Kramer Focus (Very Affordable & Good Quality?)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- Kramer Focus (Very Affordable & Good Quality?)
These days cheap guitars are much better than when I was starting out. The looks of this Kramer very much take me back to those days, but how's the quality? Today it's Kramer in Focus...see what I did there? Badum tshih!
I'll get me coat.
Enjoy!
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It's a great beginner guitar, I have one. No one will argue that the tuners are garbage, but if you throw on some locking tuners your golden.
What would a better alternative with the same or better specs for $350 - $400 be? 5 tone pick up switch, 2 tone knobs, and a tremelo.
I have one. I can't stop playing it. I set it up, put on some locking tuners and blocked off the trem and it was good to go. It's a really good guitar.
Which locking tuners did you go with? And did they fit or did you have to drill?
In the 80's I had a beautiful pink Kramer Focus 3000. Back then it cost about $750. I loved it. It played like a dream. I wish I still has it.
You have such a natural way of playing. Very easy to listen to.
Thank you :)
I've got the red one. Replaced the tuners, swapped the nut for a tusq one and cleaned up the frets. Once I slap a new pickup in the bridge, I'll probably put it in rotation.
I put locking tuners on it plus i address the nut plus a little 3in 1 oil loosened the bridge screws a bit and add a extra spring it solved my issues
I keep coming back here because there's something in your review that attracts me very much.
Thanks!
I'm 63 just started. I need one. Cheers.
Really dig the tone of my VT211s.. It's different from strat tone in a good way.. heavier but still bright.. almost like a bit of humbucker tone (on single coils alone).. was considering $1K s-type, but with this tone, and the really decent tone on my 2001 affinity strat.. dang! I just cant justify it.. love the tones! Would never part with Kramer Focus now, after hearing and playing it.. the fuller, chunkier neck is a cool change too, keeps my left hand more relaxed, it is way fun to play, I find. And Elmo, your vids are frrikin awesome! Total entertainment. Totally helpful. 👍👍🤘
Thanks! 😊
I think I’m in love with the MESSY TRASHY noise ngl, im gonna start my guitar xp with noise. Hell yes.
I'm not a guitar player at all (I do play bass a little though), but I chose this guitar as a free gift for being at my place of employment for 25 years. Sounded good right out of the box. I didn't like the white pickguard though. My wife also thought the guitar looked very cheesy. LOL!! I actually went with a black pickguard from EMG with pickups already installed. It looks A LOT better now and even my wife thinks so. I also shielded the electronics cavity in the body with silver coated copper paint. I also plan on replacing the tuning knobs, but am not sure which ones to go with yet. I also need to focus on cleaning up the edges of the fret a bit because they definitely need to be deburred. Neck was slightly bowed, but adjusting the truss rob about a 1/4 turn helped a lot. This guitar is gonna look really nice hanging on the wall in my basement.
So, can these use a regular Strat style pickguard? Thanks in advance. :)
I bought he guitar becuse of the price and It was the colors the 80s too me back in my heavy metal guitars days I collected in 1990 , I bought was a Kramer exactly I receved in Sam Ash Music,, but for qualty of the body sincue Im a Luther I can give this justice, I paid $109 which was not intended to buy another guitar when I wanted to buy new strings GHS Boomers 10s and a strap for my Fender Mustang ,,, The teal was getting my interest and it matched my van interior whjch is going to be my guitar for the van, I have my Alessis drun kit mounted to play when I want to jam out with someone ...well I bought it that I dont have to worry about losing any personel collection of my investments in fender, jackson, BC Rich, ESP, Dean,....But now I have a Kramer now to add on my family
Nice one Elmo! I tried one of these a few months ago and can agree with you on all those points. The nut work on the one I tried was especially terrible at that price point... Oh well...
Yeah, bit of a disappointment.
I just ordered this guitar .Cant wait to see the purple colour it real life
Hello Elmo, I just picked one of these for a beater. Mine came in very good playable condition used. I swapped out the tuners right away. Had an old set of Jackson tuners. They were the weakest link. Also a better pick guard. I got really lucky with the fretwork. Just posted a quick review.
Whammy bar test is the best!!
When I was growing up 150$ bought a unplayable garbage. So a little work seems like a decent deal
I love it that prices are so low. But it’s not an 80s focus. Maybe practice scalloping frets with it. Lol. But Too bad I don’t need one ! I played one today so I had to look at you tube.
