his soundclick site. Laughing Parrot
I met him on the Kramer forum while trying to find info on my first guitar purchase. It came down to the Jackson DXMG and the Kramer Striker. To make a long story short, I chose the Jackson DXMG. I think the selling point was when someone told me that the Jackson would feel more solid than the cheap striker.
For months and months I've been hearing him rave about his striker. How playable it was, how nice the neck was. He had my curiosity peeking for a long time but just wasnt convienced that a brand new $250 guitar could be worth much. He explained to me how Gibson had purchaed Kramer many years ago and how Kramer had fallen from grace. That Gibson wanted to bring the Striker back and put it at a price point that was incredibly low to get the publics reception on the new guitar.
None the less, I was still skeptable. Well, last Monday, I made an impluse decision. I had to buy one, but it would mean that the Jackson would have to go. I would by the Kramer and sell the DXMG even though it was my first guitar and had some degree of sentimental value. His rave reviews had finally paid off. Well, with one exception, he suggested replacing the bridge pup with a Mighty Mite Motherbucker (I'll post another review on that)
My guitar arrived on Friday and I must admit. I was very suprised.
Price
$249.00 at Amazon, but you can get it through other distributions.
Pro's and Cons
Pro's
Its an awesome guitar, even though the price may indicate otherwise, it really is an awesome playing axe
Cons
Probably not the highest quality pups, but, I'd let others judge for themselves. I don't care for the electronics cavity plate. It's just wood screwed right on the top of the body. I can imagine it's due to the curvature of the back of the body. But, it does look cheezy especially how they did recess the trem cavity cover plate.
The Body
It's an alder body with a somewhat arched top. It's got a curvature on both the front and back. I thought it was a very nice touch. The craftsmenship on this guitar seems to be every bit as solid as my Jackson DXMG which happens to be a flat faced guitar. The Kramer has a nice beefy feel dispite it's thinner appearance. Not what I was expecting from an inexpensive guitar, rather I was expecting something lightweight feeling.
The paint job is solid black with some glitter specs thrown in. It's just the right amount. You really don't notice it from a distance, but do see it when it's up close. The only negative thing i can say about the paint is on the back of the guitar. Looks like there was some kind of dry water drops or something on the paint prior to the clear coat. Not really noticable unless you are looking close.
The Neck
Maple neck with a maple fretboard. The frets were all seated properly. The inlays are all nice and smooth. It's a very nice feeling neck that's smooth, perfectly straight even has Gotah tuners. The turners all feel smooth and firm. The neck sits in the neck cavity nice and tight, no slop at all. Only thing I don't like is the Kramer Logo.. Yeah yeah yeah... I know.. What can I say, it looks dated and cheezy.
Electronics
Pickups
The Striker comes with three split coil rails. Quad rails for the bridge and single rails for the middle and neck. As far as tone and quality? I'm leaving out my opinions as I've not really formed one yet, plus, pickups are SOOOO subjective anyway. Besides, it's a peeve of mine to read reviews on pups when someone simply says it sucks it didn't sound this way, it didn't sound that way... Well the fact is, there are MANY factors that will influence your opinion on a pickup. Music style, body wood, amps, pup height... Ect... I will go as far as to say that I did thow in the Mighty Mite Motherbucker in the bridge and was happier.
Controls
The controls seem to be one area that might need attention. I've noticed that the volume control seemes to not have a nice even increase/decrease in volume. Can't comment on the tone control other than to say it's a push pull for splitting. I don't personally care for tone controls. I may yank it out someday, not really worried about the splitting anyway. But, thats just me.
Switch
Ummm... it's a 5 position switch. Not much to say about a switch. It works what else is there?
Oh yeah, it's got a fully shielded electronics cavity. All wiring was done very well, no sloppy blobs of solder anywhere.
Bridge
It's a licenced Floyd Rose. It's solid steel (from what i can tell). Don't much of an opinion other than I don't care much for the block. I've not inspected it, but from just looking at it, the block looks like some kind of inexpensive pot metal. Other than that, it works, everything seems nice and tight on it. It's not going to be as high quality has an original, but it's just as good as the one on my Jackson.
Overall Assessment - Summary
I'm VERY Happy with it. It's a very nice guitar, one of those hidden gems and most likely passed over because of the price tag on it. People like me see a lower price tag on it and thing it must be a throw away guitar, well, not so at all. This is a fantastic guitar. Plays excellent (ok, a little setup is required on the owners part, but isn't that the case with anything you get by mail). Has an outstanding tone very solid feeling.
Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat. Would I buy the Jackson DXMG again? Nope. The Jackson is fine, I'm not bashing it, I just simply favor the feel of this Kramer Striker over the Jackson is all.
