Kramer is turning 50, and the legendary guitar brand is celebrating five decades of high-octane rock history in the loudest way possible: with a stunning, limited-edition lineup of high-performance guitars finished in solid, metallic Anniversary Gold.
Available strictly during this milestone year, the Kramer 50th Anniversary Collection revives six of the brand’s most celebrated, era-defining shapes. Merging classic shred-era nostalgia with modernized components, these guitars are built for collectors and stage performers alike.
Except for the highly spec’d Volante, each model in the lineup features premium black hardware, a Floyd Rose 1000 Series vibrato bridge with an R2 locking nut, and high-output Kramer Eruption PRO humbuckers.
“I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating Kramer’s 50th Anniversary with this stunning collection,” said Aljon Go, Product Manager at Kramer. “Performance has always been at the core of what Kramer stands for… Every detail of this series reflects the uncompromising quality, precision craftsmanship, and player-first design that define Kramer at its best.”
Every guitar in the collection also includes a premium Kramer gig bag. Let’s dive into the six golden models making waves this year.
The Lineup: Model by Model
1. SM-1 HH ($1,199)
Drawing inspiration from the historic Stagemaster Mach II, the SM-1 HH stands out as one of the collection’s most premium offerings.
Built with a neck-through Mahogany design and matching Mahogany body wings, it yields incredible sustain.
It features a 25.5-inch scale length, a 24-fret Ebony fingerboard, dual Eruption PRO humbuckers, and a series/parallel mini-toggle switch for the neck pickup—making it one of the most tonally versatile entries in the pack.
2. NightSwan ($1,099)
A cult favorite returns. The 50th Anniversary NightSwan retains its distinctively compact, mahogany-bodied shred architecture.
It features a bolt-on, three-piece Hard Maple neck with a lightning-fast satin finish, a slim C profile, and a 24-fret Ebony fingerboard adorned with the signature “ping pong” dot inlays.
Powered by twin Eruption PRO humbuckers, it maintains a no-nonsense, straightforward control layout.
3. The 84 ($999)
Paying homage to Kramer’s golden era, The 84 boasts a lightweight Alder body paired with a bolt-on Hard Maple neck and Maple fingerboard.
It utilizes Kramer’s fast-playing K-Speed SlimTaper C profile. Minimalism rules here: a single direct-mounted Kramer Eruption PRO humbucker handles the audio, controlled by a push/pull volume knob that toggles between series and parallel wiring.
4. Baretta ($999)
Perhaps Kramer’s most iconic silhouette, the Baretta relies on a bright, punchy Maple body, a three-piece Maple neck, and a sleek Ebony fingerboard.
Much like The 84, it embraces a pure, single-humbucker layout powered by an Eruption PRO pickup with push/pull series/parallel electronics, ready for heavy whammy bar abuse via its Floyd Rose 1000 system.
5. Pacer Carrera ($1,199)
Bridging vintage styling and contemporary expectations, the Pacer Carrera features a double-cutaway Maple body and an unadorned Ebony fingerboard completely free of traditional face inlays.
It offers a highly flexible electronics package consisting of dual Eruption PRO humbuckers, individual tone controls, and a three-way pickup selector switch.
6. Volante HHFR ($1,299)
The most forward-thinking and expensive model in the collection, the Volante HHFR introduces Kramer’s latest engineering feats.
It features a lightweight Alder body combined with a thermally aged three-piece Maple neck and the brand’s new KeyLock neck stabilization system—engineered to optimize sustain, intonation, and vibrational transfer.
It boasts a compound 10-14” radius Ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and premium Kramer USA Neptune humbuckers driven by an advanced five-way switching system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are these guitars part of a permanent collection?
No. The Kramer 50th Anniversary Collection is a limited-run release available only during this milestone anniversary year. Exclusive anniversary colorways are also available online only via official channels.
What bridges are used on these models?
All six models come equipped with a high-quality, ultra-stable Floyd Rose® 1000 Series vibrato bridge and a Floyd Rose R2 locking nut for reliable tuning stability.
Do these guitars come with a case?
Yes, every guitar purchased from the 50th Anniversary lineup includes a premium Kramer gig bag.
Where can I purchase them?
Verdict & Score
Verdict: 9.2 / 10 — A Golden Triumph
Kramer has perfectly struck the balance between absolute nostalgia and modern reliability. By taking six of their most beloved body shapes and unifying them under a gorgeous, metallic Anniversary Gold finish, they’ve created an instant collector’s lineup that demands to be played live.
While the single-pickup models (The 84, Baretta) cater beautifully to old-school purists, modern players will easily gravitate toward the premium neck-through construction of the SM-1 HH or the technologically advanced Volante HHFR with its thermally aged neck and KeyLock system.
For under $1,300 across the entire board, Kramer is offering massive value, premium hardware, and unmatched rock attitude.
Final Score Breakdown:
-
Design & Aesthetics: 9.5/10 (The Anniversary Gold looks magnificent against the black hardware)
-
Playability & Features: 9.0/10 (Floyd Rose 1000 series and compound radii options excel)
-
Value for Money: 9.2/10 (Premium woods, advanced hardware, and included gig bags at great mid-tier pricing)
#Kramer
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Donner, Fender, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, Reverb, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
