Charvel Production vs Kramer 84 Reissue

[Radiohead]

Hey all,

The Red 7th Batch got me really close to pulling the trigger (was hoping for a Maple fretboard). I am considering either one of the Charvel Production models or one of the many Kramer (Gibson made) reissues available on ebay (typically $850 US).

What do you all think? I play 80's metal through ADA & Engl 530 Preamp into Mesa 20:20.

Really Considering: Monster Tone, Fit, Finish, Overall Value and potential future value.

[Grandturk]

I'll take a Charvel any day of the week. I never gelled with Kramer necks.

Kramers (traditionally, anyway) have a 12" radius fretboard and medium frets. I prefer the jumbos and the compound radius on the Charvels.

I also can't get down with the funky Kramer body shape.

[fullmetalguitar]

Charvel of course. No comparison.

[quiksilver]

I like the Kramer body shape, but I'd still get the Charvel. Grandturk's neck comments are a good reason.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I've been tempted to get a Kramer. How do the new Production Charvel necks compare to the Model series necks? I can't find any promods around here.

[Grandturk]

@ Crazy Big Chief:

I don't think they feel anything like the model series necks, personally. First of all, the finish is completely different - i.e. glossy poly vs. oil. Second, the ProMods have the rolled fretboard edges, which make the neck feel thinner (side to side) because your hand doesn't feel the edge of the fretboard. I thought the Model series also felt like a soft D compared to the thin C on the ProMod.

Of course, I'm mostly talking abou feel here, so that's pretty subjective.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

Thanks Grandturk. I've been itching for one of these new Promods but haven't been able to find one here. I've always heard great things about the necks, and know how much I love the Model series necks...I'll just have to track one down.

[AndyK]

I owned both. The Kramer was a total POS compared to the new Charvels. The build quality was OK, but the guitar just felt like a bunch of parts bolted together, never like a quality guitar. The neck angle was awkward, the tone was nothing special. A big disappointment, since I've always wanted a nice Baretta, and didn't want to pay a fortune for an old, worn out original. My Charvel has always felt like a quality guitar, the neck is to die for, and overall, a MUCH better feeling guitar.

PS--I got my brand new white Baretta from a store online that made a mistake and charged $600 for the guitars! I waited months for it, but got it, and STILL wound up selling it because I hated it.

[Axewielder]

Anyone know where the Baretta reissues were made?

[The Rossness]

Anyone know where the Baretta reissues were made?

They were made in Korea and assembled in America. I had a chance the play the 1985 baterra reissue and the Pro mod blows it away. The neck on the kramer feels a bit flatter to me, but the axe weighed so much it would have hurt my back to gig with. The neck also had no finish on it at all. Not tung oil or a satin finish or anything. It's not a bad axe, but the Charvel's are better.

I've heard on the kramer forums that the best of the reissues is the 83' Pacer beak-head reissue.

[85 San Dimas]

+1, I just had an opportunity to pick up a used Sambora. Uh, I don't think so. everyone knows me here as being a "straight up" down the line guy who wants a 2009 Jackson, or Charvel, or (fill in any primarily 80's brand here) to have some models that are authentic.

Well, the Kramers are the most authentic 80's reissues IMHO....made by someone overseas out of something and then shipped over here and put together by someone else. Crooked neckplates, blah, blah, blah.. The QC is spotty (just like the originals) and other than trying to look like they were transported straight from the 80's they seem to die the proverbial death. They cost twice as much as a used authentic 80's model (with a couple of exceptions) and bring half as much used. Not a wise move if you want to "get your money back out" should you change your mind (but to each his own). Not slamming Kramers (I have some) but I can't even imagine laying 1K down on a new one. I give the pro mods the nod if for nothing than the neck and then a plus point that we know who is building them. I also just flat believe having had at both that the new Pro-Mods are the better guitar.

My advice (as always it seems) is to track down an original piece (difficult with a Kramer, I know) and nurse it back to health, etc. for less money and then if you don't like it you don't have so much in it that you lose 5 hundred just for taking home for 2 weeks. Unless of course, you can't help it....in which case we ALL understand.

[Grandturk]

Just to echo what 85 was saying, grab up a MIJ Kramer - Focus by Kramer or the later Kramer branded axe. You get a decent 80s guitar if you dig the neck and frets, original Floyd for the price, sometimes less, of a Model series Charvel.

[Radiohead]

Thanks for the replies. A few days after posting this question, I found this on eBay.



I had been looking for a few months and have never seen a White one come up. So I snatched this up, knowing I can get a new Charvel Pro whenever I want. Only limitation on getting the Charvel is somehow getting it into the house and past the Mrs.....

Anyway, based on the replies, not the most popular choice, but I am happy.

[nhspike]

I had a red Kramer RI that I rather enjoyed.
Very nice neck, and a player.
Angry tone... real nice pickup.

[AndyK]

[QUOTE=Radiohead;1316220]Thanks for the replies. A few days after posting this question, I found this on eBay.



[FONT=verdana][COLOR=white]

Not sure which model this is, not an '85 Reissue due to the pickup screwed to the body? Looks cool, hope it plays as good as it looks.