For some time now, i've been listening to Jim rave about his striker. As some of us my know he has approximatly 17 guitars ranging from Jackson, Ibanez, Fender. and he is big into putting together his own mutts. Been playing for years and years. Very tallented on the guitar and has a wonderful George Lynch style (yes, I'm a Lynch fan boy). Here is a link to his soundclick site. Laughing Parrot
I met him on the Kramer forum while trying to find info on my first guitar purchase. It came down to the Jackson DXMG and the Kramer Striker. To make a long story short, I chose the Jackson DXMG. I think the selling point was when someone told me that the Jackson would feel more solid than the cheap striker.
For months and months I've been hearing him rave about his striker. How playable it was, how nice the neck was. He had my curiosity peeking for a long time but just wasnt convienced that a brand new $250 guitar could be worth much. He explained to me how Gibson had purchaed Kramer many years ago and how Kramer had fallen from grace. That Gibson wanted to bring the Striker back and put it at a price point that was incredibly low to get the publics reception on the new guitar.
None the less, I was still skeptable. Well, last Monday, I made an impluse decision. I had to buy one, but it would mean that the Jackson would have to go. I would by the Kramer and sell the DXMG even though it was my first guitar and had some degree of sentimental value. His rave reviews had finally paid off. Well, with one exception, he suggested replacing the bridge pup with a Mighty Mite Motherbucker (I'll post another review on that)
My guitar arrived on Friday and I must admit. I was very suprised.
Price
$249.00 at Amazon, but you can get it through other distributions.
Pro's and Cons
Pro's
Its an awesome guitar, even though the price may indicate otherwise, it really is an awesome playing axe
Cons
Probably not the highest quality pups, but, I'd let others judge for themselves. I don't care for the electronics cavity plate. It's just wood screwed right on the top of the body. I can imagine it's due to the curvature of the back of the body. But, it does look cheezy especially how they did recess the trem cavity cover plate.
The Body
It's an alder body with a somewhat arched top. It's got a curvature on both the front and back. I thought it was a very nice touch. The craftsmenship on this guitar seems to be every bit as solid as my Jackson DXMG which happens to be a flat faced guitar. The Kramer has a nice beefy feel dispite it's thinner appearance. Not what I was expecting from an inexpensive guitar, rather I was expecting something lightweight feeling.
The paint job is solid black with some glitter specs thrown in. It's just the right amount. You really don't notice it from a distance, but do see it when it's up close. The only negative thing i can say about the paint is on the back of the guitar. Looks like there was some kind of dry water drops or something on the paint prior to the clear coat. Not really noticable unless you are looking close.
The Neck
Maple neck with a maple fretboard. The frets were all seated properly. The inlays are all nice and smooth. It's a very nice feeling neck that's smooth, perfectly straight even has Gotah tuners. The turners all feel smooth and firm. The neck sits in the neck cavity nice and tight, no slop at all. Only thing I don't like is the Kramer Logo.. Yeah yeah yeah... I know.. What can I say, it looks dated and cheezy.
Electronics
Pickups
The Striker comes with three split coil rails. Quad rails for the bridge and single rails for the middle and neck. As far as tone and quality? I'm leaving out my opinions as I've not really formed one yet, plus, pickups are SOOOO subjective anyway. Besides, it's a peeve of mine to read reviews on pups when someone simply says it sucks it didn't sound this way, it didn't sound that way... Well the fact is, there are MANY factors that will influence your opinion on a pickup. Music style, body wood, amps, pup height... Ect... I will go as far as to say that I did thow in the Mighty Mite Motherbucker in the bridge and was happier.
Controls
The controls seem to be one area that might need attention. I've noticed that the volume control seemes to not have a nice even increase/decrease in volume. Can't comment on the tone control other than to say it's a push pull for splitting. I don't personally care for tone controls. I may yank it out someday, not really worried about the splitting anyway. But, thats just me.
Switch
Ummm... it's a 5 position switch. Not much to say about a switch. It works what else is there?
Oh yeah, it's got a fully shielded electronics cavity. All wiring was done very well, no sloppy blobs of solder anywhere.
Bridge
It's a licenced Floyd Rose. It's solid steel (from what i can tell). Don't much of an opinion other than I don't care much for the block. I've not inspected it, but from just looking at it, the block looks like some kind of inexpensive pot metal. Other than that, it works, everything seems nice and tight on it. It's not going to be as high quality has an original, but it's just as good as the one on my Jackson.
Overall Assessment - Summary
I'm VERY Happy with it. It's a very nice guitar, one of those hidden gems and most likely passed over because of the price tag on it. People like me see a lower price tag on it and thing it must be a throw away guitar, well, not so at all. This is a fantastic guitar. Plays excellent (ok, a little setup is required on the owners part, but isn't that the case with anything you get by mail). Has an outstanding tone very solid feeling.
Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat. Would I buy the Jackson DXMG again? Nope. The Jackson is fine, I'm not bashing it, I just simply favor the feel of this Kramer Striker over the Jackson is all.
