Guitar players…what’s the difference in these two?

BigWaylon

BigWaylon

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$50 difference. The more expensive one does look a little more fancy as far as the finish goes, but I know nothing about all the stuff listed under Description, Features, and Specifications. “Look” aside, is the second one any better than the first?

$350
www.guitarcenter.com

Kramer Striker HSS With Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Jumper Red | Guitar Center

Shop for the Kramer Striker HSS With Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar in Jumper Red and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.
www.guitarcenter.com www.guitarcenter.com

$400
www.guitarcenter.com

Kramer Striker Figured HSS Floyd Rose Electric Guitar Transparent Red | Guitar Center

Shop for the Kramer Striker Figured HSS Floyd Rose Electric Guitar in Transparent Red and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.
www.guitarcenter.com www.guitarcenter.com
 
They're variations on the same model. Main difference is finish on the body and maple vs Indian Laurel for the fretboard. I always preferred maple but never could tell you why. In a dark room you couldn't tell them apart.
 
BigWaylon said:
$50 difference. The more expensive one does look a little more fancy as far as the finish goes, but I know nothing about all the stuff listed under Description, Features, and Specifications. “Look” aside, is the second one any better than the first?

$350
www.guitarcenter.com

Kramer Striker HSS With Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Jumper Red | Guitar Center

Shop for the Kramer Striker HSS With Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar in Jumper Red and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.
www.guitarcenter.com www.guitarcenter.com

$400
www.guitarcenter.com

Kramer Striker Figured HSS Floyd Rose Electric Guitar Transparent Red | Guitar Center

Shop for the Kramer Striker Figured HSS Floyd Rose Electric Guitar in Transparent Red and receive free shipping and guaranteed lowest price.
www.guitarcenter.com www.guitarcenter.com
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What's the rest of the story here?

For you or your son wanting to blast Pantera riffs he's learning?
 
Pineapple said:
What's the rest of the story here?

For you or your son wanting to blast Pantera riffs he's learning?
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Not too far off.

My son (16) started playing about a year ago. Got him a basic acoustic guitar. Of course as a then-15-year-old, he immediately wanted an electric. And his mom got him into some 80s (ok, more like 70s-90s) metal. Even took him to see Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison last summer. Or I think that was the three bands, plus Joan Jett?

But what he really wants to do is join the student band at church. Right…one has little to do with the other. We got him a very nice electric last May, courtesy of a member here. (As in the only place I saw it with a price was $1600-$1800, and he gave it to us for $0). And he’s gotten somewhat decent at it…but he wants a whammy bar.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to sell what he has to buy one. Talked to the guy in charge of music at church and he agreed. So we’re looking to get him a second, less expensive guitar for him to thrash on at home with his metal/rock songs.

He says it needs to have a double-locking tremolo. Said the name Floyd Rose is usually on that part. Something about those staying in tune better after flexing in both directions? And he watched some videos recommending some various guitars equipped with that feature. Obviously most were at least twice the money of these two. The part by itself is $250+ if you wanted to install it on an existing guitar.

Based on the feedback so far, I think the $350 version is the best option. And one of the GCs around here has both the black and red in stock for pickup…so we can go see it in person before ordering.
 
The cheaper one will do fine for his skill level. When you get it, make sure the luthier checks/sets the intonation before you leave with it. Floyds are the heat and definitely add another dimension to a player’s sound. Back in the day, Kahler was the one to have, but I think Floyd Rose eventually bought them out. That guitar will serve well in many applications. And Kramer is good stuff. Good friend of mine has 4 or 5 of them. Classic 80’s sound through a Marshall half stack!
 
BigWaylon said:
Not too far off.

My son (16) started playing about a year ago. Got him a basic acoustic guitar. Of course as a then-15-year-old, he immediately wanted an electric. And his mom got him into some 80s (ok, more like 70s-90s) metal. Even took him to see Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Poison last summer. Or I think that was the three bands, plus Joan Jett?

But what he really wants to do is join the student band at church. Right…one has little to do with the other. We got him a very nice electric last May, courtesy of a member here. (As in the only place I saw it with a price was $1600-$1800, and he gave it to us for $0). And he’s gotten somewhat decent at it…but he wants a whammy bar.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to sell what he has to buy one. Talked to the guy in charge of music at church and he agreed. So we’re looking to get him a second, less expensive guitar for him to thrash on at home with his metal/rock songs.

