Jeff LaBar - Former Kramer Endorsee and Cinderella axeman Interview

Special thanks to Jeff for being so fast and quick responding back about the interview. Thanks Jeff!! Make sure and check out Jeff's new endeavor in Naked Beggars at www.nakedbeggars.net.

Before we ask you any questions, the Kramer Forum guys wanted me to tell you that you did some incredible work with Cinderella, and that we all still remember and look up to the music you created with those guys.

1. How did you come to know and be endorsed by Kramer Guitars? When I was 20, I got my first Kramer! It's the red one that you've probably seen me with. When Cinderella got big alot of guitar companies approached me. But I held out for Kramer. 2. How many Kramers did you own at one time and which one stands out the most out of all of them? The most I ever owned at one time was about 5 or 6. My first one, the red one I bought myself!! 3. Did you use Kramers in the recording studio or were they live guitars only? On the first record I used the red Kramer for all the rhythms. 4. What, in particular, lead you to Kramer over Jacksons and Charvels from back in the day? On the first record I used a Charvel for all my solo's. But the Kramer was just a better guitar.

5. Rumor has it that you know someone in Cincinnati who tried to purchase Kramer before Gibson? What happened there?

A buddy of mine had just bought out the inventory of guitar parts from Kramer.

6. What is the wackiest Kramer story you have from one of their party's or something that happened at the factory that you can recall?

NAMM Show '88 or '89 can't quite remember where it was in Cali., I guess Anaheim.....Rented a porche 928..for a week..Jammed with Eddie Van Halen and other Kramer endorsee's. Met a girl, who I still see sometimes. Had a blast!

7. Do you ever visit the Kramer Forum or Vintage Kramer.com?

Just got on the internet as of recent! Can barely write on a keyboard! I will visit it now!

8. We heard a rumor that Rikki Rockett of Poison recently painted one of your Pacers while on tour, what did it end up looking like?

This is partially true.. his partner ended up painting the guitar...Purple on white deranged baby heads with gurders around the edges. This guitar was also used by my singer, Inga Brittingham in the Martina McBride video, "This one's for the girls" . It looks pretty cool.

9. We also heard that you still own a bunch of Kramer parts in order to assemble some new Kramers together at a moments notice or change things when needed. Is this true? Not really, I have a couple necks and Floyd Rose parts. 10. Have you had a chance to check out the new Kramers made by Musicyo/Epiphone? If so, what is your take on that? Didn't even know! Can't be good if it's made by Epiphone. 11. What are you currently up to band wise and how is that going? Nakedbeggars.net... we are doing great and touring as we speak! 12. Feel free to rant on and on about Kramers here, all of us nerds love hearing really wacky stories. Well,I've been using Kramers for about 20 years now & in that time I've probably broken over a dozen headstocks,replaced 50 pounds of Floyd Rose parts & beat the crap out of enough bodys to make a new one from the pieces.All in all,I wouldn't trade it for the world!