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Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
Yamaha PAC1611MS
VS
Playability
73
Sound
74
Build
59
Value
74
Score
69
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Playability
72
Sound
72
Build
69
Value
66
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Reasons to Get
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager over Yamaha PAC1611MS

Release Year
2021 vs 2014
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.839'' (21.3mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.906'' (23mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.594'' (40.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Fretboard Radius
12.6'' (320mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
74 vs 66
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Yamaha PAC1611MS over Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Seymour Duncan vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.839'' (21.3mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.906'' (23mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.594'' (40.5mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 12.6'' (320mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Bridge Pickup
Epiphone ProBucker 3 vs Seymour Duncan STHR-1b
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Epiphone ProBucker 2 vs Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Nut Material
Locking vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Yamaha PAC1611MS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 71 compared to the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's 69 score, although not by a lot.

The Yamaha PAC1611MS wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager has the upper hand when it comes to sound, playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Yamaha PAC1611MS is the better choice.

The Yamaha PAC1611MS meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Yamaha PAC1611MS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Overview

  • From Kramer's 2021 Artist series
  • Tracii Guns Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12.6" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Epiphone ProBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Epiphone ProBucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo bridge
  • Slim C Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Mini Die Cast tuners
  • Weight between 7.05lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.55lbs (3.4kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Yamaha PAC1611MS Overview

  • From Yamaha's 2014 Signature series
  • Mike Stern Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" Fretboard Radius
  • Light Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • One-Piece Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Hardtail bridge
  • PAC1611MS Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh SD91-05M-L tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Yamaha PAC1611MS

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Yamaha PAC1611MS pickups from a more specialized brand than the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Blues and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Yamaha PAC1611MS's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Yamaha PAC1611MS.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's switch options
Yamaha PAC1611MS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Yamaha PAC1611MS's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 74
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager compares to the Yamaha PAC1611MS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager is built in Indonesia while the Yamaha PAC1611MS is made in Japan.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Yamaha PAC1611MS

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's brige is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's are Mini Die Cast while the Yamaha PAC1611MS's are Gotoh SD91-05M-L

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Yamaha PAC1611MS.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha PAC1611MS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
Quality of materials 41
Features 65
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 59
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Quality of materials 66
Features 50
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 69

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Nut Width
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Nut Width
Yamaha PAC1611MS Nut Width
Yamaha PAC1611MS Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager has the wider nut with 41.3mm (1.625'') vs 40.5mm (1.594''). This is a 0.8mm (0.031'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager and Yamaha PAC1611MS's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Neck Profile
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's neck profile
Yamaha PAC1611MS Neck Profile
Yamaha PAC1611MS's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager and the Yamaha PAC1611MS have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Fingerboard Radius
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's Fingerboard radius
Yamaha PAC1611MS Fingerboard Radius
Yamaha PAC1611MS's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Yamaha PAC1611MS's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Yamaha PAC1611MS favors large hands more than the Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager.

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Yamaha PAC1611MS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Frets Size
Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager's Frets Size
Yamaha PAC1611MS Frets Size
Yamaha PAC1611MS's Frets Size

The Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Yamaha PAC1611MS's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager vs Yamaha PAC1611MS
General Kramer Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager Yamaha PAC1611MS
Brand: Kramer Yamaha
Year: 2021 2014
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Japan
Series: Artist Signature
Colors: Black Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Light Ash
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo 6-Saddle Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Mini Die Cast Gotoh SD91-05M-L
Fretboard: Maple One-Piece Maple
Neck Material: 3 Piece Maple Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Slim C PAC1611MS
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.839'' (21.3mm) - 12th Fret: 0.906'' (23mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12.6" 7.25"
Nut: Locking Bone
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 40.5mm (1.594'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Epiphone ProBucker 3 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Epiphone ProBucker 2 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 0 1