Scored me a Kramer cheap! Quick question also!

[coloradoman25]

Im gonna say its a foci then! Still cool whats it worth out of curiosisity? I aint sellin it anytime soon.,

[Vass]

Whoa whoa whoa- WAY too early to end the fun- We need photos first. Does it have the jack plate & the parallel screws? That, with the diminishing logo, no American, taken in total, I'd agree with you. Otherwise, jury is out.

Also, the B serial cast on a pointy leads me to think "overseas", but even then, if it's a B and 5 numbers, no more letters, that would be uncommon. If it's a B plate it should be followed by another letter and 4 numbers, not 5 numbers and no second letter.

Pictures!

As far as price- I won't hazard a guess, but considerably more than you paid for it. Especially if it's a 1000- People dig the Baretta look.

[coloradoman25]

Its for sure either a 1000 or baretta

[coloradoman25]

THinking back I think the screws are paralell but I am 99% sure there is no letter after the B

[Dogbone]

Just from the info you have given, I'd say Focus 1000... The Neck plate really throws me for a loop though :think: Normally a Focus would have the B followed by another letter, then the numbers as Vass stated.
I have a B plate Pacer Deluxe, but it dates around 83. and not cast either....
Regardless, if it's a Focus, not a thing wrong with those. The Focus line where great guitars, and to this day, are still a great bang for the buck
The only real diff between the Focus, and assembled in US guitars, where the lack of Schaller tuners, and the pups... Judging by the time frame of your guitar, the Focus, and US where both being built by ESP... Just that the Focus was assembled in Japan...
Looking forward to the pics

[nhspike]

Here's the neck plate on my focus 1000
No letter designation.


Back plate, note middle screws not parallel with each other...


Jack plate, rectangular, 4 screws


Headstock, front (transitional, non-tilt)


Headstock, rear (made in japan ink stamp)

[Vass]

Weird, Spikey- I had thought that the offsets were a USA trait. Apparently not.


Check this out- to overcomplicate, or perhaps bring a resolution to the serial ## issue- Check out second row from the bottom, far right side

http://www.vintagekramer.com/parts2.htm

B-Serial, 5 digits, but marketed & sold to Japanese market only?

[Dogbone]

I'll bet that's it ^^^^^ A Japanese market B cast plate People buy the Japanese Kramers quite often from Tommy's Guitars in Japan. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if that's what this is... Pics will tell
Sweet looking F1000 as well NHSpike

[El Chiguete]

Need a pic of the guitar to tell you what it is.

[coloradoman25]

Okay here we go offset screws and 4 screw plate but it is just a B plate no further numbers. Seems to be a focus maybe japanese only market? BTW the macro shots show dust and scratches that I cannot see lol Also picked up a 375 project for 75$ 2 weeks ago

[Dogbone]

Looks pretty sweet I'd say Jap market Focus Well worth the price in my opinion... Can't even buy an OFR for 100 bucks
Great score

[El Chiguete]

It's a '87 Focus 1000 GREAT SCORE!!!

[Frigo89]

yep, F-1000, made on the same production line as the "American" Kramers of the time, it seems as if they just took the ones with not as impressive wood grain and made those "Foci"

[nhspike]

Another case cracked!
Nice score... real nice for 100 fun tickets!!!

[85 San Dimas]

I swear I saw somewhere on VK that diminishing Kramer logos without American after them were always overseas models, but I can't find that on their site now.

The brand name "Kramer" and the word "always" CAN NOT and DO NOT have the ability to coexist on any existential plane. If the word "always" can be properly used in a sentence (based on the Websters definition) the the brand name "Kramer" could only be used thusly:

it is ALWAYS true that no Kramer can ever be objectively verified 100 percent authentic. Too many fakes, too may fire sale parts, and too many production variations. Whatever was in the parts box was what was put on them and as time goes on it gets worse and worse. If you bought it new then you know its real. On the used market..all bets are off. the KF would say they just ran out of "American" decals one week, and someone on there will "remember when it happened". Enjoy the guitar for what it is. You'll probably never know for sure 100%. For what you have in it if you like it who cares? Congrats.