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The Kramer Club
- Thread starter 2x4strgkramers
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Gibson purchased Kramer, Tobias, and Steinberger. They mostly sold import models, although they made USA Steinbergers in very limited quantities.
spade2you said:
Ah I see. So is there a way to date my bass or tell whether it is a musicyo model? It's an NT if that helps. Any idea on value? Very excited to find out if I got a bargain
I've never had an NT before, what are the main differences?
Ah I see. So is there a way to date my bass or tell whether it is a musicyo model? It's an NT if that helps. Any idea on value? Very excited to find out if I got a bargain
I've never had an NT before, what are the main differences?
You might be able to ask Gibson, but my guess is that it's made from the late 90's to somewhere near 2008 or so. Value? Hard to say, it's an import, so it's more than likely not worth more than $300US.
Neckthrough vs. bolt-on, generally speaking, there's a little more sustain, a little less punch, and more of an even bloom with notes.
It's a musicyo. Signs? 24 frets, and dual rail pickups. Reverse headstock. Kramer never had any of those features on their wooden necked basses in the 80's.
what is the serial number? IIRC its a samick made bass, and should start in SXXXXXXXXX (i forget how many digits) Most likely S03XXX or something like that, with that telling the year.
And NT's? I just like how the feel.
Its most likely a good bass, certainly not a USA made Spector or what have you, but certainly a good bass.
what is the serial number? IIRC its a samick made bass, and should start in SXXXXXXXXX (i forget how many digits) Most likely S03XXX or something like that, with that telling the year.
And NT's? I just like how the feel.
Its most likely a good bass, certainly not a USA made Spector or what have you, but certainly a good bass.
Hello, and thanks for the info! Very helpful. The serial number - I can't remember all of it and I'm not near the bass at the moment, but it started with S000XXXXXXX so I guess it was made in 2000.
It's a very good bass, gave it a setup yesterday afternoon and used it for a gig last night, sounded great and had a lot of compliments.
It isn't quite as easy to play as my Corvette, but I haven't quite figured out why yet... I made the action as low as possible without fret buzz, but it's still very slightly higher than the corvette so that could be it... or maybe the neck is different, or string spacing.... I dunno, I'll figure it out eventually
It's a very good bass, gave it a setup yesterday afternoon and used it for a gig last night, sounded great and had a lot of compliments.
It isn't quite as easy to play as my Corvette, but I haven't quite figured out why yet... I made the action as low as possible without fret buzz, but it's still very slightly higher than the corvette so that could be it... or maybe the neck is different, or string spacing.... I dunno, I'll figure it out eventually
I like the under 100 dollar musicYo dualrail bolt-on version
.
p.s. the coiltap switch actually does something, but the pickups hiss
not hum/buzz - highfreq hiss and none of my others do it.
Your serial is probly the same sequence S-something and S0 means 1990, NOT 2000
hey KBF you know if they made different grade pups for the various units cause the 422 was the GSR300 cheapo of the day and I still like the ZX70 neck better...lol
.
p.s. the coiltap switch actually does something, but the pickups hiss
not hum/buzz - highfreq hiss and none of my others do it.Your serial is probly the same sequence S-something and S0 means 1990, NOT 2000
hey KBF you know if they made different grade pups for the various units cause the 422 was the GSR300 cheapo of the day and I still like the ZX70 neck better...lol
amimbari said:
Oh... I'm confused haha! Definitely starts S000. What do you think KBF?
I've found out it's a Kramer Baretta! Heading in the right direction
ooops sorrry, i could have edited, but s0 is 2000 yours is a musicYo baretta 422S mine is a striker422s. NT-vs BO and the laughable price back then was 149.95 for the striker and 199.00 for the baretta...
you know, it WOULD have helped taking a few more "clear/bright" pics, and not some ****** cameraphone ldark out of focus junk where I had to D/L the pic and try to enhance it
you know, it WOULD have helped taking a few more "clear/bright" pics, and not some ****** cameraphone ldark out of focus junk where I had to D/L the pic and try to enhance it
Oh... I'm confused haha! Definitely starts S000. What do you think KBF?
I've found out it's a Kramer Baretta! Heading in the right direction
Kramer made basses nothing like these in 1990- they actually went out of business that year. The only basses they made then were Forum Basses, and the Striker and Aerostar bass. None of them have reverse headstocks, or big dual rail humbuckers.
Definitely a 2000 in this case, NOT a 1990... i am 100% sure of that.
And different grade pickups? I don't know. All the MusicYo basses (asides from the Fender P knock off) had exclusively dual rail pickups, and maybe Gibby changed their make up during production? I don't know.
