The Kramer Nite-V Black Satin is a standout model for a few reasons, especially appealing to hard rock and metal guitarists. Here's what makes it special:
1. Aggressive Design
Offset V-shaped body: Iconic and built for stage presence—this shape is very comfortable standing up but may be less ideal when sitting.
Black Satin finish: Sleek, stealthy, and very metal. It doesn't reflect light like gloss finishes, which adds to its mean aesthetic.
2. Fast, Shred-Friendly Neck
Slim maple neck with a flat radius and jumbo frets—great for fast playing, legato, and sweep picking.
Often has an Ebony or Rosewood fingerboard with minimal inlays, emphasizing speed and clarity.
3. High-Output Pickups
Typically comes loaded with Seymour Duncan JB / Kramer Alnico V or other high-output humbuckers—ideal for heavy distortion and tight palm-muted riffs.
Very articulate for solos with good midrange punch.
4. Floyd Rose Tremolo
Usually features a Floyd Rose locking trem system, perfect for dive bombs, squeals, and staying in tune under heavy abuse.
5. Affordability
Compared to similar guitars from Jackson or ESP, it delivers great value for the price—pro-level specs at a mid-range price point.
Several notable guitarists have incorporated the Kramer Nite-V into their performances, particularly within the metal genre:
Peruvian guitarist Charlie Parra is closely associated with the Kramer Nite-V. He collaborated with Kramer to design the Kramer Nite-V Plus Charlie Parra signature model, featuring EMG 57/66 active pickups, a mahogany body, and distinctive Day of the Dead owl inlays on the ebony fretboard. Parra has utilized this guitar in various performances, including a Van Halen medley showcasing its capabilities.
Prika Amaral, guitarist for the Brazilian thrash metal band Nervosa, has been known to use the Kramer Nite-V. The guitar's aggressive tone and design align well with Nervosa's intense musical style.
3. 🎸 The Jasons
Members of the horror punk band The Jasons have also embraced the Kramer Nite-V, appreciating its sharp aesthetics and performance suited to their genre.
These artists highlight the Kramer Nite-V's appeal among metal and punk musicians, thanks to its aggressive design, high-output pickups, and playability tailored for fast, heavy music.
Use case: It’s built for metal, hard rock, and shredders. If you like bands like Megadeth, Metallica, or modern tech/death/prog players, the Nite-V is very much in that lane.
Here’s a comparison of the Kramer Nite-V vs other popular Flying V-style guitars, focusing on pros and cons in terms of tone, feel, features, and price. I’ll compare it to:
1. Gibson Flying V
2. Jackson King V
3. ESP LTD Arrow / V Series
4. Dean V (e.g., ML or V79)
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1. Kramer Nite-V
Pros:
Affordable and stage-ready.
Floyd Rose (on most models) = extreme tremolo options.
Fast neck built for shredding.
High-output pickups for metal tones.
Lightweight and aggressive V shape.
Cons:
Limited tone versatility (focused on metal).
Floyd setup can be a hassle for string changes/tuning.
Less traditional—won’t appeal to vintage purists.
Satin finish can wear/polish over time.
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2. Gibson Flying V
Pros:
Classic tone: thick, warm, great for blues, rock, doom, and even thrash.
Iconic design and legacy.
Excellent clean tones and PAF-style crunch.
Mahogany body = sustain and richness.
Cons:
No tremolo system.
Expensive.
Less ergonomic for shred (chunkier neck).
Not designed for modern extreme metal.
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3. Jackson King V
Pros:
Very metal-focused.
Pointier, more aggressive design.
Often comes with active EMGs or Seymour Duncans.
Fast necks, jumbo frets, Floyd Rose.
Great upper fret access.
Cons:
Usually more expensive than Kramer.
Heavier than it looks.
Less versatile outside of metal.
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4. ESP LTD Arrow / V Series
Pros:
Modern design with a twist (Arrow V has asymmetrical points).
Often loaded with EMG 81/85 or Fishman Fluence pickups.
Built for tight modern metal tones.
Super thin necks, excellent build for fast playing.
Quality Floyd Rose or TOM bridges.
Cons:
Limited to metal tones.
Less traditional aesthetic (can be a pro or con).
Mid to high pricing range.
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5. Dean V / ML
Pros:
Big and bold design (Dimebag fans).
Strong midrange, often mahogany with set neck.
Some models are very affordable.
Neck-through options for sustain.
Cons:
Can be bulky and heavy.
“Love it or hate it” design.
Stock pickups often need upgrading.
Quality can vary drastically by price tier.
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SUMMARY:
-For Shredders, budget-conscious players
-Fast neck, Floyd, aggressive looks
+Limited versatility, satin wear
Gibson V
-Classic rock, blues, early metal
-Warm tone, iconic feel
-Expensive, no trem, not shred-friendly
+Modern metal, thrash, tech players
-EMGs/Duncans, Floyd, fast neck
-Pricey, heavy
ESP Arrow/LTD V
-Modern metal, pro players
-Sleek design, EMGs, super thin neck
-Less tone diversity
-Southern metal, Dime fans
-Thick tone, affordable options
-Polarizing design, variable quality
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