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kramer bass (alm. neck)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by steve-o, Jul 23, 2003.

  1. Jul 23, 2003 #1
    steve-o

    steve-o Guest

    Apr 17, 2002
    all right theres an awsome kramer bass in my local music store. i love these basses..i almost bought a year before but didn't know much about them...well ok

    this has a bc rich kind of a body..it looks really cool..and plays awsome.

    ok it has dings, scratches, and also a crack in the back of the body, its into the wood, but not deep.

    how much should i expect to pay for it?
    $400 is what i was told...he knocked of $100 from the original $500 price.

    any input would be great

    thanks
    steve
     
  2. Jul 23, 2003 #2
    Blackbird

    Blackbird Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2000
    California
    Well, if you want "any" input, I'd like to say this:

    Kramer stopped making aluminum basses long before it went out of business because the metal was more susceptible to temperature changes, making it go out of tune much faster than a wood neck bass.

    Something to consider.
     
  3. Jul 23, 2003 #3
    steve-o

    steve-o Guest

    Apr 17, 2002
    yes it is something to consider..but this wouldn't be something i would be playing all the time...the temp doesn't really change all that much around here...

    thanks
    steve
     
  4. Jul 23, 2003 #4
    BruceWane

    BruceWane

    Oct 31, 2002
    Houston, TX
    Um....this is mostly untrue. Kramer made aluminum necked instruments from 1976 to 1985 - 9 years. They started making wood necked models along with the aluminum necked models in the early 80's, due to the whole Van Halen/Strat style rocker guitar trend. When the wood necked stuff started outselling the aluminum, away it went.

    I own one of these basses. The Kramer does not go out of tune "faster" than a wood neck. True, it will go out of tune if you tune it in a 65 degree air-conditioned room, then go out under hot stage lighting. But then, so will any bass that doesn't have a carbon graphite neck. My '77 P-bass is no different. I always let my basses acclimate to the stage temperature before tuning for the gig.

    If anything, the Kramer is more stable under normal conditions. It has excellent tone and sustain. It's tone is very consistent string to string and up the neck, very similar to a graphite neck in this respect.

    They generally used some very nice wood for the bodies on the aluminum-necked basses. Mine is walnut wings on a maple/walnut laminated center.

    Downside, the neck is heavy, so depending on the body shape it may not balance well on a strap (neck-dive), and even if it does balance well, it's not gonna be very light in weight.

    I dunno about that crack in the body though.....I think $400 would be OK for this instrument in solid condition, normal wear......but if that crack is in a position that may affect the structure of the bass (near the neck, or in the center of the body) I'd be a bit hesitant to buy it at all..........
     
  5. Jul 23, 2003 #5
    BruceWane

    BruceWane

    Oct 31, 2002
    Houston, TX
    Did you see this thread? A couple of other vintage Kramer owners sounding off.......It's just down the page.....



    click here...
     
  6. Jul 23, 2003 #6
    steve-o

    steve-o Guest

    Apr 17, 2002
    i did but when i saw it there wasn't anything about the alm neck krammer.

    steve
     
  7. Jul 23, 2003 #7
    jondog

    jondog

    Mar 14, 2002
    NYC metro area
    I like aluminum necks. They accent the midrange, sustain forever, and feel very stable. I also like wood and graphite...

    :meh: I think I just like basses :)

    How long has the bass been in the store? Sometimes they'll reduce the price even more on an older specialty bass like that if it's been taking space for awhile. If the crack is close to structural, $400 is too high in my book.