• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Aluminum Neck Club

#344
ZachM said:
That bass is awesome, but man, three years is a long time to wait. Any reason it took so long? I can’t imagine it needed to take anywhere near that amount of time, you’re a much more patient person than me!

I’ve considered ordering an EGC before, but their customer service and lack of timeliness is enough to give me pause about dropping that much money. I’ve also heard they often push people’s orders back in favor of more famous musicians, which kinda rubs me the wrong way. Seems like they either need to hire another couple machinists, or stop taking custom orders until they can clear out the backlog.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 3 years was quite the wait. Not sure why it took so long, but I know that I wasn't the only one waiting years for their order to be completed. Not trying to talk bad about EGC, but their customer service was spotty at times... But to be completely honest, I think their communication did improve towards the end of the wait. There were several un answered emails and false promises in terms of when the build would be completed but in the end, I got the bass I paid for and the build quality surpassed my expectations. It really is a high quality instrument, and now I understand the obsession some have over these instruments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bleecker, steelbed45 and cataract
#347
what kind of pickups do you all prefer for your aluminum? I've been using some custom soapbars on my most recent build but have been considering bartolini for the added high end clarity. I heard Aero pickups makes a TB2000 clone pickup, not sure if they offer a standard mounting pattern for it though
Do you use Humbuckers or Single coils or something completely different?
 
  • Like
Reactions: cataract
#348
Just like with wooden DBs, there's a huge selection of good-to-great pickups available and folks use and like almost all of them.

I'm using a Vic's Model C (bridge wing and fingerboard piezos) feeding into a K&K Dual Channel Pro ST pre-amp for my mounted pickup system. I also have a separate mounted dynamic mic for a clear feed (Sennheiser e604).

It's worth mentioning my Alcoa has a Deuce1 bridge and a custom aluminum Deuce tailpiece so there's plenty of acreage for hanging devices and cables on.
 
#349
Don Hergert said:
Just like with wooden DBs, there's a huge selection of good-to-great pickups available and folks use and like almost all of them.

I'm using a Vic's Model C (bridge wing and fingerboard piezos) feeding into a K&K Dual Channel Pro ST pre-amp for my mounted pickup system. I also have a separate mounted dynamic mic for a clear feed (Sennheiser e604).

It's worth mentioning my Alcoa has a Deuce1 bridge and a custom aluminum Deuce tailpiece so there's plenty of acreage for hanging devices and cables on.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, but I'm looking mainly for recommendations on pickups for an aluminum electric bass :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Don Hergert
#350
I've used single coils in mine for a while now and prefer them greatly. I can dig in a bit more and they sound more open, like the bass to me. I enjoyed the geezer P pickups well enough and the nordstrand 70s wind jazz, but right nownim using a pj set of the nordstrand blades. Looks mean and sounds great but I am tempted to try more vintage geared pickups.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Evil_Druid
#352
220_Hz said:
what kind of pickups do you all prefer for your aluminum? I've been using some custom soapbars on my most recent build but have been considering bartolini for the added high end clarity. I heard Aero pickups makes a TB2000 clone pickup, not sure if they offer a standard mounting pattern for it though
Do you use Humbuckers or Single coils or something completely different?
Click to expand...
I’m planning on putting together an aluminum necked parts build later this year— those Aero TB pickups are intriguing! I’m going to have a buddy of mine build / route / finish a custom body for me and they’re in the running for sure.
Larry @ Aero’s work is amazing— the Type 1’s in my parts Jazz are some of the greatest sounding pickups I’ve ever played through. I’m sure if you shot him an email he’d give you the exact specs and/or build what you need. I’ve corresponded with him a few times recently and he’s pretty quick to respond (just keep in mind he’s in Hawaii - a few time zones away!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Evil_Druid
#353
I recently picked up the remains of what I imagine is an early 80s , (possibly Pre Stagemaster?) Alum Kramer- Missing 2 tuners, nut & top fret shot, upper frets rutted, and the upper fingerboard has a bit of wear- lol- The body does not have the cutaways on the bottom, as the stagemasters/Alembics, etc have- Seems to be an OG Dimarzio P/J style pickup set, pots date to 80 ? - Trying to decide exactly how to resurrect it- pics on a later day- Thanks for the "Forum/Club" for these old monsters-
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma and cataract
#354
oZZma said:
Travis Bean, Kramer and Electrical Guitar Company owners and lovers unite!! I see there are many on TB but I can't find a "club" in the search so I created It! :) Welcome everybody! If you want to join and be listed just state the aluminum neck bass you own! ;)
Photos are very welcome too! :)



