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Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: ack1961 on May 03, 2015, 04:21:52 PM

Title: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: ack1961 on May 03, 2015, 04:21:52 PM: Anyone here have any experiences with a mid 80's (non-Fenderish headstock) Kramer Pioneer Series JJ/JJ?
I have an opportunity to pick one up (sight unseen) pretty cheap, but don't know much about them.

Jazz bass with stacked (JJ/JJ) pickups. 3 pots (V/V/T??)
2 switches (pickup selector/phase??)
Schaller bridge (with "Kramer" stamped on it), Schaller tuners
Bolt on - Looks like Maple/Rosewood.

Thanks,
Steve
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Hörnisse on May 03, 2015, 07:42:07 PM: I had one years ago. The body is much larger than the normal Fender type bass. They are pretty rare so if you can get it for a good price it would be nice. I've got an older 1981 Pioneer Imperial with the Fender head and the single Jazz pickup in the bridge position as opposed to the dual J setup that appeared shortly thereafter.

Some good info on this page:

http://www.vintagekramer.com/pioneer.htm
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: ack1961 on May 03, 2015, 08:01:23 PM: Thanks for that link and the info - the "Double J" is exactly the bass I'm looking at: $300 delivered - in good condition.
It's just odd enough to intrigue me a bit, and cheap enough to gamble on it and possibly lose.
Thanks.
-Steve
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Highlander on May 04, 2015, 01:05:19 AM: Good Grief...! an interchangeable fret-board...?
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: ack1961 on May 04, 2015, 01:55:45 AM: "Good Grief...! an interchangeable fret-board...?"

We're going to move all the songs that require that snappy Maple response to the end of our set.
At the transition point of the set, I'll just swap out fretboards during the drum solo.
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Highlander on May 04, 2015, 03:37:25 PM: :rimshot: :popcorn:
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Hörnisse on May 04, 2015, 05:27:34 PM: Here is my '81 Pioneer Imperial. Came with the original case and I bought it here in Austin a few years back on Craigslist for $200. Someone had mounted a poorly cut pickguard on the body and that was the only bad thing about the bass. I immediately removed and trashed the pickguard but the holes remain......... It is a great player!

(http://i62.tinypic.com/58pip.jpg)
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: 66Atlas on May 04, 2015, 05:58:08 PM: I've got one of the fender headstocked ones with a P/double J configuration. Its a well built bass, but I don't recall the JJ being that remarkable. Not bad by any means but I don recall using it much.
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: gearHed289 on May 05, 2015, 07:38:01 AM: I remember lusting after a Carrera back in the day. With a Kahler... Never happened. ;D
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: ack1961 on May 08, 2015, 04:53:21 PM: Well, I own it now - it sat in a closet for many years, so it needed some care and adjustments (trussrod was stuck at first, then freed after after some patient work) - all in all, a pretty cool bass:
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz62/ack1961/Music/20150505_123718.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/ack1961/media/Music/20150505_123718.jpg.html)
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz62/ack1961/Music/20150505_123656.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/ack1961/media/Music/20150505_123656.jpg.html)
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz62/ack1961/Music/20150505_123637.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/ack1961/media/Music/20150505_123637.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Hörnisse on May 08, 2015, 08:09:25 PM: Oh man, I love that color! (Green is my favorite!)
Title: Re: Kramer "Pioneer Series" experience?
Post by: Nocturnal on May 09, 2015, 08:47:58 AM: Congrats on the new bass!! I was always curious about those dual J pickups. Never had a chance to try a Kramer that was loaded with them.