Setting Up Your Kramer Baretta Special for BEST PERFORMANCE!

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[@moontheloon1969]

I love that us of a certain age have more fun with simple guitars, also you have plenty of room too put any pick ups and gizmo's you want.....rock on!

[@Glamosapien]

Less to do with your age more to do with preference and taste

[@leopar66]

I've always preferred guitars with a single pick up, less magnetic pull = better tone

[@Jacksmusicshack]

I was on the fence about getting a new guitar.. Kramer in purple is calling my name lol It's a simple guitar it doesn't have a thousand features. It says "hey play me"

[@fullmetaflak]

God bless this man breaking out the knowledge to help a someone tinkering on a 170$ guitar

[@fredfarkel2990]

Still my go to guitar set up video. Especially like the tip to bend the g string to see if the tremelo stays decked while bending the G string. Well done video Steve. I've been around since even before you did your basement remodel. We're getting old bro. Rock on.

[@garywebb5058]

Awesome! Thanks!! I’ve only been playing a few short months and I can handle these set up tips. I think I’m going to pick up a couple of these now. Why? Because one color ain’t enough at the price you can get these for. Plus, I’m an 80’s guy …. so they’re perfect. Eddies passing made me pick up a guitar at 51 and learn what I can. I told myself I’m going to learn some of his stuff, no matter how long it takes or how bad I suck. And I’m having fun doing it.

[@svenzia]

Dang right man, go for it. Its so fun even after a whole life mostly riffing and playing for myself. I played in a few bands when i was from 12 to 17, then shit has piled up let me tell you. Guitar gear and playing is my big interest. You can keep it at what level you want, maybe even take lessons and develop to a decent player pretty fast. So much info and such on the internet now so not at all a must. Have fun!

[@Hiro.the.God.]

You’re damn right brother!

[@MatttMan]

All Right & Good For You!!!! Have a blast, if you feel it, you will figure it out, meaning, you dont really have to “think” all the time and thats gonna be a kick ass moment when its just comin out of ya, keep goin!

[@phucue887]

I have the white one and set it up myself and it's unbelievable how low the action was able to be set without any buzz ! I cut the capacitor and it sounds great stock . Little bit of graphite in the nut and it's a giggable guitar !

[@trentanimations1297]

Is the truss rod double action? I’m so lost trying to get my action lower as it’s buzzes from any height as soon as I tried setting it up

[@DJDORAN1]

It took me about a month..but I finally got mine to stop buzzing...had one on the first fret low E...drove me nuts.

[@GLC-Strikers]

It’s much better. The hollow sound is now cleaned up. For the price it now rocks. Thanks for the through setup . I love these videos . Very helpful. Peace dude.

[@rustysilk685]

Steve God Bless you i love this channel so damn much i will get my baretta special this very one tomorrow by fed ex and i will do exactly these things you have shown. These kind of videos are so helpful it just cant be expressed enough so a very big thank you for that🔥🔥🔥🔥👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵💪🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸☕️☕️

[@mmikeyhignight8573]

Steve,how are ya?this is the only way I know to reach you so forgive me if this is the wrong place . I just got my Kramer baretta yesterday, and I keep talking myself out of cutting the treble bleed thing on the volume pot.but it is an annoying issue. I guess I'll just close my eyes and grit my teeth and cut it. ..lol... I love your channel Man!

[@elru2276]

I haven’t watched your channel in a long time. It’s good to see you jamming and being your cool self! Now play some Skynyrd! Just jiving. Rock it, brotha!!

[@williamdon3442]

He said NUT SAUCE 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ninevoltromeo]

I used the Big Bends Nut Sauce for the issue with the nut on mine. I had a problem where the G string would go sharp after using the trem. Solved the problem pretty quickly.

[@MarkAnthony5150]

You have her dialed in!!! Sounds gr8 friend...huge improvement 🤣 did u say Kramaaaa? 😆 🤣 Go red sox!! Just incredible deal for the money 💰. I picked one up and for some reason why never seen another the neck was flamed maple? Anways killer job as always!!!!

[@wakerdukefan]

Steve, I just got to say you are a class act man! Been watching your videos since I started playing guitar and have always looked up to you! Crazy to think it's been at least ten years ago when I visited your channel for the first time! Keep it up man! You rock!

