Finished Surf Green Project Guitar..

Started with a low dollar Kramer Focus that we picked up a few weeks ago to evaluate. Construction and fit is almost perfect, and the neck is excellent and fast playing. It came with med jumbo frets, and a flat 12" radius.

The vintage 6 screw bridge is very good, and it has solid saddles (center screw) that remind me of American Standards. The electronics did leave a lot to be desired though, with a tone that was good, but nothing special.

We decided to install a complete "loaded pickguard" from a Fender Sunset Boulevard Strat. Took a little modification to install the pickguard, but it was finished and setup today. The sound from this low dollar project is fantastic, with a clear bell like retro 50's clean sound that retains clarity when distorted.

I own and play a number of high dollar American Strats, but even so this gem is going to see alot of playing time.

Besides that, the pearloid guard with black knobs and covers looks great on the Surf Green body.. 8)

http://dogsdoom.com/PI/surfgreen.jpg

Yeah, can't ramer when it started out. Great job you did there !!

Yeah, can't ramer when it started out. Great job you did there !!

Thanks... I've been playing the "Green Machine" for a few hours, and it's a keeper for sure. Took a little time to get use to the flat 12" radius neck, but it's a joy to play. I'm also a big fan of the medium jumbo frets, so that's another plus. I had considered swapping out the neck, but for the time being I'm going to leave it like it is.

The Fender Sunset Boulevard pickguard has an interesting combination of pups. The bridge is a standard flat pole #016730 that has been used in Strats for a number of years. Not sure what is used in the neck and middle position (no numbers), but they have staggered poles and are very vintage sounding. Together they have a very "50's sound", kind of like a cross between the CS 54's and Fat50's.

Is that one of those new Kramers that Gibson is producing? That's pretty sweet! I love those old Kramers. Not so much the aluminum neck ones, but the ones made in the 80's.

Is that one of those new Kramers that Gibson is producing? That's pretty sweet! I love those old Kramers. Not so much the aluminum neck ones, but the ones made in the 80's.

Yep, it's one of the Kramer Focus VT111S models made by Gibson.

They seem to be a pretty impressive guitar for the cost. I purchased it after reading some of the reviews out on Harmony Central. Excellent workmanship on them, with the electronics being the weak point.

The neck on this thing is excellent, and it alone is worth the price of $80 that they charge for the complete guitar. :)