Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Guitar Center
3.5 (21)
$229.00
Reverb
5.0 (2)
$490.90 1 available Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (776)
$229.00
zZounds
3.5 (7)
$229.00
Thomann
5.0 (1)
$321.00

Average Price: $288

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Kramer Pacer Classic". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Revive the electrifying spirit of the '80s with the Kramer Pacer Classic, a formidable contender in the world of solid body electric guitars. This modern reissue of the iconic Pacer model melds vintage aesthetic with contemporary craftsmanship, offering musicians a dynamic tool for their sonic arsenal. Its alder body is paired with a maple neck, creating a harmonious blend of rich, resonant tones. Whether you're crafting searing leads or tight, rhythmic chugs, the Pacer Classic handles it all with finesse.

Designed for speed demons, this guitar features a maple neck with a 12" radius fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets, ensuring low action and effortless playability. The slim taper C-profile neck enhances comfort, making it a versatile choice for diverse playing styles. With a 25.5" scale length, the Pacer Classic delivers articulate lows and crystalline highs that cut through any mix.

The guitar's powerhouse comes from its double white open-coil Alnico Classic 5 humbucking pickups. These pickups offer high-output crunch and the ability to dial in your perfect tone with independent volume controls. Blend to your heart's content, whether you're after a bright bridge pickup sound or a full-bodied, thick output.

No shred guitar is complete without a tremolo system, and the Pacer Classic does not disappoint. Equipped with a licensed Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo, it enables divebombs and squeals while staying perfectly in tune. Complemented by premium components like die-cast tuners and chrome hardware, this guitar not only plays like a dream but looks the part too.

Key Features:

  • Alder body and maple neck for balanced tone
  • 12" radius fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets
  • Slim taper C-profile neck
  • 25.5" scale length for articulate lows and chimey highs
  • Double white open-coil Alnico Classic 5 humbucking pickups
  • Licensed Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo
  • Independent volume controls for each pickup
  • Premium die-cast tuners and chrome hardware

Product specs

Brand Kramer
Model Pacer Classic
Finish Purple Passion Metallic, Radio Blue, Scarlet Red
Year 2020 - 2025
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Blue, Purple, Red
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple
Fretboard Radius 12"
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of music is the Kramer Pacer Classic best suited for?

The Kramer Pacer Classic is ideal for rock and metal genres, offering powerful tones and fast playability inspired by the iconic guitars of the 1980s.

What is the neck profile of the Kramer Pacer Classic like?

The Kramer Pacer Classic features a slim, fast-playing neck profile, making it comfortable for quick solos and complex chord progressions.

Does the Kramer Pacer Classic have a tremolo system?

Yes, the Kramer Pacer Classic is equipped with a locking tremolo bridge, allowing for dive-bombs and pitch shifts while maintaining tuning stability.

Are the pickups on the Kramer Pacer Classic suitable for high-gain settings?

The Kramer Pacer Classic features a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, providing a powerful output that excels in high-gain settings for rock and metal tones.

Is the Kramer Pacer Classic a good choice for beginners?

While the Kramer Pacer Classic is designed with features that appeal to intermediate and advanced players, beginners looking for a guitar with classic rock aesthetics and versatile tones may also find it a suitable option.

Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston

Kramer Pacer Classic

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic by Steve from Boston

Kramer Pacer Classic

Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic Sound Review Test HD by Jesse Fildes

Kramer Pacer Classic Sound Review Test HD

Jesse Fildes

Jesse Fildes

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic Series! - An EPIC & Affordable Way To Get The Guitar That Shaped 80's Rock! by PMTVUK

Kramer Pacer Classic Series! - An EPIC & Affordable Way To Get The Guitar That Shaped 80's Rock!

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for NEW Kramer Pacer Classic - A Tribute to 80's Hair Metal! by Andertons Music Co

NEW Kramer Pacer Classic - A Tribute to 80's Hair Metal!

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic by Kramer Guitars

Kramer Pacer Classic

Kramer Guitars

Kramer Guitars

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic Electric Guitar Demo by Sweetwater

Kramer Pacer Classic Electric Guitar Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic First Play! Guitar House 2022 #guitarhouse by Perfecto De Castro

Kramer Pacer Classic First Play! Guitar House 2022 #guitarhouse

Perfecto De Castro

Perfecto De Castro

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic Review - Your Next Budget Guitar!  #kramerguitars #kramer @Manchestermusicmill by Scott Wharton's Guitarnivore

Kramer Pacer Classic Review - Your Next Budget Guitar! #kramerguitars #kramer @Manchestermusicmill

