Gary Kramer and Dennis Berardi founded the firm in October of 1975 to produce guitars. Kramer, one of the ex-partners of Travis Bean, brought in his guitar-building know-how to Berardi´s previous retail experience. In the following April, Peter J. LaPlaca joined the two. LaPlaca had worked his way up through Norlin to vice presidency before joining Kramer and Berardi. The original company is named after their three initials: B, K, and L. Kramer (BKL) opened the Neptune factory on July 1, 1976. The first Kramer guitar was co-designed by luthier Phil Petillo, Berardi, and Kramer. Once the prototypes were completed and the factory tooled up, the first production run was completed on November 15, 1976. The first solid body guitars featured an original body design, and a bolt-on aluminum neck with rear wood inlays.
One month after the first production run was finished, Gary Kramer left the BKL company. Guitar production under the Kramer trademark continued. By the early 1980s, the company line consisted of fourteen different guitar and bass designs with a price range of $649 to $1,418. Kramer´s high profile continued to rise, thanks to an exclusive endorsement deal with Edward Van Halen. In the mid-1980s, the company flourished as they had the sole license to market the Floyd Rose tremolo system.
In 1985, Berardi bought the Spector company; production and distribution of Spector basses then originated from Kramer´s facilities in New Jersey. Throughout the late 1980s, Kramer was one of the guitar companies favored by the hard rock/heavy metal bands (along with Charvel/Jackson). However, the company went into bankruptcy in 1989, attempted refinancing several times, and was purchased at auction by a group that incorporated the holdings under the company name of Kramer Musical Instruments in 1995. The newly-reformed Kramer (KMI) company had also acquired the rights to the Spector trademark and Spector instruments designs. Kramer (KMI) was located in Eatontown, New Jersey.
Kramer (KMI) reintroduced several new models at industry trade shows in 1995, again sporting an aluminum neck design. However, the company never did directly bring any large amount of products to the musical instrument market.
In 1997, the Gibson corporation acquired the Kramer-trademark. By 1998, Gibson was displaying Kramer trademarked models at the Summer NAMM industry show, and ads in the print media followed a month later. It has been indicated by some Gibson company officials that the Kramer SuperStrat style models will be produced in Korea (like current Epiphone models). Gibson did not pay much attention to Kramer for the rest of the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2006, at Winter NAMM, Kramer displayed a full line of guitars in their own booth - located not even close to Gibson! Kramer produces several replicas of their old guitars overseas, as well as a few reissue models in the U.S. For more information, contact Kramer directly or visit their website (see Trademark Index).
Instruments currently produced overseas and in the U.S. Instruments previously produced in Neptune, NJ. Kramer (the original BKL company) was located in Neptune, NJ, since its inception in 1975 to the late 1980s. Production of Kramer (KMI) instruments was at facilities in Eatontown, NJ. Kramer Guitars is currently a division of Gibson Musical Instruments, located in Nashville, TN.

KRAMER Electric Guitars Models

KRAMER ELLIOT EASTON PRO I Image

KRAMER ELLIOT EASTON PRO I

- offset double cutaway Strat-style hardwood body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays or rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlays, traditional headstock shape, six-on-one-side tuners, Floyd Rose double loc...

KRAMER MODEL 250B BASS "SPECIAL" Image

KRAMER MODEL 250B BASS "SPECIAL"

- offset double cutaway maple body, bolt-on aluminum neck, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlays or optional fretless fingerboard, split fork aluminum headstock, two-per-side Schaller M-4 tuners, adj. bridge, laminated black p...

KRAMER BARETTA Image

KRAMER BARETTA

- offset double cutaway Stratocaster style, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, six-on-one-side pointed headstock, Floyd Rose tremolo, single diagonally mounted pickup, single knob, black hardware, available in various finishe...

KRAMER PACER Image

KRAMER PACER

- offset double cutaway, pointy headstock, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 2 single coil and a humbucker Seymour Duncan pickups, three knobs (v, 2 tones), Floyd Rose Tremolo, mfg. 1983-84.

