The Kramer 1983 Baretta Holy Grail Reissue walk around!!

[@laz288]

So cool they released it. I have an Original I bought new as a kid ordered from Kramer through a local music shop in Annapolis. The maple body though heavy gives it an amazing sound.

[@40gritguitars]

Awesome that you have an original! Yea I’m pretty happy with it. The 59 sounds great in it. Very smooth. Thanks for watching!

[@LicksoftheLegend]

Damn that thing is stunning!

[@40gritguitars]

Just played it yesterday! Plays better than she looks. Thanks for watching!

[@WallyMpls]

Looks spot on to me. I should have never gotten rid of my original. Probably get one of these at some point. Thank you for the video

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for watching! I enjoy having this one… they are cool guitars.

[@mattdylan664]

You have one of the most incredible collections of anyone/anywhere ive ever seen, especially love Kramer Baretta's so this is a real treat!

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks Matt! I enjoy sharing with all of you. Thanks for being here!

[@theamericanoff-roadrc]

Thanks for the Kramer Baretta reissue information

[@40gritguitars]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for watching!

[@michaelkennedy2190]

Impressive collection!!! All my 80s Heroes!! EVH, Lynch, Warren!! And many more! Those are the big 3 for me !Long live the 80s!! Thanks for sharing!! Who built your bones guitar?

[@40gritguitars]

Thank you so much! My bones is a CWG. Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@ruicarreiro7539]

Sounds good, and thank you for taking the time reviewing. I just received mine today, glad I bought it, it’s a keeper :-)

[@40gritguitars]

Awesome! They are cool guitars. Thanks so much for watching!!

[@LightningN1NjA]

Did you feel the 59 pup is strong enough??

[@40gritguitars]

Yes! I feel that it is a great match for that guitar.

[@ruicarreiro7539]

@@LightningN1NjA I’ll put it to you this way, I have a Friedman pink taco, sounded pretty good but I needed to boost it with a tube screamer which put it in to tonal bliss. The maple really sustains unbelievably. I mean, I have 2 custom shop LP’s and I actually noticed the sustain in this guitar. It’s a bit heavy though, fyi. Hope that helps.

[@Jean_Claude]

I just ordered the Ebony version yesterday,..I know the Vintage White is what Eddie sported in the 'No Bozos" ad, but the Ebony just looks metal. Thanks for the review, it was helpful. I will definitely be putting a cream-colored DiMarzio Andy Timmons in her.

[@40gritguitars]

Nice! I think you will find that the 59 sounds great. Thanks for watching!

[@ruicarreiro7539]

Sounds great! Brings me back

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for watching!!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

The 1983 baretta originally came with a schaller paf style pickup. They switched to Duncan in 84. I bought one of these when they first came out after the ad.👍

[@40gritguitars]

Yes sir… they did! I will say that the 59 sounds really good in my reissue. They made a good choice. Thanks for watching!

[@eddiejr540]

That my friend is a classic…bonus pts for being mij…honestly that ‘59 sounds great👍

[@40gritguitars]

The 59 is staying! Thanks for your comment!

[@Al-Miller-14]

Sounds killer! Congrats!

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for watching!!

[@DougThacker]

I received mine yesterday and I am impressed! I opened the case and I was transported back to the 80's for a second. The 59 sounds great to me and it's a great match with the guitar. I saw you were retired Navy and I am retired Air Force so happy to support a fellow veteran. Great video and channel brother keep it up!

[@40gritguitars]

That’s for your service brother! Glad you are here. I tweaked mine today and she will be just fine. I think they need to work on QC but still a cool guitar to have.

[@joellane7438]

Thanks for the review! Your video helped me pull the trigger on ordering one today! Arriving tomorrow 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@40gritguitars]

That’s awesome! I believe that you will be very happy with your purchase! Congrats!

