MetalNecks.com - Your source for metal necked guitars and basses.

Style of Music: Rock music.

Comments: I got my 450B from Ebay in spring 2007. It did not have the original pickups, as a previous owner had installed active EMG humbuckers.

I didn't like the sound of these pickups, but I enjoyed playing the bass a lot. Even unplugged, it had amazing sustain and tone. I found it very easy to play. I haven't had any of the neck dive problems that people seem to have with the Kramer basses. A leather strap helps with this as well. I play a MIJ Fender P-Bass that is heavier than most P-Basses, so the weight was not a problem for me.

Since I was dissapointed with the EMGs in the bass, I ordered a set of bass pickups from Kevin at Electrical Guitar. These pickups sound great in the Kramer, and bring out the nice tonal qualities of an aluminum neck.

I honestly can't think of any bad points about this bass. The toggle switch is kind of cheap and I'll be changing that sooner than later. Overall it's much better built than any contemporary bass I could have gotten for the same price, and with the Electrical pickups, sounds great as well.

Score: 10

11/24/2007 at 9:37 PM

by Martin Blatherwick

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Purchased New:		yes
Date Acquired:		? 1976
Price:		$600.00CDN
Name:		Martin Blatherwick
Email:		[ e-mail ]

Style of Music: Played various types from hard rock to classical to jazz.

Comments: Loved the sound especially with Rotosound strings. Never gave me a moment of grief or tuning issues as some others have stated. Regret the loss of both my Kramer basses ( 450b and DMZ 5000 fretless ). Still have my Kramer DMZ 1000. When I was with y last band, the Kramer distributor brought me in to try the Simmon's Axe and the 8 string XL8. Should have bought the XL8.

Score: 9.4

08/07/2007 at 9:18 PM

by Jolan

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Purchased New:		no
Date Acquired:		N/A
Price:		$600US
Name:		Jolan
Email:		N/A

Style of Music: It was fast-ish post-punk (My Sister The Cop), now it's instrumental / math rock (SWORDS).

Comments: I bought my bass (a black 1979 450B) on eBay a while ago after becoming obsessed with wanting a metal neck guitar, despite never playing one, I'd like to thank Shellac, My Disco, Oxes and Ten Grand for that. Going from a short-scale '79 Fender Musicmaster to this was never a problem, the neck feels amazing to play and it's weighted really nicely. Although the weight can get a bit too much after 3 hours of practicing. The sound of this bass is an extremely distinct one, some times I find it too trebly, especially playing the G string, but the sound of an open E makes up for it.

The only thing I would change is the placement of the pick-up selector switch. It sits right where you strum and manages to flick off and on. Right now I've taken the actual switch off and covered it with gaffa.

Other than that, this bass is awesome. I'll never sell it.

Score: 9

04/20/2007 at 06:06 AM

by Bezz Berry

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Purchased New:		no
Date Acquired:		May 1987
Price:		�250
Name:		Bezz Berry
Email:		[ e-mail ]

Style of Music: Jazzy-Bluesy-Rock

Comments: I know a lot of people have problems with this guitar, but it has been my trusted companion for 20 years now and has never let me down. Grat tone, if a little heavy.

Score: 8.8

02/18/2007 at 3:18 PM

by joshua

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Purchased New:		no
Date Acquired:		N/A
Price:		N/A
Name:		joshua
Email:		N/A

Style of Music: dark, heavy. de-tuned down to a.

Comments: i have several kramer basses - including a 450b. aside from the general look, you can't really compare the 450s to the dmz series. the 450s are just a different, and completely superior insturment. it's also way heavier. but the pick ups are humbuckers, as opposed to the p-bass style on the dmzs. but you can't really compare to the dmz's.

the tone i get out of this is pretty stunning. very clear, warm, heavy. my only complaint is that i wish it were a bit hotter.

Score: 9

11/19/2006 at 09:51 AM

by gnangle

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Purchased New:		no
Date Acquired:		N/A
Price:		n/a
Name:		gnangle
Email:		N/A

Style of Music: N/A

Comments: This bass guitar is extremely loyal, by that I mean it is always in tune, it always plays well, there have been very normal and reasonable types of problems(loose jack,scratchy pots, etc) considering its age and use. The pickup is one humbucker type, the scale length is a little shorter than most, and the tone and sustain are out of this world. Nice player.