KRAMER FOCUS 1000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 1000

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body based on the Pacer Special, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, one...

KRAMER FOCUS 7000 BASS Image

KRAMER FOCUS 7000 BASS

- offset double cutaway P-bass-style body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inalys, standard-style headstock, four-on-one-side tuners, standard adj. bridge, one split P-style pickup (neck) and one double J-sty...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 1000 Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 1000

- slightly offset double cutaway figured maple body, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlay, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side Schaller M-6 tuners, Leo Quan combintation bridg...

KRAMER STRIKER Image

KRAMER STRIKER

- double offset cutaway, similar to the Aerostar series, two single coil and one humbucker pickups, mfg. mid-1980s.

KRAMER MODEL 250G "SPECIAL" Image

KRAMER MODEL 250G "SPECIAL"

- slightly offset double cutaway maple body, bolt-on aluminum neck, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlays, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side tuners, adj. bridge, laminated black pickguard, two single coil pickups,...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 4000 BASS Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 4000 BASS

- offset double cutaway figured maple or optional walnut body, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlays or optional fretless fingerboard, split fork aluminum headstock, two-per-side Schall...

KRAMER DMZ Custom 4001 Bass Image

KRAMER DMZ Custom 4001 Bass

- similar to the DMZ Custom 4000 Bass, except has a standard white split P-Bass style pickup, no active electronics, and only one mini tone switch, available in Black or Natural finish, mfg. 1979-1982.

KRAMER FORUM I BASS Image

KRAMER FORUM I BASS

- offset double cutaway body, archtop with custom treble bout scoop, NTB maple neck, 21-fret bound ebony fingerboard with custom Kramer inlays, black headstock overlay, four-on-one-side Schaller tuners, Kramer bridge, one split P-style and...

KRAMER Elliot Easton Pro II Image

KRAMER Elliot Easton Pro II

- similar to the Elliot Easton Pro I, except has a Tele-style fixed bridge with STB, and one Seymour Duncan APS-1 single coil (neck) and one Seymour Duncan Hot Lead (bridge) pickups, mfg. 1987-88.

KRAMER MODEL 350B BASS "STANDARD" Image

KRAMER MODEL 350B BASS "STANDARD"

- offset double cutaway select American black walnut body, bolt-on aluminum neck, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlays or optional fretless fingerboard, split fork aluminum headstock, two-per-side Schaller M-4 tuners, adj. br...

KRAMER FOCUS 2000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 2000

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body based on the Pacer Imperial, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, two hu...

KRAMER MODEL 350G "STANDARD" Image

KRAMER MODEL 350G "STANDARD"

- slightly offset double cutaway select American black walnut body, bolt-on aluminum neck, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlays, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side Schaller M-6 tuners, adj. bridge, two single coil...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 2000 Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 2000

- slightly offset double cutaway figured maple or optional walnut body, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlay, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side Schaller M-6 tuners, Leo Quan...

KRAMER FOCUS 3000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 3000

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body based on the Pacer Imperial, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, pickgu...

KRAMER MODEL 450G "DELUXE" Image

KRAMER MODEL 450G "DELUXE"

- slightly offset double cutaway select American black walnut body with a maple center strip, bolt-on aluminum neck, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with pearl blocks (early models) or aluminum dot inlays (later models), split fork aluminum head...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 5000 BASS Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 5000 BASS

- offset double cutaway figured maple with walnut center stripes or optional walnut with maple center stripes body, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with MOP crown inlays or optional fretless fingerboard,...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 3000 Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 3000

- slightly offset double cutaway figured maple body, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with aluminum dot inlay, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side Schaller M-6 tuners, Kramer two-way adj. bridge,...

KRAMER GENE SIMMONS AXE Image

KRAMER GENE SIMMONS AXE

- "Olde English Executioner Axe"-style maple (or ash) body, bolt-on aluminum neck with rear wood inserts, 22-fret ebanol fingerboard, chrome hardware, three-per-side "prong" headstock, two DiMarzio humbuckers, volume/ton...