[@saintbrando]

Dude, I just now clipped off that capacitor…Day & Night! Thanks Pal 🤘🏻

[@destinyreturns4885]

Saw on your unboxing video at the end where you made some adjustments and glad you decided to do this video as a follow up. Really like the way you explain things. Peace

[@bigwomp932]

I removed the center spring and it didn't even need adjusting after that, just a quick tune up. Ran a pencil through the nut and bing bang boom, I can use the whammy a little without it going out of tune. Thanks a bunch!

[@jeromewagschal9485]

Excellent tips...I got my first Baretta Special 2 years ago and I changed the cheap plastic nut for a tusq nut and I installed locking tuners and it solved things nicely... I bought two more including a blue one like yours and I did the same mods... At some point I might replace the trems if I really want to divebomb the hell out of them but for now all 3 of them stay in tune really well... Interestingly I tried to install a Mexican Fender trem because of the full-size Trem block but tuning stability was worse so I kept the stock blocks instead...

[@jason_from_canada]

Great explanation When you were removing that resistor and I thought you were playing that game Operation 👍

[@juanrogelrodriguez8285]

😄

[@sixpenske1940]

i have that exact baretta love the neck on them super fast!! thanks for the tips Steve!! i upgraded the saddles to rollers and put a set of Gotoh Tuners and its mint now!!

[@jornfox3545]

Hey Steve can you play that guitar for 20 min. straight, throw everything you have into it, now that would be a great song on the rotation of my playlists !

[@smithfield06]

great playing and review, interesting i have seen a few other videos and read some blogs and they all mention removing the resistor on the pot switch. i have a squire strat and i just did a normal setup including tightning the nuts under the tuning pegs also used a graphite pencil on the nut grooves, i now have no tuning issues and the tremolo bar never gives me trouble thanks for the tips thinking of getting one of these guitars

[@RobNY5150]

I might try this. I have the purple one and the white one. I’ve been using them as stop tails. I replaced the stock pickups in both and upgraded the tuners to gotohs. Probably the best budget guitar I’ve come across over the years.

[@nvteriffs]

Did the gotoh tuners drop right in?

[@olly71771]

I have the baretta vintage tuned to eb with floyrose 1000!!

[@papablue3015]

I got the purple one! 2yrs ago! Good build platform! Bridge, tuners! pot and pickup wasn't too bad? not great but good enough! For the money!! Thanks Steve!

[@drumhead96]

Just got mine today!! Perfect timing!

[@papoquinones8028]

Thank you for the wise advice I got mine today and removed the capacitor and the middle spring and boom much better I'm glad I saw your video

[@SteveCarmichael]

I have a purple one and did all of this, except I still need to lubricate the nut. I tried removing the capacitor and didn't make much difference, so I put in a new CTS pot. I also added a Tesi Switch killswitch. Great low price guitar.

[@shimmer2500]

I just got the ruby red. Thanks for the tips and great playing!

[@InCaRnAt3]

Great stuff, i was going to post about the resister on the pot ...but you snuck that edit in on the end ...Again great stuff ...this looks to be a winner for a quick purchase !!!

[@derekwilson8011]

I have the same color guitar just did everything that you showed me wow what a difference no need to adjust truss rod either right appreciate all that

[@riniones]

OK Steve, you made me get one just like yours, candy blue... I haven't bought a new guitar in like 20 years or more... greetings from Argentina!

[@dausblack2585]

Damn Steve,you are the man.You saved me alot of time money and frustration.I bought 2 of these Kramers and didn't really know how to fix the problem until now,thankyou so much.

[@SteveZinn]

If you ever take that thing apart I'd be interested in knowing if the neck drops into a strat/squier body. 200 bucks is a good price for a cool Kramer neck for a project guitar.

[@beerwolf8518]

Killer. What a great video. I was thinking about buying one of these. This addresses a lot of points that I wouldn't have thought about. Thank you!

[@InnateTrigger]

That's one of my dream guitars right there ...as a one humbucker freak .. and i really appreciate your tips ! If i ever get her i will follow those tips for sure !

[@NoReason2Liv]

Looks more like a capacitor to me. Resistors have bands of color to reflect their value. Also, capacitors will affect frequency roll offs... resistors reduce signal level .

[@SFBGuitar]

It's definitely a capacitor. I was thinking resistor, but it didn't look like one to me either. I pulled it from the trash and it's definitely a capacitor. It's a bass roll-off as the volume drops, which is exactly what was happening. Adding a resistor would have also reduced the treble a bit, to be more even.

