Kramer Baretta Special

$229.00 to $629.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.5 (17)

1 Critic Review

7 Reviews

Find out who is using Kramer Baretta Special

3 community setups

10 wishlisted

47 saved

Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated June 8, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (30)

$229.00

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5.0 (33)

$249.00 1 available New

$250.00 6 available Used

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4.0 (32)

$229.00

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5.0 (7)

$629.00

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Average Price: $317

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Kramer Baretta Special is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Kramer Baretta Special". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Kramer Baretta Special, a vintage-inspired electric guitar designed for those who seek the thrill of high-performance rock. This guitar carries the legacy of the 1985 Kramer Baretta, combining a distinctive offset double-cutaway body and "hockey" headstock that shook the rock world decades ago. Its character is not only defined by its retro aesthetics, but also by its powerful playability. Equipped with a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker pickup and Floyd Rose tremolo, the Baretta Special is more than just a pretty face; it's a reliable workhorse that delivers a robust, dynamic sound. Whether you're itching to shred some heavy chords or lay down a smooth melody, this guitar is ready to rise to the occasion.

Key Features:

Inspired by the original 1985 Kramer Baretta
Distinctive offset double-cutaway body
"Hockey" headstock design
Equipped with Seymour Duncan JB humbucker pickup for robust, dynamic sound
Features Floyd Rose tremolo for added sound versatility
Ideal for high-performance rock
Reliable and versatile, suitable for various music styles

Product specs

Brand	Kramer
Model	Baretta Special
Finish	Black, Candy Blue, Ebony, Purple, Ruby Red, Vintage White, White
Year	2010s
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	S-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Tremolo Bridge
Color Family	Black, Blue, Purple, Red, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Granadillo, Maple
Fretboard Radius	12"
Frets	Medium Jumbo
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	H
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"

FAQs

What type of pickup does the Kramer Baretta Special feature?: The Kramer Baretta Special is equipped with a powerful Alnico 5 "zebra-coil" humbucker, providing a robust and dynamic sound suitable for a variety of musical styles.
Is the Kramer Baretta Special suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Kramer Baretta Special is an excellent choice for beginners due to its straightforward design, comfortable playability, and versatile sound, making it easy for new players to explore different genres.
What is the neck profile of the Kramer Baretta Special?: The Kramer Baretta Special features a slim and comfortable maple neck with a bolt-on construction, making it easy to play fast and smooth, ideal for both beginners and experienced players.
Does the Kramer Baretta Special have a tremolo bridge?: Yes, the Kramer Baretta Special includes a Kramer Traditional tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and dive-bomb effects.
What are the available finish options for the Kramer Baretta Special?: The Kramer Baretta Special is available in several finishes, including Black, Candy Blue, Ebony, Purple, Ruby Red, Vintage White, and White, each with a glossy or metallic finish style.

Videos

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Guitar MAX

UNBOX and DEMO of the CHEAPEST 80's SHRED GUITAR!

Guitar MAX

Kramer Baretta Special - A SUPER Affordable 80's Icon - Dagan's Favourite Budget Guitar!

PMTVUK

The Shocking 179.99 Guitar, Kramer Baretta Special

C. A. House Music

This Kramer Baretta Special is way too good for the money!

Liquid Charlie

Best Budget Guitar EVER // Kramer Baretta Special

Travis Raab Guitar

Worth the Hype? Kramer Baretta Special Demo & Review #guitarreview #kramerguitars #superstrat

The Bald Shredder

I don't like my Kramer Baretta Special! Now I know why! #guitarreview #kramer #shredguitar #rock

The Bald Shredder

A Shredder for $200? - The Kramer Baretta Special

ZIMM'S GUITARS

The Kramer Baretta Special: it's the best bang for your buck on the six strings.

