Modding the Kramer Baretta
- Thread starter The Dali
- Start date
Sirion
Well-known member
It is cool to see that so many people are digging the Baretta Special, though! I've seen a ton of guys get those. I would get one or one of the new Foci, which I don't see anybody talking about, but it wouldn't see enough use for me to justify it.
Gibson have done a very poor job with Kramer in general, as they have with Steinberger. If they had played their cards right in the early 2000s, those brands could have been where Charvel and .strandberg* are today.
It depends. Certain models, like the Nightswans, are priced ridiculously, and prices have been going up to the point where there is little point in getting them. That said, if you bide your time there are still good deals to be had, and whereas I don't think very highly of the Striker series, the Foci (and even more so the F-series that briefly succeeded it) aren't too far behind the "American" line, and are probably where the best bang for the buck is to be had these days.
Gibson have done a very poor job with Kramer in general, as they have with Steinberger. If they had played their cards right in the early 2000s, those brands could have been where Charvel and .strandberg* are today.
It depends. Certain models, like the Nightswans, are priced ridiculously, and prices have been going up to the point where there is little point in getting them. That said, if you bide your time there are still good deals to be had, and whereas I don't think very highly of the Striker series, the Foci (and even more so the F-series that briefly succeeded it) aren't too far behind the "American" line, and are probably where the best bang for the buck is to be had these days.
Leon Of Late
New member
What kind of a bridge do you have in that thing? Have you upgraded it? If I had one, I think I would at least upgrade to the Wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG Vintage Trem at $120.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Yeah - the blue & purple cheapies. Played one. Really liked it. Don't forget to get some locking tuners!!
An X2N is just the cure for the alignment blues!
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Shortened to only what was was needed.
The Dali
MeltedClockologist
I went with a Wlkinson WVP6SB 6 screw vintage bridge with full block. It allowed me to install with minimal drilling and featured a full block and a pop-in/lock arm. The saddles are nicer too. It was $50 I believe. I didn't want to go too crazy since it is only a $170 guitar to begin with. I like the bridge a LOT. I did have to sand away a little area in the trem route so the block swung freely and then drill out two holes for the mounting screws. The bridge features elongated screw holes to adapt to different hole placements on guitars, but sadly didn't totally line up on this one. I got the bass 4 in as stock and had to move the last two on the treble side over a millimeter or two.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
The Dali
MeltedClockologist
Very true - could do a blade style, but the all-black JB seems to balance it out a little better (and regular spacing...!)
I didn't go with locking tuners, but I did replace the original tuners with a set of Gotoh MIJ drop-in replacements. The stock tuners were really kinda crappy.
As the end of the day I have a really nice playing guitar in a killer color for about $325. It is a nice modding platform, but when you factor in costs you can probably find something already set up for $350 - $400. Plus, as mentioned above, the upgraded model with stock Duncan and Floyd is $699.
The color on this guitar makes it worth it. I'll be honest, the black or white is probably too meh to be worth the cost to upgrade. Maybe the purple is cool - but this Candy Blue finish makes this look like a MUCH more expensive guitar.
Also, there is a form-fitting hardcase at American Musical that is $57. It is way too nice to be $57. So, I picked that up...
Mr. 80's
Well-known member
That looks like the same trem I planned on using (Wilkinson VS 100-N) on the Baretta Special if I got one. Most of the time you can just use the 2 outer holes of a 6 point to convert. Just need to open them up a little, so pretty simple upgrade for a much more stable trem. I'm already well aware of The Baretta Vintage and all the other new Kramer models but thank for point it out. I'm actually a fan of the new Kramer's (flame shield up). They are some of the best equipped guitars for the money on the market right now IMHO. Most of the other brands you are not going to get the quality + real Duncans and FR 1000 series bridges for what Kramer is selling for. You'll spend more for FR specials and in house pups with other brands. Even Kramers lesser models are all excellent mod platforms and not just throwing money in the wind. People just need to stop comparing them to the old vintage Kramers and take them for what they are in today's offerings, which are excellent for the money.
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Don't get me started on how they completely missed and misjudged how popular headless guitars are now, and yet still keep the Steinberger brand mothballed. I just hope they sell it. I am a Steinberger artist, and it infuriates me.
Sirion
Well-known member
You and me both (well, except for the Steinberger artist bit).