[@tristangilbert2037]

@@SFBGuitar what amount of relief did u set the neck up with?

[@jukka9333]

@@SFBGuitar Yep. I knew that and did that as soon as I got mine home. And I still don´t understand the genius of adding that cap in there...

[@2thessalonians188]

@@jukka9333 it's a cap...energy storage

[@jukka9333]

@Elias HeronBons ok, I get that but this time the capacitor ruined the use of the volume potentiometer totally. I was on-off basically with the capacitor.

[@thomassieghold2698]

Played it in the Store. This thing sounds soooo good out of the box. I really need it. ' The only reason I didn't bought it direct in the store was because they didn't have the blue one in storage. One of the saddest moments of my life.

[@kingveller]

Awesome awesome awesome video, sir! What strings did you use gauge size?

[@PlayGibson]

Thanks for the video Steve - I bought 2 of these because my first was the ruby red (hot pink) and my wife claimed it so bought the candy blue for myself. I replaced the tuners with Wilkinson EZ lock tuners - they were black in color and drop-ins for less than $30. I took your advice and removed the capacitor and the volume control works perfectly. I watched the trem adjustment intently but I dont use the trem bar so I havent messed with it yet - hope that's still ok, no tuning issues thus far. My frets were kind of a mess - super dirty and a little bit of sprout. I polished the frets and cleaned up the sprout and they are magic now! Your vid convinced me to buy this guitar and it is so fun to play - so glad I have it. Thanks again Steve.

[@kaidemen156]

I just picked one of these up recently and I’m really impressed with the guitar for the price point. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@brianbarnett100]

Hey Steve, Brian from Worcester LOL love your videos and I am getting less intimidated fixing my guitars. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@APK-pn4qh]

Great video and brilliant advice. 👍 I have this exact Batetta Special and I cannot recommend highly enough getting rid of that Cap and that middle spring. It's like a different guitar afterwards! 🤘😎🤘

[@glennbuxton9070]

Good job, your voice sounds like frosty the snowman

[@MGT_KS]

I just picked one up as well a couple days ago. Mine is a made in China in 2022 from checking the serial number. The capacitor is NOT on my vol. pot! It has nice, gradual vol. swells. Maybe they were listening to all the feedbback! So... Improvement there! The trem. bar issue is still present. I removed a spring, but I really had trouble getting those screws turned in to deck the bridge again. The wood of the body is so hard or the screw drill holes maxed out, I was afraid of either stripping or breaking the screws or slipping with the screw driver and gouging something ! So I abandoned that tweak for now until I figure something else out to solve that issue. Playability wise, the guitar is excellent. I had a Kramer Baretta back in '85 and from what I remember, this new Baretta is playing as well if not better than the one I had in the 80s. I just need to solve this trem issue. Thx for all the tips! Love your vids. Your tone is excellent!

[@VlxWIZzZARDxlV]

Thank you

[@jimbrennanguitar]

Excellent setup explanation. Freakin' outstanding Steve!!! and thorough too

[@albertoshiguematsu6921]

Excellent tips man! Specifically for starters who can learn how to improve the guitar without spending money !! God bless you!

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Very helpful video for the beginner guitarist just learning how to maintain and setup their own guitars that would buy their first decent guitar at this price point. Also, treble bleed mods using caps can be a big improvement while turning the volume pot down to keep from losing too many highs making it sound muddy. Especially through a real amp opposed to software. But you have to be very careful with the value of the cap. It takes experimentation (depending on your pickup) and I don’t suggest a beginner messing with that just yet. I bought and installed a Paul Reed Smith potentiometer with their selected value of cap and it took the guesswork out. I think PRS knows tone! 👍🏻

[@BenHelweg]

You could also put a switch in to take it out of circuit.

[@percyplumlight1854]

Very good Steve. Thanks.

[@idealmethod]

I hope you buy the jackson js22 $189 and compare these two guitars, a show down! which is the best balls out guitar for under 200. KRAMER VS JACKSON! now there a thumbnail!

[@Nazman06]

I took my center spring off. But the screws were already all the way to the wood. But the bridge was still flush to the body

[@GIa_DM]

I don't know what's about your hands, mate but you make every guitar - all of them - sound like a TON OF BRICKS. What a tone there! Amazing.

[@jfo3000]

Definitely has a great touch.

[@skipbass2771]

little leslie west sounding

[@2dazetake]

Wondering if their Kramer focus uses the same humbucker, it comes with a maple neck 2 single coils and a humbucker, that Barettas pickup is bad arse.

