Realistic expectations of a Kramer Pacer Classic w/ licensed Floyd Rose

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TwinbornAxis

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As a long time player and family friend trying to help a youngster stick with guitar and not give up, I thought I'd do my part and help setup this kids guitar as he's being frustrated with tuning instability and what he describes as "hard to play."

I've done setups on my instruments for 2 decades but never had a Floyd style guitar with dual locking, and only played a couple with real Floyds but never really played them hard.

From the marketing copy: "Either way, you’ll experience the same response and tuning stability that you'd expect from a Floyd Rose. Whether you use it or abuse it, you'll have trouble knocking the Pacer Classic out of tune."

How realistic is this? He wants to play with 10's and is into heavier rock/metal and really wants to rip it on the trem bar.

I've heard some not good things about the stability of the "Licensed by Floyd" type guitars and also while examining this kids guitar I slightly pressed on the bridge which was angled up and the G string broke right at the bridge so I might have a whole other problem on my hands to get this back in playing condition.

Thanks in advance for any reads and/or comments

Sweetwater link w/ model - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-classic-electric-guitar-scarlet-red-metallic
 
Some general floating Floyd Rose setup tips:

  • Adjust it so the baseplate is parallel to the top of the body
  • If it's in tune but not parallel, adjust the trem springs to get it where it needs to be
  • Make sure the nut doesn't move
  • Make sure the knife edges are not dirty or damaged (try to avoid adjusting the posts under string tension)
  • Lock the strings well at the bridge - but no need to go overboard
  • Lock the strings well at the nut. Again, no need to go crazy.
  • Adjust the string retainer bar so that the strings are pulled down against the back side of the nut. Otherwise, your strings will pull sharp when you lock them
  • Make sure that the nut lock blocks are properly installed. They may have a curved side and a flat side. Those need to "match" with the surface of the nut
  • Make sure to stretch the strings
Hopefully that helps some...

Edit:

Also, based on your comment about the string breaking, I'd check all the saddles for rough and/or sharp spots.
 
Last edited:
unix-guy said:
Some general floating Floyd Rose setup tips:

  • Adjust it so the baseplate is parallel to the top of the body
  • If it's in tune but not parallel, adjust the trem springs to get it where it needs to be
  • Make sure the nut doesn't move
  • Make sure the knife edges are not dirty or damaged (try to avoid adjusting the posts under string tension)
  • Lock the strings well at the bridge - but no need to go overboard
  • Lock the strings well at the nut. Make sure that the nut lock blocks are properly installed. They may have a curved side and a flat side. Those need to "match" with the surface of the nut
  • Make sure to stretch the strings
Hopefully that helps some...
Click to expand...
Great tips, I appreciate you sharing. Very helpful.
 
I edited to add a couple other items...

Also, I'm not a luthier or guitar tech, but I have (and currently) owned many FR guitars and done these types of things for most of my guitar playing life - almost 40 years :)
 
Last edited:
unix-guy said:
I edited to add a couple other items...

Also, I'm not a luthier or guitar tech, but I have (and currently) owned many FR guitars and done these types of things for most of my guitar playing life - almost 40 years :)
Click to expand...
Understood. Your expertise on the forum is nothing but gold man, thank you again.
 
I’ll add this:

Make sure the string retainer is lower than the strings’ exit from the nut to make sure the strings don’t go sharp when locking the nut down.

The retainer should be low enough that the strings are completely seated across the nut.
 
ruso said:
I’ll add this:

Make sure the string retainer is lower than the strings’ exit from the nut to make sure the strings don’t go sharp when locking the nut down.

The retainer should be low enough that the strings are completely seated across the nut.
Click to expand...
Yep... That's one of the things I added to my initial post.
 
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