I'd like to start the discussion asking you: what kind of strings do you use on your aluminum neck bass? I think the choice may affect significantly the "voice" of any instrument and more significantly on these ones which are really unforgiving ones!
I currently use Daddario ProSteels (heavy gauge), I loved their sound on my previous bass (Fender Jaguar) but I'm a newbie to aluminum necks and looking for more options and suggestions!


--- the club! ---

1. Bob_Ross (lusting for) Travis Bean TB-2000 :D
2. GIBrat51 ('78 Kramer 450B and '81 Kramer Duke Special
3. oZZma ('83 Kramer Stagemaster)
4. A9X (Kramer DMZ5000)
5. mikewalker ('81 Kramer Vanguard, Vaccaro X-Ray, '02 Hartke HK-4, Hartke XL-4 Prototype #46)
6. cdwthunderfoot (EGC guitar+bass - coming soon!)
7. cataract (Obstructures prototype - coming soon!)
8. Jeff Scott ('76 Kramer 350B, sold)
9. Todd Hamby (Kramer 650B, Kramer 450B)
10. Boot Soul (Travis Bean TB2000)
11. hbarcat (Hartke - coming soon!)
12. saltymonkey (Travis Bean TB2000)
13. singlemalt ('76 Kramer 450B)
14. slantedpanted (Kramer)
15. Phud (Kramer 450B)
16. saddleslab (Travis Bean TB2000)
Click to expand...
17. Smokeandroar (Kramer DMZ5001)
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma and cataract
#355
RGI neck came in today! Easy to install - I did though need to slightly enlarge the neck pocket holes to compensate for the larger screws but that was pretty straight forward. I still need to adjust and intonate the bridge a tad bit but nothing beyond a simple setup. The neck is killer, very well made and constructed. For reference, the body is an old Mexican Fender P bass I got off eBay for dirt cheap. Had it refinished by MJT in my favorite color, a deep Charcoal Frost metallic.

Highly recommend RGI for anyone sitting on the fence for one, well worth the wait.

EDADA64E-F7C6-4851-B6C9-F2EC3D483797.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: starkiller19, emal, Bleecker and 6 others
#356
Iommian said:
RGI neck came in today! Easy to install - I did though need to slightly enlarge the neck pocket holes to compensate for the larger screws but that was pretty straight forward. I still need to adjust and intonate the bridge a tad bit but nothing beyond a simple setup. The neck is killer, very well made and constructed. For reference, the body is an old Mexican Fender P bass I got off eBay for dirt cheap. Had it refinished by MJT in my favorite color, a deep Charcoal Frost metallic.

Highly recommend RGI for anyone sitting on the fence for one, well worth the wait.

View attachment 4181646
Click to expand...
Killer build- loving the tort! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma and Appalachia Mark
#357
Picked up a Kramer Duke over the weekend - can anyone provide their experience with buying / installing strings for it? It's 30.25 scale and lighter gauge strings are needed to fit through the tuner holes. I tried cutting down some old strings, but they snapped when tightening because the tuning pegs are so narrow (the strings unraveled). I imaging you'd need thread winding at the right length in order to prevent this. Thanks for your help!
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma and cataract
#358
Twocan said:
Picked up a Kramer Duke over the weekend - can anyone provide their experience with buying / installing strings for it? It's 30.25 scale and lighter gauge strings are needed to fit through the tuner holes. I tried cutting down some old strings, but they snapped when tightening because the tuning pegs are so narrow (the strings unraveled). I imaging you'd need thread winding at the right length in order to prevent this. Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Not sure if helpful but it’s a start!
Congrats on the new bass.
Strings for Kramer Duke
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back