“The kind of instrument that inspires you to take in-the-moment risks instead of feeling like you’ve got to play it safe”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review

What is it?

Given its connection to Edward Van Halen in the 1980s, Kramer is undoubtedly a guitar brand steeped in rich history, particularly for higher-gain players hoping to dazzle audiences with technical proficiency.

The brand-new Volante series – named after the Italian word for flying – clearly follows that trend, with the manufacturer hoping to “transcend nostalgia and reposition Kramer as the progressive choice for high-performance guitarists”.

What I like most is that it has catered for different kinds of virtuosos here: there’s the twin humbucker models with a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo aimed at those looking for higher output and more extreme whammy bar abuse, but there are also the classic super-S-style options with a single-coil in the neck and a vintage-style two-point tremolo system, like this Volante HSGT in Triburst.

So whether you are a distortion-loving heavy metal aficionado or more of a jazz fusion cat hellbent on twisting ears just past the edge of breakup, Kramer should have you covered. But how well, I'm about to find out.

Specs

• Price: £944 / $999 / €1124
• Made: China
• Type: Six-string electric guitar
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Three-Piece Maple, Thermally Aged Kramer Elliptical C Profile
• Scale length: 647.7 mm / 25.5 in
• Nut/width: Graph Tech TUSQ XL 43.0 mm / 1.692 in
• Frets: 24 Jumbo
• Hardware: Kramer locking die cast, Kramer two-point tremolo with pop-in arm
• Electrics: Kramer USA Triton Noiseless single-coil neck, Kramer USA Neptune humbucker, master volume, master tone with push/pull switch for series/parallel switching of bridge humbucker
• Weight: 7lbs 8oz / 3.5 kg
• Options: Premium quilts, HH pickup configuration, Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo
• Left-handed options: Yes, but only the Volante HHFR in Defender Red and Intruder Black.
• Finishes: Ultramarine, Ultraviolet, Magenta, Aqua Burst, Intruder Black, Defender Red, Angel White and Triburst (as reviewed).
• Cases: Soft guitar case included
• Contact: Kramer Guitars

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★★

Out of the box, it’s easy to see how much effort has been put into the craftsmanship.

The guitar is in tune with the action set low enough for comfortable playing but high enough for a good amount of resonance, and the bridge has been set to float – which means you can pull up a fret or two depending on which string is ringing.

Admittedly, the Premium Quilt options with AAAA maple tops are certainly the most eye-catching of the Volante series, but there’s a vintage charm to this Triburst finish that feels elegant and enticing.

While the other models place more emphasis on the super element ‘superstrat’, the HSGT is more philosophically in spirit with the second half of that term. But make no mistake, all of these guitars are robust and ready to conquer any stage you take them to.

Playability

Playability rating: ★★★★★

In terms of the playing experience, Kramer chose to use a lightweight alder for the body with forearm and body comfort carves, as well as a sculpted heel for improved upper fret access.

Truth be told, it’s as comfortable as a guitar can get in this day and age – ergonomically sound and seamless to hold, whether you are standing or sat down.

As you might expect, the Elliptical C Profile neck makes string skipping, arpeggios and sweep-picking a breeze – it’s the kind of instrument that inspires you to take in-the-moment risks instead of feeling like you’ve got to play it safe. And as any lead guitarist will attest, you really can’t put a price on something like that.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★½

Perhaps the first thing you’ll notice is just how loud and resonant these guitars feel, partly thanks to Kramer’s new five-bolt heels and the recently developed KeyLock system for stable tuning and maximum vibration.

There are no dead spots, every fret on every string seems to ring with a full-bodied punch and endless sustain. The two-point tremolo is also a big plus, holding its tuning no matter what you throw at it, and set up perfectly for Jeff Beck-style warbles and gargles.

I plugged this review model into an EVH 5150 Iconic combo with a Nobels ODR-1 in front and a Gurus Echosex 3 Steve Lukather signature delay pedal in the loop.

The Neptune bridge humbucker, which packs a whopping 14k DC Resistance in output, sounds articulate and well-balanced, capturing all the vibrations with no shortage of dimension and reacting well to adjustments using the volume and tone knobs.

In situations where you might want a thinner and spankier sound, the tone knob can be pulled to run the humbucker in parallel mode – a great option to have if you want more of a Stratty funk or blues tone.

If I were nitpicking, the Triton Noiseless single-coil neck is just a little too bright, never quite getting to the thickness of a Strat on the neck pickup, and also too low in output compared to the bridge humbucker.

In situations where you need to change from one pickup to the next, there might be a discernable drop or jump in volume that could prove to be distracting.

Verdict

Overall, I have to say the Volante HSGT is an excellent superstrat-style guitar for the money and a great addition to the range.

Benefiting from Kramer’s latest technological innovations, it’s incredibly responsive, and as light to hold as it is easy to play. It would be fair to say I'm a big fan of the finish, design and build.

MusicRadar verdict: There are a lot of great superstrats out there for under $1000, but few could rival the Volante HSGT in terms of resonance and comfort.

The neck single-coil might be a bit too bright for certain vintage-leaning players, but overall, it’s a very well-rounded and immaculately conceived modern machine with one foot in the past and another in the present.

Also try

Ibanez - AZ24P1QM£999 / $1499 / €1192

The Ibanez AZ series has re-established the Japanese brand as masters of the old school, vintage-style superstrat.

Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HSS - £985 / $999 / €1173

The Canadian virtuoso, currently on tour with Mastodon, has one of the best-selling signature superstrats on the market. It’s very easy to see why.

Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSS 2PT CM SP - £888 / $1099 / €1057

With a caramelised maple speed neck, Seymour Duncan pickups and a Gotoh tremolo bridge, there’s definitely a lot to like here.

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