Dukes vs. Aliens

I posted this on a Kramer Duke thread a few days back but got no response so I'm throwing it out here for all to see. Trying to get the lowdown on the difference between the Kramer Duke and the Hondo Alien. Hopefully some of you will get back with some answers.

I just picked up what I thought was a Kramer Duke. But there seems to be some things on this bass that don't match a Kramer Duke. So I'm thinking it may be a Hondo Alien.

First is that the aluminum piece at the head is mounted with 2 screws. The Dukes I have seen have only one screw.

Next the fretboard is rosewood and not the synthetic material the Dukes used.

Third my neck is aluminum with wood inserts on both sides like the Dukes. I have seen that some people say the Aliens had wood necks. Does anyone know if this is a fact? Maybe some had wood and others aluminum/wood? I can't see how any bass like this could use a wood neck without a truss rod. Any comments?

Fourth the metal neck mounting cover plate on the back has no markings. The Dukes seemed to have "The Duke" and "Kramer" engraved on them. Any one seen anything different?

Fifth the bridge on the Dukes came in 2 versions with the newer ones using a Schaller 3D-4 Bridge marked "Kramer". Mine has what looks like a Schaller 3D-4 but has no markings. Does anyone know if the Aliens used the Schaller 3D-4 bridges or did they use a copy?

Sixth, the pickup also looks like the Schaller used in the Dukes. Anyone know if this is the case or were they some other type of pickup? If so what are they?

Last my tuners are unmarked. The Dukes were supposed to have used Schallers and the photos I have seen show a "D" shape impression or shape to the back of the tuner. Mine have a round impression or shape on the back. Any clue to what tuners the Aliens used?

I hope some of you can get back to me so that I we can try to determine if what I have is a Duke or Alien and also answers to these question will make it easier for others to determine what they may have.

Thanks and hope to hear back from some of you soon!

 

It does not have a neck through construction and from every pic I've see of a Duke or Alien I have never seen one without this same aluminum neck. Only difference in the neck is the ebonol fingerboard on the Duke vs. rosewood on the Alien. And the Dukes have 1 mounting screw at the head vs. 2 for the Alien. And yes this did have foreign pots which were not working and now replaced with Bourns pots, an orange drop and a switchcraft jack.

I've seen that same jack location and style on the newer versions of the Duke Kramer. The pic RandyMolson posted is the older version of the Duke. It has a different jack position and does not have the Schaller bridge or pickup like the newer versions did.

I will post some pics once I get some good photos. Also this bass has had some "bodywork" done to it (not by me!) so if it had the "Alien" logo on the body like I have seen on other Aliens it is long gone.

Thanks for all of your inputs!

 

Here are some pics.

 

OK, here are some comparison pics.

First is the 1st generation Kramer Duke. Simpler Pickup and Bridge, no switch, jack on front.

Second is 2nd generation Kramer Duke. Schaller Pickup, Schaller Bridge with Kramer engraving, 3 way switch, jack on bottom.

Third and fourth are Hondo Aliens. They are copies of the Kramer Duke. Schaller Bridge with no Logo. Same switch position and jack on bottom.

Fifth is my bass. Definately a Hondo Alien with some bodywork!







Also the Hondo Aliens all have 2 screws at the head on the neck while the Kramer Dukes only have one. Also as mentioned before the fingerboard is ebonol on the Duke and rosewood on the Alien. Both have aluminum necks with wood inserts on the back.

With all this figured out I do have a few things left unanswered. The Alien pickup looks similar to the Schaller in the Dukes but I do notice the Schallers look a tad bit smaller and also the pole pieces are black while on the Aliens they are silver. I saw no markings on my pickup when I removed it. Does anyone know what the pickups are in the Aliens?

Also the Duke tuners are supposed to be Schallers. Anyone have any idea about the Alien tuners?

All in all the Aliens look to be as good as the Dukes if not maybe better in that they have rosewood fingerboards and 2 screws instead of one at the head. Other wise the parts seem to be almost identical. The only question hinges on the electronics. We pretty much know what's in the Duke but it is still a mystery what lies within the Alien!

 

Can you post some pics?

 

Please post some pics. There was a lot of speculation about a none aluminum neck version of these but no one could come up with anything definitive. The bass you have is called the "Phantom". First time I've heard that name. So please post pics of what you got!!

Thanks!