Why I Picked This $300 Guitar.
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
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My vote is : Do not change out any hardware, work you magic on a a complete fine tuning and you will be happy for years with this great $300.00 guitar!
Sounds great ..just change the switch if you need to ..
it's a classic enjoy
Sounds great as is. Update the switch, that's all that's needed.
If it was all original I'd say "no mods." Since it isn't, why not?
Just remove the neck pickup; that way you don’t need to replace the switch ✅
Rob Jenkins good point , Phil x dislikes the neck pick ups, I wouldn’t disagree with him
It sounds killer as is!
I have a Metalic Red Focus 6000 that I bought new in the early 80's. I own a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, Mexican Stratocaster as well as an Ibanez RG proto type, etc . The Focus is my favorite and it's pretty stock however it has the original Floyd Rose and the pivot post on the low-E, top of the bridge is leaning towards the nut a bit. I have bought a set of posts with inserts and plan on replacing the screw-in posts with the insert posts soon. Best guitar for the money EVER. I LOVE MY 80'S KRAMER
@Marvin Henkel - music channel The Focus 2000 (like the one Phillip has) and Focus 3000's have the German made Original Floyd Rose tremolos. I've got a 3000 and it's an amazing guitar. I highly recommend them!
@@johnnywomack548 I wondered if that guitar has the original tremolo on it 'cause as you mention the Focus Guitars had OFR's on them. If it's original and the knife edges are good just replace that saddle and call it done.
Upon closer review it looks like someone swapped the OFR out for a Floyd Rose Special. Which aren't terrible but could use having the saddles upgraded. If the knife edges are good I'd put a set of FR1000 series saddles on it and call the bridge good.
Congrats Phillip!!! The 80's Japanese Kramer Focus guitars are amazing quality!!! My first real guitar was a 1986 Kramer Focus 1000 and have owned many Kramer Focus guitars over the years. The NEW Kramer guitars may look like these but they do NOT compare to these 80's guitars.
Honestly, the pickups that it has sound really good to us. Different bridge and selector switch maybe. Thanks for sharing Phillip, great video sir.🙏🏻🎧❤️
It’s time to build addition to your house or open another store. 🏠 or 🏪.
Because 300 is less than 3000? 😂😋
Your not wrong. lol
Don’t mod it; if anything try to replace the wrong saddle and then leave it. But if you do mod it, stick with black. Chrome would make it look cheesy in my opinion
My very first electric guitar was a black Kramer Focus 1000 with only a humbucker in the bridge and a coil tap. It also had a very early Floyd Rose without the fine tuners. I should have never got rid of that guitar. This video brings back memories.
You buy new guitars more often than i change socks!
More like your underwear.
I have a 1986 Kramer Pacer Carrera that has an ebony fretboard and all black hardware. I bought this guitar in a pawn shop in Beaufort, SC when I was in the Navy in 99’. Only paid $280 for it. Someone changed out the Duncans with Bartolini pickups, but it sounds amazing.
