Kramer/Ibanez/ESP

[Islandsound]

Been looking for a guitar within the price range of 299-400 dollars and I notices that Kramer, Ibanez and ESP LTD have model in that range. The only question is, which is better??

Kramer Striker 211
ESP LTD M-100/103 and MH-100/103
Ibanez RG350DXZ, RG370DXZ

Which would come out on top in terms of overall quality and sound?

[Broadbandcorpse]

Can't say for any of them but I have the Kramer pacer classic and I would say that if my pacer is as amazing a guitar for the price I paid then the striker is gonna be amazing aswell so I would go with the Kramer Striker.

[80sKramer]

I own a RG370dx and a pacer classic. Both awesome, Ibanez has now a RG model just like the 370dx but yellow +maple fretboard and its just . Id go for that one if your into your colorful guitars.

[DarthPhineas]

I'd avoid those LTDs.

can't comment toward the Strikers, but the Pacer Classic is fine. and it's a fun project guitar to upgrade here and there when you get the time.

[Islandsound]

I have gone with the Pacer but I prefer something with 24frets and a little more versatility. If the pacer had coil tap capabilities it may have been ok

[Breizman]

I have a RG350. Overall it's a good guitar for the money: nice neck, tremolo is ok. But the pickups are real shit. If I changed all the electronics I reckon I would have a very good guitar.

I think Mike got a LTD M100 recently. He said it was correct for the price after some neck adjustments.

[DarthPhineas]

I have gone with the Pacer but I prefer something with 24frets and a little more versatility. If the pacer had coil tap capabilities it may have been ok

a push/pull pot is less than $10 and was the first thing I did to my PC to split the coils (assuming you mean splitting by "tap"). and I'm not so certain the Ibbys are wired to split.


either way, avoid the LTDs.

[jdude]

I have the kramer striker 211 custom fr and a pacer classic . The striker has a thick sound stays in tune. I like the neck on the pacer classic better though. I have an ibanez and its going to be traded for another pacer classic. The ltd models are ok, I had the m-100qm and it was hard to keep in in tune. Even after a good setup. another guitar you can consider is the dean custom 350. It has the same specs and price as the ltd, but you get coil tapping and better pickups. just a thought.

[MCB67]

The guitars you mentioned are OK, but fairly low-end. For the cost of one of those new, you could buy a much better guitar used. There are plenty of decent 1980's Focus 1000, 2000, 3000's, etc. available for around $200-$400. These guitars are far superior to most of the newer stuff any music store has to offer in this price range. Just a thought and good luck in your search.

[80sKramer]

Just keep in mind that any guitar you buy under 400 and sometimes even higher comes with crappy pickups. Pickup upgrades are a MUST on cheaper guitars.

[Islandsound]

So if I wanted to buy a Pacer Classic or Striker 211 and upgrade the floyd rose to an original floyd rose, would I have to make any alteration to the guitar body or will any OFR work? As for the pots, would I have to upgrade them as well along with new pickups?

[sixstring]

OFR will slide right in. Pots don't really need to be changed with the pups.

[Islandsound]

my only gripe with the striker 211 is that it just doesn't feel like I would be buying a "Kramer"...the new logo is not very appealing and I guess it will take a looooong time getting use to. It would also be nice if they had better colors and maybe matching headstock

[DarthPhineas]

my only gripe with the striker 211 is that it just doesn't feel like I would be buying a "Kramer"...the new logo is not very appealing and I guess it will take a looooong time getting use to. It would also be nice if they had better colors and maybe matching headstock

and that Kramer is more known for super-strats than for what the striker is trying to be.

you don't 'have' to change out the pots, but it'd be worth the effort to pickup a few higher quality pots. some people are fine with the PC's pickups. personally, I didn't even plug it in until I put some Duncans in there. and yes, a real FR will fit right in.

[Islandsound]

Ok can someone post a link to where I can get a black OFR that will fit right in?

[sixstring]

http://www.prorockgear.com/originalf...tremolo-1.aspx

[Jimmorison]

thanks, you right have nice day

[Islandsound]

If there was a choice between either the Kramer Striker 211 or the Kramer Striker Custom FR-424CM which would you say is better overall?

[withoutasound]

Cant stand those..
Get a Pacer Classic!

[KickstartMyHeart]

Cant stand those..
Get a Pacer Classic!

+1 and mod it.

[Kramer James]

my only gripe with the striker 211 is that it just doesn't feel like I would be buying a "Kramer"...

If you want a "Kramer," Kramer... why not get an original for the same price or even cheaper? Made in Japan with stock original floyd roses, they're the best 25.5 scale, floyded super strats out there for the price (focus and F-thousand series).

The guitars you mentioned are OK, but fairly low-end. For the cost of one of those new, you could buy a much better guitar used. There are plenty of decent 1980's Focus 1000, 2000, 3000's, etc. available for around $200-$400. These guitars are far superior to most of the newer stuff any music store has to offer in this price range. Just a thought and good luck in your search.

+1

[Islandsound]

Ok..I think it get the drift....Pacer Classic is the best thing out there for the price.

[DarthPhineas]

Ok..I think it get the drift....Pacer Classic is the best thing out there for the price.

you're still going to get what you're paying for.

check THIS ( <- link ) import out on ebay... this music store is clearing out that inventory and moved some of these last month and I don't think any of the pricing got above $600. you're not going to get that import brand new for less than $1600 if you bought it from the source. 1 piece body, real FR, includes hard case. if I liked the color, I'd buy it myself. even if it reaches $600, that's not much more than what you're going to pay for a new PC and you're getting a LOT more guitar.

but of the other ones mentioned, the PC is better than those other cheap Gib/Epi Kramers... unless you find an older real Kramer like a Focus 2000, which is very close to the PC and came with a real FR.

[Islandsound]

WOW...thats alot of guitar for the price...but like you said...the color is a bit of a turn off for me.

[sixstring]

unless you find an older real Kramer like a Focus 2000, which is very close to the PC and came with a real FR.

This!