How to Install a Floyd Rose in a Kramer Baretta Special

Thinking of a Floyd Rose and A locking nut for you Kramer Baretta Special? It may be easier than you think. Grab yourself the template and a good Floyd Rose style tremolo ( I highly recommend the Wilkinson listed below) . and a router. Total cost in parts was around 80.00 dollars.
Here is a quick how to.
Parts Links here:
Kramer Baretta Special Here amzn.to/3SYBnCW
A better tremolo from Wilkinson here amzn.to/3SBxdkB
String bar retainer here amzn.to/3C7dkea
Upgraded trem screws and blocks here amzn.to/3RuG3PG
Neck Straight edge tool here amzn.to/3UZvTtf
Floyd rose Templates here www.ebay.com/i...
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[@georgealeong8188]

You install that bridge like a pro good job

[@JohnnyBeane]

These are amazing guitars! Can't stop talking about them!

[@R2R3Lockingnut]

Time for a Vega Trem Johnny ✊🏼 Even though I love Schaller and Floyd Rose

[@JohnnyBeane]

@@R2R3Lockingnut Yeah!!!! Get a Vega Trem! 😎🎸👍

[@RobNY5150]

That's an awesome project! I had one of my OLPs converted to a Floyd a few years ago by a professional luthier and it came out great. I have 2 Kramer Specials (white and purple) and have considered having him convert one or both of them.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

I can honestly say that it was a great decision to do on the Baretta Special. I have decided to order a few more in different colors to do mods. You definitely can't go wrong with this platform . Thanks for Watching!

[@RobNY5150]

@@FultonStreetBeats Cool hope you film it. Yeah the Kramer Baretta Special is one of the best values out there IMO and make for great modding platforms. I put locking tuners and better pickups in mine.

[@akfreed6949]

@@RobNY5150 gr8 video by the way . How about YOUR version of stringing up a Floyd Rose ? Just a thought .🤯

[@georgeh.5480]

man you just went at this thing and and knocked it out. You are a braver man then me

[@FultonStreetBeats]

I let it go on reverb. Now I miss it. However I did just upgrade my new hot pink Baretta Special, but the bridge I installed is not a Floyd type. But a nice heavy block on it. Thanks for watching.

[@totskiemusictv2956]

Very nice sir thank you so much for sharing ur knowledge ill try this for my guitar soon

[@wallyinthebox1]

Nice upgrade. I have done that before. I have no probs setting up a Floyd. That guitar is a Keeper . Rock on Bro

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thanks Brother!

[@scorchin6481]

I like my Wilkinson Vs 100 with Grover Mini Locking Tuners. I use to be a Floyd Player, but I like the Tuning Stability, Adjustability, and Feel of the Wilkinson much better.I made a Jig that screws to the two outer Screw Holes,and it aligns the post holes perfectly for drilling.The Jig I made will work on almost all Vintage Tremolos, besides the Fender USA Vintage Tremolos, it works perfect for any MIM Vintage Tremolo's or similar Import Tremolos. I used larger Toothpicks, the kind you get at restaurants to Dowel with Glue and fill the existing Screw Holes from the Vintage Style Tremolo, and use some Nitro Fingernail Polishes, as you can mix them to find a close match for the existing paint etc. The old Screw Holes are hidden pretty well anyways with the Tremolo Base, but with the Touch up paint its pretty hard to see unless you look very closely. The first Guitar I did these Mods to had Sperzel Locking Tuners, which in my opinion do not hold Tune, and they lack in Tonal qualities, compared to the grover Locking Tuners(Big Improvement). The only Routing I have had to do was with a Dremel to Enlarge where the bottom of the Trem Bar assembly comes into contact with the Stock Routing. I have many Guitars with these Mods, and they all Play better, Sound Better (More Clarity/Sustain), and they hold Tune Extremely Well.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

I actually agree. Wilkinson makes some excellent Tremolo bridges. I am really impressed with their M series 2 points.

[@claudevieaul1465]

I've considered upgrading that trem too, but I'm more inclined to a Wilkinson VS (non locking) trem, instead of a Floyd.... On another guitar I already did exactly that, and it basically does everything a Floyd does, but without too much hassle and woordwork 😎👍 Instead of a locking nut, I've put on a Grapthec nut. And while the original tuners were fine, I've later installed locking tuners. Works great!! 🤘😜

[@zenn5150gaming]

Which one? The VS50 or VS100?