Scott Wharton's Guitarnivore

Scott Wharton's Guitarnivore

Video thumbnail for Kramer Pacer Classic Review And Demo by jake the fate

Kramer Pacer Classic Review And Demo

jake the fate

jake the fate

Reviews

PROS

  • Stunning metallic finish resembles a sleek sports car

  • Comfortable 80s-inspired body design with a unique headstock shape

  • Surprisingly good pickups with versatile tones

  • Thin, fast "shredder" neck is great for speed playing

  • Durable build, suitable for rehearsals and gigs

  • Great modding platform without fear of devaluing

  • Consistent playability and doesn't feel cheap

  • Adequate electronics with potential for further mods

  • Not heavy, offering comfort during long sessions

  • Eye-catching design with impressive maple flame on the neck

CONS

  • Licensed Floyd Rose vibrato lacks pro-level quality

  • Action requires adjustment due to angled Floyd setup

  • Stock strings and tuners are of average quality

  • Output jack positioning may be awkward when seated

  • Limited tonal variation between pickups with stock setup

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kramer Pacer Classic.

Build quality

  • The Kramer Pacer Classic's body has a slight sparkle finish that owners find too appealing to repaint.

    Source
  • The Pacer Classic's mahogany body is noted for lighter weight compared to the maple-bodied Pacer Original, appealing to those preferring less heft.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Kramer Alnico V pickups are praised for clarity and are often deemed unnecessary to replace.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The bridge's volume knob is optimally positioned for volume swells.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Swapping the stock bridge with a Floyd Rose Original and Big Brass block improves tuning stability.

    Source
  • Locking tuners are a popular upgrade for improved tuning stability and ease of string changes, with Gotoh being a favored replacement for the stock Floyd.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the allen wrench holders on the headstock for convenience with locking tremolos.

    Source
  • Some owners are pleasantly surprised by the quality of the stock pickups despite their off-brand nature, finding them satisfactory until deciding on further modifications.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for 80's virtuoso styles, the guitar is noted for perfecting alt-picking techniques similar to Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine.

    Source
  • The Pacer Classic is considered versatile enough for mod projects, especially among those interested in customizing both aesthetics and functionality.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Pacer Classic is likened to a beefier guitar compared to an SG, making it feel substantial even for taller players.

    Source
  • The Pacer Classic's neck profile is different from the Original, with some owners preferring the feel of the Original's neck for comfort.

    Source

3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

MasterKingV

My first guitar.

jimmarchi1

I remember these, makes me go a big rubbery one for the 80s

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Frusciante uses Kramer Pacer Classic

John Frusciante

Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Groundguitar

This was the only guitar that John had with him when he first joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers back in 1988. He only used it for a couple of gigs with the Peppers [Red Hot Chili Peppers John Anson Ford Theater October 8, 1988], and for some of the early concerts with HATE (sideband project with Flea).

This particular guitar is somewhat of a mystery. What we do know is that the guitar had 24 fret maple neck with dot inlays, long banana headstock, strat-style body with sharper horns, and an HSS pickup configuration. It also featured a custom paint job, perhaps something inspired by Eddie Van Halen who John looked up to in the early days.

As far as the exact model, the closest possibility seems to be the Kramer Pacer Custom II. As one of our readers pointed out, this seems to be the only model with an HSS config where the humbucker isn’t slanted like for instance on the Striker model, which features the same pickup layout.

What doesn’t fit with the usual configuration of Pacer Custom II model is the 24 fret maple neck featuring long banana headstock. By 1986/87 when the model was first introduced, Kramer already started using pointy headstocks, so John’s guitar must have been one of a kind. Even the few of the Pacers that featured maple necks all came with pointy headstocks finished in black, so again quite unusual seeing that particular setup on John’s guitar.

As far as to what happened to the guitar post-1988, we were able to spot it in the 1993 short documentary recorded at John’s place. This means that John kept the guitar for at least five years, even though by then he switched to playing Fender Stratocasters almost exclusively.

See how Eddie Van Halen uses Kramer Pacer Classic

Eddie Van Halen

Guitarist

Van Halen

...
Verified via Photo

Eddie Van Halen is featured using the Kramer Pacer Classic in a Kramer advertisement, as shown in the image from Edroman.

See how Russ Parrish uses Kramer Pacer Classic

Russ Parrish

Guitarist

Steel Panther

...
Verified via YouTube

He's been seen using this guitar (few of them in different colors) on gigs and on Rig Rundown

See how Mansur Brown uses Kramer Pacer Classic

Mansur Brown

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the live set recorded by Boiler Room at the Barbican in London, Mansur Brown is seen playing a Kramer Pacer Classic, which may be a limited edition release from 2015.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Kramer Pacer Classic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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2

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Gear IQ 58

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Gear IQ 103

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