You know, they have a headstock that looks kinda like a V? John Deacon is using one in this video...I've seen them a few times and always wondered what they were.
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What are those basses with the "split" headstock?
- Thread starter Rush-2112
- Start date
they are kind of neat the aluminum actually goes down the entire length of the neck and had wooden inserts on the back
Aha! aluminum! very interesting...is that just aesthetic, or did it serve another purpose for these?
It looks pretty important to holding the bass together. Now if it was chosen for its looks, its possible tonal character, or its strength or weight or something, who knows. Kramer probably used all sorts of fancy words to describe how finely nuanced its tonal qualities are, when in fact it probably sounds like a bass guitar
They had a sound and a look and obviously were not subject to warping.
BUT, none of those things were particularly attractive.
And the neck actually started to feel warm after playing it a while. (Remember, aluminum is a great conductor of heat).
BUT, none of those things were particularly attractive.
And the neck actually started to feel warm after playing it a while. (Remember, aluminum is a great conductor of heat).
Not being subject to warping actually is particularly attractive. In fact, that was why they did it.
The tone was very bright. (good for some players, but not all)
Biggest problem was they were neck-heavy and generally uncomfortable to play. The aluminum was cold (or hot) in comparison to the wood in the neck and I think players found that rather distracting.
But, other than all that, they were pretty good basses.
Had a Kramer Duke back in the day when I was playing bars. Lived in the country, and would put the bass behind my pickup seat. During the winter, it would get cold and the neck would contract. No matter what I did to warm it up, it always went sharp that first set! Had good sustain tho ...
Loved the Kramer and Travis Beans I played back in the day.
Especially good living up north, where you would take your instrument from a cold car into an over-heated club and the tuning wouldn't stabilize for the first set or two.
Especially good living up north, where you would take your instrument from a cold car into an over-heated club and the tuning wouldn't stabilize for the first set or two.
That Model he is playing is a 4000B I believe. The aluminum neck would expand and contract But once they warmed up they were rock solid. I have 2 a 4000B and a 6000B They are a little heavy but with a wide strap will stay in place and are not uncomfortable to play.
Yes, forgot to mention the neck weight -- probably the biggest deficit. And yes, the neck was cold at first touch, then warm. Changing temperature necks is not a big selling point. I don't recall if the necks were adjustable.