He says it needs to have a double-locking tremolo. Said the name Floyd Rose is usually on that part. Something about those staying in tune better after flexing in both directions? And he watched some videos recommending some various guitars equipped with that feature. Obviously most were at least twice the money of these two. The part by itself is $250+ if you wanted to install it on an existing guitar.

Based on the feedback so far, I think the $350 version is the best option. And one of the GCs around here has both the black and red in stock for pickup…so we can go see it in person before ordering.
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That's awesome to hear they both are playing!

Yes, no doubt the Floyd system is the way to go for what he's wanting to do. They are a little more tricky when changing strings and tuning, but you and him can teach yourself or take it once a year to have it serviced.

The HSS is a dead giveaway that's he wants to play metal...At least that's what I've always thought.

Either of those should be a great second guitar for him. Check out any Ibanez around that price range if they have any to play.
 
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Kramer and Floyds closely associated with Eddie Van.
Important to note that not all Floyd’s are the same. Design the same but materials and country of manufacture very along with price and quality. Just fyi.
 
NKD said:
Kramer and Floyds closely associated with Eddie Van.
Important to note that not all Floyd’s are the same. Design the same but materials and country of manufacture very along with price and quality. Just fyi.
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I saw that as well…the Original and the Special:

310960F6-3102-46BD-8C62-125C96E08621.jpeg

The Special definitely looks like a step down, but hopefully gets the job done if that’s what the Kramers have…

4AC8AD60-054F-47E7-A04B-39DFBE562C6A.jpeg
 
Pineapple said:
That's awesome to hear they both are playing!
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He’s the only one playing. I just meant she got him into the music, not the guitar.
 
Also, as someone mentioned earlier, Ibanez is very popular and worth a look.
Their tremelo system, the Edge, is a very good design and is double locking like a Floyd.

www.sweetwater.com

Ibanez RG Standard RG450DXB Electric Guitar - White

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Meranti Body, Maple Neck, Jatoba Fingerboard, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - White
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
 
NKD said:
Also, as someone mentioned earlier, Ibanez is very popular and worth a look.
Their tremelo system, the Edge, is a very good design and is double locking like a Floyd.

www.sweetwater.com

Ibanez RG Standard RG450DXB Electric Guitar - White

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Meranti Body, Maple Neck, Jatoba Fingerboard, 1 Single-coil Pickup, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - White
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
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NKD said:
Jackson's are pretty cool too

www.sweetwater.com

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA - Satin Black

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Amaranth Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Licensed Floyd Rose Tremolo - Satin Black
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
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Just making sure…

I see it listed, and assume I’m seeing the threaded hole…but both of those just don’t have the bar/lever pictured?
 
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NKD said:
Jackson's are pretty cool too

www.sweetwater.com

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32 DKA - Satin Black

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Amaranth Fingerboard, 2 Humbucking Pickups, and Licensed Floyd Rose Tremolo - Satin Black
www.sweetwater.com www.sweetwater.com
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I really like the look of this one, and so does my son. And at GC I get another $37 knocked off for a first purchase discount. 🤔

08B798D7-8FBB-42F8-BF1C-4E426D281011.jpeg
 
Manufactured guitars are usually good to go. Once upon a time when they were more hand made, you needed to play it to see how it sounded and how the action felt. The instruments made in factories are much more consistent. You can buy a very decent guitar for less than $500 today.
 
BowWow said:
Manufactured guitars are usually good to go. Once upon a time when they were more hand made, you needed to play it to see how it sounded and how the action felt. The instruments made in factories are much more consistent. You can buy a very decent guitar for less than $500 today.
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It's a great time to be alive for guitar players on a budget!
 
Also worth checking Craigs list in your area.