[@joellane7438]

@@40gritguitars Man how you liking the 83? I freaking love mine, it’s an awesome guitar imo. I’m 53 and I’ve wanted that guitar since I was 13 (No Bozos hahaha) and it did not disappoint

[@MarbsMusic]

I picked up one of the black indo models a couple of weeks ago. As the trem should be flush, once I took out the pad for shipping, tuned it, set the neck relief and tightened the springs it was perfectly setup - FR slight lean back flush to the body, action 1.5 low E and 1.4 high E at the 12th. Nut was great, frets were great, sooooo much better than expected. Only thing I will probably change is the pot as I don't need the out of phase and the one that's in there isn't very linear. I had multiple American Pacers in the 80s I had to sell in the early 2000s, the neck isn't the same but I like the neck quite a bit. Amazing collection as well! See this makes these quite tempting!

[@40gritguitars]

The new Kramers are great playing guitars. I did a video on a yellow Baretta and we swapped the pot. I agree with you. Gibson is just trying to make it more than a one trick pony. Thanks for your comment!

[@danriley5848]

Beautiful guitar and I hope to get one someday. I tried to order this back in the day but they had already changed and I received the white 86 like yours which was great also. Great video as always. ✌🏻

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for your comment Dan! Thanks for watching.

[@ronnieparker4311]

Your Kramer reissue is great 40! I remember back when Eddie was starting to be seen with the Kramer ! Which for me ! It was the 1984 album video’s ! Eddie’s Frankie and shark and bumble bee is my favs. But I’m very sentimental to the Kramer cause that’s my teenage years and all those m t v videos! Enjoyed the video ! 🤘

[@40gritguitars]

Me too Ronnie! It’s all about the nostalgia these days.

[@luislanga]

I've designed quite a few necks and that empty space on the nut shelf is kind of a trade-off between having a nice transition from the straight part of the neck to the headstock and a proper nut shelf. It looks weird if you do these banana/hockey headstocks starting after the nut. Also, when you convert strats for using floyds, the locking nut will also not occupy the entire shelf, so I guess people were used to it back in the day.

[@40gritguitars]

Good point! Thanks for your comment.

[@emptychair3932]

it’s wayyyy too expensive to have these kinds of flaws. It sucks because i LOVE kramer guitars and this looks like an awesome guitar. I wish it was more fairly priced. I also wish the rosewood was darker. It sounds great, especially in your hands. i’m glad you can set it up right like it deserves. love your guitar collection, totally drool-worthy.

[@40gritguitars]

Thank you so much! I agree that at this price it should be problem free. They knew it was a sought after guitar and they wanted their cut. If you shop around you can find the right one for you! Thanks for watching!

[@videditorEB1]

Very distinctive tone. Super sweet!

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for your comment!

[@saiyaniam]

that body looks so good

[@40gritguitars]

I agree! A very cool guitar. Thanks for watching!

[@sweezyjackson4935]

He 80s were the best decade ever. No other era compares.

[@40gritguitars]

I agree with you 100%! Thanks for your comment!

[@Cognitoman]

I liked the early 2000s music with metal core, but I agree 80s were prolly insane with music . I wish so could have been older during the 80s

[@spaceacelespaul5289]

70's was best, Zepplin, Sabbath, original KISS, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Nazareth, RUSH, ZZ Top, Judas Priest, Allman Bros., Boston, The Eagles, UFO, The Cars, Motörhead, Rainbow, Foreigner . . oh my gosh, I could go on forever. You actually had to play raw, without all the studio magic, today music isn't even, I don't know what it is.

[@sweezyjackson4935]

@@spaceacelespaul5289 the 70s sucked. You had Vietnam. Leftover hippies. Gas issues. Jimmy Carter. It was a horrible time. Sure the music was good was the rest sucked unlike the 80s. No other era comes close.

[@GeneSchmidt]

Good God! That is so awesome

[@40gritguitars]

Oh I agree Gene!!

[@danfitzpatrick4112]

My fav's! I have 3 Baretta Specials. One I made into a Bumble Bee.. I put the JB in that one and it turned out awesome. I have the purple one and just got the red one this week. The red one I installed a chrome Gotoh 1996T (FR) and it looks badass! The height of the strings is a bit much so I may have to shim the neck. I noticed the Floyed on that one is further back from the pickup than mine. I had to get the Gotoh right up to trim ring on the pickup so that it would intonate. Hopefully the position on yours isn't too far back. Baretta specials are my favorite especially for modding...

