The "Russian Roulette” is $1795.00 MSRP , but it is offered manufacturer direct starting at $895.00 plus Free Shipping (Continental US Only). These limited availability instruments are built to order so please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. Prices are subject to change.

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GKG’s newly built creation named “Russian Roulette” was made to meet and surpass the performance levels of the mid to late ‘80’s Kramer instruments. The design of the “Russian Roulette” is a floating tremolo-shredding machine with extraordinary sound qualities, effortless playability, and always-important attention to detail.

This concept was ignited by numerous requests for a GKG pointy headstock strat-style instrument that would incorporate certain features of our Custom 2 series and the USA made Crusader Conquest Deluxe models. After going through several prototypes, a year later our concept has finally materialized. Throughout this journey, GKG was on a quest to create an instrument that would look and feel absolutely familiar, an instrument with perfectly balanced Duncan pickups and everybody’s favorite smooth hand oiled Maple neck finish. Our choice of a fully bound rosewood fingerboard features the new hollow version of the popular “Saber Tooth” MOP inlays. The final product was destined to feature a lightweight 2pc center joined Alder body, direct mounted H/H pickup configuration and all of the inviting curves of our USA Custom Shop Crusader series.

In order to match the vibe of ‘80’s shredding tools, Black was our choice of color for the hardware. In order for players to dial in series, versatile mini on/on/on switches were installed, split or parallel wiring options for each individual humbucking pickup. Recessed Floyd Rose tremolo, 16:1 gear ratio Gotoh tuners, and Schaller locking strap buttons are proven parameters, which provide both smooth and safe operation of this fine shredding tool. As a final touch to this series, we have developed our special GKG “Russian Roulette” polished stainless steel neck plates, which were designed as a gun cylinder loaded with a single Magnum 357 bullet.

In the last 30 years, heavy rock music has evolved and based its sound towards much higher levels of gain control. We felt that our “Russian Roulette” had to be equipped with a more powerful bridge pickup, and at the same time, we wanted this guitar to retain its warm, transparent neck sound. We found our perfect match for a new bridge pickup in the Alnico 8 based Seymour Duncan “Alternative 8” and we already knew that for this type of instrument Seymour Duncan ’59 had a neck sound we were looking for. The alternative 8 is a pickup that offers the brute power of Ceramic based pickups but because of its Alnico 8 magnet construction, it retains the nicely rounded organic sound full of harmonics and overtones.

Our new guitar concept was created, but our final task was to deliver this concept at an affordable price. GKG has invested a lot of research time and money in finding the right company, which would supply us with high quality necks and bodies. Once we established that link, we knew that our experienced staff could use their expertise and bring these guitars to life. Our Custom Shop personnel are accountable for bringing these fret jobs to perfection which includes the final shape, sanding and oiling the back of their necks, shielding the control cavities, installing all the quality components found on our Custom Shop guitars, and performing the “pro level” type of a setup always offered to our endorsees.

As a final product, we are proud to introduce the all-new “Born in USA” line of instruments that bear GKG’s high quality workmanship at an amazing price range.

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Gary Kramer Guitar Company is not related to or affiliated with Gibson Musical Instruments of Nashville, Tennessee.