Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

toneseeker74

New member
Which do you prefer for 80's hard rock, and why? Each has a slanted bridge humbucker. The 6000 has middle and neck singles. Early 1000's have banana / hockey stick headstock. 6000 has sharper radius body edges and slightly larger body.

Fire away.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

I distinctly remember making fun of the focus guitars because we thought they were junk. I coulda got one from a co-worker about ten years ago for $50, I didn't immediately jump on it and he went and traded it for a cort accoustic, lol. I was still in the midst of my ESP superiority complex.

There's a plywood focus rhoads type V with a beak neck and the non-fine tune OFR at a shop around here for $200, I think. Looks pretty crap-ish, but I keep thinking I want that trem.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

The Focus models are a great value. I have a Focus 2000 (dual straight humbuckers) with a beak headstock. Solid as can be.

The Focus 1000's also came with beaks and pointy headstocks, following along with their American Series counterparts, although the banana/hockey stick was not exactly the same. There's an obvious difference between an American Series and Focus there.

I'm a simple guy so I like the Focus 1000 better vs the 6000. That's just me. It's a simple rock machine, just like my '88 Baretta.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

there is little comparison between a 1000 and a 6000. that's why one is called a 1000 and one is called a 6000. different configurations.


1000b.jpg

1000c.jpg



but I do think the slanted bridge hum with the 2 singles has a look that doesn't appeal to me.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

I prefer the F1K because Im a 1h/1vol kind of guy.
Given a choice, I would opt for an American Kramer though...
The Baretta is the American counter part to the F1K, and the Pacer Custom II is the American counterpart to the F6K. (I may be incorrect about the latter, if so, someone please correct me.)
 
Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

yep. with a little bit of Canada thrown in during some of the early years.

Yup. The necks came from Japan the longest. Issues with them from Canada led to that.

I'm contemplating a Kramer mutt down the road. Possibly converting a Focus body to hard tail. I know, blasphemes. Lol. Unfortunately, free time to do so is not on my side.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

Funny, back in those days, many thought that since they were making them in Japan and not US, they were inferior. Now, many of us realize the Japanese made stuff was as good if not better, Just less expensive. Plus, many of the American Kramer necks were made by ESP in Japan.. The Focus' are GREAT guitars and a great value! Most, if not all are solid wood construction. The Strikers are ply. Plus, most of the Focus' had orig floyds.
In response to the OP, Ive had both, 6000s and 1000s. They are both great, really depends on what you prefer as far as pickup configurations... The body shapes changed slightly (and headstocks) over the years, so if you have a certain shape in mind, look for that year. (Kramer forum and site has alot of reference material) both of my 1000s had the hockey stick headstock as thats what I prefer the look of cuz of the mr VH.. But for those yrs, the body horns and stuff were more rounded. Ive had a few 6000s, all were great, but one black one I had was one of the best sounding and playing guitars I ever played. I bought it wicked cheap too and it was nearly new shape. I DEEPLY regret selling it. Had an amazing 80s metal sounding woody tone like CC Deville's Fallen Angel solo. I updated the pickps and thats it. (cept straplocks)
Anyhow, if you like it simple, stripped down and raw, 1000. If you like more choices, 6000. Cant go wrong either way.

one of my 1000s:


the other:


The Japanese market only one I had:


one of the 6000s:


The amazing 6000:




Since Im bathing in the Kramer love moment right now, here's one that was a trifecta of awesome! Too bad I sold the 6000 and the baretta. (still have the pacer thank god!)
 
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Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

I used to have a Focus 1000. Man, it was a great guitar.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

I distinctly remember making fun of the focus guitars because we thought they were junk {...} I was still in the midst of my ESP superiority complex.

Werent they made by esp? Or are Focuses the "charvettes" of the old kramer brand?


...on a separate note, what is this "Seymour Duncan JAM" they all come with? Rebranded JB or Distortion?
 
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Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

Werent they made by esp? Or are Focuses the "charvettes" of the old kramer brand?


...on a separate note, what is this "Seymour Duncan JAM" they all come with? Rebranded JB or Distortion?

Very early Focus models were not. Later Focus models were. I think the change was in '84 or so when ESP started making the bodies.

Can't say I heard of the JAM.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

I redid a 6000;

Painted it Ultra-violet pink, X2n, Choppers, etc...(Also JB and Hot Rails)

Guy at shop saw it once and said "Dude - where did you get CC DeVilles guitar?"

I gottsa go 6000 just for the sonic options. But a 1000, when you need to get your basic VH on, hard to argue. I'll take one of each.
 
Re: Kramer Focus 1000 vs 6000

Very early Focus models were not. Later Focus models were. I think the change was in '84 or so when ESP started making the bodies.

Can't say I heard of the JAM.

Neither have I, but the catalogues above mention it... A lot. Like, in all of them.
 
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