Belated NGD: Kramer Baretta Special

  • Thread starter Thread starter GreatRedDragon
  • Start date Start date
GreatRedDragon

GreatRedDragon

Well-known member
Bought it on a whim a couple weeks ago.

I loved the look of the vintage white model, but what pushed me over the edge was remembering I had a white EMG 81 I pulled out of a Les Paul I bought a few years back. I realized a Baretta Special could be a perfect little thrash machine, it's so cheap I could dedicate it entirely to one narrow sound/attitude and not feel guilty. Picked one up in the store and for a lark got it financed.

The EMG went in right away (the barrel jack is stereo, which I didn't know until I bought it). And after a quick trip to Home Depot I've now got the strap to match:

wtAUz71.jpeg


To put it bluntly, the guitar hits way above its paygrade. It's hilarious that the company most infamous for their expensive guitars also produces what is in my experience the best budget guitar I've ever fucking played. Granted the EMG is doing the heavy lifting on the tone side, but the playability is astonishing. It feels fast and comfortable, with no pokey fret ends.

I'll probably throw on a Floyd and add a killswitch in the future, but right now this is sitting as one of the best deals I've ever scored and I don't feel too compelled to fuck around much more.
 
Totally agree man. I bought the purple on a whim and loved it so much I bought 2 more. They are unbelievable value. I see u installed an EMG but the stock pup is amazingly good.
 
Wow what a strap. Ive played a Baretta since 86 and must say its still badass. Rock On Dude!
 
sivad said:
Wow what a strap. Ive played a Baretta since 86 and must say its still badass. Rock On Dude!
Click to expand...

The strap is interesting. I've wanted to do it for near 20 years now, after I saw Zakk Wylde wear one, just never got around to it. It's fucking heavy as shit, several times heavier than the guitar. Not the most comfortable thing in the world, but at the same time it's so heavy that I can't imagine any guitar suffering neck dive with it. The guitar remains completely stationary. And it sounds weird, but it takes strain off of my back. Instead of hanging a guitar off my chest and getting bent forward, now I've got a counterweight on the reverse side keeping me upright. Who knew?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top