I will say Broke guys and gals. Go get it. Seems reliable and stays in tune. A good learner. I’ve felt a lot worse for more money. But I did buy a squire for 45 bucks. I do like my squire little better but I’m a Fender guy. This Kramer has more of that flat Ibanez feel to it ! So I do think it is personal preference. Peace !
In the 80s here in sweden a fender 64 strat costed 300 dollars
I have one of these. I got Zero issues with mine. It stays in tune, no neck bow,. No sharp frets of any kind. I got lucky I guess.
I think it, and you sound great. Nice snarly tone... It may "feel cheap" but doesn't sound cheap.
in focus..... you had to say it :) I nearly sold one of my 71 Strats in 1988 to buy one. Im so glad I didn't , but man was it a great Kramer .
Thank you for a honest review Mr Elmo K.
Came for the review wasn't disappointed subbed my man 🤘
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks for the review! I got one a year ago and the sound was great
Dude...Elmo could make a hairbrush play and sound good!!! Great video bro 👍
Thanks!
Subscribed, no BS review. Great channel.
Thank you :)
Wow!
Super awesome guitar!
Nice review, too. Yep, a Kramer would make you wanna do what you did with it.
I own one as well , there is no debate that tuners are junk , i installed a set of locking tuners on it and it plays really well , the neck is fine on it , i have tried one of those indio strats and it had the worst neck i have ever felt on a guitar , i find your review to be inaccurate in the playability aspect of this instrument
That stayed in tune far better than my Fender Ultra strat worth $2200 U.S dollars... lol
Haha :D
I love this guitar used it in my gigs, tuning pegs is only problem replace it with good one and now you well get good one,
Amazing chops Sir!!!
Thank you :)
@@MrPolevaulter Thank you I decided to pass on the Kramer based on your honest review
Dear Elmo, You are a strat person. I would highly suggest you to try out the Martin Darco Strings. I've used couple of brands (Most recognized) for quite some time . But these Darco, they are meant for strats. Try out the 9's of Darco. I would add that they Feel like 9.5 Gauge but do bends like 9"s.
Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for your honest opinion. The tuners must be the worst ones on earth! Setup information is very hard to find. Frets are too small. However the necks and bodies are not bad. The electrics and pickups are what you should expect for the money. The fretboard radius is over 17" and very flat which would help some styles. A squire or Musi is far better value for around the same price.
Wilkinson big block Trem,nut looooob n some better tunners,say my fav Elixer 10/46 strings,set up!! Adjust pickup height? Then drink beer n rock on?
that's definitely an 80's guitar with the quality, it would require an intensive setup, in the UK £100 plus pounds, the pickups um , nut would have to be changed, and I would look for some Wilkinson Tuners, and Trem Block, purple is interesting, it has potential to be a great guitar as most guitar in this price range but you have to throw a bit money into it, I go for the £300 to £500 price range I stick with Vintage from John Hornby Skews here in the UK, guitars are well built they have Wilkinson Hardware, I have two absolutely brilliant guitars that push beyond their price, not knocking the Kramer it but you just have to look at the added cost if you want to make a pretty decent axe ,
Thanks for your videos, if I want to buy a new guitar, I look at your videos because I like it ! Always the right words for a good/ bad Model, I'm in love with Kramer guitars but the focus is too cheap, thanks for that
Cheers!
Won me over at the end
These are as good as anything from squire I can vouch for that the cheap kramars are very good guitars for even twice what you pay for them
I think you should try the Kramer Baretta! :) perhaps the Barretta special. Its a real guitar classic and quite cheap as well :)
Probably will at some point.
I have one in red I love it ,made me wanna play again ,I got mine with a amp for $100,I rate it a10 for what it is body and neck are crazy good
If it plays well, throw some locking tuners on it, give it a fret level (and 'fall off), throw on a decent humbucker (or loaded pickguard), a decent NUT, and go to town. REMEMBER: guitars going out of tune is 99% of the time the fault OF THE NUT. People think it's mostly the cheap tuners. But, they're completely wrong.
Problem is don’t expect to get anything for it if u try & trade it in, from experience they don’t consider the upgrades, well at least my local guitar shop doesn’t & I’ve also read articles online regarding this.
By the time you make those changes you might as well buy a four or five hundred dollar guitar
@@countrygrandpa Nahh. I've taken MANY budget guitars and made them play/feel/sound like way more expensive guitars. Parts aren't as expensive as you think. And learning how to do things like an intensive set-up, and fret leveling, pays dividends in what you save when you don't have to send a guitar out to a shop.Sometimes, friends, etc., would pay you to do an intensive set-up if your skills are honed.
