Is this Kramer anything interesting?

[Scarysharkface]

View attachment 4636839 View attachment 4636840 View attachment 4636841 View attachment 4636842 Is this Kramer anything interesting?
I guy I know just bought this at auction and trying to sell it to me, or to anyone really.

I know what it is, but is it something that would be considered desirable to anyone?
It looks like it’s in really nice shape
Just curious. I’m not really familiar with these old aluminum neck basses

Those are heavy, but God I've always lusted for one. I used to know a classical bassist who bought one back when they came out and still had it the last time I saw him 10+ years ago, and he wasn't getting rid of it. Mike Osmon is the guy's name. Anyway, that's a wonderful bass, and definitely an artifact from the late 1970s.

John

 

[Zooberwerx]

*I recall speaking w/ Richard Atheras at their Neptune (?) center back in the day. Very helpful and informative!

*The machine heads had the tendency to move ever-so-slightly within the holes in the absence of string tension. Even with the retainer nut tightened to spec, there was no compression or “dimpling” of the aluminum headstock as witnessed with wooden counterparts.

Riis

 

[Todd Hamby]

The very first bass I got in 79 was one of those

 

[Discount Bassy]

The "tuning fork" headstock is interesting. I wonder what pitch it produces when struck.

 

[Grinderman]

If he were here, Joseph Chamberlain might point out that interesting could mean so many things.

 

[primusfan1989]

He wants 1200

That about what those are selling for these days, If your plan was to resell and make quick cash Id pass on this one

 

[rtslinger]

collectable and I agree with everyone that said they don't have a great tone.

 

[inchoate]

I had one for many years but I never really bonded with it. The sound is somewhat polarizing and not to my taste in the end. If you want it make sure the neck is straight, they will warp over time under string tension and straightening them out is not for the fainthearted. 1200 seems high but what do I know.

 

[mongo2]

The "tuning fork" headstock is interesting. I wonder what pitch it produces when struck.

Mine went "click"

 

[coy garcia]

They are cool but heavy. Unique tone to them...I used one once with a autowah for a solo on a record. They are also very collectible.

 

[Lesfunk]

That about what those are selling for these days, If your plan was to resell and make quick cash Id pass on this one

I am not. I’m just curious about the collector angle and wondered if he’s in line with his asking price.

My experience with these is from the 1990s when I purchased a Flying V aluminum neck Kramer for $100 and sold it to Ed Roman for $200.
I thought I had made a great deal at the time , but I think a Flying V was kind of rare.
Anyway, Roman told me he was buying up old Kramer’s to make Gene Simmons axe bass replicas to sell for big bucks overseas…. (Shrug)

 

[dbsfgyd1]

View attachment 4636839 View attachment 4636840 View attachment 4636841 View attachment 4636842 Is this Kramer anything interesting?
I guy I know just bought this at auction and trying to sell it to me, or to anyone really.

I know what it is, but is it something that would be considered desirable to anyone?
It looks like it’s in really nice shape
Just curious. I’m not really familiar with these old aluminum neck basses

Probably has the the best sustain ever. Had one of these at my old church. It was retired in 2008. The strings are more than likely still vibrating…

As for the tone, it was livable, components were solid. Played well and stayed in tune. If you get a good price buy it.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Ah, good question. I think "special order" just meant it was a production instrument but not in the dealer's stock, so he ordered one from the factory. And it was pretty modestly priced for what it was. I had a job at the public library, shelving books, and really nothing else to spend my money on.

Plus, minimum wage went further back then.

$2.25 an hour? LOL… but 100-150 hours got you one, Close?

 

[mb94952]

I have no interest in it at all other than just wondering what the deal is with these things and are they actually that desirable these days?

This is the same model Stanley Clarke uses in the ad for it. Both photos are of the Kramer. The pickup position is the same as the Alembic Distillate, so it has a nice tone. That was the Greco, and other high end MIJ styles of the time, too. All going for the Alembic vibe, I guess. Also, it was the precursor to Carbon Fiber necks, that they are weather resistant to extreme changes, making them ideal for touring musicians.

Is it special ? Not any more or less than any other bass (generally speaking, of course), so it is up to you.

 

[220_Hz]

But suppose the temperature gradually rises from 40 to 60 or 65 (which in Alabama is common this time of year)? That was the sticking point, not stability at any particular temperature that remained constant.

Ah, I see. Under conditions like that I’ve had tuning issues with wooden necks as well

My opinion is to play the instrument that sounds best to the user, I choose aluminum

 

[GretschWretch]

Ah, I see. Under conditions like that I’ve had tuning issues with wooden necks as well

My opinion is to play the instrument that sounds best to the user, I choose aluminum

It is true that wooden necks are not immune to this. And to each his own. My preference is for large bodied vintage Gretsches; who am I to judge the preferences of others?

 

[blowinblue]

Any Kramer with the aluminum fork neck is interesting. And probably very heavy. My 1977 250B weighed 32 lbs.

M. M.

 

[Vyscera]

My brother had one during the 1980’s. His was fretless and had a more sculpted body with more stringers down the center, and the cutouts made slightly pointy although still curved horns. It also had Dimarzio Model P-J pickups. I liked the sound of that bass, but it was neck dive city even with a wide leather strap. We used to call it the two ton heavy thing. I borrowed it for a few sessions. Heavy bugger, it was.

Was it an XL-9?
Link Removed

I have a later XL-8 and while neck heavy, I love the tones it gives and the sustain. But I've always loved letting a note rumble through the crowd.

 

[KB5]

Certainly interesting during extreme temperature variations. I had one in the 90's for a few weeks but sold it pretty quickly.

 

[GIBrat51]

Those look like Gotoh GB-7 tuning keys, to me.

View attachment 4637565

View attachment 4637564

Yeah, they do...kinda. But, looking closer? That looks like a goofy "S" shape on the back covers - like the Schaller tuners on my '78 450B have. And, I'll bet you a dollar to a donut, that the line of small print around the bottom of those back covers says "made in West Germany". I don't recall Gotohs saying that on them - ever. But, old Schallers do...