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Kramer Baretta Special mod project

Discussion in 'Luthiery, Modifications & Customizations' started by ScatteredDimension, Feb 17, 2020.

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  1. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Hi!

    I've been wanting a single pickup 80's vibe guitar for a while now... Found one from a private market for 135€ and I'm currently waiting for it to arrive!

    So I'd like to hear your opinions on my vision:

    -Shell pink (or close to it) color. (gonna try to paint a guitar for the first time...Kinda anxious about this, but at least it's not an expensive guitar if I f* it up somehow. Have to watch some tutorials...)
    -Gonna swap the hardware to either all black or all gold.
    -Probably gonna swap the pickup for a Duncan Custom.

    I'm aiming for similar look with the Esp Mirage Deluxe in Pearl pink since I love that look!

    I also like gold hardware, but could it be too much??

    What do you guys think? Black hardware or gold? What kind of pickup would you recommend?

    Edit. Not really familiar with tremolo bridges... Is it possible to swap the bridge for a hardtail for this type of body, in case I don't like the tremolo type?

    Here's the look I'm aiming for:

    xlarge_.png
    Here's the guitar to arrive:

    s-l1600.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2020
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 17, 2020
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  2. dr_game0ver

    dr_game0ver SS.org Regular

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    Pink is OK but with gold hardware. No baby blue pickguard?
    135€, i'm almost jealous.
     
    dr_game0ver, Feb 17, 2020
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  3. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    No pickguard on this one. I guess you were joking with the baby blue part though.
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 17, 2020
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  4. Zoobiedood

    Zoobiedood SS.org Regular

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    You can always block the trem if you don't like it, or learn to use/set it up properly. I'd say the Custom is a good choice, though.
     
    Zoobiedood, Feb 17, 2020
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  5. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Yeah, I think that's what I'll do if I don't want to use the trem.
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 17, 2020
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  6. Adieu

    Adieu SS.org Regular

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    Is it an 80s Baretta or a MusicYo Baretta?

    "Hardtailing" the strat-style trem in the pic is a matter of adding springs or claw tension until it sits flat against the body
     
    Adieu, Feb 17, 2020
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  7. Mathemagician

    Mathemagician SS.org Regular

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    There is no such thing as “too much”. Just what you like. Paint it gold with gold hardware whatever lol. But pink will look good with either color scheme imo.
     
    Mathemagician, Feb 17, 2020
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  8. JK-PA

    JK-PA SS.org Regular

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    These are Gibson made.
     
    JK-PA, Feb 17, 2020
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  9. JK-PA

    JK-PA SS.org Regular

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    JK-PA, Feb 17, 2020
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  10. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    ScatteredDimension, Feb 17, 2020
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    JK-PA likes this.
  11. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Guitar arrived yesterday. The condition is great. Definitely gonna block the trem since I don't really see myself using it and the tuning got immediately F**d up after a slight wiggle...

    Next step is to disassemble the hardware and start the refinishing project. First I thought of using a heatgun to remove the paint, but then I realized that I might not need to go down to bare wood so maybe just sanding it down might be enough. Few questions though:

    - How deep should I go with the sanding? (If only sanding is enough)
    - Is primer needed after sanding or can I just paint over it after sanding (depends on the base color after sanding?)
    - If primer is needed should I go with light primer like white, since I want to paint it "light pink"

    Already have a golden volume knob, neckplate and strap pins incoming so the hardware is going be golden.

    Since I'm gonna have to paint it at the (outside) storage area of my workplace, I guess I need to wait for warmer weather... So sadly I guess the painting will happen only after a few months when hopefully it's gonna be like 15 celsius or so...

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2020
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 21, 2020
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  12. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    So today I decided that I'm just gonna do it.

    Stripped the body, sanded the body with 80 and then 120p sandpaper. I got some primer, paint and lacquer spray from a hardware store and sprayed the first layers of primer. I got some drip marks here and there and some spots the primer is too thin. Tommorow is round number 2 and I'm going to sand the thick drippy parts and add another layer of primer and hopefully it's gonna be smooth!

    I'm going to also post pics of the process thus far :)
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 22, 2020
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  13. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Don't know if this adds anything, but in the sake of pics or it didn't happen!
    IMG_20200221_154227.jpg IMG_20200222_121050.jpg IMG_20200222_181549.jpg
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 22, 2020
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  14. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Got the sanding of the primer done and it was time to add the color!

    At this point it looks pretty good! I'm not excpecting perfection since I'm just painting with spraycans and cheap paints basic hobby paints :)

    Next week it's time to add the lacquer and polish the body. Anyways here's some photos:
    IMG_20200223_131311.jpg IMG_20200223_131330.jpg IMG_20200223_172104.jpg
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 23, 2020
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  15. Omzig

    Omzig SS.org Regular

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    If your using normal 1k clear on this you wont beable to flatten and polish the clear for atleast a month (if you use a fan to help the cure/vent) or 2-3 months if you don't aid the venting

    It might look dry on top but if you try and buff it out before it's cured you'll end up cutting right through the clear and the color,id give the color a few days to vent as well or you'll end up with trapping fumes under the clear that will only add to the curing time,trust me been there done that ;)

    dont even think about usng 2k clears without a full respirator/safety setup as that stuff will kill you without it....but if you can't wait for the 1k to cure you might look at using an epoxy/UV epoxy clear,faster cure but can be a pita to flatten.
     
    Omzig, Feb 23, 2020
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  16. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Noted!

    Gonna let the paint went for a while now and think about the method for the clear coat. Definitely don't want to ruin the process now...

    Thanks for the heads-up!
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 23, 2020
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    Omzig likes this.
  17. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    I noticed, that the Kramer neckplate is different size, than the basic neckplate. I ordered a golden one, and tried to fit it and the holes in the neck (horizontally) are closer to ech other than the "basic" neck.

    The measurements in the original plate are vertically the same but the width is only 44mm... I guess i have to drill new holes to the neck and the body (or just stick with the chrome plate...)
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 25, 2020
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  18. Adieu

    Adieu SS.org Regular

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    Adieu, Feb 25, 2020
    #18
  19. ScatteredDimension

    ScatteredDimension Sixstring Regular

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    Decided that I won't probably need to go down to bare wood. I got rid of the gloss with 80p and after that sanded more with 120 and 240p papers. The surface felt really smooth and some at some spots I managed to dig to bare wood though. The sanding pic is taken after the first sanding with 80p sandpaper.
     
    ScatteredDimension, Feb 25, 2020
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  20. Omzig

    Omzig SS.org Regular

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    A bit late now but i did this mockup for you the other day,i could'nt login to my flik account at the time but here it is anyhows

    [​IMG]

    & i think the pink/gold looks pretty cool together tbh
     
    Omzig, Feb 25, 2020
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