Kramer SM-1 Electric Guitar

Shred the night away! This unique Kramer guitar is built for speed with its 25.5" scale 24-fret neck, locking Floyd Rose tremolo, and three EMG pickups.

Overall User Ratings (based on 13 ratings)
  • Overall:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(13) (see rating details)
Submitted June 12, 2012 by chris k in bastrop, TX

"Kramer SM-1 Electric Guitar"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I wasn't totally sure about buying a Kramer, knowing they were owned by Gibson. I remember this brand from the 80's, and they seemed like good shred machines, but nothing prepared me for the guitar I received. The Kramer SM-1 is a shred monster! I ordered the EMG version, and have never looked backed. Even my other guitar (which has EMG's) doesn't sound as good as the Kramer. The 3 p/u configuration - H/S/S, the coil tap mini switch, and push-pull volume pot turn allow for a variety of sounds, not just shredding. If you can have only one guitar, try this axe, I have been won over by it.

Musical Background:

off and on for 30 years

Musical Style:

modern shred.
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Submitted March 13, 2013 by Thien D in Alpharetta, GA

"If you could only have one guitar..."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Wow, this guitar is it. Korea has come a long way in producing quality guitars. I've owned another Korean guitar before (EC-1000), and I loved it, so I wasn't afraid of giving this one a go with its equipped hardware. ZZ made the whole process seamless, and when the guitar arrived, it was all I expected and more. To my surprise, it is built better than the high end, Korean LTDs. The only problem I had was that the action was too high. Once I lowered it, the guitar shreds. The neck is thicker than a Jackson but slimmer than a Les Paul with the shame shape. I've owned both, so an in-betweener is new and refreshing to me. I think this guitar may have found a forever home with me. Oh, I do have one more thing to say about it-- the inlays look like okras...I'm not sure if it's a bad thing or not.

Musical Background:

I've been playing for a decade or more.

Musical Style:

I play mostly anything that I can make sound good on a guitar.
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Submitted November 5, 2012 by Gray Ghost in Los Angeles, CA

"The Stagemaster is back"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I'm glad to see the Stagemaster (that's what SM stands for) back in business. Haven't bought it yet, but played it, and first impressions are excellent. I hope people realize that Kramer's top-of-the-line guitar during its golden years in the 80s was never made in the USA. The original Stagemaster "Mach II Deluxe II" model (of which this SM-1 is a virtual direct copy of) was made in Asia, first Japan and then Korea, even in the "good ol' days". Just an FYI for "purists" that haven't got a clue. Everything about the new axe looks authentic to the original, including the "headstock inlays", ebony fingerboard, neck-through, angled headstock, Seymour Duncan pickups, and beveled body near the neck (the original had such bevels only on the lower cutaway, so the new model is even better). The Floyd seems solid, although it's the FRT 2000 (made in Korea) and not the German FRT 200, it still rocks and seems to stay in tune. Cannot wait to take it home for keeps. Get one. It's a piece of 80s rock history.

Musical Style:

Rock, Metal, Classical
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Submitted May 22, 2012 by Chris K in Paige, TX

"A killer shred machine"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I wasn't sure at the outset about Kramer quality, I did a little research and they are owned by Gibson (now), however these guitars are mass produced in Korea. After taking the SM-1 for a spin I lowered the action and dropped the middle pickup a touch. Other than that fit, overall craftmanship are excellent. I really do like the push-pull pot and the mini toggle. When you combine the 3 way switch you really have a unique guitar. All in all a 5.

Musical Background:

30 + years my other guitar is a KH-602

Musical Style:

Shred!!
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Submitted January 27, 2014 by Alex W in Chicago, IL

"Kramer SM-1 Black with EMGs"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This guitar is completely amazing. I have been playing seriously for 30+ years. I own all high end gear including 18 other guitars. I have owned 7 Kramers. This has quickly become my go to guitar for almost everything. The neck took some getting used to, it is not a typical 80's kramer shred neck, it is based on the gibson slim taper neck. Now I am in love with the way it plays. This is a COOL looking guitar, bad ass all the way around. The EMG's are killer. The sound is really well defined. The craftsmanship is flawless. I own Orange, Kitty Hawk, Laney, and Black Star Series One amps. It sounds kick ass through them all. Really sweet for cleans but mean as hell for metal or crunch. I am one of those people who takes forever to finally buy a guitar. I have to read everything about it, play it several times, etc. I never impulse buy. I was never able to find one of these in a store to play and read every review I could on it. I have never purchased a guitar I wasn't able to play first. I said hell with it and went for it and I cannot tell you how glad I am I did. I would buy this guitar 100 times if I had to, and will be getting the white one with the duncan pups eventually. If you have any question in your mind, which I had many, this guitar is better then my 2000$ jacksons, just as good as my 2500$ ESP's better then my ibanez, As good as my les paul custom, and blows my US made strats away. Go for it,this will not disappoint.

Musical Background:

Professional for many years.

Musical Style:

Rock, Fusion, Blues, Metal, Jazz.
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Submitted September 26, 2012 by Jose A in mo valley, CA

"Amazing Guitar"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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The guitar arrived in a timely manner! This is my first time buying a Kramer. Going to put new strings and setup guitar action its a little high. sounds like going to have to change battery for pick ups. guitar looks great comparable to jackson x models or even USA models. its sleak and plays fast with nice tones. all in all a solid metal Machine!

Musical Background:

I have been playing 20 years

Musical Style:

Metal and thrash metal!
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Submitted January 19, 2020 by Mike P in Ware, MA

"Sweet guitar"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Comfortable feel with cool features. Mine came in with some defects. Hoping to get it straightened out but response from staff is slow.

Musical Background:

15 years at home playing

Musical Style:

Rock, metal
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Submitted February 11, 2015 by Gilberto T in Miami, FL

"feels like it was made for me!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I played the guitar at my local store today and feels like a holy instrument in my hands. I had such an impression that I didn't experience for decades but I got a little skeptical because I've been a little off lately. I thought that I was just excited because of the slim neck. just to realize here later that everybody shares the same opinion. I didn't buy the guitar today because I don't have the money now. I hope this exceptional piece won't go out of stuck once I get the money.

Musical Background:

I'm very skilled guitarrist & songwriter with more that 20 years of experiece.

Musical Style:

Progressive Tech-Metal
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Submitted June 15, 2012 by Gerry A in Chula Vista, CA

"Killer guitar!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I got the SM-1 white w/ Duncans---damn, this thing is impressive, to say the least---I've always wanted the USA Stagemaster, which I think is on a par to my old Jackson USA Soloist I used to own: *Tones are fantastic--love the 5-way switch, the coil tap and phase switch, it defintely has strat tones, next to the Duncan Alternative 8's scorching humbucking sound from the bridge *The original Floyd Rose is flawless--right out of the box, it stayed in-tune *Neck is slightly chunky, kinda remninds me of my Epi Elitist Les Paul 57 GT's profile, but not a problem *Had to adjust the action and pick-up a bit overall a great shred machine capable of playing virtually anything--from Hard Rock/Metal to pop Country to R&B to everything else in-between, this thing's a keeper!

Musical Background:

semi-pro

Musical Style:

hard rock/metal, power pop alternative, pop country, R&B, Jazz-fusion
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