Kramer Elliot Easton Pro Pacer Imperial

This review is for the completed build out in June 2003 by Doc Dryer. I initially contacted Doc about putting this together for me and played phone tag and e-mail tag for about a month or so before we ever met. I was assembling parts for this project even after I dropped it all off w/Doc. He was very patient with me as far as swapping out the Warmoth Maple Fretboard Neck that I had planned to use prior to acquiring the Kramer Elliot Easton neck that I wound up deciding upon for the guitar (and I'm glad I did).


-1989 Kramer Pacer Imperial Body...NOS, Alder, Gloss Black Finish, probably a Japanese ESP Manufactured Body) routed for Hum/Hum and recessed Floyd Original, Vol/Tone/3 Way Selector/Coil Tap, side mount jack, 7/8 Strat size w/sharp edged radius and standard contours...


-1988 Kramer USA Elliot Easton Pro I Signature Model Neck... Bolt-on neck with the Classic Headstock Shape with Kramer block logo and "EE Pro" on the headstock with 22 fret rosewood fretboard and pearly white dots. In late 1987-early 1988, rosewood fretboards were offered as an option so this one's one of the later...therefore I've labeled it as an '88. Vintage Kramer Site states that the Elliot Easton model did not make it into 1989. Without question...this is THE MOST COMFORTABLE NECK THAT I HAVE EVER PLAYED. Chalk it up to the fact that the neck is dubiously linked to Tom Anderson's Designs & Manufacture or that it was built at the Kramer USA plant...or to the fact that Doc did an incredible job refinishing the back of the neck in an oil finish that made the neck feel at once "comfortable" and "familiar" and in repairing the heel crack, conditioning the fretboard and polishing the frets. Just a great neck- finsh, shape, frets, radius...everything. Neck looks like new!


-Pickups-Duncan Dimebucker in the bridge & Pearly Gates in neck. Dimebucker isn't as versatile as I'd like but it does what it was designed to quite well...searing tone and excellent sustain...and...surprisingly it makes for a really nice clean sound when tapped. Pearly in the neck is wonderful...just enough grit and a real classic sounding PAF. Mid positions are great full on or tapped. Plenty of sound versatility.


-Hardware-New Black Floyd Rose Original, New Black Gotoh Tuners & String Retainer, Pots and electronics are SwitchCraft units, Black Plastic Pickup rings (which I may swap out for Black Metal ones), and some Black Speed Knobs from an Ibanez Artist that I just sold. Black Strap Locks and Black Leather Strap.

Sound: 10
Very nicely. Doc puts a lot of time, effort and love into his work. He makes sure the neck and body contacts are solid and set up is on the money. This thing plays like a dream and sustains forever...even when I'm playing it unplugged...notes just seem to stay suspended! Using it w/a Marshall 1978 JMP Master Volume 2x12 50W Combo w/Celestion Greenbacks...generally run straight into the amp on the high gain input or through either an Ibanez Tube Screamer Turbo or Boss Metal Zone for extra gain/meat. No qualms at all w/sound. With the pickup selection, coil taps on each and the 3 way selector there's tonal variety to spare. Not an intitial fan of the Dimebucker, as it has almost NO MIDS! But it has grown on me...it does cut through nicely for leads or chordal riffing...treble and bass pretty balanced...cleans up wonderfully when tapped...so I'll probably leave it in there as it feels like it belongs in this guitar. Additionally, I've got a Duncan JB in a Squier Venus, a Dimarzio Tone Zone in a BC Rich Gunslinger and set of Dimarzio SDS1s with an EMG Afterburner waiting to go into another Superstrat that I'll take to Doc for assembly. I like the variety.

Excellent. Everything fits together w/o gaps or play. Parts are high quality...you wouldn't know it is a Mutant Component Guitar if no one told ya! Everything fits together as if they rolled out the Kramer Shipping Dock Door together!


Doc did a nice job bringing this all together. He takes great pride in what he does and seems to enjoy every minute of it! Just had him do some final adjustments to the action and to the pickup mounts and I'm as happy as possible w/the guitar. Set up w/.10-.46 strings...low action. No complaints!

I don't usually bang my guitars around or abuse them. I buy them to play at home for my enjoyment...and I honestly have enjoyed this one since I picked it up from Doc a couple of weeks ago. Really happy with it. Came out looking and feeling better than I had hoped it would...did I mention that I really...really...love the neck? As for backups...they're only a reach away...only reason for using one would be if a string broke w/the Floyd.

This is where Doc shines above ANYONE else I've ever personally dealt with in repairing/assembling guitars for me. Friendly, knowledgeable, courteous...just a great guy that builds rock solid guitars. I'm very pleased w/the guitar that he assembled for me and with Doc's Service, Patience and Demeanor. He listens to what you want, discusses options and make suggestions and then get's it done at a very high level of quality in a short amount of time. Turnaround on this guitar was about a week and a half! That fact alone blows my mind.


I'll be taking my Gunslinger back to him for a set up one day not too far in the future and also ask him to assemble another mongrel Superstrat for me as soon as I find the right body. Great guy, great luthier...to qoute Doc..."'nuff said".

Been playing long enough to know quality equipment from crap....since 1989.


I currently own 4 other guitars...1989 Alvarez Yairi DY53 (Handmade, great guitar that I'll pass on to one of my kids), a 2002 Ibanez AF75BS (great guitar value:price), 1997 Squier Venus 6 String (.12-52 strings, Duncans, string through body...a keeper) and a 1991 BC Rich USA Gunslinger (Reverse Headstock Maple Fretboard, Tone Zone, BC Rich Trem w/Gotoh Brass Sustain Block...is it hot in here?). Play through my previously mentioned Marshall Combo.


This guitar plays nicely, sounds great and I've become quite enamored of it's neck. It's my favorite anymore, and I'm sure it'll remain so. No qualms no questions w/this guitar...period.


If lost or stolen, I'd acquire a bunch more parts that I felt were up to snuff and have another built, although I'd be at a loss to replace this neck.


I love the neck...flat out the best feature. Everything else is a close second. I picked all the components myself so it's WHAT I WANTED.


No Comparison...built the way I wanted/hope it would be...thanks Doc!


Anything I wish it had...a maple fretboard twin w/a willing submissive stacked blond 21 year old playmate attached???


Doc does GREAT WORK. If you're thinking about having a custom guitar built...DOC's THE MAN!