Early Focus 2000

[da5hcharl]

Hi all, I've lurked here for a long time, and I've wanted a Kramer for years, even though I'm usually an Ibanez fanatic.

To the matter at hand. I purchased a White Focus 2000 a few weeks ago in a Pawn shop in Austin. The price was pretty good, 200 bucks marked down from 350.

The reason I have this posted in identification is that the serial number is so low I was wondering if anyone could help me to confirm that it's one of the first runs of Focii. I will post pics of it when I get home.

To go over the basics It's a "Focus by Kramer" on the headstock, which is white to match the body. The shape is a "beak" which should date it as '83 I think. There's also a noticeable amount of flame on the neck, rosewood fretboard.

1 volume 1 tone, 2 switches, one's a three way and is the pickup selector, the second seems to control if the bridge is series or parallel or may put the pickups together in series or parallel when both are on. I think this has to be a modification.

It has a chrome non fine tune floyd rose, and the thing that puzzles me about that is that the arm doesn't unscrew or pullout. To get the arm off of the trem i think i'd need two sets of pliers, and I'd have to take apart the collar.

The strap buttons are also kinda football shaped on the top instead of round with pointed end, i guess this is an attempt to keep the strap on the guitar? they're chrome, no clue if they're stock.

The body has a barrel jack, and it's drilled for it, but the barrel isn't flush with the body, the 1/4" input jack easily goes 1/2" into the body, this made me think that that might have been aftermarket, but there weren't any filled holes from replacing a square jack plate.

The control cavity is the big earlier style, like on Ed's 5150.

serial number on this beautiful instrument is 000098.
I've heard conjecture that some of the early focus guitars might have been stuck together out of US parts, and the barrel jack seems to nod to that, and vintage kramer seemed to indicate that the control cavity was a good year indicator.

my thoughts are that it's an '83. I'll post some pics when I get home (it plays awesome and i love it!)

Another funky thing is that it has a partially worn off signature on it. If it's a kramer related signature I'd be stoked if someone could identify. pics in 4 hours. prognostication before pictures is welcome.

[sixstring]

Welcome aboard.
The first run of foci did have the same features you mention.The only thing that I can tell is that the second coil tape switch was added.
The recess for the barrel jack is factory as well. :thumbsup

[moku]

welcome aboard :thumbsup

pictures say a thousand words. :poke they'll help us ID it better.

[Full Crib]

Welcome aboard.
The first run of foci did have the same features you mention.The only thing that I can tell is that the second coil tape switch was added.
The recess for the barrel jack is factory as well. :thumbsup

yep what six says:thumbsup and welcome
My white 83 is developing a killer "mojo cream":drool
....recessed jack;)
....two controls (volume and tone);)
....beak headstock;)
....flame on back of neck;)
....ofr w/fine tuners;)
....your second switch is most-likely a mod:thumbsup
Put JB/Jazz pups in her and you'll have a poor man's Imperial:)

<a href="http://s778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/?action=view&amp;current=SDC10177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/SDC10177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[sixstring]

yep what six says:thumbsup and welcome
My white 83 is developing a killer "mojo cream":drool
....recessed jack;)
....two controls (volume and tone);)
....beak headstock;)
....flame on back of neck;)
....ofr w/fine tuners;)
....your second switch is most-likely a mod:thumbsup
Put JB/Jazz pups in her and you'll have a poor man's Imperial:)

<a href="http://s778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/?action=view&amp;current=SDC10177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/SDC10177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

What is the ser#? Stock OFR w/tuners?

[Full Crib]

Originally had NON FINE TUNIG OFR now it has a FINE TUNING OFR and studs were replaced with the newer ones

Pretty low serial num 002XXX.....

[sixstring]

Thanks Bruce.
Just trying to find out how many went out until the floyds were changed over.....seems a lot did. :thumbsup

[da5hcharl]

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0400.jpg

full size

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0401.jpg

closer up of the body

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0403.jpg

headstock

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0404.jpg

rear

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0406.jpg

beauty of a serial number eh?

[da5hcharl]

also in the picture is my 1981 ibanez rs435 (red) and my mutt 1990/1987 RG560. The case has a blue 1995 iceman in it. Like i said, usually an ibanez guy but i have always wanted a Kramer.