[@40gritguitars]

Yea, lots of bang for the buck on those! Thanks for your comment!

[@zepp1832]

Just bought an original 1983 Kramer Baretta hss style in black. Hasn’t arrived yet but can’t wait. Looking to swap the rosewood neck for a maple.

[@40gritguitars]

Lucky you! Sounds like an awesome project to have on tap. Thanks for watching!

[@DreidMusicalX]

I have a Kramer Striker I just bought this year. HSS Black with maple neck and I upgraded the tuning keys on it and damn the pickups sounded better than my thousand dollar guitars. I also changed the horrible barrel jack and put a plate like a Gibson Les Paul does. SO much better with switchcraft jack. Plays like a dream too!

[@40gritguitars]

Nice! Sounds like you got yourself a player!! Thanks for sharing.

[@sneifert1968]

I had a Striker from around 84-85. It was terrible. Harsh pickup, knock-off white metal Floyd and a cheap mini pot.

[@DreidMusicalX]

@@sneifert1968 I've had no problems with the one I have after a couple easy upgrades.

[@jmtbuilds175]

Hard to believe that you are the only youtuber to buy and or review this guitar after having been released at least 2 months ago. I ended up buying a lightly demo'd classic white version for 1700+tax. Seller ordered it in November last year, received it 5 weeks ago and had a party interested but changed his mind. Hope it's a good one.

[@40gritguitars]

Congrats! Am I the only one? If so, that’s strange. This was a highly anticipated guitar. I tried to get it on video as quick as I could. Thanks for watching!!

[@LightningN1NjA]

He really is the only one! I’ve looked, I feel like the price range for what you get is the issue. I would say if it was around $1300 you would see more of it. Kramer makes newer models better than this with more bells and whistles for less.

[@jmtbuilds175]

@@LightningN1NjA I think even at 1600 it would be a great deal. They do have a pro feel. I'm not a pro for sure but it satisfied my nostalgia for a while. 😂

[@jmtbuilds175]

@@LightningN1NjA I think I saw a KZbin shorts video with the black version of the reissue but no demo and no talking. Maybe 40 seconds. But yeah you are still the only one. I don't dare do a guitar review. I stink but I love them

[@dcamnc1]

You can shave the nut itself down also. I've done this with an Ibanez RG. Just remove the nut and use a sander/sandpaper/diamond stone/file. I used a extra rough diamond sharpening stone and just filed away at it for a few hours while watching a movie. I would occasionally put it back on the guitar to measure the string height during the process. It's slow, but worked well.

[@40gritguitars]

That is my intention sir… thanks for your comment.

[@ChrisHariis]

Headstock is straight, the Baretta's had an angled back head stock. These re-issues have a more JK-1000 vibe. Angled pickup resemble the old Baretta guitars. Love the Loundness riff!

[@40gritguitars]

Yea it’s a cool guitar… thanks for your comment, thanks for watching!!

[@felipesimoes4348]

Great vídeo 🤘

[@40gritguitars]

Thank you Felipe!

[@Sox68]

Hi 40 Grit, I also purchased this guitar from Sweetwater, serial number ending in 005. The low E string like yours is barely on the fretboard after the 12th fret. You mentioned doing a neck alignment. I am not a guitar tech but the guy I use suggests the bridge is improperly installed, were you able to correct it? I am about to send it back to Gibson for inspection and thought I would ask before doing so. Love the channel!

[@40gritguitars]

I’m sorry. The neck pocket is out of alignment. The fix is to build up the side that it is close to the edge on. You can do that a variety of ways. If you haven’t done it before I wouldn’t recommend it. John Suhr told me It’s ok if it’s a little heavy on the treble side but if it’s super close to hanging off like several of these that I have seen then it should be repaired. Especially if it bothers you. That’s a lot of money to spend and it not be to your satisfaction. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

[@terrydaniels9399]

Nice tone and Loudness lick!

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks for watching Terry!

[@leecisneros4863]

Instead of sanding down nut , could you replace the locking nut or alter to lower the string height?

