Pickup for a Kramer Baretta.

[Mononoaware]

Mahogany and 80s? I would try a Super D in that bad boy. I always think of JB, Distortion, and Super D as the holy trinity of 80s bridge pickups.

I'd also try a PATB-1 in there, because it seems to sit in a cool space somewhere between the JB and C5, but maybe that's a little outside the box for what you're looking for. And I'm not sure how the "poles" would line up on a Baretta. But it's a great sound that cuts while still being warm.

[jeremy]

i agree, jb, sd, and distortion are what i think of when i think 80s tone

[Mincer]

What is the difference between the antiquity JB and the regular JB, except for the relicing and price?

The Antiquity sounds like a 45 year old pickup, being slightly demagnetized. To my ears, it translates to having slightly less high end.

[Aceman]

Before we change out the JB - are you playing in the bedroom, or in a band/mix. JB can be notoriously ice-picky in mahogany and on it's own. Try it in the mix before you hate on it.

Next, before we lose the JB, I'm gonna suggest trying a mag swap to an A8 or an A2. Super easy, and cheap. Either will do what you want, just warmer/rounder/Evener etc. A8 keeps the hotness in better.

Then, after that, I'll suggest a Custom Custom. That's EVH circa 1984 style. Works great with a Floyd.

Then I might go to a Super Distortion...

After that...you are on your own.

[Ascension]

JB would have been stock, but never seen a real Beretta with a Mahogany body. Agree on the Antiquities JB being the right vintage fit though.
However, I keep thinking a Dimarzio Gravity Storm bridge would be very interesting in that guitar.

[pkailas]

Has anyone had any experience with the Custom Shop Frankenstein, Frankenstein Plus, or the Frankenstein Custom Shop? Yes, the Custom Shop has three different listings of Frankenstein pickups. I've tried the "tone samples" they have on the website, but I'm not convinced they have any value. Each one is the same riff! I don't know anyone that is that consistent!

I could use their 21-day trial and spend months trying out pickups.

Perhaps I'll try the magnet switch for the Kramer Baretta Special and decide what to put in the new build later. It'll be a few months before I'm ready to assemble it. I need to paint it first.

[NotDemanic]

Before we change out the JB - are you playing in the bedroom, or in a band/mix. JB can be notoriously ice-picky in mahogany and on it's own. Try it in the mix before you hate on it.

Next, before we lose the JB, I'm gonna suggest trying a mag swap to an A8 or an A2. Super easy, and cheap. Either will do what you want, just warmer/rounder/Evener etc. A8 keeps the hotness in better.

Then, after that, I'll suggest a Custom Custom. That's EVH circa 1984 style. Works great with a Floyd.

Then I might go to a Super Distortion...

After that...you are on your own.

Instead of A8 or A2, try UOA5.

[Aceman]

Instead of A8 or A2, try UOA5.

Also not a bad idea. Wouldn't be my first choice, but that's me. For a buck-twenty-eight or so, why not?