For example, I've been drooling on this Japanese Charvel for 400$. You'd never find a Japanese guitar new for this kind of money. No Floyd, but locking tuners which work pretty well if you are not dive bomb crazy. Again, just an example.

raleigh.craigslist.org

Charvel Journeyman Pro Series - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Rare find! Excellent condition Charvel Journeyman Pro Series, made in Japan. Solid Alder body, Seymour Duncan Parallel Axis Distortion (PATB-2b) high output bridge pickup, Grover self locking...
raleigh.craigslist.org
 
I've got a JS32. Nice guitar for the money. Couple things about the Floyd on these. First, the locking nut is adequate. You may find the little blocks that lock the strings are undersized and want to twist a bit when you tighten them down. Second, on all of these I've played, the arm for the Floyd is junk. Even when tightened down they still have slop. Order a replacement actual Floyd arm and that fixes the issue. The necks on these are quite nice. The stock pickups are a bit muddy but work well enough to get decent tones.

Edit:. Turns out it's the Schaller arm that one would use to fix the arm issues with the cheaper Floyd clones. Just wanted to clarify that as I misspoke above. Happy shredding.
 
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What amp does he have though?
 
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Welp…went ahead and ordered this one:

35E459C8-C507-4760-ABB7-E93F4DD28980.jpeg

Picked out a strap…thought this made a good match for it:

A0C306E0-B922-4B93-9F28-631CCB08FA19.jpeg

And for $22.50, I went ahead and ordered a Schaller arm based on this video:

 
Galactus said:
What amp does he have though?
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Based on earlier recommendations from this group, he’s been playing on a Boss Katana KTN50. And until he opts to pay for something different, he’ll continue to do so. 😎

They had a barely used one at the GC here for $185 when I was asking for recommendations. (Trying to find that discussion so I can move it in here)
 
BigWaylon said:
Based on earlier recommendations from this group, he’s been playing on a Boss Katana KTN50. And until he opts to pay for something different, he’ll continue to do so. 😎

They had a barely used one at the GC here for $185 when I was asking for recommendations. (Trying to find that discussion so I can move it in here)
Click to expand...

Yeah that's a good match with this guitar, imo.. I like to see "complete setups" before I pass judgement. A similar principle to rifles and scopes.
 
The boy and I went out tonight. First up was Moe’s for some pseudo-Mexican food (his current favorite restaurant). Next up was GC, as I’d checked and they had the Jackson in stock in blue and natural, but not black. So he’s sitting in here messing around for a bit.

A1DB43A9-9926-4A5C-9520-D23B79171B65.jpeg


…and yes, a Motley Crue tee apparently pairs well with Lightning McQueen crocs.
 
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I think you said you already bought one but Adorama has the Jackson on sale for $249. Not sure about other colors but this one is white.

www.adorama.com

Jackson Electric Guitar

JS32 Dinky DKA-M Electric Guitar, Maple Fingerboard, Snow White
www.adorama.com www.adorama.com
 
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Carolinatlc said:
I think you said you already bought one but Adorama has the Jackson on sale for $249. Not sure about other colors but this one is white.

www.adorama.com

Jackson Electric Guitar

JS32 Dinky DKA-M Electric Guitar, Maple Fingerboard, Snow White
www.adorama.com www.adorama.com
Click to expand...
The black one is the same piece as GC, except we got a 10% discount ($37) off. Nice deal, but I’m not sure it’s enough for me to return and reorder…as we’re both really digging the satin black.

ETA: but I’ll sure as heck ask about price matching…while that price is $150 off the normal price at both Adorama and GC for the white one, it’s only $83 less than I paid for the black one. Maybe they’ll knock a little something off just to convince me not to cancel/return the black one. 😎
 
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Ok…lemme ask. After looking at the white one again, it says DKA-M, while the black one (and multiple other colors) just say DKA. I do see when doing a stare and compare that the -M has a maple fingerboard, while the other has rosewood. But I don’t know if that’s what the M means. Anybody familiar enough to know what it actually stands for? That may come into play with my price match request, especially considering the color and model are gonna be different.
 
