Gallery
Description
Features
Specs
Reviews
Q&A
Kramer

Description

The Kramer Baretta Special electric guitar with maple fingerboard is a tribute to the influential '80s rock era. This sleek reissue of the historic Baretta model features a tone-rich mahogany body and a slim maple neck for familiar playability and comfort. Powered by an open-coil Alnico V humbucker, the Baretta Special produces the volume and crunch that defined the '80s hard rock sound. A single volume control lets you dial in just the right amount of gain.

Iconic '80s Style With Modern Playability

The Baretta Special's classic Kramer profile evokes memories of the hard rock and hair metal genres that the original Baretta dominated. A matching painted headstock, black hardware and a maple fingerboard with dot inlays complete the retro look. While the styling harks back to the '80s, the neck has a comfortable 12" radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets for smooth playability by today's standards.

Powerful Alnico Humbucker Delivers Legendary Tone

The Baretta Special owes its tone to an open-coil Alnico V humbucker in the bridge position, the same pickup that gave the original Baretta its characteristic hard rock sound. This high-output humbucker produces punchy lows, crisp highs and plenty of gain when cranked through an overdriven amp. A single master volume control lets you dial in the perfect amount of distortion and sustain for solos and power chords.

Kramer Deluxe Hardware Provides Stability and Tuning Accuracy

The Baretta Special features dependable Kramer Deluxe die-cast tuners and a synchronized tremolo bridge for solid tuning and intonation. The tuners have a 14:1 gear ratio for precise tuning adjustments, while the tremolo bridge allows subtle pitch modulation without going out of tune. These components give the Baretta Special the stability and accuracy needed for aggressive techniques.

Kramer Baretta Special Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Purple
Kramer Baretta Special Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Purple
Kramer Baretta Special Maple Fingerboard Electric Guitar Purple

Features

  • Mahogany body
  • Slim profile bolt-on maple neck
  • Maple fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and black dot inlays
  • Alnico V "zebra-coil" humbucker
warning

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body wood: Mahogany
  • Body finish: Gloss
  • Orientation: Right-handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Slim
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Joint: Bolt on
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Truss rod: Standard
Fingerboard
  • Material: Maple
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fret size: Medium-jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Black dots
  • Nut width/material: Locking
Pickups
  • Configuration: H
  • Bridge: Alnico V zebra-coil humbucker
  • Brand: Kramer
  • Active or passive pickups: Passive
  • Series or parallel: Series
Controls
  • Control layout: Master Volume
  • Pickup switch: None
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo
  • Bridge design: Kramer traditional tremolo
  • Tuning machines: Die-cast

Featured Articles

Reviews

4.3

30 Reviews

87%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

I will buy another.
Kramer Beretta special
A great, affordable guitar!
It's pretty cool
Severely Disappointed
Severely Disappointed
BAB@$$, Giutar
This guitar was a great surprise.
Get one before they're all gone!
Get one before they're all gone!
Kramer reinvents the Beretta Special !!

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Get one before they're all gone!

This has got to be the most value I've ever seen in a budget instrument. Out of the box it was set up good. Finish was perfect. I purchased the ruby red version. Stock pick up is aggressive and hot. Tremolo works as it should. Although I ain't a big user of them I can dive like EVH does on the first record with this thing and it comes back up in tune. Many people prefer something better but this works perfect for me. The only flaws I could find was one of the drill holes on the back plate was not lined up correct and a screw fell out. Not a big thing because I have take. It off for access to the springs and to change strings. The hardware is not the best. The screws on the claw stripped a little when I was taking it out for whammy use. Over all a very enjoyable guitar. Incredibly hot sounding and fast. The look is great too. I don't plan on upgrading anything just yet. Many buyers of this do hot rod them and that's also a very cool thing. Maybe in the future I'll consider some upgrades but stock is fine. I'd trust it on a stage no problem. Get them before they all go! There's a reason why very little of them are on the used market. For this price you cannot go wrong! Maybe if a yellow one of these was to come along I'd be all over it. Would definitely buy again!

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Severely Disappointed

The guitar looks great but no matter how you play it, it will drop out of tune in 30 seconds. Besides having a sticker stating that the guitar was professionally set up I can assure you it was not, it says the same about passing the inspection but it has sharp frets I was disappointed.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing22
  2. Jamming21
  3. Recording9
  4. School Bands6
  5. Rock Concerts5
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz2
  2. Poor Pick Up2
  3. Craftsmanship1
  4. The guitar is a waste of your money.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced20
  2. Novice5
  3. Professional Musician3
  4. Child1
Pros
  1. Fun To Play23
  2. Good Feel23
  3. Good Pick Up17
  4. Good Tone16
  5. Solid Electronics13

Reviewed by 30 customers

  • My daughter loves it

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byTonya

    fromHolland Oh

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    She now has an electric and a bass guitar

  • Unbelievable for the price!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byJeff

    fromReno,NV

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Best neck on any guitar under $500. Plays smooth no sharp frets amazing pickup although I'm gonna hot rod it with a fat Seymour Duncan lol. Also cut out the capacitor in the cavity it will improve the performance of the volume know. #Sweepstakes

  • I would buy this guitar again, awesome

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byMichael

    fromAlbuquerque,New Mexico

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Love this guitar comfortable playing 🤟🏽

  • Can't beat the price!

    5

    Verified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byRobert

    fromLouisiana

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Nice guitar great feel . Price point unmatched. Might buy another and make my own evh project.

  • I will buy another.

    4

    submitted2 years ago

    byKevin

    fromSt Cloud MN

    Always liked these back in the day. Fun to play.

  • I would buy this again

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byChristopher

    fromDetroit Michigan

    for the price you just cant beat it! I own the purple and ruby red "pink" both have perfect fret ends zero sprout action was good out of the box but set them up the way i like. pickup is very good i see no need to swap it out paint is flawless. there are a few things to be done though. first take the middle spring out for the trem next cut the treble bleed diode off the volume pot change strings and while your at it either change the nut to a higher quality bone nut or file the slots on the factory one and lube the slots and saddle blocks on the trem. after that she will play like a $500 plus guitar.

Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byDean

    fromFlorida

    What is the nut width?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Kramer Baretta Special Electric Guitar has a nut width of 1.653 inches (approximately 42 mm)..

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byYush

    fromUniontown Pa.

    Where is it made ?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The Kramer Baretta Special Maple Fingerboard is made in China

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byVertical horizon

    fromCincinnati Ohio

    Is it good for beginners

    Open Reply - Gear-Adviser
    Great choice. I like the Purple.