Finally got a chance to take some photos, though they are from my computer camera (terrible). This is my Kramer 700ST, I spent two months without her, I don't keep basses in the same house and playing this one again was definitely worth the wait. The precision pickups are so full and the jazz pickup just makes you want to attack any song. Sorry again for the terrible resolution and lighting.
Attachments
Nice bass!
Probably an 88' or 89' (No way to put down the exact year, just semi educated guesses) But cool bass.
I've been playing my XL7 recently... which is cheaper than a Striker.
Probably an 88' or 89' (No way to put down the exact year, just semi educated guesses) But cool bass.
I've been playing my XL7 recently... which is cheaper than a Striker.
Nice bass!
Probably an 88' or 89' (No way to put down the exact year, just semi educated guesses) But cool bass.
I've been playing my XL7 recently... which is cheaper than a Striker.
Thanks! I'm hoping '88.
Cheaper? It's a sweet bass and self defensive weapon, that right there doubles your value.
I really do want try an aluminum neck sometime.
I have a lumie. :cool
And it could be an 88', like i said, nobody really knows.... all old serial number records are gone.
And it could be an 88', like i said, nobody really knows.... all old serial number records are gone.
if the steelers get into the superbowl this year and win, I'm painting yellow stripes on my black 422s
hey Dan, I just picked up a red 700ST for less than 100 WITH the case...the guy must have needed some quick cash
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...SQ74STQ%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
hell for 75 bucks I couldn't say no, even though it's not a lefty
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
ok I have another post
I got some basses on ebay, this should be a different thread on "douche of the day", but since it is Kramer MODEL AND CONSTRUCTION related let me put it here. I have a red ZX70 for sale CHEAP...ok nothing special about that until I get a message from this guy: ( I took his screen name out as not to violate any privacy stuff )
Dear apts3000,
Sorry, but I cannot READ the Serial Number on the Neck plate, would you be so kind as to read it and send that to me? I own #AA8877 so you know that I am serious. I expect this to be the same Series. Thanks! Ed
ok nothing wrong with that so my reply:
Dear xxxxxx,
I don't know why the serial would be so significant to anyone. It's a plain old Korean unit and they made 1/2 a million of them. However, giving you the serial means nothing to me so when I get home tonight, I'll take a pic and replace it with the one that is in the ad. Perhaps you think this was your old one or something and want to buy it back for sentimental reasons?
In any case, sure I'll PM you when I swap the pics around.
- apts3000
ok nothing wrong with that right? and his reply:
Dear apts3000,
I have owned mine since 1994. I KNOW what I like, and what I do not like about these, and they only made 9999 of them in EACH Style, and there Are differences it would take me a while to explain.
AA and AB are TOTALLY different.
Early AA and Late AA Are different
ALL AB are Later than AA, and they are not
SET the same, neck to body, you cannot transfer from one bass to the other and have it all RIGHT. I have said enough. They are also Solid wood body.
Thanks! Ed
well now this is a switch I never knew Aerostars were solidwood...
so here's my reply:
Dear xxxxxxx,
I appreciate the fact that you know what you want. We all do, BUT...where do you get your info from LuLu's guitar shop?
Kramer Korean basses of the Aerostar line are ALL plywood. I have had 7 of these things in 20 years and every one is plywood just like this red one. The headstocks and stickers were the only differences from 86-87 and then 87-89 which dictated AA/AB/ACxxxx and no more were made after 89, then musicYo came around and the cheap Striker bolt-ons were lam bodies. ( yes I still have one of those also ) Honestly, YOU NEED TO LOOK ON VINTAGEKRAMER.COM, and not rely on LuLu’s guitar shop for your info. I have swapped necks between the different headstock styles/years with no mods at all, just bolt it on and play, perfect tight pockets and no issues. Look at my other auction with the Charvel body and the ZX70 neck..perfect fit...why? because the pockets are all cut the same. this isn't a Allparts neck trying to fit on a Warmoth body dude.
Ed, I’m gonna save you the trouble of placing a bid, ( IF you were even going to bid ) and I’m blocking you today because your whacked dude, and I don’t need the ******** of you harassing me if there is a scratch I didn’t disclose in my ad, or if the string tree is black and not chrome and you get pissed and you try to return it “ Since YOU know what you want”, this one IS NOT gonna be for you.
Oh, and just for the last item in my note to you, here’s a picture of the red cavity…..sure don’t look solid to me.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm171/amimbari/KRAMER zx70/P1010363.jpg
- apts3000
just one more UN-INFORMED person who just needs to research his facts before posting stupid messages.