[@40gritguitars]

No, you would compromise the hardening of the nut if you start filing on the nut. I am adding to the shelf… not taking away. I used Floyd rose shims originally, but decided to use a glue shelf. It’s all good now. I’ll be doing a video soon of it completed.

[@leecisneros4863]

@@40gritguitars oh that makes sense. Thank you for the video. It's great.

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks!

[@georgewillis7399]

He should just leave it be

[@derekhell666]

for over 2K the set up should be perfect

[@40gritguitars]

I agree Derek but I know a guy that can get her going…

[@Basseck]

Purchased a Baretta 83 reissue in black. Can't wait to see your set up video. Wonder how you are going to do the neck alignment?

[@40gritguitars]

It’s already fixed…. Is yours off?

[@Basseck]

@@40gritguitars My neck alignment looks like yours at 5:50. All reissues seem to be aligned like that. How can this be fixed?

[@40gritguitars]

It can be corrected. I couldn’t kick mine enough the make it perfect… the dots on 3rd and 5th would have looked funky. Email me and I will go over it with you.

[@buedavis92]

The grain on that neck is sweet

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks!

[@Joseph-l6w]

​@@40gritguitars You made it?

[@jeremyhefner-j2v]

Very kool…..I was going to say put a JB in her…..but I thing the 59 sounds amazing!!!

[@40gritguitars]

I agree 100%!

[@oBIGTo]

Just ordered mine from Sweet water, and had it pleked, should be perfect.

[@40gritguitars]

Nice! Let me know how it is once it arrives.

[@smcgarry]

@@oBIGTo How was the plek?

[@theuserthatishere]

thanks for the honest review. imo quality does not seem to be there. was really hoping to snag one, i'm gonna pass. seems kramer thinks folks will buy on nostalgia but 2k is a lot for a cool look. also i have an original pacer with an r5 nut. too wide for most. i don't really ever play it

[@40gritguitars]

I understand! Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment.

[@louieatienza8762]

The originals had a Schaller Golden 50, which I think is maybe just a little hotter than that SD59. It would be a mistake to put a hot pickup in a maple bodied Baretta, unless you want to sound like Lynch or Dimebag. The whole idea of the maple body is a throwback to the late 1970s where everything was built heavy for sustain. This is because they didn't have the effects and pedals to help you like they did in the mid 1980s. It's a different way of playing, and you couldn't really "cheat" it; in fact it's a great way to dial in your chops. Drive the amp, use a bit of amp reverb.

[@40gritguitars]

The 59 is staying!!

[@brooksrownd2275]

One of the black ones on Sweetwater is listed at 10 pounds - might be some contraband hidden in the electronics cavity on that one. :o

[@40gritguitars]

That’s heavy! On to the next….

[@migi8652]

Sounds great, but $2,199 price tag? Idk

[@40gritguitars]

I understand… it’s not for everyone.

[@ernesteison7979]

The Reissue is probably better than the original. At least I hope so. I still have an original that I bought at Manny's on 48th St. I got it for the Floyd, you couldn't get one on anything else.

[@40gritguitars]

Wow! Thats a keeper for sure!

[@Cognitoman]

Dude I got a prs dw in January and it has same Floyd . Do people actually prefer those ?

[@40gritguitars]

Prefer a Floyd?

[@victorstillwell9893]

Cool guitar. Heavy. Were Kramers from that era heavy?

[@40gritguitars]

The maple bodies were! They stopped around 1985. Thanks for your comment!

[@saltyassassin]

I always thought the Holy Grail had a JB. Interesting.

[@40gritguitars]

Golden 50’s was the pickup they came with. Schaller made them. Thanks for your comment!

[@benben-sl7hi]

Kickass!❤ Whenever I see this guitar I immediately think of “NO BOZOS”tee shirt! 🚫🤡

[@40gritguitars]

Me too buddy…. Me too.