FULTON STREET BEATS

Kramer Baretta Special Candy Blue Soundcheck

Musos Corner

2021 Kramer Baretta Special Demo And Review Candy Blue

Kevys RC & Music

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional neck and fretwork, smooth with no sharp edges or dead spots
Includes a genuine Floyd Rose (FR1000 series) for stable tuning
Features a Seymour Duncan JB pickup known for its powerful sound
Push/pull volume knob for coil tapping adds versatility
Solid maple body and neck for increased sustain and durability
Lightweight design makes it easy to handle for extended play
Excellent paint finish and visual appeal, especially in vintage colors
Easy to set up with low action and minimal adjustments needed
Sounds great with high gain, perfect for 80s rock and metal
Cost-effective option with high-quality components for the price

CONS

Tremolo setup limits back pull and requires modification for flutter effects
Some reports of fret ends being sharp at this price point
Low E and A strings may slip at the nut during heavy tremolo use
Requires initial setup for optimal playability, can be unplayable out of the box
Lacks a detailed manual for setup and adjustments, especially for beginners

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kramer Baretta Special.

Comparisons

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The Baretta Special shares wood quality with higher-priced models, but requires additional work for optimal performance, unlike the Baretta 84 which is performance-ready out of the box.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite its simplicity, the Baretta Special is frequently used by owners as a modding platform or as a secondary guitar for travel and practice.
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While it's not traditionally associated with funk, its unique presence can make a player stand out in a typical funk group setup.
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Build quality

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Some owners mention the thin neck as a surprising feature, enhancing playability for those accustomed to slimmer profiles.
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Value and pricing

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At $199 USD pre-tax, the Baretta Special is considered a strong value for entry-level electric guitars.
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Despite its lower price, the Baretta Special's tone and build quality can rival more expensive guitars after some modifications.
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User experience

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Many users find the guitar very playable right out of the box, contributing to its reputation as a great modding platform.
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The volume knob placement can interfere with playing techniques like downpicking, which some users find inconvenient.
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Mods and upgrades

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Replacing the stock pickup with a Seymour Duncan JB is praised for enhancing the guitar's tonal performance.
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Swapping the factory volume knob for a personal spare is suggested due to quality concerns.
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Owners recommend Hipshot locking tuners for improved tuning stability and ease of use.
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Locking tuners are a common modification among owners, though specific brands are not mentioned, they are highlighted for improving tuning stability.
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The EMG 81 pickup is a popular upgrade choice, praised for its ease of installation with the solderless system and its suitability for metal tones.
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Some owners recommend adding a coil split pot for increased tonal options, particularly to emulate P90-like sounds.
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Features and functionality

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The Kramer Baretta Special lacks a neck pickup, which limits its tonal versatility for genres like funk.
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Setup and maintenance

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Upgrading the fretwork, including fret filing and crowning, significantly enhances playability, especially on the more budget-friendly Baretta Special.
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Installing a Vega-Trem on the Baretta Special is possible without drilling, contrasting with the more involved process of modding a Floyd Rose.
Source

Critic Reviews

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 7 Reviews and 17 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

aron_mccracken

561

about 1 year ago

Feels and sounds like the 80s

For me being an 80s metal head this Kramer Baretta Special guitar is amazing. It’s got a nice smooth neck that I love with low action strings to barely have to press my trem bar down to get some good dive bombs can stay in tune extremely well. The alinco bridge pick up packs a punch and I plugged it straight in amp with some overdrive sounds beautiful even clean channel the $220 price tag I paid was well worth it

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal old school thrash

From Gear Setup

phillip_c_duskin

664

about 3 years ago

Basic

It has a basic kinda sound but I plan on modding mine out and giving it a unique finish on top of it.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Folk, World, & Country

jukeboxhero744

182

about 7 years ago

Brilliant guitar, great value for money

Straight of the box, has great action with zero buzz, and great tone. Holds tune pretty well, but G&B strings don't hold as well as other strings. Surprisingly good tremolo range, but will heavily effect tune.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Rock Pop Alternative rock