[@DougHinVA]

10mm nuts on tuner face side and use the flat blade slots of a pickup to raise the weak D string slightly. One of the 3 treble strings will be too loud and piercing, so lower it barely. You get better balance across strings that way...

[@deltawhiskey1398]

Great stuff! Would love to see how you setup one of your Floyd equipped guitars. Setting up a Floyd is considered sort of dark arts voodoo to a lot of people. I think you would make it clear and easy to understand.

[@brownsfan7753]

This video rocks!! Thanks Steve!!

[@jackvai2681]

I just ordered the exact same one yesterday... Thanks for the set-up tips.

[@PurpleRecords1972]

Hi Steve, greetings from the UK. Followed your advice regards removing the resistor, it's out and talk about an improvement, whoah!!. Sound is as sharp as a pin through my Pod 2.0🎸. Thanks mate and I'm going to confirm the improvement to a friend who's 50/50 about removing it👍

[@SFBGuitar]

It definitely makes a difference. But it's a capacitor, not a resistor. I had a brain fart when recording and said resistor, but it's definitely a capacitor. Either way, it's undoubtedly better with it removed. 👍

[@christerrio8108]

Hey Steve. I have the same guitar. I put locking tuners, a Seymour Duncan pick up, a new volume pot, and a Floyd rose rail tail bridge. Guitar now rocks

[@Rico_B]

Chris, I did the same, except the Rail Tail-that Floyd Trem is more than I paid for the Guitar… Also, I added a new push/pull Pot so I could split the Seymour Duncan Humbucker Coil.

[@williammolina9792]

Why not just buy another guitar.??

[@kylezehtabi5452]

@@williammolina9792 cus with all those mods coupled with the price of this guitar its more than likely still cost a lot less than a high end kramer and will play and sound just as good... Sure the woods used won't be as good and the overall finish on the guitar isn't but if you're not fussed and don't like spending a lot of money buying cheap and doing some mods is a great way to go

[@Anjohl]

I think a new pot.and knob is a great mod!

[@guitarslim56]

@@williammolina9792 Excellent question. I would have been easier, and cheaper, to just buy a regular Baretta.

[@doctoribanez]

I just ordered your headless harley benton

[@svenzia]

This is an awesome video and it goes for several other low priced (heck even more expensive) guitars as well. Ok maybe not the treble bleed thingy but you said it. I know a few who never got this to hold tune for example. The spring "mod" perfect. You the man, Steve. Hurrah!

[@Matthew-h1y3v]

Great advice. Thank you.

[@vladalucard7265]

Hi there, i just bought this Guitar last week and i'm asking myself how can i take care of this maple Fretboard. Do i need a Lemon Oil or a Wax??? Thanks and best Regards from Germany

[@glenclifton4563]

Thank you for all the knowledge you share with us.

[@workingorder2189]

Have you seen the new Pacer classic?

[@guitarziz3994]

One can also cable lube used by Harley Davidson to lube cables for clutch and front brake. One drop is all it takes. Good stuff folks!

[@waynecribb4922]

Awesome info. Who knew ? Thanks for the info and the Kramer . Very nice .

[@jackclark1356]

Awesome video Steve! Love my Baretta Special even more now

[@Hiro.the.God.]

I’m wondering why Kramer isn’t making more of these guitars with HSS HSH HS. This style is frikken gorgeous. The tilted headstock is just 🤌🏼😘 chefs kiss!

[@daviddigital6887]

@@High_Octane they do make a high end version with a Floyd. Its around 750$

[@musicsoundgear]

Informative and concise video. Thanks for the tips about the trem system.

[@kenbrown5221988]

Great information! Just found one of these for sale for cheap and now I think I'll pick it up!

[@sleevelessace]

dude thank you so much !! just bought my baretta special im in love with it but theres a few things i wanna fix in no way are they deal breakers the 3 springs,new nut,maybe put a jb but i need to play this pickup a little more ( at first i was a little upset the the a on the kramer logo had a scratch on it i didnt notice it at the store ) but hey battle scars n its a demo model so im not gonna complain cause it sounds fn awesome! and its the only vintage white one they had so i didnt care lol

[@wvmountaineer69]

Thank you for making this video!

[@0107latasha]

Hey just a quick question does it stay in tune when using the whammy bar?

