Grateful Dead Music Forum

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the 1970's (or any era) Kramer guitars featuring aluminum necks? I haven't tried one and am curious as to their tone and quality etc. e.g. Kramer DMZ series.

Wonderful build quality and unique tone. It wont sound like Jerry's bean however, as there are wood inserts in the neck. Also the aluminum neck doesn't go all the way through the body like a bean. They used to be almost giving them away, but recently eBay prices have gone through the roof. I suppose they're finally getting the credit they deserve

Bummer to hear about the price increase. Ill have to get out and try one sometime. I had a bias against Kramers being a bedroom metal guitar but like many things, it appears that the early ones in particular are truly nice guitars. I would guess they came out of Ca. given the design. Appears a lot of the early ones had Super Distortion/Dual Sound pup's too.

There's one on eBay with a few problems/non-original mods for 750. Or try searching for Kramer collectors forums. I'm sure you can get accurate value estimates there. Some of those guys have multiples in their collections and might part with one. Good luck!

I have one, a 450G that I "Jerrified" a couple of years ago. I've posted about it before:



Happy to answer any questions I can about the early aluminum neck Kramers.

Interesting. Are you looking to sell it? My budget probably requires I find one to clean up myself, but never hurts to ask....

Sorry, not looking to sell. I've had this guitar since 1978 and feel pretty attached to it. Just showing you for illustration purposes, and happy to discuss if you want info. I will say that it's an extremely heavy guitar, 12 to 13 pounds IIRC. Also, the neck is very wide, definitely NOT Strat-like. I find it very playable, but if you have small hands it could be a handful. Finally, the forged aluminum neck has no relief adjustment of any sort, so if you get a bad one you have no way of fixing it, short of maybe using a machine shop-style press. I don't know how many might fall into that category, but it's worth mentioning; for that reason I'd be wary of buying without trying, or at least want the ability to return it if there were that sort of problem.

It's a great guitar, though. Very toneful, and one that I feel packs some mojo. Your mileage may vary, but that's been my experience.

I have a late 70's (78 I think) DMZ-2000 that I'd think about parting with. I love it, but after I read your post I realized I never play it... Also have a Late 70's Ibanez Musician MC300 I believe with original case that would be perfect for a conversion. But of course that's not aluminum.

Feel free to IM me if your interested. I'll send some pics of it.

Jeff