Kramer Custom II...???Help on restore!

[kramerbanger]

Looks like i have a Kramer custom II. has all real 80's floyd.. a fire sale beak neck..so i was told..truss rod in bottom of neck.. but locking nut screws in from top... r-2? gloss finish with kramer only logo? is this a usa neck or japan import? very nice action on neck.. but seems weird to not have bolts for lock from the back of neck...newer music yo necks have truss rod in top of neck? took the body to my Luthier and had his strip it and he told me the top and back have formica on them? WTF? any more info or suggestions on if i should spend more money on this project or jump....Love the guitar and how it plays just hated the paint on it...thanks ...glad to be a part of this kick ass forum...

[amerturk]

It's hard to make out what you are saying. Can you post pics?....then we'll tell you what is up.

As it stands, it doesn't sound like the original neck. If it has 24 frets, it's more than likely a music yo neck.

[sixstring]

Welcome aboard!
Post some pics, worth a 1000 words .

[popvamp]

Jump, jump, jump...where's the ripcord?

Seriously, that doesn't sound good from the neck to the body. I can tell from your description that the neck you're talking about is likely a Vaccaro-era beak neck - nothing really "fire sale" about that. The majority of those necks (if not all) were standard nut. It sounds like someone cut a Floyd nut for it and did a top-mount nut.

No comment on the formica body...

[kramerbanger]

The neck and body dont match...the body appears to be a classic II.. the neck is a bit of a mystery.. gloss finish.. kramer only logo.. no pacer series or patent pend. Was told it was purchased at Kramers end of days sale in NJ. truss rod adj. is in the end of neck,where body mounts. but the locking nut is a top mount floyd unit. Body is definitly a custom II from the layout. but upon stripping the old finish it appears to have formica laminite, underneath finish..has anyone ever stripped a custom II body to see whats underneath. Thinking this was a Schaller, Croatia made body...should i scrap it and try to find a correct pacer body or a barretta..or is the neck junk too?? bought this off ebay few years back, it played better than my Les paul standard but just wanted to refinish and keep around but dont want to spend 500 with my luthier if return is not as good as the money spent...thanks all... would post picts but its in the shop...

[kramerbanger]

22 frets on the neck ...

[kramerbanger]

When i purchased this kramer was told all parts were from the fire sale ...neck has original schallers...original singles and an added SD sh-4 all with wiring really nice and clean.. solid job..not fret buzz or flat spots... back plate is a overseas made to rock with pointed kramer logo? schaller? with matching case..

[KickstartMyHeart]

Welcome aboard!
Post some pics, worth a 1000 words .

Just like SIX said - Welcome aboard and

[popvamp]

The more you describe it, the more "mutty" it sounds...I'm sticking with the Vaccaro beak neck. Without seeing the body, I'm thinking Striker or MusicYo era. That neckplate is definitely a MusicYo plate.

Abort, abort, abort...

[Del Hudson]

Imagine that! Someone on ebay misrepresented the item they were selling. How shocking. BTW, welcome to the Forum. Fire sale? It sounds more like this guitar was kindling for the fire. I'm sorry if my sarcasm is coming off a bit harsh. None of this negativity is aimed at you Banger. Most of us here at the Forum search the Bay, Craigs, etc. everyday. We see this malarkey all the time. "Made in USA" they say, It says Neptune, NJ so it must be true. The hardest part is admitting that you were scammed. Just watch "Pawn Stars" and see the reaction of customers when they are told their item is a fake. They leave in a huff and are full of denial. They want a second opinion, which means, I need to find someone who will tell me it's real. I am hoping that when we see your pics, we will have a different opinion, but it's not looking good from your description. Once again, welcome to the Forum and remember that we're hear to help all long as you play nice with others.

Here is a picture of an '88 Pacer Custom II. Does yours look anything like this?

[gstring85]

Damn Del.......you havin a bad day bro or what

[sixstring]

Damn Del.......you havin a bad day bro or what

[amerturk]

Damn...no pics yet? Got a crayon?

[kramerbanger]

Body is exact.. custom II. which i love but when stripped of paint it seems to be formica underneath? is this normal? the neck is a beak..not this traditional point..so in know its a miss match per factory.. but really like this neck.. maple without skunk stripe on back, truss rod adj. in the heel, kramer standard logo.. gloss finish..top mount locking nut..which schallers..would include picts but its at guitar shop now..thanks for all the help to all..

[amerturk]

It's not formica on top, it's a wood laminate over solid wood...it does look odd and only came out with the late models near the end of Kramer.

[kramerbanger]

Ahhh... very helpfull... thanks alot!! do love this Kramer...love the layout of the custom II.. bought this for coulple of hundred bones few years back..figure with original floyd and the seymour Sh-4 and the schaller tuners it was worth every penny..now just trying figure the neck out..Appreciate the info!!

[Kramer James]

It's not formica on top, it's a wood laminate over solid wood...it does look odd and only came out with the late models near the end of Kramer.

I have an E 6XXX with the laminate top... recessed trem cover and all.

[amerturk]

Odd,,,but not the norm. Who knows, maybe if a body got dinged up or something went wrong they put a top on it? Any guess is good since there were no set guidelines back in the day at Kramer.

[Del Hudson]

Damn Del.......you havin a bad day bro or what

After re-reading my post, I guess I did come off sounding like a . That was not my intention. I just hate all the scammers and misinformed sellers out there. I am glad that Banger found the Forum. Now he will be able to get his questions answered before he spends his hard earned . His genuine appreciation for all of us trying to help him makes me confident that he will be a great member to have here at the Forum. I look forward to seeing his pics when he gets it back from the shop. Anyone who loves mutts is cool in my book.

[kramerbanger]

Thanks to all for the info...and this site...will definitly post some picks when she's Done......

[kramerbanger]

Finally figured out how to get some picts in here

[kramerbanger]

body front.jpg

[moku]

nice seafoam green color. welcome aboard; hope you stick around the forum.

[cullenszoo]

After reading the whole thread I'm glad to see you opted to have the body refinished. You mentioned how much you loved the guitar and that is what makes all the difference. I want to say the neck is wrong for the guitar but as others have pointed out, Kramer's standards were a bit loose back then so you never know what odd balls came out. It could be that the seller found the story of the great fire sale and used that to explain the neck. Let's face it, that guitar is almost 26 years old and the original neck may have suffered damage. the head broke, you never know. The end result though is now you have a guitar you love to play AND look at.

[kramerbanger]

more picts of PC II