I think if it's been like this for over 35 years I would leave it alone it plays really nice they are $600 plus on eBay nice fine Phillip
If you haven't already do yourself a favor and check out Gotoh's 1996T High Stability Tremolo Unit. This a an improved Floyd 🌹 Rose Style Trem with several key improvements/upgrades. It's a Super High Quality Japanese made Trem Unit. It features a better designed Trem Arm that attaches through the bottom via a Hardened Black Steel Bolt that Screws into a Threaded hole drilled into the bottom of the Trem Arm. On the the topside of the Trem Unit there's a Collar around the Trem Arm with a small Allen Set Screw which is used to set the tension or movement of the Trem Arm. Leave the Allen Set Screw loose and the Arm swings freely. Tighten up the the Allen Screw a little and you can move the Arm, but it will stay where you put it. Tighten the Allen Screw all the way and this locks the Arm in place. The 1996T has a Hardened Japanese Steel Baseplate which accommodates all various different size for Floyd Rose and Floyd Rose licensed Trems. On the side of the plate adjacent to the tremolo arm/high E String there's a traditional half round knife edge. On the opposite side next to the low E string the knife-edge is straight across. This allows you to compensate for the various different widths of all the Floyds on the market. The half round knife edge next to the tremolo arm keeps the unit from shifting side to side and the straight across edge allows you to use it on a wider or narrower spacings of the various different Trems. The 1996T comes with a nice brass block so you don't have to worry about buying an aftermarket block later, but the single best improvement to this tremolo unit is the Locking hardened black steel Trem Studs. These harden Steel Studs Lock via an Allen Set Screw drilled into the centre of the Stud's Black Steel Stud Bolts. This gives you Zero movement or play up and down. When you dive or when you pull up on the trim there is absolutely no play whatsoever. This makes the unit the most positive and sensitive feeling trim I've ever I had the pleasure of putting my hands on. I mean there is absolutely no play. the unit is super responsive to the slightest movement up or down because of the fact there is no play it's just 110% positive movement even just a littlest movement affects it which is great It's Super Sensitive. This is a better unit than the original German made floor that cost $260 right now which made by Schaller in Germany. The Gotoh Super High Quality Japanese made 1996T High Stability Tremolo Unit cost me $95 even, no taxes and free shipping from Philadelphia Luthier Tools. They're great place to get parts and tools. Any order over $50 is free shipping. Most places want to charge you $100 to get their free shipping. In addition to having tons of really high-quality luthier tools. Their prices are cheaper than most and their Quality is great. Radius Beams are $84 versus $140 at Stac and the ones you buy from Philadelphia luthier tools are 21-1/2" inches Long instead of 16-3/4" inches long at Stu Mac. That right there makes them Supper nice or just the fact that that you get a longe beam for less money. You can't go wrong with that. Also check out the Stopbar Tailpiece Locking studs from Philadelphia luthier tools these are the best design locking studs on the market. Don't let their low price fool you $13 for Gold and Black $11 for Chrome and Nickel. These are high-quality American made American Steel locking stud. They're made from 1240L Steel because I emailed them and asked. These Studs are superior design to any other Studs that I've seen on the market and they don't cost $40 to $60 or more. They have Domed Head Studs, great for a Wraparound Bridge or the Traditional Flat Head Studs which look better with a Stopbar Tailpiece.Their Offset Diamond Fret Files for recrowning your Frets are $78. Stu Mac's are $140. Check out Gotoh's 1996T Trem Unit. It's the best Floyd Rose Style tremolo unit on the market today in my opinion and it's $160 less than a German-made Floyd.
Merry Christmas and Happy New year to You and Your Family.
God Bless You and Your Loved Ones!!
Jimmy in NC....
(910)-818-3279
Email Address:
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God Bless....
Satin necks>Gloss necks
Wrong.
I like the feel and looks of satin finish necks, but I don't mind gloss finishes. Whatever works! No finish has ever gotten in my way.Of course, I'm no shredder ...
Let me correct you.
Any sort of finish>>>unfinished.
@john m I could care less, as long as it's finished it's perfect
Yep... I have a focus 2000 and focus 1000 from that era. Both play excellent and stay in tune wonderfully. Truth is these were made completely by ESP, in Japan. Sammy Hagars red 5150 era baretta has a Focus 1000 hockey-stick neck... not a Kramer baretta neck/headstock. Nice pickup buddy!! The cool thing about the Focus 1000 hockey stick is its not a tilt-back headstock... which is kind of cool, and more like Eddies necks than the production baretta necks.
Totally agree with everything said here! It's basically a Pacer Imperial which is exactly what Ed used as the base for his 1984 and 5150 guitars.... Albeit with the hockey stick headstock. The 'Beak' headstock neck off his own purple Imperial (with a Rockinger Trem system) actually ended up on Frankie.... As seen in the Jump vid....
suhr's are amazing. some of us have to pay rent tho. there are other alternatives. those kramer focuses are really nice when you find one in good shape.