MODS, IF THIS IS VIOLATING SOMETHING EDIT/DELETE IT, IF IT IS OK TO STAY HERE THEN I GUESS IT STAYS -- thanks
I got some basses on ebay, this should be a different thread on "douche of the day", but since it is Kramer MODEL AND CONSTRUCTION related let me put it here. I have a red ZX70 for sale CHEAP...ok nothing special about that until I get a message from this guy: ( I took his screen name out as not to violate any privacy stuff )
Dear apts3000,
Sorry, but I cannot READ the Serial Number on the Neck plate, would you be so kind as to read it and send that to me? I own #AA8877 so you know that I am serious. I expect this to be the same Series. Thanks! Ed
ok nothing wrong with that so my reply:
Dear xxxxxx,
I don't know why the serial would be so significant to anyone. It's a plain old Korean unit and they made 1/2 a million of them. However, giving you the serial means nothing to me so when I get home tonight, I'll take a pic and replace it with the one that is in the ad. Perhaps you think this was your old one or something and want to buy it back for sentimental reasons?
In any case, sure I'll PM you when I swap the pics around.
- apts3000
ok nothing wrong with that right? and his reply:
Dear apts3000,
I have owned mine since 1994. I KNOW what I like, and what I do not like about these, and they only made 9999 of them in EACH Style, and there Are differences it would take me a while to explain.
AA and AB are TOTALLY different.
Early AA and Late AA Are different
ALL AB are Later than AA, and they are not
SET the same, neck to body, you cannot transfer from one bass to the other and have it all RIGHT. I have said enough. They are also Solid wood body.
Thanks! Ed
well now this is a switch I never knew Aerostars were solidwood...
so here's my reply:
Dear xxxxxxx,
I appreciate the fact that you know what you want. We all do, BUT...where do you get your info from LuLu's guitar shop?
Kramer Korean basses of the Aerostar line are ALL plywood. I have had 7 of these things in 20 years and every one is plywood just like this red one. The headstocks and stickers were the only differences from 86-87 and then 87-89 which dictated AA/AB/ACxxxx and no more were made after 89, then musicYo came around and the cheap Striker bolt-ons were lam bodies. ( yes I still have one of those also ) Honestly, YOU NEED TO LOOK ON VINTAGEKRAMER.COM, and not rely on LuLu’s guitar shop for your info. I have swapped necks between the different headstock styles/years with no mods at all, just bolt it on and play, perfect tight pockets and no issues. Look at my other auction with the Charvel body and the ZX70 neck..perfect fit...why? because the pockets are all cut the same. this isn't a Allparts neck trying to fit on a Warmoth body dude.
Ed, I’m gonna save you the trouble of placing a bid, ( IF you were even going to bid ) and I’m blocking you today because your whacked dude, and I don’t need the ******** of you harassing me if there is a scratch I didn’t disclose in my ad, or if the string tree is black and not chrome and you get pissed and you try to return it “ Since YOU know what you want”, this one IS NOT gonna be for you.
Oh, and just for the last item in my note to you, here’s a picture of the red cavity…..sure don’t look solid to me.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm171/amimbari/KRAMER zx70/P1010363.jpg
- apts3000
just one more UN-INFORMED person who just needs to research his facts before posting stupid messages.
MODS, IF THIS IS VIOLATING SOMETHING EDIT/DELETE IT, IF IT IS OK TO STAY HERE THEN I GUESS IT STAYS -- thanks
hey Dan, I just picked up a red 700ST for less than 100 WITH the case...the guy must have needed some quick cash
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...SQ74STQ%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT
hell for 75 bucks I couldn't say no, even though it's not a lefty
Awesome deal! Same pickups, bridge and everything. Post some pics when you get it, I'm wondering if yours is actually a darker red then in those pictures like mine is. And let us know how it sounds. I hope it works for you even though it's not a lefty.
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
thanks, since you said yours sounds good, I'll take a listen and if not I'll toss a preamp in it.
I do play inverted like Haslip, and will jam on a cheap righty flipped like this day when it started raining and I didn't want to get my lefty wet and used my Kramernecked Charvel body
.
p.s. the thing got soaked and the next day the only damage was the toggleswitch needed cleaning. Stayed in tune and used it a few times past that with no adjustments or special drying procedures.
long live cheap basses?
I do play inverted like Haslip, and will jam on a cheap righty flipped like this day when it started raining and I didn't want to get my lefty wet and used my Kramernecked Charvel body
.
p.s. the thing got soaked and the next day the only damage was the toggleswitch needed cleaning. Stayed in tune and used it a few times past that with no adjustments or special drying procedures.
long live cheap basses?
