While I'm waiting for getting registered on the Kramer Guitar Forum....

[DonP]

I made an impulse buy tonight for a Kramer, my first.

This one is going to be really hard to id (I think - I haven't had much luck).

Neck-thru.
String-thru with a fixed "Strat" style bridge (not a TOM).
Dual hums. They look like black Super Distortions.
Reverse banana headstock with "Kramer" on it in gold. In fact, call it a reverse hockey stick headstock, it's not really a banana. In fact, it looks like the nightswan headstock.
No other markers except for the serial number.
Tuners are Gotoh with Jolly Roger keys?
Rosewood fretboard
24 frets
no binding
dot markers.
Volume - three way toggle - Tone.
Tone is a push pull, but didn't appear to do anything at the store - no coil splitting evident.

I have no clue.

Edit: I found MusicYo Kramer's used these Jolly Roger tuning keys. Getting warmer...

[RacerX]

This is an early MusicYo Baretta.

[RacerX]

Here's a review of a later but similar 404 model: http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12480

Does yours look like that?

005_full.jpg

[DonP]

You nailed it exactly. Great job Ron. I was on the MusicYo trail but you are fast!

Kramer Baretta FX404.

[warlok]

Hows the neck on those. Been thinking about a hardtail ibanez RGT42 or something like it. I've always wanted a Kramer and that'd suit the bill. One on ebay for $299 shipped, although it has a reverse beak looking HS that I'm not as fond of. But if the neck is pretty thin, I may give it a shot.

[DonP]

The neck shape is EXCELLENT. It's a thin shredder, thinner than my SL2H.

It's not a Jackson D shape, and it's not n old school ESP U shape (my only ESP's are from 1990 or earlier). I'd call it a thin C. It fits my hand really well, as well as my favorite neck on my 1963 SG Special.

I did some more research - original pickups were Kramer Quad Rails. Not sure what the current pickups are, but I'll find out more when I get home to Cinci (in Nashville at the moment).

For $175 out the door with a new set of Elixer Web Strings (he had marked as $11), I can't really say this isn't worth it, but what do you guys think? Keep it or take it back? There's some scratches and very small chips on the hard edges, but no major damage, and it seems to be in good player shape.

The current strings on it are crap, but I won't be able to change strings until I get home.

Sounds decent unplugged for having crap strings. Action is very low. Frets need polishing.

[Grandturk]

Wouldn't have bothered myself for it, but congrats.

[DonP]

Wouldn't have bothered myself for it, but congrats.

GT,

What if I put in a Super Distortion and a PAF (Pro?)?

Would you like it then?

There's more to life than Strats

[Grandturk]

I have an SG, too, man!

[DonP]

Ok.

Just think of this as a Model 5 without a trem that happened to be made in Korea in 1999.

Model 5's go for $400? So $175 for this isn't so bad, is it? I just got to change that bridge.



(since I can't see uploaded images on this damn forum)

[T@rgetDrone]

I like it. It's red, has 24 jumbos, a reverse pointyish (as compared to the nanner) hs and a wide thin neck. What's not to like? Coinkidink.... As of last Thursday, I own my first Kramer. Mid 80's Voyager w/case. More on that later... when I get time to take some pics.

[DonP]

I'm liking this quite a bit. The pickups must be really cheap (the leads aren't shielded, just two thin wires), but they sound very good. DC resistance is 8.5K for the neck, 24.3K for the bridge. The bridge is beefy but not muddy, and doesn't sound as hot and compressed as one would think a 24.3K pickups would be.

Overall the tone and playability of this guitar is real good. It could use some TLC to make it a very good axe (fret polish, etc).

I'm still trying to find out more info on these but it's rare. There is a candy red one with Trem on the bay for $100 more, but no case, if you are interested. Still a good deal for a neck through, but I'm seriously up to my eyeballs in guitars. Fett would be proud