2 things. The videos lately. Killing it. Your personality is just coming across. Funnier. Happier? Keep the humor cuts. Love the Black and white etc. 2) The guitar. You can mod anything. Leave this for 6 months. then you hit the need to change stuff zone and chrome it up. Chrome cover EMGs or Pete Thorns? chrome hats for knobs chrome fu-tone parts and enjoy it and hand it down. Love it. I own one old Kramer the x shaped black and white shattered dime bag body fro 1989ish triple pickup. It's a case queen because its enormous. yours looks so playable.
I think you should do some FU-tone mods to the bridge or just put in a new FU-tone bridge all together
The additional story around this guitar ( episode 92 posted three days later ) is really amazing!
I agree!!!
Hey Phil. If you like it as it is, it should stay that way. Keep the character. My 2 cents.
I also have a large guitar collection (more than one room), and I have modded a bunch of them. I find it refreshing when I find a guitar that sounds and plays well with no changes needed, especially if it is at a very friendly price. I find it even more refreshing when the things "wrong" with the guitar do not bother me, or better, amuse me. It is great when I realize that the bridge was replaced with a cheaper model, and that I like the functionality of the cheaper model more than the original. You are a busy man, go fix something that needs fixing, and leave the quirky Kramer as is.
Leave as is. Not every guitar needs an upgrade. Sometimes upgrades can ruin a guitar.
How? If you are planning on selling a modded to hell guitar then wouldn't you take all the new stuff you have bought for it out of the guitar and sell it with the original stuff in it. I ha e modded my squier strat to hell and back and I friggin love that thing. And when I get a real fender I will switch out everything on each guitar to vice versa. Shouldn't be ruining any guitars here, #abuseshouldnotbetakenlightly lol.
Some upgrades are a necessity and always improve a guitar, specifically mods that are made to make the guitar stay in tune better. Nobody will ever prefer no named cheap tuners over a set of Grover or Hipshot locking tuners
Hey Phil, love the channel. I would love a video where you get a cheap guitar & replace the small things that people overlook (such as pots, input jack, selector switch, etc) one at a time & show us just how much each component affects the sound. This would honestly help me, & I think many others, as we are always told to swap out the cheap stuff, but never really shown what differences these make on their own, as people generally do it when changing their pickups, which always alters the tone.
Anyway, thanks for all the great content on your channel & I look forward to watching your future videos.
I’m a constant modder. If I got a perfect guitar, I wouldn’t know what to do with it.
The Kramer Focus 2000 was my first electric guitar, bought in Sept 1985. A black one. Haven’t modified it, aside from installing a new output jack, fluorescent green knobs and I’ve had to replace a few parts from the original Floyd Rose that rusted over time. It was in storage for 25 years and I happened to pull it out last year, just for kicks. The neck felt at home in my hands instantly...like I was 15 again. Beautiful. The sound? I found it a bit thin. I may replace the pickups and switch. I strung it with .013s a few months ago and tuned it down to baritone tuning. It works great in that capacity. I’m happy I never got rid of it.
I guess fake relic-ing is worth more than real relic-ing. It is a good color. My grandparents had a mid-1950s Buick that color. Very nice.
It sounds great as it is. I might swap the pickups for a Gibson 496R/500T set, and match the saddles up, but otherwise, I think I would keep it as-is. It's a great guitar at a great price.
It's already moded (sp) , make yourself happy.
Those are great! They were MIJ by ESP and used real original Floyds. And a lot of them are American necks, so that may very well be a US one. The body and pickup config is essentially a Pacer Imperial.
You already know your modding it really. You know exactly what you want to do. Your not fooling me Phil!
There are so many little-known jems out there...i rarely buy new these days, unless it's a limited run.
Kramers, Arias, Vantages, Quests, Hohners, Heartfields...there is no end to the money to be saved!
Great find Phil!!
don't change it. if you like it the way it is, you would be spending money on pointless upgrades
You have been improving your guitar sound in the last year dramatically.