[@brunogino1916]

I find your approach very interesting. I've been wanting to create my own Frankenstrat for a long time, not a carbon copy, with second-hand parts.

[@KetoSimple]

I've been wanting to get one of these for a good while, it's crazy that they want the $189 for this and if you get one with a Floyd it's like $700 - so could get all new parts, and whatever pickup you want and still come in cheaper than that price... I think we even have a router in the garage...

[@markrogers7304]

It's what I did. Original floyd, d tuna, and evh Frankenstein pup. Awesome guitar and to me better than the $700 one.

[@randymiles904]

Nice. Didn't look that bad of a job. Thanks for sharing.,🤘

[@metalheadbillseiw001]

Looks great! thanks for this video

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thanks for watching 🙂

[@robertscott3399]

iboughta gohto 1996t painted the guitar up in a tribute to my late dads service with the 12tfw 558tfs ibn vietnam in 63 to 65 scheme is the F4c ll Phantom with SEA camo tail number and all its on my channel but the kicker i put the tremolo on a RR x24 now it sits withbouyt a bridge ..

[@bigtuna6463]

I like how you thought that out with templates and set up nicely done thanks nice video.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank you. Takes out a lot of guesswork for sure. Thanks for watching..

[@smoluk1]

Nice job!

[@dbrown6451]

Nice job! Black volume knob and string retainer please.

[@congerscott6064]

Great job , I would do it but I'm really afraid I would totally mess my guitar up and I can't find anyone to do it for me that knows what they are doing , I guess I'll leave it all stock , I wish they had a drop in Floyd for this guitar.

[@alirezasalehi2666]

25:10 nice

[@ianmcgillivray4935]

Once again someone does a Floyd install and doesn't actually show or describe "fi ding scale length" for a Floyd Rose. Care to describe exactly how you determined pin hole placement?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Finding a scale length is done by using a ruler and a template for the mounting studs. Measure from the nut to the center of saddles. The reason for the center of the saddle is because the saddles are a estimate due to saddle fore and aft adjustments. The reason I say find "YOUR" scale length in the video is because some may choose to change the scale length do to necessity . If you need help with determining a good scale length. I will soon be doing a video on the subject shortly.

[@ellg5278]

I bought the same straight edge and it wasn’t straight at all and almost messed up my frets because I was trying to level my frets.

[@joemusicman64]

Did I miss where you determined the post hole locations? Supposed to be 25 1/8" from the fret board side of the nut edge from what I've researched. Or did you just put them same distance as old trem screw holes?

[@ruzgar767]

it needs a black volume knob brother

[@akfreed6949]

Unless you're gonna make a 5150 , you use a tone knob

[@ruzgar767]

@@akfreed6949 thats right

[@gearhead762]

That nut shelf and shim setup makes me nervous. That was a good bit more taken out than needed if the shim was that thick. Dont drop it... 💥

[@FultonStreetBeats]

She's rock solid. Looks thinner in the video than what it is. I've done a few the same way now. Zero issues.

[@kilian4345]

Looks good

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank you. And thanks for watching! 🙂

[@brianblack8631]

Can you use the D-tuna since the trem is routed into the body? Been seriously thinking about getting one of these but definitely need to change the bridge.

[@mannylebron2880]

nice job.

[@JamesCzerwinski-ph9zo]

Looks great

[@robs3253]

Awesome Job, I thinking about doing this to my baretta. What did you use to shim the nut? Thanks!

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank you! I actually use some laminate flooring left over from remodeling. It always works well and is easy to work with without compromising durability.

[@marioduarte2770]

Ficou um trabalho perfeito parabens!

[@pixieloco]

I'd say that top mounted trem would be a more traditional approach for a baretta.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

At first my intentions were to flush mount the system. However I quickly discovered that flush mounting made the action too high for my liking. Countersinking allowed me to keep the Specials awesome action. But yes my first thoughts were to flush mount the system. I could have shimmed the neck to compensate, however the ability to both dive and loke is what sent me in this direction in the end. Thanks for watching.