[@davidbanner7972]

This is Awsom Huge help I mean Man you did a Excellent Coverage of That Awsom Champ / I am about to buy a Kramer just like that / Great timing

[@2thessalonians188]

I got the purple one! I am going to try to do your solutions! I need more setup experience...can I get help?

[@NascarTomcatFan]

Try 10-46 gauge strings with the 3 stock springs and have the tension balanced and you'll be fine.

[@travisjohnson6358]

Thanks for the advice ive just bought a black one im waiting for it to show up

[@anth9998]

Just got one last week. Great tips. Thanks!

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

I also had the problem with the fastening nuts on the tuners, I heard something was wrong but I didn't know what, then I simply tightened all the screws on the guitar and two of them were loose 🤷‍♂️😄 Hard to believe but that makes a huge difference

[@bluepencil99]

Try a VegaTrem! Superb!!

[@sl4x372]

It's great just as it is from the store!

[@73prd]

I bought one, great guitar, I put a seymour duncan sh4jb in it and it's great, but I'm going to install a tone control aswell because she's such a bright guitar

[@renesimons1285]

Hey Steve, hope all is well. Typing this on my iPad while yer riffing on the TV, my friend, you have quite an impressive roster of tasty chops and your tone is always sublime ear candy. Though I don’t often comment, thanks again for what you do. Great reviews and just a pleasure to stop by your space. So I just got the purple version of this guitar, due in part to this vid and some other rather cosmically inspired sentimental stuff. Don’t want to be too long winded and take up too much of your time, but I would greatly value your opinion/advice/feedback regarding my upgrade process. Graphtech nut is already installed as well as some lovely Hipshot half open gear tuners in gold. Bournes volume pot with Buhr Electronics treble bleed in a now fully copper shielded cavity(no noise issues, just looks killer! Haha) Pretty decent pickup but replaced with Dimarzio Mo’Joe in purple direct mount. Also installed brass bridge saddles. I am curious what your recommendations would be for replacing the bridge plate and trem block. Incidentally, my new saddles are 10.8mm and the spacing is perfect. I’m a Schaller Floyd lover, but though I work in a wood shop and actually build instruments there, ain’t gonna route this puppy(affectionately names “Noodles”, a nod to sir Edward’s references to noodling). Should like a 6 hole drop in with specifically a block perhaps a tad bigger than a vanilla wafer!! When the whole thing is done I shall make a video and also explain why this project is so close to my heart. Okay, now I will go to your video on the tube, yer playing the Eart, and I have an answer about Eddie and Tony Levin. Great flute sound BTW. Rock on.

[@xlake218]

Terrific tips! Thanks!!

[@markattaway4429]

Great video!!! I’ve been looking at these for a while. Another cheap upgrade is roller saddles.

[@pierreparadis5143]

Steve for President!

[@jakejohnson7714]

Kramer will never die.!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I really like your content Steve. Also, nice tone man. I may need to get one of these bargain Kramers.

[@janzelf]

@1:56 Is the bridge groundwire just not connected? Help.me.under.stand.

[@aaronwall9864]

When I push my whammy bar down, not even that much 3 of my 6 string go sharp. Any tips ?

[@teemuhall]

Just bought that exact guitar. Thanks for the info. Your rig sounds great.

[@maxmustardman298]

Ive put a gotoh floyd on mine, might as well go all the way and still come out cheaper than the vintage baretta. One pickup is all you need folks🤙

[@flyfishincrazy]

Thanks man! Got one on the way.

[@deeser286]

Just got the white one, early black Friday and coupon code, $129 out the door, what a deal! Great guitar!

[@vyger6336]

Thanks for the advice on this Kramer. I just picked one up from Craigslist brand new in the shipping box for $150. It was bought from Sweetwater. .It is the Ruby Red which I wasn't too exited about but the price was right and the color has grown on me. It has a bad case of the dreaded Fret Sprout which I am going to care of . I also notice when checking the intonation that the adjusting screw was all the way adjusted ,tightened ,and had no more adjustment. I have 7 other Guitars so this will be my project Guitar starting with changing the Tuners which are terrible and fixing the other problems. For the price though compared to what I paid for my Les Paul ,I couldn't go wrong.

[@markgrant1302]

Awesome video dude!!! Great advice. Thank you so much!!!

[@bradbaker4679]

If we don’t use the tremolo bar, is there any reason to remove the middle spring? Thanks!!!

[@tankdarla637]

Killer man. I am getting one of those in a trade, can not wait...