I bin checking out all the reviews on this particular Kramer model. Because it is the cheapest of cheap NEW ELECTRIC guitars I can find for sale anywhere. Everybody bellyaches about EXACTLY the same INCONSEQUENTIAL stuff which is ridiculous. Anybody with an OUNCE of sense can see that this is the best guitar on the market today. All it needs is SIMPLE adjustment of neck and saddles. Anybody with any initiative at all can file the fret ends and even level the frets. TH-cam and a small file from hardware is a this takes. Suddenly this Kramer is as playable as any expensive guitar. Without spending ten dollars and done right in your own house. NOW - if you want to do additional but unnecessary upgrades to the hardware, knock yourself out. But I bet the tuners are NEVER NEVER as bad as the reviews Imply. I have 30 junky guitars like this Kramer and I have NEVER replaced a single tuner. They are ALWAYS perfect for guys like me who play for fun and all alone. I'm seriously thinking if buying a Focus because it is CHEAP and NOBODY EVER BELLYACHES ABOUT THE FINISH having flaws. Dammit this is a heckuva deal. You can't find a single used guitar on Kijiji or similar for this cheap and this beauty.
One hell of a "proper go" lol. Love it man!!!!
Thanks!
My friend sold me one of these for very little and in perfect condition. Good for starting out just go ahead and aftermarket and learn about how to build a guitar while your at it.
I appreciate the honest review. I have this quitar. The whammy bar doesn't move when I lift up on it. Am I doing something wrong?
If it's not in a floating position, it won't lift.
I have the Kramer Baretta Snake Sabo signature and the red baretta vintage special. Bigger budget I know but I swear the new Kramers are the absolute dog's bollocks! Played the cheaper versions and imo opinion very customizable if players are willing to learn to do the mods :) BUT HEY! IF you're giving it away I'll have it! :D I'll chick some mods into it and upload a new video when I'm done !! I'll pay the transport cost to Tampere of course :)
You have a kick ass picking style.
It's clean ..
Thanks!
Can these things use a regular Strat pickguard? Would be a cool cheap guitar for a 1 humbucker conversion.
Lol, you didn’t like the guitar much but you sounded so very good with it
Thanks!
If itd stay in tune for a whole song,itd save it for the last song of the night and Pete Townsend it
Great idea. Now that's how to finish a gig 😃
:D
thank you ! elmo !
Looks a whole lot better than it sounds👎🏻🎸🎶🎵☮️✌️thanks 4 the review EJK
Cheers!
I would like to see u review the cheap beretta. I've heard rsmy goodth in gs about it. I would also like to see you review the fender made lowest priced EVH guitsr.
Thanks man..
I have an EVH review coming.
@@MrPolevaulter Ahhh. Very cool man. You were reading my mind! 😜
Hope you're well brother.
@@hoosierdaddy2308 All good. Hope you are too :)
for all the cons, you seemed to be having fun playing it :)
100% try the barreta special, whole different class of instrument compared to the focus
Which one do u suggest?
This one or Yamaha pacifica 012??
Not this one.
Elmo you have greater fortitude than I. There's no way I could play and review all this budget stuff, and not get annoyed with it. Good video man
Thanks :)
I have one too .I don't like the humbucker squeal on my marshall . Maybe wax pot it. Anyways nice in purple 👍🎸
Maybe, or upgrade it.
Very cool color.
Yep :)
i want it because its purple.
you beat the crap out of that axe lmao
Is this better than a squier Affinity?
Could not be 80s quality, Now Kramer is made by GIBSON!! I actually have a Epiphone Les Paul Special and sound great! I don't expect lees from Kramer
Have someone Mod it, and demo again! Ha!
:D
I don't think there is any thing that bad about this guitar, just a little upgrade and you will have a beautiful guitar.... The guitar has a mahogany body and a maple neck and fretboard that is a great. This review was not very good at all. How can you judge a guitar when you keep playing all that junk.
Have you tried the Kramer Baretta special?? I found it much better than the focus and pacer, also after I replaced the nut and put in locking tuners it became my favourite guitar.
Not yet at least.
Can I go for it bro?
Yamaha Best of the budget
Eso es cierto....saludos desde Puerto Rico.
QUALITY AND SOUND IDEAL...AMAZING...!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were just as bad in the late 7ps. 🤣
I've been wondering about this guitar.
Thanks brother.
No problem!
I started playing a year back on classical guitar now thinking of buying an electric. As a student I have a really low budget. Is it worth considering? And how is it compared to Jackson js11, ibanez grx70qa, yamaha pacifica and squier bullet strat HSS?