I’d be tempted to mod it, but then I’d hesitate. If you really like it as is, as you seem to, maybe just leave it be.
I think hardware color is perfect, no need to go chrome. If it stays in tune, just keep it that way.
I've been a big fan of les paul and strat copies made by Ibanez in 70's and early 80's. Few years ago I bought online a 1993 MIJ Ibanez rg450 as a joke for less than 200 dollars. Wanted to have a superstrat in my arsenal. I had no expectations... It has become my favourite guitar. Paid another 200-300 for SS frets, and luthier fixing a neck crack. I don't like high output pickups, but I wanted to keep it as stock as possible so transfered neck pickup to bridge (overwound PAF, 9 kohm) and put old Maxon PAF I had in drawer in the neck. It's perfect now. If I were you I would keep yours as it is and limit mods only to fixing issues. It's exciting to have cheap and awesome guitar like this!
Grayscale makes you play better. Proven.
Oh man Phillip...your speaking my language Brother! One of my go-to axes is a Peavey Predator that I got at a Pawn shop in Portland 20 years ago. I paid $70 for it because one of the pickups was collapsed. Just needed to be taken apart and screwed back in. It's pre-DX so probably late 80's. The neck is slim and the body light. Classic 5-way strat switch set up. It's twangy like a Tele but the versatility of a Strat. I have done nothing to this guitar for 20 years except fixing the pickup when I go it. A few years ago when the tone pot started to get scratchy all I did was spray some cleaner into the pot...It's been around the world and back and I've never had any trouble with it. It's like yo always say...When you play a guitar, regardless of the brand or cost? if it plays great and feels great you should buy it! All in all, it's about basic quality. And we ARE living in the best time in history to buy great guitars for under $500.00 or less. I love pawn shop finds. Some need mods and some don't. I refer to my Predator as Little Scrappy. It can hold it's own to a $1,500.00 strat or tele any day of the week. No Mods! No Mods! Do Not Sharpen......My 2 Cents
I think it's ok the way it is.
I would say if you're wanting to mod it, just mod the electronics (switch and pickups) but keep the fun little details; the saddle not being chrome like the rest. Details like that show what kind of journey the guitar has gone through along with the nicks and bumps.
leave it perfect the way it is
Hey Phil, I notice when you play leads on a guitar that your playing hand positions itself in a natural bass guitar handling (rounding your hand as if you are holding a tennis ball while playing on the neck.) You are a true bassist my friend! That playing technique is becoming more rare as bassists start with playing the six string before moving over to bass and carrying the habits with them. Would love to hear more of your bass playing.
First off the editing on this video is on point! (Was that a “History if Japan” reference in there?) Secondly on the one hand the odd-ball stuff on the guitar is part of the vibe and what makes it a story. On the other hand if you “sharpen” it you could be adding to the story of the guitar. I’d mod it but not fix anything. I’d add something quirky.
You know you're gonna replace the electronics and bridge (b/c that's what you do) and nothing wrong with making a good thing better. Great find Phil
Leave it as is
I remember a shop near me in the UK carried those around '83, back when they fitted Floyd without fine tuners. Excellent guitars. I believe the original pickups and tuners were Gotohs (?), but back then, a Floyd was only made in one place.
Great sounding guitar for $300!
My first guitar was a 1984 Kramer Pacer with a single humbucker in the bridge that has that same headstock shape as the one in the video. Funny thing about that guitar was that the humbucker that was installed was a schaller Neck pickup.
Yep... Ya don't always get what ya pay for ..
Dear Phil, great job on this one! How about doing a video on buying a good used guitar or bass? As you know buying a used guitar can be tricky I.e. what to look out for and what to avoid, when a purchase is a bargain or when somebody is asking too much, what brands are worth your cash and which ones aren’t. Which ones are worth modding (especially if you can’t do it yourself) or not. Examples of good and bad, maybe a similar video on amps, Cabs and pedals, and multi effects, especially as Christmas is upon us, what could be a good used gift. I know your time is precious, but might be food for thought. I always look at cash generator and eBay and reverb at used basses but never have the confidence especially online to make a purchase, particularly when the seller is from somewhere like Russia or Poland for example (I live in South Wales, UK). Hope this idea is something to consider. Keep up the good work, ps. Send me a link to your bass T-shirt’s. 🤟
Use it as it is...
