Kramer Gears Up for Golden Jubilee with Stunning New S-Type Collection
Kramer is marking its 50th anniversary with an exciting new lineup of S-type guitars, giving its most beloved models a fresh and vibrant makeover.
During the iconic shred era of the 1980s, Kramer was a dominant force in the guitar world, championed by legends like Eddie Van Halen, Mick Mars, and Richie Sambora. However, the brand faced notable challenges in the 1990s, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Gibson in 1997 as part of an effort to revive the Kramer legacy.
A Milestone Festivity
Reaching half a century is a significant achievement, and kramer is celebrating in style with a special 2026 Anniversary Gold finish across its models. The collection includes the 84,SM-1 HH,NightSwan,Baretta,Pacer Carrera,and Volante,all equipped with a Floyd Rose 1000 Series vibrato and sleek black hardware.
Spotlight on the Models
The 84 model features an alder body with ergonomic forearm and belly contours, along with deep double cutaways for exceptional upper-fret access.It boasts a satin-finished bolt-on K-Speed SlimTaper maple neck with a walnut skunk stripe, topped with a maple fretboard and 22 jumbo frets. A single Kramer Eruption PRO humbucker is included, complete with a push/pull series/parallel switch via the volume knob, all for a price of $999.
Next up is the SM-1HH, which doubles the excitement with two eruption PRO Humbuckers, premium CTS pots, and dedicated Volume and Tone controls.This model features a full-length mahogany neck and body wings, maintaining the fast-playing profile of the 84 while introducing a 12″ radius ebony fretboard. Priced at $1,199, it combines high specifications with a straightforward design.
The NightSwan, a revival of a classic from the late ’80s, showcases two closely positioned Eruption Pro humbuckers and a lightweight alder body with agreeable contours. Its Slim-Taper maple neck, adorned with a black Kramer four-bolt plate, features a 22-fret ebony fingerboard and the model’s signature offset “Ping-Pong” inlays. This model is available for $999.
Classic Designs with Modern Features
The Baretta, famously favored by EVH, features an offset and uncovered single Eruption Pro humbucker, paying homage to its heritage with zebra bobbins and streamlined controls. It has a double-cutaway maple body, a satin-finished three-piece maple neck, and an ebony fretboard, all for a competitive price of $999.
Meanwhile, the Pacer Carrera offers a more traditional Super Strat experience, equipped with twin eruption PRO buckers, expanded Master and Volume controls, and a sleek ebony fingerboard without inlays. Its contour-rich maple body and bolt-on Kramer Slim-profile maple neck come together for $1,199.
Innovative Features in the Volante HHFR
The Volante HHFR, which translates to “flying” in Italian, is designed for speed with its lightweight alder body.It features a three-piece, thermally aged maple neck with a satin finish, bolted on with five ferrules for added stability. The innovative KeyLock system, developed by Senior Product Advancement Engineer Richard Akers, minimizes neck-pocket movement and enhances tone transfer. The ebony fingerboard has a 10-14″ compound radius, 24 frets, and small diamond inlays, with a Kramer USA Neptune humbucker providing a versatile sound palette, all for $1,299.
“Performance has always been at the core of what Kramer stands for, and that spirit is deeply personal to me,” says Aljon Go, Product Manager at Kramer. “Every detail of this series reflects the uncompromising quality, precision craftsmanship, and player-first design that define Kramer at its best.”
Gibson has truly amplified the essence of Kramer with this collection.
For more facts, visit Kramer’s official site.
In other news, Gibson President and CEO Cesar Gueikian has announced his intention to step down from his executive roles.
