Adee Posted January 29, 2019 Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) Kramer Forum IV Bass Made In Japan in the late 1980’s Edited June 16, 2019 by Adee
Sparky Mark Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) Great looking bass but I'd definitely wrap the strings the other way around the machine head posts to lessen the strain on the nut. I assume that's why there are extra screws in the nut? The G slot looks like it could break off if given a good pull. GLWYS. Edited February 6, 2019 by Sparky Mark .
Adee Posted February 6, 2019 Author Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Sparky Mark said: Great looking bass but I'd definitely wrap the strings the other way around the machine head posts to lessen the strain on the nut. I assume that's why there are extra screws in the nut? The G slot looks like it could break off if given a good pull. GLWYS. That makes sense ! thought the angle was a tad steep, however it does seem to be strung correctly looking a pix etc Edited February 6, 2019 by Adee
dyerseve Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 4 hours ago, Adee said: That makes sense ! thought the angle was a tad steep, however it does seem to be strung correctly looking a pix etc I would actually string all of them the other way. Looks a great bit of kit and a lot of bass for the money. GLWTS
Sparky Mark Posted February 7, 2019 Posted February 7, 2019 3 hours ago, dyerseve said: I would actually string all of them the other way. That's exactly what I meant type bump.
lee650 Posted February 10, 2019 Posted February 10, 2019 (edited) I love this!!! Is the bass black underneath the print wrap?? Ive wanted one if these since i was a kid! 😁 Edited February 10, 2019 by lee650
Adee Posted February 11, 2019 Author Posted February 11, 2019 9 hours ago, lee650 said: I love this!!! Is the bass black underneath the print wrap?? Ive wanted one if these since i was a kid! 😁 Hmmm I'm not sure what colour it is underneath, I'm tempted to have a look as I think the 'purple leopard' is putting people off just a tad
WHUFC BASS Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 (edited) These were made in Japan in the ESP factory back in the 80s. I think these were fitted (certainly the Forum I and II basses were) with the excellent Korean made Haz-Lab pre-amp which was also applied to early Spector basses. Can you post up a pic of the electronics? If you take off the control cavity, you should be able to see what type of pre-amp is installed. If it's a Haz-Lab, these are highly desirable. Oh and the original colour is black - you can see that from the back of the body 😂😂 Edited February 13, 2019 by WHUFC BASS
cetera Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 10 minutes ago, WHUFC BASS said: These were made in Japan in the ESP factory back in the 80s. I think these were fitted (certainly the Forum I and II basses were) with the excellent Korean made Haz-Lab pre-amp which was also applied to early Spector basses. Can you post up a pic of the electronics? If you take off the control cavity, you should be able to see what type of pre-amp is installed. If it's a Haz-Lab, these are highly desirable. Oh and the original colour is black - you can see that from the back of the body 😂😂 Good point chap.... however, not strictly true. The (Korean) K-Haz pre-amp is the same as found in the Kramer era Korean Spector NS2A/B & C basses. This pre-amp is not the same (or anywhere near as desirable) as the proper US Haz Lab preamp found in US Spector NS2's and the Kramer American basses.
WHUFC BASS Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 1 minute ago, cetera said: Good point chap.... however, not strictly true. The (Korean) K-Haz pre-amp is the same as found in the Kramer era Korean Spector NS2A/B & C basses. This pre-amp is not the same (or anywhere near as desirable) as the proper US Haz Lab preamp found in US Spector NS2's and the Kramer American basses. Ah my mistake. I might also be wrong on them being manufactured in Korea - they may have actually been manufactured in Japan (which would have made sense with the basses being manufactured in Japan. I found a page here which lists the Spector preamps through the years: http://www.sfcj.net/en/e_data_Preamps.html HOWEVER ... I found a pic of a Forum IV from around the same era on Reverb which has a pic of the control cavity which does look similar to some of the pre-amps from the Kramer era:
cetera Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 5 minutes ago, WHUFC BASS said: I found a pic of a Forum IV from around the same era on Reverb which has a pic of the control cavity which does look similar to some of the pre-amps from the Kramer era: Yep, that's a K-Haz.... 1
WHUFC BASS Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 (edited) Ah - well done sir! That's more than likely what's in this one then! Is there much difference between the US and Korean versions ? Edited February 13, 2019 by WHUFC BASS
cetera Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 2 minutes ago, WHUFC BASS said: Ah - well done sir! That's more than likely what's in this one then! Is there much difference between the US and Korean versions ? I can only speak from upgrading the pickups in an NS2A to full active EMGs and comparing that bass to an NS2 with EMG's/US Haz. The US Haz sounds richer and more present than the K-Haz... 1
Recommended Posts