Serial Number Identification

Serial Number Identification

While there are several places on Vintage Kramer to learn about serial numbers, here is a rundown of serial numbers, with year models and distiguishing characteristics for I.D. of old Vintage Kramers. These serial numbers do not pertain to the new line of Kramers from Musicyo.

Axxxx - 1980-early '81

Range - A0001-9999

Notes:
1981-82 Strat copy headstocks (A8000s-B2000) - Necks Made by ESP - Bodies by Sports
Flat chrome plates
Logo, Made in USA and serial number stamped
Some "A" and "B" plates have been spotted on overseas guitars. Usually, they sport a first letter, then have another letter prefixing the number. ex: A A1234 -

Bxxxx - early '81-early' 83

Range - B0001-9999

Notes:
1982-84 "Classic", "Chicken Beak" headstocks (B2000s-C5000s) - Necks Made by ESP - Bodies by Sports
Some "A" and "B" plates have been spotted on overseas guitars. Usually, they sport a first letter, then have another letter prefixing the number. ex: A A1234

Range - Bxxxxx
There are versions of a B plate that are cast metal, that showed up in the later years for Kramer. These were thought to have been used on Focus "Classic" models and various overseas type models. These plates showing up on American Series guitars is somewhat of of a mystery, as we don't know if those were used for American Series guitars assembled in Japan, or if it was for another purpose. Many Kline Graphic Barettas have been seen with the B plates. We are still researching the mystery of the B cast plates. We had previously stated that these were not American Series, but new events have uncovered that this may not to be completely true. The B Cast Plate guitars appear in what would normally be the "F" timeframe for Kramer.

Cxxxx - early '83-mid '84

Range - C0001-9999

Notes:
1983-84 Non-angled, Baretta, "Banana" or "Hockeystick" headstocks (C3000-C5000) - Necks Made by ESP - Bodies by Sports
Chrome and black plates both of which are flat stamped.
Some black plates are stamped without Made in USA and some have the entire "Kramer" word stamped rather than outline cut stamped as earlier models do.

Dxxxx - mid '84 - mid '86 (EXCEPT Ripleys)

Range - D0001-9999

Notes:
1984-late 85 "Banana" or "Hockeystick' headstocks (C5000s-E2000s) - Necks Made by LaSiDo, Sports - Bodies by Sports
Chrome and black plates both of which are flat stamped.
Some black plates are stamped without Made in USA and some have the entire "Kramer" word stamped rather than outline cut stamped as earlier models do.

Exxx - 1985 - Including Ripley Models

Range - E0001-13XXX

Notes:
Late 85 "Banana" or "Hockeystick' headstocks (to the E2000s) - Necks Made by LaSiDo, Sports - Bodies by Sports
Die cast plates in chrome sporting "Neptune, NJ" on them with the banana Kramer logo.

xxxxx - '83 - '86 (custom orders) and old 70's model Aluminum necks

Notes:
Some Custom plates begin with "0" with four letter proceeding, for example "07878".
These plates are black
Two versions, one with a banana logo, one with the word "Kramer" in the old logo style
Chrome plates with custom numbers from the wood neck era are NOT American series plates, but look identical (except for color) to the banana black custom order plate.

Exxxx-Exxxxx - mid '86 - late '87

Range - E0001-13XXX

Notes:
(E11000 to E12000 are when the recessed cavities appeared on bodies)
1986-90 "Pointy Droopy" or "Shark" headstocks(E2000s-G series) - Bodies and Necks by ESP
Die cast plates in chrome sporting "Neptune, NJ" on them with the banana Kramer logo.

Fxxxx-Fxxxxx - late '87 - late '89

Range - F0001-13XXX (presumed)

Notes:
1986-90 "Pointy Droopy" or "Shark" headstocks(E2000s-G series) - Bodies and Necks by ESP
Die cast plates in chrome and black sporting "Neptune, NJ" on them with the banana Kramer logo.

Gxxxx - late '89 - '90

Range - GXXXX-XXXX

Notes:
1990-"hockey stick" heads again (these were sold as NOS parts at the close out and mostly never associated with a serial number or neckplate). - Made by ESP (presumed)
Die cast plates in chrome and black sporting "Neptune, NJ" on them with the banana Kramer logo.

Musicyo Reissue Serials

!984 Reissues up until mid 2004 - 200000 - 200500 or less
At Mid 2004 - All Reissue models within 2004 - 040001
Jersey Stars with serials on the neckplate begin with 040050, first Jersey Star produced is 040000 with serial stamped on back of headstock.
2005 - All reissue models - 050001

Stagemasters and other neck-thru Kramers were "sometimes" serial marked on the headstock since they had no neckplate.

Overseas Serials

Ferringtons had two letters plus 4 digits...The first letter was an "F" and the second denotes year

FA - late '85 - late '86
FB - '87 - '88
FC - '89 - '90

Early Strikers feature a neckplate with no serial on it, sometimes they had stickered serial numbers on the plate.

Some "A" and "B" plates have been spotted on overseas guitars. Usually, they sport a first letter, then have another letter prefixing the number. ex: A A1234

Cast overseas plates are smaller in width compared to American Series cast plates.

Strikers sometimes had serials that prefixed with "S" or "SB"

Numbered plates that are chrome with the banana logo are overseas plates