[KramerTRW]

yep what six says:thumbsup and welcome
My white 83 is developing a killer "mojo cream":drool
....recessed jack;)
....two controls (volume and tone);)
....beak headstock;)
....flame on back of neck;)
....ofr w/fine tuners;)
....your second switch is most-likely a mod:thumbsup
Put JB/Jazz pups in her and you'll have a poor man's Imperial:)

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/SDC10177.jpg (http://s778.photobucket.com/albums/yy62/fullcrib/1983%20Focus%202000/?action=view&current=SDC10177.jpg)


:nonoMINE!:ninja


Lol yea she had the non fine tuner on her when i got it before i sold it to bruce, swapped out the posts because the old ones were leaning.....

And as you probably could tell i regret selling it:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead:banghead


Picked that sucker up for 175 bones :headbang

[da5hcharl]

i picked this one up for 200 at a pawnshop, i think the price was excellent. i was up there helping a friend of a friend (acoustic player) get a decent electric for a good price. I ended up getting him an 84 yamaha SC for 150, he gave me 50 bucks as a finder's fee, and i couldn't leave town without this one.

I had a project in the works to match a tak hosono neck to a focus 3k body along with an ESP schaller floyd that i rebuilt to get a "pseudo kramer" together, even though it would have been more ESP then anything.

The post hole in the 3k body cracked, was inexpertly repaired (i'm more of an electronics guy) and then i came across this, I did find a mighty mite one hum quilt maple over ash strat body for the hosono neck, but this focus feels totally different. the body shape, the neck profile... i mean is it weird to say that when i play music written on this type of guitar it feels right? or is that just cheese?

Yes i do feel bad about screwing (literally) the 3k body. If someone wants pictures to see how bad the damage and repair is and wants to take it on for 10 bucks over shipping PM me. some mistakes have to be made to learn, but i feel bad about it sitting if there's any possibility it could be brought back.

[KramerTRW]

If someone wants pictures to see how bad the damage and repair is and wants to take it on for 10 bucks over shipping PM me. some mistakes have to be made to learn, but i feel bad about it sitting if there's any possibility it could be brought back.


HELLO!!!:yikes

You guys seein this SHEEEET!!:hitit:urock

I'd grab it but i got 2 projects im working on right now but someone need to snag that and bring that baby back to its former glory.....


and Da5hcharl i think your going to fit in very well here:notworthy

[da5hcharl]

the body is stripped, no parts other then the wood, and it has the treble side post cracked and it had the pickgaurd mount holes filled and re drilled in slightly different positions (came to me that way).

The finish is good, it's black, and surprise i have a ton of projects myself, just finished monstering that ibby. 3 dimarzio pickups, swapped it's junk body for that flashy silver one.

[da5hcharl]

probably should be in the classified section, but well, it's part of this conversation and as i said all i want is 10 bucks on top of shipping. I'm not aiming for profit, i'd like it to get back in shape.

wood glue, brass screws and beer was involved, I pre drilled but then it shifted everything up and i filed the body back flat and i had a post in and i had it strung and tuned for a week, but it was leaning, and i was unsatisfied.

I'd say it's a candidate for a kahler, or maybe doweling and re drilling or going to a standard style trem.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0407.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0411.jpg

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz82/da5hcharl/DSCN0413.jpg

like i said, i did this, i take the responsibility and the shame and blame... but uh, i'm really good with wiring and i like to make my own effects, this repair was out of my depth.

[Full Crib]

...this focus feels totally different. the body shape, the neck profile... i mean is it weird to say that when i play music written on this type of guitar it feels right? or is that just cheese?

hahahaha:D:D
I went through the same thing, only in reverse. I already new how awesome and comfy most Kramer neck profiles were to me, but I had to experience the wizard neck thing for myself...definitely not cheesy.....:thumbsup

[da5hcharl]

Thanks everyone for helping with the Ident.

Thrilled to have finally gotten one (and a good one!).

Now, why exactly is it that when i crank the volume knob and the tone knob all the way down the damn thing is still talking to the amp?

Is this a common Kramer problem or did the solder jockey that added the mystery switch dick something up in there?

[sixstring]

yep, volume "0" should have nothing out.
Probable wiring issue.