[@toddsmods.623]

Killer job my friend. Quick questions you said top mount would of left your action too high and you would of needed a neck shim why is that? Was the action too high with the 6 screw vintage trem B4 the mod/Floyd install that couldn't be rectified with truss rod/saddle adjustment?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Two issues that plagued it. One was the saddle thickness on the Floyd was higher than most. The second was the intonation screws that hold the saddles down protrude out of the bottom of the plate. Between those two factors the action would have had to be set very high. There are floyds made for flush mount that have lower saddles and shallow screws. Unfortunately this wasn't one of them. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching..

[@toddsmods.623]

@@FultonStreetBeats it does my friend. I'm gonna do the same to my 97 Jackson jrs2 which is pretty much identical to the barretta special but I wanna stay with the top mount as it's my baby and I don't trust my routing skills just yet. Great video and ty for the quick response and help. All the best to you and yours.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

@@toddsmods.623 my pleasure. Thank you

[@BoazWainscott]

Hey! Great vid! I’m tryna find somehow to install a Floyd on a fixed bridge Strat I have. Any recommendations?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Sorry brother I wouldn't have a clue who to send you too.

[@BoazWainscott]

@@FultonStreetBeats thanks anyway

[@Razrback]

This is s true example that people just cant leave stuff alone

[@FultonStreetBeats]

It would be a boring life if we just sat around and were Afraid to have some ingenuity and didn't take risks. A black and white world is not good.

[@shartne]

How deep did you router that pocket for the floyd rose??

[@javierdiazsantana]

And by the way, how could you route or shave off maple wood by hand? If i install the other nut i would need to put a good cut on the nut slot and take off a good chunk of maple i'm guessing like a bit less than 1/10" to then place the Floyd nut on it. I don't have power tools for that. Do you recommend some kind of Victorinox - like razors? A screwdriver to take off wood? Some kind of hammer? Sanding i don't think is a good idea since shaving off that amount of maple would prolly take a good couple of days, lol. Greetings sir

[@akfreed6949]

Weren't Baretta guitars originally with the Floyd Rose Tremolos ? And was the pick up slanted because Edward Van Halen slanted his 5150 and Frankenstrat guitars ?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Yes they were. And yes they did have a forward slant.

[@DethMash]

What is the width and radius of the top lock?

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

QUESTIONABLE GUITAR MODS sells a jig for mounting the Floyd and the shim for the locking nut. All 3D printed. Check out the channel.

[@FultonStreetBeats]

I will take a look. Thanks for watching!

[@xavierramirez7913]

How much would you charge to set up my kramer just like that if I had all the parts already? 🤓 great video!!! 🎸🤘🏼

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Honestly if the logistics of shipping and parts was figured out I would do it for the video aspect of it.

[@xavierramirez7913]

Hell yeah 🤘🏼 I’ll be in touch soon 😁👍🏼

[@javierdiazsantana]

Greetings sir. I have a Strat modded to an 1970's EVH fashion but the tuning doesn't seem as stable as i would like, even stretching the strings heavily and putting a good number of turns on 'em. Do you think i could get away with the current 2 point non - locking Strat trem and a locking nut installed on it? A proper string tree and stuff. I guess that could give a result pretty much like a speedloader Floyd, but i haven't ever tried one so i'm not sure how'd it go. I thought of just getting the nut and installing it, keeping the current bridge. I would really like having a Floyd but i doubt i can currently afford even a licensed one and i would have to make a considerable mod to the instrument for it to fit. So my main option is having the locking nut in there. What do you think sir? I really hope you can help me. Greetings and take care

[@FultonStreetBeats]

A locking nut will defininty help however most of the time tuning instabilities with a set up like yours is usually from a binding improperly cut nut, or cheap trem springs not keeping repeating tension. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@javierdiazsantana]

@@FultonStreetBeats Thanks sir. I would go more on the side of the nut being bad. The trem springs seem pretty stiff so i assume they're not the greatest issue.

