Gary Kramer Custom 2

[BamaKramer]

opinions on it?

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/Custom2.html

[floydkramer]

That is nice, I wish they came with a maple board also. Anyone have an opinon on the GK humbucker?

[kramerSquatch]

I have a Custom, with the dual pickups and love it. Seems like a hell of a deal since his dealers are selling them for alot more on ebay. I have a Custom and a Crusader. Both are great. Probably top of line for imports IMO

[NightRider]

I like mine... the pick up is JBish
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/rickduster/PICT0217.jpg

[AJAYMACK]

Is the floyd a german one?

[NightRider]

I haven't had it off yet

[BamaKramer]

who else can make the OFR with the Floyd Rose name on it?

[NightRider]

Ping for one... I think there are a few others now also that can put his name on it

[BamaKramer]

oh thats right, i forgot about the ping one.

[BamaKramer]

I'm probably going to be ordering a custom 2 within the next week. Kramer addiction!

[_xxx_]

It's the Floyd Rose own production in Korea. The units are nice and you won't feel much difference compared to Schaller-made parts.

I wrote a little "review" of the custom a while ago in "other guitars", maybe you should take a look.

All in all a very nice axe for the money, the pups are like JB/Jazz but with less output. I switched them for DiMarzio ToneZone and AirNorton and with those it became my No.1 player.

The axe resonates and feels more like a Gibson SG than a superstrat, that's the nicest thing about it IMO.

[BamaKramer]

ah, thanks alot.

[Dersu Uzala]

Custom, Custom 2, she even has her own Custom. A custom Custom, how else...

[BamaKramer]

keeps the tone the same as the schaller made OFR?

[BamaKramer]

omg, new desktop wallpaper inc!

[BamaKramer]

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/Bengal.html

here is the one in the picture

[_xxx_]

keeps the tone the same as the schaller made OFR?

It does, it just sounds a tiny little bit different. You could say a bit "tinny", but not in a bad way.

The only downside to these floyds is that the trem arm can't be tightened permanently like with Schaller, it will get loose after a few dives. But that's really not bad, just a minor inconvenience.

[BamaKramer]

i like mine loose anyways =]. thanks for the info, it helped alot.

[BamaKramer]

and if it comes to it i can always buy a schaller OFR.

[Dersu Uzala]

who else can make the OFR with the Floyd Rose name on it?

Gotoh.

[_xxx_]

I don't think so, all the Gotoh Floyds I ever saw said "licensed by...". Only Ping is/was allowed to use the original logo, all the other licensees can only say "Licensed by Floyd rose".

[Dersu Uzala]

Ok, we're mixing apples and frogs here. It's true that only Ping now has the right to use the logo/name, but that has nothing to do literally with OFR or, more precisely, Floyd Rose Original. That purely designates the model. The very first one ever built. Everyone other than Floyd Rose licenses the tremolo. Back when Schaller was doing manufacturing for Floyd Rose (the guy simply couldn't accomplish it with his non-industrial facility), they also used the logo. After sometime, they became licensees like everyone else (since Floyd Rose opted not to make them in Schaller facility in Germany any more). All licensees must observe a basic patent adherence but can modify 'unpatented' parts or materials to their liking (and save some cash or improve on the design like Ibanez did in most people's opinion). Gotoh tremolos are probably considered among luthiers in the know as best at the moment. After all, they improved on Floyd Rose design for Ibanez. They designed and produced Edge tremolos. Then of course, some people totally prefer Kahlers, can't please everyone with the same thing. I've been talking this issue over and over with certain people that were involved in the whole thing, hopefully I didn't miss something. I do get mixed up on occasion with these stories myself. I can always check tomorrow though. The bottom line is, Ping are licensees as well, but were given a nudge and approval to use the logo and corner other Korean and Japanese manufacturers so the company can cash in a bit more. If you're buying a Korean made Ping Floyd Rose (again Original just indicates the design model and they do make Floyd Rose Originals) or any other Korean licenced Floyd Rose, you sort of 'go with the brand'. Hey it's says Floyd Rose and has the logo right on it!!! But it IS licensed, FR just keeps a really close eye on production. I just checked, on top of that Gotoh tremolo (mounted on Coeur de Lion) it doesn't even mention Licensed Under Floyd Rose Patents (like on a typical Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge for example). Some others read Floyd Rose Licensed, but I prefer Lo-Pro Edge really, so I don't look around as much). On Gotoh (at least the top part, the 'visible part') it says (apart from Gotoh) 'High Stability Tremolo System'. Which now kinda leads me to believe they they indeed do not use the license anymore, they now produce their own version. Which anyhow a lot of people find excellent. I have no qualms with it, but nothing had yet beaten Lo-Pro Edge in my mind. Oh yes, once upon a time I was a proud owner of Kahler 2600/2700 series. Boy did I love those vibratos.

[_xxx_]

I was strictly talking about the usage of the logo, nothing more than that :)

I also loved Kahler 2700, except for the heavy screw-in arm. It weighed so much that it would detune the guitar in some positions purely due to its weight. Other than that, for me it's the best version of floyd ever.

[markshredder]

After seeing the pics in this thread I really can't decide whether to go for a Custom 2 or an import Crusader...

[kramerSquatch]

After seeing the pics in this thread I really can't decide whether to go for a Custom 2 or an import Crusader...

The Crusader is probably the closest thing to a modern day Kramer Focus 3000. It really just does the job well. The customs are awesome as well, but had more of a weak feel to me. THe Crusader is heavy and resonating.

[_xxx_]

I'd say try the Custom, it's really something fresh and a great design. The Crusader is basically your well known typical Kramer-superstrat, which is also nice but you've seen that a million times already.

And yes, the customs are lighter, somewhat comparable to a Gibson SG in feel and tone. But they're by no means "weak" although one might get the impression because they feel skinnier.

[Dersu Uzala]

I'm trying to think of something...

[Rt1Guitars.Com]

I recently got my hands on a custom 2 in black
and i loved the feel of the guitar .. but i did make a few changes.. i changed the floyd to a made in germany floyd IN black with chrome saddels and swaped out the pickup for a Duncan Custom
sh5-tb5.. floyd spaced.. also chaged the tuners to gotoh black with pearl pegs 18:1..
made a great guitar even better.. or at least i think so