Baretta Features

Baretta Features per Different Year Models

There are many different stages of how the Baretta was constructed, including many changes to parts through the years. Here's a few details that I've discovered along with some other Baretta fans that may be useful when purchasing these. Beware, not all Barettas are consistent, Kramer sometimes made older year models in later years. So, there is always an exception to the rule when it comes to Barettas. Before looking at individual details however, here are some overall facts discovered:

The body size changed between 1984 and 1985 (compare the 84' Baretta and 85 below)
The body had Truss Rod access on non-angled Banana headstocks
Neckplate size changed between 84 and 85. Neckplates from 84 were common strat size, plates after that were smaller.
Neck countour and headstock changed in 1985 from hockey-stick, to shark designed "pointy" headstock
Some models with block lettering Kramer logo had a "Baretta" sticker after the Kramer logo
Tremolo route on front of body smaller on US Models than overseas models
Cavity covers have different layout for holes drilled on overseas Focus vs. American Made Barettas
Most Baretta Bodies were made out of Alder (the most common) or Maple

*Items in red denote differences in features from year to year
BTW, not all of these are my Barettas, but you can see my Barettas on My Guitars page.

	1984 Baretta (rare) The 84' Baretta was the innagural year for the Baretta. This Baretta was seen in the ad with Eddie Van Halen and the No Bozos shirt. This guitar is considered the "Holy Grail" of Kramers by Kramer collectors, and can range in the $600-$1200 range when buying one used. These do have variations on the non-angled headstock, the one shown to the left is the largest version. I'm still researching what the others looked like, but the later produced ones seemed to have shrunk in size, right before they went to the angled headstock.Compare the white Baretta in the picture to the left to the one Eddie is holding in the Kramer ad to see the difference. Serial Numbers for Non-Angled hockey-sticks start at C3000 and stop at C5000 Facts: Hockey-stick, non-angled headstock, some have skunk stripe on back, with Older Kramer logo Some models have black outline around headstock towards the top that appears to be primer Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard Gotoh Style Tuners and Schaller Zebra Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo mounted flat to the body (not recessed) Lightl satin finish neck, some had oil finish Strat sized neck plate (black) Single volume knob with small "volume" lettering Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod at the base of the neck with a cutout in the body for access. Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Smaller body size than later models
	1984-early 85 Baretta (fairly common) The 84-85 Baretta did not feature significant changes from the prior model, however, there are some distinguishing characteristics of these. Also, these range in the $350-$600 range used. This and the 84 model have about the same action and playability. Serial Numbers for Non-Angled hockey-sticks start at C5000 Facts: Angled hocky-stick headstock with truss rod adjustment at the headstock Black outline around headstock towards the top that appears to be primer Truss Rod cover reads "Baretta" Some models have a "Baretta" sticker after the Kramer logo (but not all) Kramer block logo light satin finish on neck back Schaller Tuners and Schaller Zebra Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo mounted flat to the body (not recessed) Single volume knob with small "volume" lettering Cord input with no metal mount Smaller body size than later models, some 85 Barettas with hockey-stick headstocks had larger body size
	1985-87 Baretta (fairly common) The three biggest changes for the Baretta in 85 included the headstock, body shape, and the company making necks for Kramer. I have an 85" Baretta neck, and it feels WAY different than my 84' neck. This leads me to believe this is when Kramer had ESP making the necks for all the guitars, around this time period. Prices on these range in the $250-$450 range. Facts: Pointy "Shark" headstock with block lettering and "American" after the logo. ESP neck with Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard Schaller Tuners and Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo mounted flat to the body (not recessed) light satin finish on neck back Smaller neck plate than standard Strat sized Single volume knob with small "volume" lettering Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod adjustment at headstock with Baretta label Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Graphics are introduced as an option in 1985 by Klein (shown is a Hard Rock Cafe model) Larger body size than prior models
	1986-90 Baretta (fairly common) No huge changes between 85 and 86, but heres a list of features and some differences. Facts: Pointy "Shark" headstock with big K to small R logo and "American" after the logo. ESP neck with Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard Schaller Tuners and Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo with option of recessed or flat mount light satin finish on neck back Smaller neck plate than standard Strat sized Single volume knob with small "volume" lettering, sometimes had metal volume knob Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod adjustment at headstock Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Larger body size than prior models Optional Graphics Paint
	1986-90 Baretta Soloist body (sometimes referred to as Baretta II, fairly common) The soloist style Baretta was produced from 85 up until 89. These are not often sought after by Kramer collectors, mainly because they don't play as well as the earlier Barettas. Pointy "Shark" headstock with block lettering (shown) and "American" after the logo. Newer models had larger logo. ESP neck with Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard Schaller Tuners and Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo with option of recessed or flat mount light satin finish on neck back Smaller neck plate (chrome) than standard Strat sized Metal volume knob Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod adjustment at headstock with Baretta label Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Soloist shaped body Optional Graphics Paint
	1988-90 Baretta I (rare to fairly common) There were some pretty large differences in 1988 compared to that of prior year models, that were mostly options or different forms of the Baretta. Value on these are in the $400-$700 range, mainly because they are considered to be the same quality as the Kramer Stagemaster. Facts: Pointy "Shark" headstock with big K to small R logo and "American" after the logo. ESP neck with Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard, optional neck binding and decorative inlays Kramer logo at 22nd fret Schaller Tuners and Seymore Duncan JB Humbucker (with trapezoidal humbucker mount) Original Floyd Rose Tremolo with recessed route light satin finish on neck back Smaller neck plate than standard Strat sized Single volume knob that was sometimes metal, somtimes plastic Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod adjustment at headstock Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Larger body size than early model Barettas, lower horn cut out for higher fret access. Optional Graphics Paint
	1990 Baretta III The Baretta III is somewhat of a mystery. These are thought to have been created by the Schaller company, using NOS parts from Kramer. They have some interesting characteristics, but still are pretty cool guitars. VERY rare, mostly, these are seen in Europe. Facts: Pointy "Shark" headstock with big K to small R logo - sometimes has American Script, sometimes does not. ESP neck with Rosewood (common) or optional Maple Fretboard Schaller Tuners and Schaller humbucker pickup Schaller single coil pickup in the neck Schaller Licensed Floyd Rose Tremolo with recessed route light satin finish on neck back Smaller neck plate than standard Strat sized Cord input with no metal mount Truss Rod adjustment at headstock Trapezoidal electronics cavity (common Kramer route) Soloist shaped body, dinky style.

To check out other pictures of Barettas, go to www.kramermaniaxe.com Its another great website for Kramer seekers.