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Prelude: In 1980-81, Kramer was in rough financial shape. Sales for the aluminum necked guitars were dwindling. The times were indeed changing. Kramer needed to reorganize. The turning point of the Kramer lines to change to wooden necked guitars were indeed highly influenced by Guitar Centers who was major investor and GC also had a significant amount of involvement in on the new designs. The first products of the new line up consisted of three guitars and one bass. The Pacer(Strat-style), Vanguard(V), Voyager(Explorer) and the Pioneer bass which was also based on Fender P & J bass designs. This page is dedicated to the Pacer and some of the finer details surrounding the guitar from it's first appearance in 1981 to it's demise with the Kramer company in 1990.
Rather than focus only on a year by year basis, This guide also will follow the different models under the Pacer name. Also it may be simplier to trace the dating of the line through it's different headstock designs as a starting point. With this in mind, here is a list of the different headstocks to serve as a reference. Serial numbers are also included. 1981-82
Strat copy headstocks (A8000s-B2000) It is also important to remember that the shapes of necks, bodies, pickups etc. changed without warning throughout the evolution of the line. Kramer was very inconsistent in it's manufacturing as well as employing a number of outside providers making every guitar unique. I will try to note the major changes and try to pinpoint the approximate dates of the change as they unfold.
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