The quest for the perfect single-pickup, single-knob guitar for drop tunings can sometimes lead you down unexpected paths. Recently, a visit to a local Guitar Center turned into an impromptu gear acquisition when I stumbled upon a Kramer Baretta Special. Having been on the lookout for a no-frills, rock-ready platform for lower tunings, this guitar immediately caught my eye. And with a 15% off coupon in hand, the deal was too good to pass up. For a mere $210 brand new, out the door, I became the owner of a Kramer Baretta Special.
My initial impressions were surprisingly positive. The guitar played far better than its modest price tag suggested. The nut seemed well-cut, the frets were reasonably level with no noticeable dead spots, and the fret edges were smooth and comfortable. The neck profile felt familiar and inviting, reminiscent of a slightly slimmer Stratocaster neck, avoiding the overly flat feel sometimes found on guitars like Charvels. While the hardware was undeniably budget-grade, the stock humbucker delivered a surprisingly decent tone, solidifying my decision to bring it home.
Eager to explore its potential, the first thing I did after getting it home was to remove the strings and give the Baretta Special a thorough once-over. I polished the frets to a gleaming shine and cleaned the entire guitar, prepping it for the upgrades I had in mind. Then, the fun began – raiding my parts bin to see what compatible components I had on hand. To my astonishment, a set of Hipshot locking tuners dropped in with perfect ease, instantly providing a significant upgrade in tuning stability and convenience. Next, I measured the bridge spacing and discovered another pleasant surprise: a PRS SE tremolo I had lying around was a direct drop-in replacement! With these simple swaps, the guitar was already sporting some remarkably solid, performance-enhancing hardware.
Looking ahead, the next steps in this Baretta Special modding journey involve addressing the electronics. The stock pickup, while decent, exhibits a slightly microphonic quality, and the volume pot leaves much to be desired, acting more like an on/off switch than a nuanced control. Fortunately, these are straightforward fixes. The pickup is mounted in a standard ring, opening up a wide array of replacement options. I’m seriously considering installing the Suhr Woodshed pickup I acquired recently, which I think would be a fantastic match for this guitar’s харакter.
If there’s one minor drawback to the Kramer Baretta Special, it’s the fret size. They are on the smaller side of medium jumbo, which is less ideal for my personal preference. However, this isn’t a deal-breaker. In fact, I’m contemplating using this guitar as a platform to finally learn the art of refretting down the line.
In conclusion, the Kramer Baretta Special has proven to be an exceptional find. It’s a testament to how far budget-friendly guitars have come. Out of the box, it’s a surprisingly capable instrument, and with a few well-chosen modifications, it transforms into a serious rock machine that punches well above its weight class. For players seeking a hot-rodded, single-pickup guitar that’s ripe for customization without emptying their wallets, the Kramer Baretta Special is definitely worth checking out.