Beautiful! Recently found someone selling the body and neck of the same model in Candy Apple red absolutely gorgeous and a steal at $180. Whats so cool with yours though is it looks like somebody swapped the knobs and 3 way switch exactly as I did mine. It originally had a metal mini 3 way and the standard metal knobs. Yours looks so much better over stock. As far as mods I went to a Birdseye maple neck which just pops with the body colour. As for the bridge I put on a Schaller 3801 (Non fine tuning style floyd) paired with locking tuners and a graphtech nut it's become a dream to play. I understand you are set on Thorn buckers but I'd recommend checking out Arcane pickups. I'm using the Arcane Mr.Scary in the bridge position and a plain old SD '59 in the neck which I magnet flipped for some Peter Green tones. Tonal Bliss my dude, definitely looking forward to the video where you sharpen this axe.
Love the channel
Thank you Sterflex
I have a Kramer Focus 3000 that I have owned since I purchased it in 1984. Still plays great today.
If it sounds good and plays well, why change it? Spend the cash on a pedal or something. 🤘💀🤘
“I like it this way.”
Sounds like you answered your own question.
Leave it! Great mojo
Your editing is much more appealing now, congrats.
Just leave it... dont get me wrong, I like mods... but I would never put $300-$500 worth of upgrades in a $300 guitar.
1] It's $300 because it is used, it is not a $300 guitar.
2] On the contrary, $300 guitars are made for mods. I would not pay $2K for a guitar to then throw away half the hardware...
3] I did exactly that. I put new pickups and new bridge on an entry-level Ibanez and it made all the difference in the world. I also own a Prestige counterpart of it. The sound is not comparable as the pickups are geared towards different goals, but the cheapo actually plays better in my hands.
@@KimonFrousios You are certainly entitled to your opinion... and I am not telling others what to do, just sharing my view. And I agree with #2. #1 though, if someone sold it for $300 and someone else bought it for $300, it IS a $300 guitar regardless if it is used or not.
phreak1118 I disagree with that. Superficial wear and tear and a brand name that interests only a minority of players result in a low resale price, but do not diminish its sound or its playability. Resale price is not a good indicator of quality. The guitars being resold for 10s of Ks are not actually 10K guitars. They are usually 1K guitars that got lucky in who previously owned them. Similarly,
if I was desperate and sold you a mint custom shop Fender for $300, it would not make it a "$300 guitar" simply because that's what you paid for it. It would still be a 3K guitar.
@@KimonFrousios What a guitar is "worth" is what the market is willing to pay for it. There are a handful of Kramer focus 2000 on reverb right now between $300-$500. $300 being the ones with condition issues. That is the current market value. You COULD sell a Fender custom shop for $300. But that is not the current market value. That being said, I dont necessarily believe that just because something costs more it is better quality.
phreak1118
We are not speaking about its worth on the market. We are speaking about the quality of the parts. If we say it's not a 300 dollar guitar we mean that the hardware you get is better than what you'd get for a new 300 dollar guitar. Get it?
I got a Kramer Focus for Christmas back in the 80s when i was 13 and I’ve been wanting another for years. I was thinking of ordering a Kiesel copy for old times sake and this video may have put me over the edge...
Love the editing in this video. Especially the adult music behind the guitar pics
Thank you, I am working on making the videos feel the same but be different from each other.
I’m not really a fan of this editing style that misha uses it caters to the AdD generation of children who are over medicated and under disciplined. It’s cringy
Phil, I dig it. Great find. A wise person once said that if you like it and enjoy playing it, it doesn’t matter how much it costs. Rock on!!!
GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS !!!!!!
Yes! I love some vintage Kramer's. I have a 1985 Kramer Focus 5000. It's the hybrid between a rhoads v and an explorer is the best way for me to described it. It's absolutely incredible. Mine is all stock.
Gotta follow your own advice. If you like it, let it be.
This is my favorite channel on CZcams. Keep up the wonderful work!
That was the first guitar I saved up for and bought in 1986. Loved that color.
So 80s. Love it as is. Fix the switch if need be and maybe swap the pickup bezels to match the cream pickups, but that's about it. Sounds amazing! A keeper.
Just change the switch and maybe the pots if they feel off, keep the knobs. It sounds pretty great, tuners are not a problem with the locking nut and the odd colored saddle gives it character.
I picked up a 35 year old peavey this year so that’s funny to me. Digging the vibe!
These are the kind of guitars I live to come across. I always struggle with the mod or leave stock thing too when I have a guitar I really like in its stock form.
My first ever guitar was a Kramer Focus 3000 that my mom bought for me at a garage sale when I was like 12. Still have it! All I’ve done to it is put Seymour Duncans in it. I’ll never get rid of that thing.
Kramer never actually made guitars, they were assemblers. Up until 1986 they used 3 companies for their parts with the 2 main ones being ESP and Lasido Canada. After 1986 they went exclusively to ESP for all necks and bodies, and a step further the neck thru stage masters were actually shipped completely finished and ready for retail. Technically ALL US Kramers were Japan made as well as the Focus line lol. They also had a really cheap line under the Focus that wasn't made in Japan The Focus was a great line
Loved the editing on this one. I have the feeling you were over caffeinated at the time.
I'd change out any part that isn't functional, but leave everything else that you are satisfied with. I like the bridge with the one wrong colored saddle myself. Gives it charm.
It's a great guitar for blues - those blues licks really comes across well on this guitar. But in my opinion, I guess the only change I might prefer is those humbuckers be coil splittable to get some strat tones....so a coil split switch can be a nice addition.
Wouldn't change a thing. I bought a squier affinity telecaster with intent on modding everything, other than a tusq nut and string tree, plus putting dunlop duo locking straps on, didn't change anything else because it sounded so good. Thanks for all your videos. Fun plus educational
Black chrome Floyd and hardware. Slash Seymore Duncan zebras. Cream pickup rings. New switch with cream tip. Then shred it through a JCM 800 and fall more in love with playing guitar. Lol. Love your channel Phil. Thanks for the content.
Look for cracks between the trem block cavity and the Spring Tree cavity. That seems to be kind of routine with those older Floyd Rose set ups. There is a fix that's called an angled dowel tap maybe two. Or dive-bomb until it completely breaks away and then get a new body. Back in the eighties I couldn't afford a Kramer Baretta so I got the focus 1000 I think dot-dot-dot and it was a cool guitar it was basically an EVH by Focus The only thing that I did to it over the years was put in an EMG 85 and the EMG volume pot.
That's actually the same kind of guitar Tim Armstrong played in Operation Ivy (he had a white Kramer Focus 2000).
Bought some months ago a cort g280 in mocha bronze for only 250 EUR, just because the body had a small chip. Great sound (SD pickups), great neck feel. Only changed the tremolo springs and that's it. I agree with you, there are so many great guitars for relative low price out there!
Dude that was some crazy editing/production, way out of character. I liked it! As for the guitar. it's really cool, but I'd like to see some chrome covered pickups with black hardware.