[@kyrkwalters964]

Your a genius for real my brother.....can you tell me what the cost if this

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank you. The guitar was around 199.00. links in description. The routing template was around 25 bucks. The Floyd Rose Tone Ninja Trem was around 50.00 and another 15 for a FR upgrade kit. Around 300.00 all together. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@kyrkwalters964]

@@FultonStreetBeats thanks alot my brother.. keep up the great work on the videos ...please don't stop

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

Nicely done, though. A Baretta really must have a Floyd.

[@JamesFord-mo7vg]

Don't use the locking nut get rid of string crusher n replace with a tusq nut sized for neck size better tuning stability better intonation less tuning headaches

[@carlog.1165]

Hi. Which Floyd Rose model did you use? Thanks

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Its actually a Tone Ninja FR style bridge with all stainless upgraded saddles, fine tuners, blocks and pop in bar. The mock up Trem was also a tone Ninja in stock form. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@carlog.1165]

@@FultonStreetBeats Thanks a lot. What's the locking nut dimension? Thanks

[@FultonStreetBeats]

@@carlog.1165 It's 42.5mm at the neck. A R2 Floyd nut will work. Hope this helps.

[@carlog.1165]

@@FultonStreetBeats Fantastic..thanks again. Best

[@FultonStreetBeats]

@@carlog.1165 anytime

[@ODRiley]

What material did you use for that nut shim?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

It's a piece of laminate flooring cut to fit

[@ODRiley]

@@FultonStreetBeats Thanks

[@OliverCarriere]

How long the project take

[@bmconte5150]

Nice mod! But I’ve a question: the truss rod is still usable? I mean when you put the nut it seems the truss rod it’s to far to reach it to adjust it. Cheers

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Its still easy to reach. No issues at all. Thanks for watching.

[@bmconte5150]

@@FultonStreetBeats it’s any chance you can send me a picture of the truss rod … my luthier will go nuts! Once again thanks from Santiago de Chile

[@FultonStreetBeats]

@@bmconte5150 Unfortunately the guitar sold very quickly. I'll will look to see if I have any pictures of it kicking around on my computer.

[@ltcuaa]

or just buy a regular bereta with floyd. also on a tilt head stock the string tree isn't really needed.

[@satchrules101]

Amazing job bro ! What kind of Floyd is that ?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank You. It's a Heavily Upgraded Tone Ninja.

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Could I pay you to do this to Mine?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Unfortunately I would not have the time. Sorry

[@friedem0n2004]

what type of locking nut did you use?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Floyd Rose R2 41.3 mm

[@ericsylvester3638]

Awesome video

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Thank you! And Thanks for watching 🙂

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

Wouldn't it just be easier to install a flat mount Floyd like the factory does? There's no full float Floyds on Barettas.

[@thebaldshredder]

Oh no!!! Why did you ruin that guitar by putting the worst possible bridge on it? 😜 Just kidding. I don't like Floyds. But you did a fantastic job on that!

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Don't worry I have another hardtail on the way. But come to think of it, I also have another Tremolo sitting here🤔🤔 😂oh no😆.

[@markrogers7304]

I have same guitar but installed my floyd flush on the body for dive only just the way evh did his. Very stable

[@markrogers7304]

@@michaelwilson2497 yes action is pretty low. The trick is to shim the heel of the neck at an angle. I put some trimmed index card to fit under the 2 neck screws closer to the spring claw to tilt headstock at a downward angle....it doesn't take much, maybe 1 or 2 cards thick. This is common. Guitars built normally have this angle in the design. Gibson for example uses a 3 degree angle if my memory is correct.

[@markrogers7304]

@Luna-tic correct, if you flush mount only dives. Makes for a really stable bridge. I prefer mine to not float. Out of 5 of my guitars with floyds, only 2 float. Rest are flush or blocked.

[@davespin9034]

@@markrogers7304 I flush mounted my Gotoh 1996T and every Floyd I've seen sits off the body a little. I had to shim mine to provide a nice low action. My bumblebee yellow Kramer Baretta also sits about 3mm above the body.

[@sloebone7399]

If you want a Baretta Special with a better trem, better pickup, better tuners, better neck and actual resale value….. buy a Baretta.

[@contactusece7769]

Holy crap lot of work one mistake your done

[@deeser286]

Allergies?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Nope. Sick for days. Lol

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

Chrome tuning keys and black Floyd. Interracial dating at its' finest.