KRAMER MODEL 450B BASS "DELUXE" Image

KRAMER MODEL 450B BASS "DELUXE"

- offset double cutaway select American black walnut body with a maple center strip, bolt-on aluminum neck, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with pearl blocks (early models) or aluminum dot inlays (later models) or optional fretless fingerboard,...

KRAMER FORUM II BASS Image

KRAMER FORUM II BASS

- offset double cutaway body, archtop with custom treble bout scoop, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret bound ebony fingerboard with custom Kramer inlays, black headstock overlay, four-on-one-side Schaller tuners, Kramer bridge, one split P-style...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 6000 BASS Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 6000 BASS

- slightly offset double cutaway American black burl walnut body with a bird's-eye maple center strip and a pointed bottom, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with MOP crown inlays or optional fretless finge...

KRAMER FORUM III BASS Image

KRAMER FORUM III BASS

- offset double cutaway body, flattop, NTB maple neck, 21-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with diamond inlays, black headstock overlay, four-on-one-side tuners, Kramer bridge, one split P-style Specter pickup and one J-style Specter pickup,...

KRAMER MODEL 650B BASS "ARTIST" Image

KRAMER MODEL 650B BASS "ARTIST"

- offset double cutaway select American black walnut body with a wide bird's-eye maple center strip, bolt-on aluminum neck, 20-fret ebonol fingerboard with MOP crown inlays or optional fretless fingerboard, split fork aluminum headstock, tw...

KRAMER FOCUS 4000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 4000

- Flying V-style Randy Rhoads-style body with a shorter treble horn based on the Vanguard, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose t...

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 6000G Image

KRAMER DMZ CUSTOM 6000G

- slightly offset double cutaway American black burl walnut body with a bird's-eye maple center strip and a pointed bottom, bolt-on aluminum neck with wood inserts, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with MOP crown inlays, split fork aluminum heads...

KRAMER MODEL 650G "ARTIST" Image

KRAMER MODEL 650G "ARTIST"

- slightly offset double cutaway select American black walnut body with a wide bird's-eye maple center strip, bolt-on aluminum neck, 22-fret ebonol fingerboard with MOP crown inlays, split fork aluminum headstock, three-per-side Schaller M-...

KRAMER FORUM IV BASS Image

KRAMER FORUM IV BASS

- offset double cutaway body, flattop, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret bound maple fingerboard with diamond inlays, black headstock overlay, four-on-one-side tuners, Kramer bridge, one split P-style Specter pickup and one J-style Specter pickup...

KRAMER FOCUS 5000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 5000

- X-shaped body with longer lower bass and upper treble bouts based on the Voyager, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo...

KRAMER PAUL DEAN SIGNATURE Image

KRAMER PAUL DEAN SIGNATURE

- offset double cutaway body, ebony fingerboard, 6-on-a-side pointy headstock, Floyd Rose locking tremolo system, 2 Seymour Duncan Vintage Staggered single coils/Seymour Duncan JB humbucker pickups, volume/tone controls, 3 on/off pickup swi...

KRAMER FOCUS 6000 Image

KRAMER FOCUS 6000

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body based on the Pacer Custom I, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo bridge, on...

KRAMER RICHIE SAMBORA SIGNATURE Image

KRAMER RICHIE SAMBORA SIGNATURE

- offset double cutaway body, maple fingerboard with black star inlays, 6-on-a-side pointy headstock, gold hardware, Floyd Rose locking tremolo system, 2 Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups, volume/tone controls, 5-way selector switch, mfg. 19...

KRAMER FOCUS CLASSIC I Image

KRAMER FOCUS CLASSIC I

- offset double cutaway Strat-style body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, standard-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, Kramer tremolo bridge, pickguard, three single coil pickups, three knobs (v,...