Kramer Guitars powered glam and hair metal bands in the '80s, but they're back and better than ever before! The SM-1 is arguably Kramer's most modern and versatile model, with its Floyd Rose tremolo system, neck-through construction and flexible H/S/S pickup configuration. Speaking of pickups, the Kramer SM-1 is fitted with a trio of Seymour Duncans for the finest tones possible.
Construction
Unlike most traditional S-style instruments, the SM-1 features a Mahogany body and neck; much like an LP guitar. This tonewood offers a deep, rich and resonant sound, giving this instrument plenty of low-end breadth and warmth. With a neck-through construction, you can also expect brilliant sustain and great access to the high register with its smooth heel.
The Kramer SM-1's neck is carved to a comfortable Slim Taper profile, with a smooth matte finish that ensures a slippery feel when you're performing fast scale runs. Adorned with a sleek Ebony fingerboard, this helps to deliver a more focused mid-range; giving notes an immediate response. The 24-fret fingerboard also has a super-flat 14" radius that prevents string bends from fretting out.
Electronics & Hardware
Although tonewoods contribute to the sound of a guitar, it is the pickups that really give it its character. The Kramer SM-1 is driven by three Seymour Duncan pickups; a JB humbucker in the bridge and two Cool Rails in the middle and neck positions.
The JB is practically made for raunchy overdrive and searing high-gain, especially with its famously high output and potent mid-range. The Cool Rails, despite being single-coil sized, are actually mini humbuckers. With a slightly tamer output, these pickups let you attain creamy lead tones, while also working well with clean amp settings. It's worth noting that the JB humbucker can also be coil-tapped via the mini-toggle switch, for a convincing single-coil sound.
This guitar wouldn't be an modern metal machine without its double-locking Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo. Letting you perform crazy whammy bar acrobatics, especially with its recessed design; this tried-and-tested system ensures excellent tuning stability too.
Specifications
Body
- Body: Mahogany
- Body Style: SM-1
- Colour: Maximum Steel (Satin)
Neck
- Neck: Mahogany
- Neck Style: K-Speed Slim Taper “C”
- Neck Joint: Neck through body
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 14”
- Scale Length: 25.5”
- Nut: Floyd Rose R2 Lock Nut, top mount
- Frets: 24, Medium Jumbo
- Inlay: HS motif
Electronics
- Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
- Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails
- Bridge: Seymour DuncanTM JB (double black)
- Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan JB
- Control: Master Volume with push-pull coil-splitting
Hardware
- Knob: Black Chrome
- Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo
- Machine Heads: Black die-cast
- Strap Buttons: Standard
