[OsamaKeefe]

Don't know if any of you saw but looks like Phred's getting on the wagon too...

https://shop.phredinstruments.com/sb500

[Jon S.]

Pg. 2, 2nd post

https://rukind.com/viewtopic.php?f=426& ... 5&start=15

[NeilG1]

If you want to approach the real thing, try this. But warning, it’ll take a little more money

https://reverb.com/ca/item/37580888-tra ... r-jan-2021

[wabisabied]

Little hijack, but related: Does anybody here know much about the Kramer DMZ aluminum neck guitars? I see them pop up on local CL now and then, and they are priced much lower than any Bean I’ve ever come across.

[lbpesq]

Kramer worked for Travis Bean before he went out on his own. There are two major design differences. Where the TB has a full aluminum neck, the Kramer has an aluminum “T” with wood wedges inserted so, looking at the back of the neck, it looks like a wooden neck with an aluminum stripe down the middle. IMHO the Kramers feel nicer. The guy I played with many years ago that played a Travis used to complain that the neck never warmed up - especially on outdoor gigs.

The other major difference is that the Kramer is a regular bolt-on while the TB neck runs 2/3 of the way through the guitar with the pickups and bridge mounted in the same chunk of aluminum that comprises the neck - almost like a neck through.

Another difference is that the Kramers always seemed a little lighter to me. The TBs are boat anchors. I’ve never understood their popularity or the exorbitant prices they now command.

Bill, tgo

[OsamaKeefe]

Though I've yet to play one I've heard guys get some good tones out them. I see them on Reverb for a decent price.

[Jon S.]

I've considered copping an aluminum neck Kramer but then I see the weights. My Philtone Tiger is 9 lbs., 3 oz., and my Scarlet Fire Wolf is 8 lbs., 14.5 oz. No way am I going over 10 lbs!

[wabisabied]

Thanks to all for the Kramer insights. If I’m in the right mood when a decent one pops up again, I might give it a shot.

[Jon S.]

For admittingly superficial reasons (I've never played either one), I'm partial to these two top of the line models:

[OsamaKeefe]

Fella I follow on the Instagram plays a DMZ 2000, sounds killer through his rig. I’ve seen him on here too but I can’t remember his name.