What should I bid on this neck (maximum)

  • Thread starter Thread starter ido1957
  • Start date Start date
I have a Kramer Pacer Imperial with a neck that's wearing out... I've also considered ordering a Warmoth but to be honest I haven't heard enough about them so I'm cautious.... At least this used neck is familiar...:)
 
I remember Kramer guitars being some of the worst junk ever made. The bodies were made of plywood.
 
ocnor said:
I remember Kramer guitars being some of the worst junk ever made. The bodies were made of plywood.
Click to expand...

Gerry has written and performed a lot of great songs on the Kramer, and likes the feel of the neck. If it's comfortable to you, thats all that matters.
I had my Fender Strat refretted about 10 years back-it wasn't cheap but it is just like having a new neck with that broken in feel to it!
 
ido1957 said:
I have a Kramer Pacer Imperial with a neck that's wearing out... I've also considered ordering a Warmoth but to be honest I haven't heard enough about them so I'm cautious.... At least this used neck is familiar...:)
Click to expand...


A Warmoth neck will be a LOT better than anything made by Kramer. What I'm not sure about is if it will fit - I don't know that Kramer's neck pocket is shaped the same, and if they don't match then it just won't work.


ocnor said:
I remember Kramer guitars being some of the worst junk ever made. The bodies were made of plywood.
Click to expand...


They made a whole range of guitars. Some of them were junk (which were sold for very little money), some of them were ok (they sold for a bit more money), and some of them were very nice (which sold for more money still). I don't recall any of them being made with plywood bodies.

And of course, that is just the `80's ones. The `70's Kramers, back when Gary Kramer still owned the company, were REALLY nice aluminum necked things that were an actual new idea in guitars, even if they were never all that popular. Kind of heavy, though, and then necks were a bitch to play when it got cold.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Light said:
A Warmoth neck will be a LOT better than anything made by Kramer. What I'm not sure about is if it will fit - I don't know that Kramer's neck pocket is shaped the same, and if they don't match then it just won't work.





They made a whole range of guitars. Some of them were junk (which were sold for very little money), some of them were ok (they sold for a bit more money), and some of them were very nice (which sold for more money still). I don't recall any of them being made with plywood bodies.

And of course, that is just the `80's ones. The `70's Kramers, back when Gary Kramer still owned the company, were REALLY nice aluminum necked things that were an actual new idea in guitars, even if they were never all that popular. Kind of heavy, though, and then necks were a bitch to play when it got cold.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

The aluminium neck was a Travis Bean idea back when Kramer was involved in Travis Bean. Travis dropped the idea because it simply didn't work. Kramer kept it going by adding wood inserts which got round Travis beans copyrite. He subsequently dropped the idea because he also came to the conclusion that it didn't work. I hated them intensely. Pigs to hold in tune, pigs to work on, pigs to play, heavy as hell and neck heavy to bbot, all round junk imho but thats my opinion of course.
 
There isn't enough of a market in Kramer necks to give you any advice about fair market value. Unfortunately that neck is worth whatever it's worth to you.

You gotta wonder why the guy is parting out the guitar. Why did he have the neck serviced if the guitar was toast? Just asking. Not much goes wrong with guiter bodies.

Unless something's changed, Warmoth does very good work. They will be able to advise you about fit and cost. It will probably be about the same as having your original neck redone professionally. It will not come with a headstock decal.

You'll get a better neck from Warmoth. Your guitar will be worth more with the Kramer neck. It's up to you. Either way the guitar will be somewhat different with a different neck.

Good luck to you.
 
I have a Kramer focus neck from 1984 and I have been told by alot of players that they really like it. I bought the guitar new but never liked the liposuction strat body shape. I used the neck for another project. I wouldn't pay a premium for one, but if it was cheaper than a new neck, it would be worth a shot. I paid $100 for a new mighty mite neck and it is a piece of garbage. Hugely disappointing. I am nearly over it enough to take a shot at buying another slighly less cheap neck. throwing good money after bad is my style.
 
I have one of those '70s Kramer aluminum neck jobs. The heat of your hand warps the neck during normal playing. It has a solid unfigured koa body. It's heavier than a Les Paul. There's nothing special about the tone. I keep it around as a novelty. It does look cool.

Do not leave it on stage in the sunshine while playing your other guitar. The neck gets hot enough for second degree burns.

Sorry about the side track. Now back to our regularly scheduled OP.
 
I wonder how much one of those with the Steve Ripley electronics is worth?
 
muttley600 said:
The aluminium neck was a Travis Bean idea back when Kramer was involved in Travis Bean. Travis dropped the idea because it simply didn't work. Kramer kept it going by adding wood inserts which got round Travis beans copyrite. He subsequently dropped the idea because he also came to the conclusion that it didn't work. I hated them intensely. Pigs to hold in tune, pigs to work on, pigs to play, heavy as hell and neck heavy to bbot, all round junk imho but thats my opinion of course.
Click to expand...


Eh, I always liked them. Not so much to play, but they were well made, and I like the way they sound.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Light said:
Eh, I always liked them. Not so much to play, but they were well made, and I like the way they sound.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
Click to expand...

Like we are always saying though it's all down to what works for you or me, or him or her. Thats why I resist offering opinions on brands and types. Unless there is something fundamentally flawed with them, the Ali necks are a case in point to me. They just don't feel right or stay in tune. They don't sound that different or good for me to work around that. Of course your mileage may vary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top