and REBIRTH
of Kramer Guitars

Aluminum Meets Wood

Kramer’s inception was greatly influenced by Gary Kramer’s association with Travis Bean, a pioneer of aluminum guitar necks. Unlike Bean, Kramer aimed to modify the concept by integrating wooden inserts into aluminum necks, which helped in reducing the weight and improving the feel of the guitars. Introduced in 1976, Kramer guitars featured what became known as “Alumi-necks,” an innovative design incorporating aluminum reinforced with pitchfork-like inserts of walnut or maple. These guitars, equipped with Ebonol fretboards and high-quality Schaller and DiMarzio hardware, set new standards in guitar design.

Transitioning to Wooden Necks and Global Manufacturing

By 1981, Kramer began transitioning to wooden necks, a strategic move aimed at reducing costs and appealing to more traditional guitarists. This period also saw the introduction of the iconic “beak” headstock and the start of offshore production in Eastern Asia. The company’s forward-thinking approach was evident as they embraced global manufacturing, setting the stage for a significant evolution in their product offerings.

Partnership with Eddie Van Halen and Dominance in the 1980s

Kramer’s partnership with Eddie Van Halen marked a pivotal moment in the company’s history. This collaboration, initiated by a chance encounter between Dennis Berardi and Van Halen’s manager, led to the introduction of the Rockinger tremolo system and later the more advanced Floyd Rose® tremolos. By the mid-1980s, Kramer was not only innovating but also leading the market, becoming the top-selling guitar brand in 1985 thanks to these high-performance features.

Challenges and Decline

Despite their success, the late 1980s brought significant challenges for Kramer. Financial strains, exacerbated by a massive labor strike in Korea in 1987, artist endorsement deals, and royalty payments to Floyd Rose began to take a toll. The company’s financial overextension led to a notorious firesale of parts and ultimately to bankruptcy by 1991.

Acquisition by Gibson and Modern Era

After several tumultuous years, the Kramer brand was acquired out of bankruptcy by Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1997. This acquisition marked a new chapter for Kramer, which now benefits from Gibson’s extensive resources while continuing to honor its legacy through reissues of classic models and limited runs.

TODAY, Kramer remains a respected name in the guitar world, celebrated for its contributions to the development of the electric guitar. The brand’s journey from innovative startup to industry leader, followed by its rebirth, offers a compelling chapter in the history of modern music.

Through all its ups and downs, Kramer has truly lived up to its late 1980s slogan, “A Step Ahead,” by continually evolving and influencing the music industry’s approach to guitar manufacturing.

Kramer Guitars partners with Lzzy Hale — frontwoman of the hard rock band HALESTORM and Gibson‘s first female brand ambassador — to release the new Kramer Lzzy Hale Voyager.