[@Cognitoman]

Dude you should check out Prs dw it has some bridge as well

[@40gritguitars]

I’ve been thinking about a PRS. Not sure if would do a Floyd….. those DW are cool though! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Metalcop5150]

I'd put some Tru-Oil or gunstock oil etc. on that neck, if it were my guitar. Looks super dry and unfinished, to my eye. I'm also with you, putting a Duncan '59 in the bridge, makes no sense. Needs a JB, Distortion, Custom, Custom-Custom or an Exciter!! (it did sound pretty good though...) This guitar is definitely worthy of an old school screw in arm for the Floyd! Never understood why all these re-issues always miss that easy detail. Wood screw posts also would've been a nice touch. Virtually no manufacturer uses the screw in arms and old school wood screw posts, though. Overall, That is one sweet looking guitar... jealous. lol

[@40gritguitars]

Yea I will treat that neck upon setup…. I may be leaving that ‘59!

[@joedavis8481]

Mine arrived today and its tits ! The alignment was off slightly, i just pulled the neck and it straightened out. Its an awesome guitar and the price is correct for this one , my last purchase was a Revstar pro and the quality leans a little towards the Revstar but they are close. 🤘

[@40gritguitars]

Nice Joe! I like mine. Honestly…. On a 2 3/16 neck I may leave the alignment where it is. It gives me a little more real estate on the treble side. Glad you are happy with yours! Thanks for your comment.

[@smcgarry]

Thinking of buying it from Sweetwater, think you should get it pleked by them? Or is the guitar already playing good.

[@40gritguitars]

My fretwork was fine. Up to you….. cool guitar to have!

[@smcgarry]

@@40gritguitars Thanks for the response. Is the Floyd on there non recessed?

[@40gritguitars]

It is non recessed. No route on the front.

[@mikeyID]

Great looking guitar, sounds great but do you think it’s worth the $2200 40 Grit ? Great Review 👍🏼

[@40gritguitars]

Lots of people wrestling with that question. For me it goes beyond the “is it worth it”. It takes me back to 7th grade and I’m ok with it. I just like looking at it!

[@mikeyID]

@@40gritguitars I understand that. It’s the closest we will ever get to a, “ Holly Grail” Kramer

[@mikerhoads4864]

If you could only have ONE : this or the EVH Frankie? 🤔

[@40gritguitars]

I would take the Baretta…. No pondering needed.

[@mikerhoads4864]

@40gritguitars good to know thanks, I would have thought it was a close call since they are around the same price..

[@workingorder2189]

Will you do vid on a peavey vandenberg reissue?

[@40gritguitars]

I have an original. Would that suffice?

[@workingorder2189]

@@40gritguitars Yes sir, I'd love to see a vid on the orignial. Is it Rocket Pink?

[@40gritguitars]

I have a black one

[@Rvp5150]

I got word that these are being ghost built by ESP. That ESP owns the rights to that headstock shape and that specific neck profile. Should be the same as the Kamikaze right?

[@40gritguitars]

Interesting and I would not doubt that. I will compare and let you know. Thanks Randy!

[@dylanr.1989]

These are being made at fujigen. ESP does not own the rights to that headstock or neck profile.

[@louieatienza8762]

The heel and volute shape are different from a real Grail.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The neck plate should say Neptune, NJ.

[@40gritguitars]

You do have a good point there..

[@eloy0612]

Remember to put a D-Tuna on that sucker. 🤙

[@40gritguitars]

Not only did I…. But….. I used a titanium! Thanks for watching!

[@RRoy83]

Literally kicking myself for not buying the mint condition black 83 non tilt that popped up on reverb a couple months back for $3300….

[@40gritguitars]

That’s a tough miss…. We all have them!

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

$700.00 for the Baretta Vintage.

[@40gritguitars]

Yea, it all comes down to what you want.

[@floydhalen78]

The Kramer 1983 Grail reissue is truly a dream guitar. Personally, I find it overpriced for what it offers, as it is ultimately a very basic instrument. At least the Floyd Rose is a German-made unit and not an FRT1000. However, the high action and poor string alignment are, in my opinion, unacceptable. Given the meticulous attention to detail through 3D scanning, Gibson should ensure the guitar is delivered with the best possible setup and lowest action at this price point. Despite these minor disappointments, it remains an incredible guitar and a must-have for any enthusiast.

[@40gritguitars]

I agree! I can fix that little stuff. She plays and sounds great as she sits. It will only get better. Thanks for your comment!

