Kramer Baretta Special?

[UnderTheFlame83]

What is everyone's thoughts on the Kramer Baretta Specials? I have one in Candy Blue that I've had for about a year. Really good guitar. I know most people mod them, but I was quite pleased with it stock. Never had any issues with it not staying in tune or anything. I think the stock Alnico humbucker is similar to a JB. Only reason to upgrade to a real JB is resell value. Dont plan on selling this one, though, but that's what lot of people do with these when upgraded.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

[No message]

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Hm, it does seem like a good mod platform for those who want a single hummer. I can see people upgrading tuners, bridge and maybe pu.

What's the neck like?

 

[superpete]

I have one. I really like it for the money, but i did some mods on mine. Put a new nut on, swapped the pu for a Dimarzio AT-1, swapped pickup ring and knob too. I've been thinking about swapping the bridge but haven't decided if that's worth it yet. Also I gave mine a sparkle "snakeskin" refin. It's a fun guitar.

 

[Aceman]

I have one. I really like it for the money, but i did some mods on mine. Put a new nut on, swapped the pu for a Dimarzio AT-1, swapped pickup ring and knob too. I've been thinking about swapping the bridge but haven't decided if that's worth it yet. Also I gave mine a sparkle "snakeskin" refin. It's a fun guitar.

OMG - WANT!!!!!


Please describe you technique for finishing that?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Aceman]

What is everyone's thoughts on the Kramer Baretta Specials? I have one in Candy Blue that I've had for about a year. Really good guitar. I know most people mod them, but I was quite pleased with it stock. Never had any issues with it not staying in tune or anything. I think the stock Alnico humbucker is similar to a JB. Only reason to upgrade to a real JB is resell value. Dont plan on selling this one, though, but that's what lot of people do with these when upgraded.

I have played a couple. One through a 5150. All in all, great little guitar for a buck seventy nine.

I'd put the JB in just cuz. Or something....

 

[LLL]

I have one. I really like it for the money, but i did some mods on mine. Put a new nut on, swapped the pu for a Dimarzio AT-1, swapped pickup ring and knob too. I've been thinking about swapping the bridge but haven't decided if that's worth it yet. Also I gave mine a sparkle "snakeskin" refin. It's a fun guitar.

Hey Pete that's a cool finish, but I just noticed your YouTube channel - cool stuff, and I'm subscribing.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Hm, it does seem like a good mod platform for those who want a single hummer. I can see people upgrading tuners, bridge and maybe pu.

What's the neck like?

Neck reminds me of a older Charvel/ Ibanez neck. Fast and perfect for shredding.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Superpete, that's a beautiful Beretta! Wow!

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Guitar Center currently has the Candy Blue and Vintage White back in stock if anyone is looking for one... The Vintage White one will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

Edit: Candy Blue is now sold out.

 

[Artie]

Those are both sweet. But they both beg for the Nighthawk version of the JB or 59.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Also, these come stock with a treble bleed mod. Some like it, some don't. Easy to remove if it isn't your cup of tea. I think they're pretty cool and didn't remove mine. Volume is always cranked on my Beretta :headbang:

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Haha, damn, the sparkly snakeskin is awesome.

 

[superpete]

OMG - WANT!!!!!


Please describe you technique for finishing that?!?!?!?!?!

Sure! It was pretty straight forward, my first attempt at a refin. Two tone sparkle snakeskin was probably biting off more than i could chew, but i was in lock down and had plenty of time on my hands. Basically i had the purple baretta that I took apart, a snakeskin stencil i got off ebay, and a bunch of rustoleum spray paint.

once i took the guitar apart i sanded off the clear to a matte purple


then I sprayed that with rustoleum glitter multicolor purple


honestly it looked awesome like this and if i didn't like such ugly guitars i should've stopped here. But I had to go all the way.

First I put down the stencil and the pink

After 2 coats of this paint, I sprayed it with rustoleum pink glitter spray paint.

Once that was dry I went back and did the same with metallic gold paint, then gold glitter spray


The stencil didn't cover the entire guitar, so that's why it looks a little wonky around the edges. Or as I call it...giving it character.

After that I hit it with 2 cans of clear, about 16 coats. Let that dry, wet sand 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000. Buffed it out with Meguires Ultimate compound then ultimate polish and boom! A guitar CC DeVille would be proud to play!

 

[superpete]

Neck reminds me of a older Charvel/ Ibanez neck. Fast and perfect for shredding.

yeah the neck is nice. 42mm nut and 12" radius i think? I do wish the frets were slightly bigger, but that's not a big deal.

 

[ErikH]

As an owner of an '88 Baretta, I can't wrap myself around these. I've picked up a few and wasn't overly impressed. Maybe they've gotten better since but the few I picked up were dogs. My Classic Vibe plays better than those did.

I have to say, what you did there is pretty darn cool. Very 80's paint job. If you replace the bridge, go with black. In fact, replace all the hardware with black hardware, even the screws.

 

[Aceman]

my god I just don't need a project....but damn....

 

[superpete]

DO IT!!!!

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

DO IT!!!!

Yes, do it! Buy the Vintage White or wait 6 months, or longer for the others...

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I wonder if a Gotoh bridge would be a direct drop in :33:... I'd be tempted to rout a slot for a single in the neck, make it a HS.

Interesting that the body is mahogany on these, you don't usually see that on guitars in this price range, it tends to be basswood or poplar.