Boy do I remember that Guitcon vid. Is my comment still up there, where I said you should have played it? Because as I recall, he played it while you watched. Regardless, I almost sent you mine so you could actually spend some time with it. They're one of a kind, and the pickups make all the difference. Not only that but the woods are resonant, and the feel of the neck is sublime. I was on the fence about buying it. They're expensive. But if there was $1 that would go to Pete Thorn, that would have been reason enough. As a musician, if he is going to be able to continue this life in music unabated, he will need our support. Now, I know there are thousands of musicians out there not making any money from it (me) and it would be nice for there to be a way to buy their music and add some revenue to their lives. I know PT is doing well, and I'm a part of that. The PT Sig Std was one of my better decisions. I love the guitar. He has an amp too, but we all have our thing, and mine revolves around the ADA MP1, and some Eventide effects. I read your comments, you always have YT's best audience participation, and yes you have a lot of guitars. I have 9 altogether, and none of them are $300. Even the Made in China Xaviere is built up to a $800 guitar with Gibson pickups, LRBaggs Piezo, and Fishman Tripleplay. If you really want a PT Sig Std you could have one. I have no doubts. The buyer experience is quite nice, a luxurious presentation, a beautifully built minty fresh, one of a kind instrument. I have no buyers remorse for the Steve Vai 25th Anniversary UV77SVR, either. That guitar has never gone out of tune, and you can absolutely destroy the trem, and a year later, its still in tune. Thank you for all the great content Phil. You're always making videos that I can relate to, and you seem like a genuine great guy, hence my outspoken commentary. -James
My 1st guitar was a 84' Focus 3000. Still have it, although I scalloped the fret board during my Yngwie phase. But the necks on the early Focus's are great, most import necks are attributed to ESP/Matsumoko(sp?). They also came with high end floyds, if you keep the baseplate and change the saddles it will rival Schaller or Gotoh. Personally I also like the early Floyd screw in bar vs the collor style.
Only thing that guitar needs is a pickup upgrade, Super Distortions for the LA metal vibe.
Definitely keep it as it is, don't spoil it. It just goes to show if you shop around you can get a cheap deal that sounds just as good as the more expensive ones!!!
I know Gary Kramer. He's still selling his guitars out of his wine store in Paso Robles, CA.
I feel you Phil, i recently went to GC and told myself to find the guitar I like the most on the wall. Played some guitars up to $2k but ended up buying an indonesian ibanez for $450 because I just connected with it most
gotta say I enjoy the way this video was edited. And that Kramer sounds killer.
I did a Reverb search on solid body electrics from $299 to $351 and some really nice ones are out there. One is a black PRS SE "Santana" hardtail that is $300. Many other nice ones are listed as well. The gas induced drool is pooling.
I think it sounds great as is. If you decide to mod it, I suggest you make sure that you can put it back exactly as it was before. There's a lot of serendipity when it comes to guitar tone.
I have a Kramer Baretta special, probably the cheapest of all their guitars and it’s a shred machine. Mad love for them.
Nice instrument you got there for a great price. I've also recently just got a Fender modern player Tele made in China for Euro 435 - Great instrument and looks beautiful in charcoal grey. I so agree with you that we can play fantastic instruments at unbelievable prices these days. I wouldn't mod yours, sounds so good as it is but I will be changing the humbucker and fitting locking tuning heads on my Tele.
Great find! And has a tone that I could listen to endlessly. Stoked for you, Phillip. Thank you for sharing it with us
Only fix what really needs fixing, but that may mean trem, switch, nut and tuners. Pups are only ok, but livable. Love that color!!
Always loved the Lazer Blue 770dx with maple neck and those goofy inlays.
I'd say, if you do anything, just swap the electronics (pickups and switch)...it looks fine and has character.
That's a really nice color. Yeah the EVH influenced super strats, which I guess is pretty much all of them, are great guitars.
I would leave it alone. its been that way for 35 years. Sounds awesome. I guess you have to really shop around for something like that. What a great guitar.
I had one of this, changed the pickups Seymour Duncan JB on bridge, and 59 on neck, it sounded great.
I recently had the chance to play a cheap ESP LTD JH-600 guitar back to back with expensive 3k Jackson USA Misha guitars and was impressed. The $800 guitar was as good as the almost 4k new Jackson USA guitar! Now don't get me wrong- I have a Suhr Modern guitar that I love but having cheap guitars is great for gigging, practice and the pocketbook.