CakeAlexS
I assume you have the latest versions of this software, and drivers/firmware on your audio interface.
In Sonar preferences, under VST settings.
 
Please press the reset button.
Then the rescan button..
 
See if that helps..

Thanks..

Yes, tried that.  I have clicked the reset button. I've clicked the rescan button.  I've completely uninstalled and re-installed the latest version of Waves for what plugins I have from them, and put them all in their preferred directories on the C drive.
 
Same result as described in my problem statement at the top.

I just recently upgraded my Waves Gold and CLA Signature series to Mercury. Wow what an upgrade and I've gradually been getting familiar with all the plugs. I can say that the Kramer collection works fine in both VST2 and VST3 in Sonar X3 and Platinum.

Mosvalve
I know this doesn't help you at all but they are working fine for me in X3e and Platinum and I only use the VST3 versions. Maybe it's a mix of VST2 and 3 or 32bit?

Bob, thanks.  I've experimented with removing all of the VST2 WaveShells.  When I call up one of the Kramer Tubes and Transistors plugins, say the Kramer Master Tape, and then look at the plugin that's loaded in the Details section here is the path shown:  c:\program files\common files\vst3\WaveShell-VST3 9.3_x64.vst3     I'm pretty certain it's the VST3 that's loaded.
 
Totally acts frozen.  These three plugins only. 
 
Still stumped.   I do have a contact with Waves technical support in progress and hope for a resolution with their help.
 
Very concrete and reproducible issue presently on my end.  Alas, I'm not troublefree.  Glad to hear others are.

FWIW Waves' technical support has always been excellent in the times I've needed assistance.

Solved - Connected with Waves Support on this issue.  After a variety of troubleshooting approaches, they were able to determine it was my graphics card driver.  The Kramer Tapes Tubes and Transistors plugins (3 of them) run on the same common graphics engine.  It's very refresh intensive, with the VU meters and knobs being very sensitive they explained, and needs the latest driver versions and gear to work with the VST3.  After updating my graphics driver the three plugins now work correctly in Sonar Platinum.

lawajava
After a variety of troubleshooting approaches, they were able to determine it was my graphics card driver.

Glad you found the answer. This just underscores that I'm not imagining things when I tell people graphics card drivers are crucial to DAW stability.