I'll mostly play rock, blues, country and jazz and maybe some metal.
I don't think this is a good guitar at all. The GRX is good.
@@MrPolevaulter thank you.
Loved your video! I'll be checking out more of them. I'm getting one with "points" I earned from work so it's not real money. I haven't played guitar since I was a teenager. What recommendations do you have for mods?
For this guitar? Better pickups, tuners, nut.
@@MrPolevaulter Thank you. I was referring to what brands of those components would be most complimentary?
@@Felicia1 Depends on your tastes. Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio make good pickups.
The finish looks really good but everything else honestly looks like it was slapped together in a hurry.
Pretty much.
Honestly, I’ve played a couple of these in the store and they don’t feel as cheap to me as the Jackson JS32 series. I try to like them but I just can’t.
Doe this have the same bridge pickup as the Baratta Special??
Dunno.
Use it for stage pyro or smashing!
I have another one for that, if live music ever becomes a thing again with things the way they are.
@@MrPolevaulter I'm optimistic there will be. Good time to write music for when the day arrives!
Pls review angentina made NEWEN STRAT pls pls ❤️❤️❤️
Maybe at some point.
this one or HB st20 hss?
Well from my experience, not this.
Hello Sir! Great playing!
New subscriber here. Had this guitar and same it's Purple. I think this guitar it's a good choice for me. It's affordable and I love everything in this guitar. But I have a some problem, Could you Please explain, why the actual tremolo is too hard to play? It is not mention on this video (you seem don't have this kind of problem), but maybe the others had this problem too.
Thanks :)
I'm not sure I understand when you say the tremolo arm is too hard to play? Too heavy to push down? Could be the springs on the back are too tight.
@@MrPolevaulter Yes right. At first, the tremolo is feel too stiff, but after play with the vibrato more often, i kinda forget that problem. : D Maybe I’ll try to change the back springs with the good one, Thanks.
Give it to me then .🤧🤧
A Humbucker on a Strat?
It's been ubiquitous since the 80's mate \m/
Nice review Elmo 👍
Why these brands make "cheap" versions that in my opinion makes the brand look bad 🤔 i wonder
Yeah, it's a bit weird.
ALL guitar company's has its budget friendly models.
Epiphone with gibson.
Fender has its mim models...
And squier.
Its for ppl who can't afford the good stuff.
Looks like a bad version of the Squier Bullet strat. Can't tell about the feel, but the rest look almost the same. I admire your decision not to sell this guitar!
Cheers!
1. Kritisera inte 80-talsfärg du barn av 79 ☝️.
2. Ostämd gitarr (men rolig diskussion), Elmo YouTuner Karjalainen 😁
:D
Hey elmo I need a guitar send it to me
Sometimes you get what you pay for, this guitar and it's cheap hardware
and poor setup says it all.
For a beginner it is useless, and even for an experienced player with the skills
to upgrade it and do a full setup, it's just not worth the time and cost.
This is very similar to the dreadful Squire Affinity that i bought new to learn
on, that one went back to the shop, and was replaced with a Yamaha Pacifica.
You need a good well setup guitar to learn on, which means buying a good one
that has been setup to play correctly.
Is it from Zzsounds?
No.
Sorry man - Most of the time when you play these less expensive guitars, you have excellent playing and I say Wow! This time I thought you were doing your best to put lipstick on a pig. These go for $150 in US. I'd call it a stratocaster clone. They appear to be out of stock on Kramer website. Wikipedia says this brand is kind of a sub brand to Epiphone. Looks like the Gibson corporation is using the Kramer name to sell guitars as they used to be an independent brand. Not better than my cheap guitar. Thanks for the review.
Yeah, tough to be inspired by it.
E,nice review,sell it for what you paid,offer a few beginning guitar lessons, have your intern give them..bye'eeee
Pros: It's $129.
Cons: It feels cheap.
This is the problem w every TH-cam video review of anything that is inexpensive.
Except for the ones that don't have that problem.
Beggars can’t be choosers
I need a guitar, wanna give it away to me?
Kramer was so good until Gibson came around and ruined it.
Next time sell it before you release the video.
Hahahaha! I started in the 60’s😬
:)
hmmmmmm
Yeah if they a newbie they'd have to pay like 75 dollars for a setup on a what 130 dollar guitar smh
Indeed.
I STRONGLY disagree with your title. Mine was a nightmare! The frets stuck out so much it could cut fingers. It took me over 6 hours to set it up - and I'm experienced at set ups! Thumbs down big time!
You did notice there was a question mark there?
Great playing! Horrible guitar!