Kramer: It's 1979 Again

[Thomas Cordery]

Does yours actually have a battery? I've got a DMZ5000 from the same era; it's got the same knob/switch layout, but it's a completely passive circuit, no preamp.

Yes, takes a 9 volt battery.

The preamp is completely potted so component replacement would be a huge undertaking and probably unsuccesful. The part number is stamped "DBL-2" with a second line "07 167 9" and something like a dozen wires coming out one end. DiMarzio says they didn't make it and I haven't been able to find any more information.

A real shame because the bass is otherwise in gorgeous condition, looks stunning, sounds great (when it's not suffering a momentary stroke) and plays well. This may become a project for my retirement in a few years, like I don't already have a dozen!

 

[Thomas Cordery]

Does yours actually have a battery? I've got a DMZ5000 from the same era; it's got the same knob/switch layout, but it's a completely passive circuit, no preamp.

Yes, it runs on a 9V battery.

It definitely is the preamp; I suspect some semiconductor or more likely a capacitor going intermittent.

I did contact DiMarzio on the off chance they had a schematic, but they informed me that they didn't provide the preamps. Looking again at the brochure I see reference to "DBL Electronics" but can find no mention of them on the interwebs.

The controls on mine are volume, treble boost and cut like a baxandall treble circuit and series / parallel switch for each pickup, plus the pickup selector switch.

The tone is an advance on the earliest bass tone controls that only cut the treble but don't boost it. No bass or mid control like is common on modern on board preamps.

Some 6000Bs I've seen have a preamp on / off switch, but mine's like the one on the brochure. It switches on and off by plugging a cord into the jack.

 

[mongo2]

Not a DMZ but my 650B is one of the most beautiful basses I have ever seen.

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My 650B was also a great looking bass. Unfortunately I didn't like the weight for very long.

 

[bobyoung53]

Wow! These are really, really cool. Not a huge fan of the headstocks, but the rest could easily make me overlook that. How did these instruments sound?

I remember when they were new I asked someone about them and was told they were like a Rickenbacker without the problems (people were improperly adjusting the 4001 necks back then). That seemed to be the consensus among many bass players at least in my area. Carry on Wayward Son- Kansas was supposed to have been recorded with a Kramer which did sound reminiscent of a Ric.