Kramer "Duke" Deluxe bass

[space_age85]

Hey guys!
This is my first post ever on talk bass. I started playing live for the first time with a band as of recent and needed a bass to play. I bought this bass about a week ago and wanted to use it for live gigs. Really unique and slick shape, but it just screams 80s. Very light and comfortable. Anyone have more info on this bass like the history and people who played it live??? Thanks in advance!

 

[mjmeche]

Had one should have never sold it! Mine was ivory loved the aluminum neck never too cold or hot. I changed the pickup to 2 quarter pounders with ears shaved off and epoxied together.

 

[bholder]

I've got that exact bass, except mine's an "Arbor" not a Kramer. FWIW. Nice bass. I put a DiMarzio DP127 in mine. (Well, not exact, mine has the P pickup. Same body and hw though.)

 

[dalkowski]

A Duke is on my wish list!

 

[space_age85]

Had one should have never sold it! Mine was ivory loved the aluminum neck never too cold or hot. I changed the pickup to 2 quarter pounders with ears shaved off and epoxied together.

Wow! that's cool. It has a very punchy sound for such a small thing lol

 

[space_age85]

A Duke is on my wish list!

Haha nice a classic!

 

[space_age85]

I've got that exact bass, except mine's an "Arbor" not a Kramer. FWIW. Nice bass. I put a DiMarzio DP127 in mine.

I just did a bit of research and I think there are DiMarzios PU's in this guy??..

 

[dalkowski]

I just did a bit of research and I think there are DiMarzios PU's in this guy??..

Accurate. DiMarzios were standard issue on Kramers of that era (hence the "DMZ" line, one of which I owned and miss).

 

[Benj-jammin]

I actually owned one of those back in the mid 80's. Some called it a poor mans Steinberger, but in reality, it was a punchy, little beast. I guess I just couldn't get quite used to the overall ergonomics of it - ended up getting other Kramers, DMZ 4000, 5000, etc. I loved the older aluminum Kramer basses - unique.

 

[Flatwound]

Those are short scale, right? I may need to start looking for one.

 

[dkelley]

I just did a bit of research and I think there are DiMarzios PU's in this guy??..

those are tone machines as they are. don't change a thing! I'm envious

 

[BobKos]

IIRC the duke pickup was actually a Schaller. They used schaller for bridges, tuners, and some pickups. Of course the schaller pickups of that time were ripoffs (licensed or maybe not) of Dimarzio designs. I owned a few Duke basses back in the day.

 

[Lava]

Nice! I loved those.

 

[space_age85]

Accurate. DiMarzios were standard issue on Kramers of that era (hence the "DMZ" line, one of which I owned and miss).

I've heard of the Kramer DMZ line! very nice woods on those

 

[space_age85]

Those are short scale, right? I may need to start looking for one.

I believe so ! Like others have mentioned the tone is immense for such a small little bass.

 

[Slade N]

A friend had one, fun to play.

 

[space_age85]

IIRC the duke pickup was actually a Schaller. They used schaller for bridges, tuners, and some pickups. Of course the schaller pickups of that time were ripoffs (licensed or maybe not) of Dimarzio designs. I owned a few Duke basses back in the day.

So cool !!! Thanks

 

[space_age85]

those are tone machines as they are. don't change a thing! I'm envious

Thanks I'm so excited to take the stage with it!

 

[space_age85]

I actually owned one of those back in the mid 80's. Some called it a poor mans Steinberger, but in reality, it was a punchy, little beast. I guess I just couldn't get quite used to the overall ergonomics of it - ended up getting other Kramers, DMZ 4000, 5000, etc. I loved the older aluminum Kramer basses - unique.

So do you think I got a good deal ? I paid 400$ for it!

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Those are short scale, right? I may need to start looking for one.

I don't think so. I think some of the Kramers were 32, just not the Duke.

"So do you think I got a good deal ? I paid 400$ for it!"
Only if you can play it.

2 pick-up model:
Kramer The Duke Headless 4-string Bass with Case Vintage Black | Reverb