Kramer Focus 1000

[agresivo]

I'm considering buying a Focus 1000 that I've seen for 200 euros. The problem is that it's got the early Floyd Rose without fine tuners. Is that a good price or should I look for something else?

Will that trem be as reliable as the other Original Floyds?

[pott]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

200 euros is a decent price. I'd say the quality on these is equivalent to the Charvel model series for instance. I'm not too sure about those early Floyds, as far as I know most 1000 had OFRs... Good luck!

[yabba]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

those non-fine-tuning OFRs are well built, so it will be reliable in that sense; but _damn_ are they a pain in the ass! (I had a focus 1000, was my first guitar actually; great guitar, and I got years and years of use out of it, but tuning up was a bitch and a half without the fine tuners. when you lock down the nut, it will go out of tune (sharp) just a little bit, so you have to tune it just a bit flat to anticipate and compensate for this. it's doable though)

[Tekky]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

I personally would not put these guitars on par with the Charvel Model series. Not sure about value, but the Charvel Model Series were way better guitars.

[Accept2]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

Actually with Focus guitars, the early ones are excellent, but the later ones were real piles. The later ones really destroyed the reputation of the line. I know someone with an early one and its pretty well the same as an American series Baretta. However, I owned a Focus 1000, and it was so bad it was incredible. It looked alot better than the old one, but what a POS. The other problem with the reputation of the older Focus, is that alot are floating around with replacement parts. Too many times you see the remnants of them because they were stripped of their Floyds and anything else that was useful...........

[thebisch]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

I don't agree that the Focus went bad with later ones. Focus didn't get bad until Music Yo. I have owned a varity of Focus from Beak necks to Pointy Focus series to a F-1000. The best one was probably the F-1000 and was the last of the Focus series before Kramer went under. The F-1000 is/was almost identical to a American Series Baretta of the same era. Both the "American" and the F series of this era were made by ESP. For tone a Focus is a superior guitar to a Charvel Model series IMO, unless the Focus is a dud.

[thebisch]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

Oh yea, if the Focus you are looking at has the non fine tunner Floyd on it, and it is original to the guitar, then that is a guitar from the first year (or maybe two) of the Focus. This should also have a beak headstock.

[Accept2]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

My Focus had a neck that was made from scrap wood all glued together. The body was shit too. All the later Kramers I have seen were well below what Music Yo is offereing.........

[quiksilver]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

I can't speak to their value in Europe, but I can say that I've had good luck with Kramers both old and new. I had 3 of the old Focus 1000s, and all were very well made. I also have a new MusicYo bass, and it's pretty decent, too. I think you'd miss the fine tuners quite a bit, though.

[agresivo]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

I can always buy an Original Floyd Rose at eBay for cheap... So the earlier Kramer Focus were better than the ones from the late 80s. This one has a non-tilted banana headstock, what year could it be from?

[Big D]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

You should be able to buy a good Focus for less than $300 U.S. And that is with a normal Floyd. I have 3 Focuses from the 80's and they are all great guitars for the money.

[jcm800x]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

I owned a Focus 2000 in 87' with a Floyd, played great, sounded great, I hope the guy who stole it still uses her.........

[fett]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

Those early Floyds are almost worth the price of admission. My son has an old Focus with a chrome Floyd. As long as it is stamped "Floyd Rose" on the side, just buy it. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Twisteramps]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

Tighten the string retainer behind the nut so it puts some pressure on the strings - this will keep them from going sharp when you tighten the nut. I have a Brad Gillis sig Fernandes (Thanks to cool guy Brad 'XXX' Kelley) and it has a non fine tuning floyd that I put on there to be more like Gillis' guitar. Works great.

Pete

[nonamemx]

Re: Kramer Focus 1000

Focuses are great, MIJ by ESP, Solid wood bodies and good hardware, for CHEAP!

Just make sure it aint a Striker.