1984 Kramer Baretta

1984 Kramer Baretta | Cream | Serial C6850

If there is one guitar that perfectly captures the spirit of the 1980s, it’s the original USA Kramer Baretta. Simple, fast, unapologetically loud, and built with one purpose in mind: rock. Long before “super strats” became commonplace, the Baretta helped define an entire generation of guitar playing and became forever associated with Eddie Van Halen and the birth of the high-performance guitar.

This particular Baretta is a 1984 model finished in classic Cream, one of the most iconic colors Kramer offered. It has all the features that made these guitars legendary: the unmistakable hockey stick headstock, a single slanted bridge humbucker, one volume knob, and an Original Floyd Rose tremolo. There’s nothing on this guitar that doesn’t serve a purpose. It was designed to get out of your way and let you play.

I’ve owned a lot of guitars over the years, including several Kramers, and there’s something about these early Barettas that newer guitars just can’t duplicate. The neck is fast without feeling overly thin, the Floyd Rose stays remarkably stable, and the simplicity of having just one great pickup and a volume control is surprisingly liberating. You spend less time thinking about switches and knobs and more time playing.

The Cream finish has also become one of my favorites. It has that unmistakable vintage 1980s look that immediately brings to mind the golden era of arena rock and MTV. Whether you’re chasing classic Van Halen tones or simply appreciate one of the most influential guitar designs ever produced, the Baretta delivers in a way few guitars can.

Like many guitars in my collection, I’m only selling this one because I’ve reached the point where I simply own more instruments than I can realistically play. I’d much rather see it in the hands of someone who will appreciate what an original USA Baretta represents than have it spend most of its time sitting in a case.

Original American-made Barettas have become increasingly collectible over the past decade, especially clean, largely original examples. They’re more than just great guitars. They’re a genuine piece of the guitar revolution that defined rock music throughout the 1980s.

This one is near perfect – there is a bit discoloration on the neck plate, I would assume from off-gassing in the case.