[da5hcharl]

:scratchhe

I know it's hypocritical, as i just posted a mistake of my own... but really soldering irons should require licenses. I wonder why the hell it isn't zeroing. well now i have to figure out what the hell switch 2 does and leave it or turn it into a kill switch.

[Troy]

Killer find!:headbang:headbang

Yeah, solder license - I need one - I made quite a mess during my couple attempts to completely rewire. My end result was great - on attempt no. 4 -.

If you don't mind changing the wiring you could rig the switches a variety of ways as individual switches for each pickup on - off toggles or as on - off - splits, -? -lots of options-. . . and new switches are fairly inexpensive if you want to change them out.

[da5hcharl]

My intent is to actually leave it as stock as possible. The bridge pickup has 4 wires so i could do a split with the second switch, or a series parallel switch, but i think what i want to do is to turn the second swithc into a kill switch, and that would also give me the option to get the flicker action as evh does sometimes, or did.

as far as why the volume isn't shutting all the way down, that one's still a puzzler, something must be routed incorrectly is the only thing i can think of, or the pot isn't making full rotation.

thanks for the positive comments man :)

i couldn't beleive how crazy the pawnshop and used instrument scene in austin was. first trip up there and i had a keeper for me and a yamaha purchased for a buddy, can't wait to save up a wad and go back!

[sixstring]

Could be a bad pot :bong

[skydive69]

best way to repair thet 3000/deluxe is hog out a square area around the post about an inch deep (youll need a router/template or a milling machine) and glue in a new block of wood, then reshape to the cavities and redrill it. ive fixed many floyded guitars with split areas for the stud this way. good as new, and lucily on that one, it will be hidden by the pickguard and never seen.

[da5hcharl]

I had an idea that the 3k needed something like that. my local tech suggested trying the screws to see if we could cheat, didn't work out (i was relatively sure it wouldn't.)

Unfortunately I don't have a milling machine or a router, and i already got a really slick mighty mite body for a really good price to replace this body for that project.

The thing is that while the body is beyond my skill level and tools, it isn't beyond many people on this forum. I offered it up because I'd really just like it to go to someone that'll "fix it up and get it back out on the road" don't care about profit, hence the shipping plus ten bucks offer.

I also just don't have room for it in my collection, not to mention the rest of the parts now go with another body.

:scratchhe why did i start so many projects?

[ncelectric]

thats an awesome focus 2000, I have the same model just a little later down the serial number line.
But as said before, it is the first run of foccii which had the cream dots. The later 83's had mop dots on
the necks :thumbsup

[da5hcharl]

I didn't know that was an indicator.

are the "cream dots" the old style clay or some type of plastic?

i think one of the side markers has fallen off.

I will screw with rewiring my bonus switch and maybe putting in a new pot, but that's about as far as i want to go. I wanted to keep it original, and the NFT floyd really surprised me with the playability, I thought I was going to seriously miss my fine tuners, but provided you tune up before playing with the nut unlocked it's not that big of a deal.

This guitar also seems to have more tuning stability then my rg560, no idea if the 560's blades are worn or if the ultra thin wizard neck keeps it from being as stable as this guy.

[ncelectric]

the cream dots were probably at one time white, and i believe they are just plastic.
if you take into account the serial #
yours is 000098 -cream dots
mine is 0003xx -cream dots
and the one fullcrib posted 002xxx -mop dots

so at one point durning 83 Kramer changed the dots, it all really plays into the mystery if the early foccii used american parts...who knows for sure

but the necks on the early foccii particularly in 83 are absolutely killer

[da5hcharl]

I do love the neck, I'll get a pic up later that shows off the flame on the back.

The serial number really shocked me in the pawnshop. I've always heard the early focii were made with some american parts, or at least rumors of it, i figured this one was low enough that if they did do that, this one would be that way.

next time before i set it up does anyone have info on markings in the neck pocket or on the neck to check for? (i usually have pro setups done, so even though the neck has to come off for truss adjustments i wasn't there).

I haven't even pulled the pickups, but they're hex tops and i think i saw something on VK about the hex tops being the stock schallers of the era. They sound great and i don't have any compunction to change them.

[sixstring]

I haven't even pulled the pickups, but they're hex tops and i think i saw something on VK about the hex tops being the stock schallers of the era. They sound great and i don't have any compunction to change them.

They are prb copies of the Schallers. Great pups tho.