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Description

Rev up your sound with the Kramer Vanguard S-440S, the electric guitar designed for those who live to rock. Built for the modern guitarist, this solid body instrument offers a perfect blend of classic design and contemporary features. Its bold, aggressive styling is matched by its versatile performance, making it an excellent choice for both stage and studio.

The S-440S sports a comfortable double-cutaway body, providing easy access to the higher frets for those searing solos. Equipped with high-output humbuckers, this guitar delivers a powerful tone that can handle anything from crunchy rhythms to soaring leads. The maple neck with a smooth rosewood fingerboard ensures a fast, slick playing experience, ideal for intricate riffs and speed runs.

For those who love to experiment with sound, the Vanguard S-440S offers a wide range of tonal possibilities. The three-way pickup selector switch, along with individual volume and tone controls, allows you to dial in your perfect sound profile. Plus, the inclusion of a locking tremolo system ensures you stay in tune even during the most vigorous performances.

Whether you're hitting the stage or the practice room, the Kramer Vanguard S-440S offers a robust and reliable performance. Its sleek design and innovative features make it an essential addition to any guitarist's arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar with double-cutaway design
  • High-output humbuckers for versatile tones
  • Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard for fast playability
  • Locking tremolo system for stable tuning
  • Three-way pickup selector switch with volume and tone controls

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kramer Vanguard S-440S.

Features and functionality

  • The coil-split on the S-440S offers a modern single-coil sound, contrary to expectations of hotter pickups.

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  • The guitar comes with dual or quad rail pickups and a licensed pot metal Floyd Rose bridge.

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Comparisons

  • The Kramer Vanguard S-440S is compared to other Music Yo exclusives like the Kramer FR 440s and Kramer Imperial for their distinct aesthetics and reputed quality.

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  • Older Kramers, compared to Ibanez RG series, tend to have thicker necks with a U profile, making them less comfortable for some players used to modern shredders.

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Build quality

  • Some models feature skull and crossbones tuners, adding unique visual flair.

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  • Some owners find the neck joint to be a block rather than a contoured heel, affecting comfort compared to 90s guitars with more ergonomic designs.

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User experience

  • Owners report that the pickups are not as hot as one might assume, making them versatile for various styles.

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Setup and maintenance

  • One owner emphasized the importance of a good setup for lower-tier models to enhance playability, even on guitars like the Focus VT-211S.

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Value and pricing

  • Recent Kramers are seen as comparable to Epiphone guitars, with solid quality above the $500 price point, although the lowest tier models fall behind competitors like Yamaha's Pacifica series.

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Use cases and applications

  • Kramers are described as solid superstrats, fitting well into the musical style associated with 80s rock and metal, with some users enjoying the nostalgic aesthetic.

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Critic Reviews

Vanguard S-440S Review: All my other guitars I have owned during the time I've... | Kramer | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Kramer Vanguard S-440S proves to be a formidable instrument, delivering powerful tones that cater especially well to heavy metal aficionados. Its Quad Rail pickups shine, offering impressive clarity and sustain, although some may find the overall sustain could be enhanced. The craftsmanship is commendable, with a solid build and great playability right out of the box. However, minor imperfections like a knick on the fretboard and the need for a nut replacement may give pause to some. Overall, this guitar is a reliable performer, ideal for various musical styles, and a steal at its price point, making it a solid choice for both novices and experienced players alike.

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Artist usage

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See how Wagner Lamounier uses Kramer Vanguard S-440S

Wagner Lamounier

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Verified via YouTube

In a live performance recorded at Fabrika in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on February 6, 1993, Wagner Lamounier can be seen playing a Kramer Vanguard S-440S with an inverted headstock at the 4:08 mark, as documented in a video shared by OLD METAL MEMORIES on YouTube. This guitar was also used in the music video for "Screeches from the Silence" and during the 1991 tour for the album "The Laws of Scourge."

Album Usage

The Kramer Vanguard S-440S has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

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

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