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BigWaylon said:
…and what exactly does “after a setup” include?
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A set up is like a balancing act between all the parts on the guitar. Think of it as mounting an optic, then zeroing to that sepcific gun. Floyd's and the like are called floating tremolo's. There are 2 anchor points in the body and the trem pivots on 2 knife edges, allowing it to go either sharp or flat in pitch. When the guitar is tuned to standard pitch there is a lot of tension being applied to the neck, body, trem and all things in between. The Floyd uses springs on the bottom side to counter said tension and needs to be set to what strings he wants to use. They are more finicky to string gauge changes as it throws off the geometry, or "balancing act". It can be SUPER frustrating for the newbs when it comes time to change strings and tunings and worth paying a qualified tech to do so. Figure about $75-$100 per setup (maybe 2-3 times a year. These things are wood and will move around with the different seasons).

I know this may be a lot and I hope it makes sense. And please don't let it scare you off if it brings him joy. If you are willing to make a drive up to Midway, i'd be happy give y'all a primer on the Floyd's and set you on the right path. If he's remotely mechanically inclined, I could show him how to use and maintain it himself.
 
Had a chat with my guitar guru at church this morning, and when I showed him the white one at that price his eyes got real big. He said he’d choose that one in heartbeat. So between church and lunch chatted with the son and he said white was fine. Just got off the phone with GC and price match has been done and new order placed. I’ll keep the same strap and replacement arm, and just have them return/keep the black guitar.

If the gloss black one had been at the sale price, we probably would’ve gone that route.

Thanks for the deal @Carolinatlc…I had to email them your link to get the deal, because if you go straight to their site it’s still $399.99 instead of $249.00. 😁

And yes, I (lightheartedly) argued with the guy when he sent me the first quote to order from and it was $249.99 instead of $249.00. So he sent me an updated one. 🤓
 
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BigWaylon said:
Had a chat with my guitar guru at church this morning, and when I showed him the white one at that price his eyes got real big. He said he’d choose that one in heartbeat. So between church and lunch chatted with the son and he said white was fine. Just got off the phone with GC and price match has been done and new order placed. I’ll keep the same strap and replacement arm, and just have them return/keep the black guitar.

If the gloss black one had been at the sale price, we probably would’ve gone that route.

Thanks for the deal @Carolinatlc…I had to email them your link to get the deal, because if you go straight to their site it’s still $399.99 instead of $249.00. 😁

And yes, I (lightheartedly) argued with the guy when he sent me the first quote to order from and it was $249.99 instead of $249.00. So he sent me an updated one. 🤓
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Glad it worked out. Just happened to glance at slickdeals last night and noticed it. Now y'all can pay the extra $80 saved to have someone set it up for you.

Actually, I'm pretty sure my brother has the same guitar and lives in my neighborhood. Next time y'all are out this way, we can probably run over there and get him to show you what needs to be done if you would like. He has a pretty decent recording studio in his basement.
 
sixtysevensg said:
I know this may be a lot and I hope it makes sense. And please don't let it scare you off if it brings him joy. If you are willing to make a drive up to Midway, i'd be happy give y'all a primer on the Floyd's and set you on the right path. If he's remotely mechanically inclined, I could show him how to use and maintain it himself.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. We have a guy here at church that knows his stuff. He’s willing to walk my son through what it takes to change strings on this one compared to his regular one. I think he’s been playing 25+ years, and was once a lead guitarist in a (only way I know how to describe it) Christian metal band. I’ve posted the videos before, but I’ll put them here for your entertainment. Almost everything he has is equipped with a Floyd Rose.

This was him giving a little demo using my son’s guitar last year:



And this is one of the songs from the band he was in (he’s in the camo shirt):

 
Carolinatlc said:
Glad it worked out. Just happened to glance at slickdeals last night and noticed it. Now y'all can pay the extra $80 saved to have someone set it up for you.

Actually, I'm pretty sure my brother has the same guitar and lives in my neighborhood. Next time y'all are out this way, we can probably run over there and get him to show you what needs to be done if you would like. He has a pretty decent recording studio in his basement.
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Make take you up on that if my guy is too busy…😁

Can he do the work? Or just tell us what needs to be done?
 
BigWaylon said:
Make take you up on that if my guy is too busy…😁

Can he do the work? Or just tell us what needs to be done?
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I'll check with him and see. I'm musically illiterate. The last instrument I played was a recorder in the 4th grade that my teacher finally took from me because I was so bad. He plays 10+ instruments, most he taught himself how to play.
 
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