[@floydhalen78]

@@40gritguitars Great Channel, great content! Keep on!!

[@40gritguitars]

Thanks pal!

[@kramerbaretta6383]

My profile pic has me holding (if I recall correctly) an ‘85 Baretta. The main difference was a scarfed joint on the headstock, logo, and black edge on the headstock face. Other than that looks exactly right, down to the control cavity shape. Unfortunately there’s no way I could justify $2,200 for the reissue - especially with the nut issue mentioned. This is a bare bones machine but is priced too high IMO.

[@40gritguitars]

Many feel the same sir.

[@80smetalisawesome]

Everything they said about the Kramer 84 is the exact same thing they say about the 83 now

[@40gritguitars]

👍🏻

[@assortedproductions6083]

I don’t know, the 83 is a pretty accurate recreation where the 84 is not

[@80smetalisawesome]

@@assortedproductions6083 look up pmtv Kramer 84, then look at the description on sweet water about the 83 and then compare

[@80smetalisawesome]

@@assortedproductions6083 look up pmtvuk review on the 84 and listen to dagens description of the 84 and then go on sweet water and read the description… yeah it has different pickups and all but it’s literally the same with a much bigger price tag.

[@MrStarlight1980]

it cuts trough the mix the maple body

[@40gritguitars]

I agree. It sounds great. Thanks for your comment!

[@spaceacelespaul5289]

Changing out the pickup is the worst thing you could do since you can't get the original Schaller Golden 50 pickup (which was a PAF-style humbucker) the '59 is a logical choice next to a DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary. I used to be like this guy changing the pickups out, tweaking everything, like I knew better than Gibson/Kramer and then when it came time to sell, it lost all its value. I learned this with a vintage mint USA Ibanez and destroyed the resale value. I actually owned 2 . . one I sold for 10x what I paid for it the other I actually lost money. Never again 🚫 🤡💀👎🏻 i'll find the video and post the link when I was selling it, that was the original. I have an older KZbin channel, but Google got involved and of course screwed everything up just like the pick up thing, and I can no longer login to a channel I had for 15 years, after they called it "legacy" Google + Microsoft = "The tag team spawned from the sewer" 💩

[@40gritguitars]

Yea I’m not changing the pickup. It’s staying stock. Thanks for watching!

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

The color should be cream. That looks white.

[@40gritguitars]

I suppose opinions vary. It was white in the Kramer ad.

[@eglide73]

ONLY worth the money for the nostalgia link. Many other guitars also from Japan, with better parts, features and quality. For $2200…neck alignment off….setup rough….specs different from original ……… …….really??? Don’t try a cheaper Vola, you’ll be spoiled!

[@40gritguitars]

It’s all nostalgia for me bud. Thanks for your comment!

[@sneifert1968]

unfortunately, I had the cheaper version. “Striker” model. What a piece of crap.

[@40gritguitars]

It’s got a Floyd on it right? I would have killed for a striker in 1988!

[@Viseo3dp]

interesting it seems you collect guitars but dont know about guitars your gonna change things and lower the nut and do a set up and you lower the string height and not so bad and the pick up sound great but you were so ready to change it out lmao pal.The funny thing Eddies looking down at this and is lmao man.

[@40gritguitars]

Yea, it’s not good to let Edward down. Thanks for watching the channel.

[@helio1055]

$2200 for too high of a nut height and off alignment on the neck?…. Come on. You can get a MIJ Ibanez RG550 for $1000.

[@40gritguitars]

Easy fix but I understand your comment. IMO it’s hard to compare a RG to a Kramer Baretta. 2 different guitars. Thanks for your comment.

[@helio1055]

@@40gritguitars Sorry, didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining to you lol. I still really want one

[@spaceacelespaul5289]

@@helio1055 You're right, an Ibanez Prestige S smokes this Kramer ⚡️Buy a new Ibanez 👍🏻 it does come out of the case perfect, Team J Craft rules !

[@helio1055]

@@spaceacelespaul5289 Team J Craft and ESP are the best of the best! 🔥

[@georgewillis7399]

Most esp’s will blow this out if the water