Charvel1975
New member
So I was reading up on this guitar and it seems to get really good reviews and the price is right. Anyone own one, what are your thoughts?
Getting A Kramer Baretta Special
- Thread starter Charvel1975
- Start date
Charvel1975
New member
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
I have two (Purple one & the Blue sparkle) & they're both awesome players. They came out of the box that way, playing like butter lol..
I can't think of another guitar at even double (maybe even triple) the price that plays & sounds as good :bigthumb:
I've only modded one and purely for aesthetics....(apart from adding locking tuners) They both have the stock pups which are great. Tuning stability is fine especially after a little lube on the nut. The fretwork/fit and finish on both of mine were awesome, no complaints at all...
I can't think of another guitar at even double (maybe even triple) the price that plays & sounds as good :bigthumb:
I've only modded one and purely for aesthetics....(apart from adding locking tuners) They both have the stock pups which are great. Tuning stability is fine especially after a little lube on the nut. The fretwork/fit and finish on both of mine were awesome, no complaints at all...
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Like I said, punches way above it's weight :bigthumb:
With my 50W solid state AMT Stonehead amp..
With my 50W solid state AMT Stonehead amp..
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Yeah, I have a Purple sparkle Pacer too & it's another great guitar.
The only one I found a bit disappointing was my new Striker. It had quality issues..
The Baretta's are Indonesian & the other's are MiC. Though the pacer is a cut above the Striker..
The only one I found a bit disappointing was my new Striker. It had quality issues..
The Baretta's are Indonesian & the other's are MiC. Though the pacer is a cut above the Striker..
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
They have a couple of sig models & also some Nightswan's that are over $1000...not sure where they're made though..
I would'nt mind one of these Vanguard V's for about $350 though..
Alder, ebony board, Floyd special..not too bad :bigthumb:
I would'nt mind one of these Vanguard V's for about $350 though..
Alder, ebony board, Floyd special..not too bad :bigthumb:
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
^^ Those are my fave Kramer logo's/headstock's too :bigthumb:
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Oops ..actually $399 new so $400 not $350..and it's called a "Nite V" not Vanguard..still, tomato/tomato.....could'nt care less.
Just know it calls out to me ..I want a cheap, rockin', pointy V :bigthumb:
Just know it calls out to me ..I want a cheap, rockin', pointy V :bigthumb:
Mononoaware
Active member
I have two (Purple one & the Blue sparkle) & they're both awesome players. They came out of the box that way, playing like butter lol..
I can't think of another guitar at even double (maybe even triple) the price that plays & sounds as good :bigthumb:
I've only modded one and purely for aesthetics....(apart from adding locking tuners) They both have the stock pups which are great. Tuning stability is fine especially after a little lube on the nut. The fretwork/fit and finish on both of mine were awesome, no complaints at all...
These testimonials are not helping! I wanted one for a cheap rock guitar that I could install a JB or 498T in. But a trip to my local GC to try one out damped down that desire. Almost every guitar on the wall at the local GC has horrible fret sprout. Like, dangerous-to-your-fingers bad. I think they source them from a warehouse in Death Valley. The Kramers were no exception. So it kind of killed the mood.
Now I'm back to thinking about ordering one online. I'm sure the fretwork would be better from somewhere like Sweetwater or one of the smaller mom & pops I've used on Reverb before.
ErikH
Well-known member
I don't think any of the Kramers of today are made in USA or even assembled in USA. Made in Indonesia or Korea I think.
I've picked up a few of the current offerings and being an owner of a vintage 1988 Baretta, owned a 1987 Baretta, and played Pacers Nightswans and others that were friends' guitars, these Gibson-owned Kramers don't stack up for me. The Baretta Special is nice for what it is but a Baretta without a Floyd is just wrong to me. Sure, there's the Baretta Classic which I'm sure is a fine guitar but nah. I'm good.
Yeah, I know at one point the original Kramers switched to using ESP necks and bodies from Japan from the prior supplier(s). The difference is they were sent to NJ in raw form. All the work to paint, lay in the frets, assemble, wire up, test, was done in NJ until late 80's before shutdown in 1990. I would have loved to have been at that fire sale with some cash.
Mononoaware
Active member
You're right. At the same time, I can't even adequately explain in words how lazy I am.
Charvel1975
New member
So from what I've researched online so far on the Kramer Baretta Special:
Just remove center trem spring, make sure strap buttons and tuning key wash nuts are snug, clip the little resistor from volume potentiometer and Lube the nut and trem saddles. There are very few complaints for the $0 upgrades. What if it plays and sounds fantastic ?
Just remove center trem spring, make sure strap buttons and tuning key wash nuts are snug, clip the little resistor from volume potentiometer and Lube the nut and trem saddles. There are very few complaints for the $0 upgrades. What if it plays and sounds fantastic ?
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Yeah my Purple Kramer's Strap button just popped out yesterday. They use pretty short screws for the buttons...it's no big deal though. It will go right back in justfine w/ some superglue..
Maybe 80's Kramer's were magical shred machines or w/e (never played one) but these things are no slouches either. You want a cheap axe that sounds FINE & plays like butter look no further than an Indo Baretta Special :bigthumb:
Every couple of months I wake up in a cold sweat gassing for another (looking at the white one) :lmao:
Don't know if I can hold out much longer
Maybe 80's Kramer's were magical shred machines or w/e (never played one) but these things are no slouches either. You want a cheap axe that sounds FINE & plays like butter look no further than an Indo Baretta Special :bigthumb:
Every couple of months I wake up in a cold sweat gassing for another (looking at the white one) :lmao:
Don't know if I can hold out much longer
Sirion
Well-known member
No. There has been talk of this, but there was a short-lived attempt to have a Japan-made model that was shot down, ostensibly because people kept complaining about the price. The Kramer scene is notoriously cheap, so I'm not holding my breath.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
End of the day it's a great, fun guitar with an awesome 80's vibe, tone & finish for $200. It's not a $10000 PRS (and I'd still prefer a Barettta Special tbh :lmao:. )The only thing I miss is a Floyd of some sort. A "special" would've been just fine. The "Vintage" Baretta has one but I could'nt ever find one locally or I'd have jumped on it....
But then that's what I have my Pacer for :bigthumb:
But then that's what I have my Pacer for :bigthumb:
