ape Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Hi, I've just joined this forum and after doing a quick search am really hoping that somebody can help me out. So here goes lol, ok I've fairly recently brought a Warwick and as a result my vintage Kramer XL9 is sat in a cupboard doing nothing. So I am considering getting rid for several reasons, the main one being that I think it would be a shame for it to be sat there doing nothing, and that I need to make some room as I want to buy a 6 string bass. My problem is I can't find any information on how much it is worth so am not sure if it is worth selling as I would keep it if it wasn't going to fetch a great deal. I've seen that a couple of 450b's have gone for £400 on here, mine is the XL9 which I think was the topend model but don't quote me on that. All I know is that it was $1,500 new in the 80's. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, I hope someone can help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 A tricky one. It will depend very much on the condition. The serious prices for aluminium-necked Kramers are for those that are in completely original and un-damaged condition. Things that will bring down the value more than anything are the condition of the neck. Although the aluminium necks are not supposed to bend, they do, and putting that right involves shipping the instrument to one of the few people in the US with the equipment to a proper job and it's not cheap. Also watch that the inserts on the back of the neck are still properly in place. The XL9 isn't really any more top-end than the 450B it's just a later model. They don't come up for sale very often so that could be in your favour, especially if it's in an unusual colour (not natural or black). Prices for aluminium neck Kramers go all the way from £200 to £1000 although those with asking prices over £700 tend to still be on the wall in Music Ground! Realistically £400-500 if it's unmodified and has minimal playing wear. Maybe up to £600 if it looks like it did when it was brand new. If you do decide to sell a couple of tips. Firstly polish up the neck and headstock to a mirror shine with Brasso before taking photos. In fact clean the whole bass. It looks far more impressive. Secondly if you're going to use eBay make sure you're prepared to ship to continental Europe as that where a lot of the serious Kramer collectors are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='534714' date='Jul 7 2009, 02:38 PM']A tricky one. It will depend very much on the condition. The serious prices for aluminium-necked Kramers are for those that are in completely original and un-damaged condition. Things that will bring down the value more than anything are the condition of the neck. Although the aluminium necks are not supposed to bend, they do, and putting that right involves shipping the instrument to one of the few people in the US with the equipment to a proper job and it's not cheap. Also watch that the inserts on the back of the neck are still properly in place. The XL9 isn't really any more top-end than the 450B it's just a later model. They don't come up for sale very often so that could be in your favour, especially if it's in an unusual colour (not natural or black). Prices for aluminium neck Kramers go all the way from £200 to £1000 although those with asking prices over £700 tend to still be on the wall in Music Ground! Realistically £400-500 if it's unmodified and has minimal playing wear. Maybe up to £600 if it looks like it did when it was brand new. If you do decide to sell a couple of tips. Firstly polish up the neck and headstock to a mirror shine with Brasso before taking photos. In fact clean the whole bass. It looks far more impressive. Secondly if you're going to use eBay make sure you're prepared to ship to continental Europe as that where a lot of the serious Kramer collectors are.[/quote] Brilliant, thanks a lot for the advice, I'm in Nottingham myself what are the chances lol. I might try it on here then before ebay possibly. Neck is in really good condition on it although there is a bit of fret wear but still plays well. The whole bass is in pretty good condition to be honest, its only flaws are that a couple of the original plastic knobs have broken off, there's a small laquer chip near the control plate and the battery clip wire is buggers so needs a new one soldering on. Its a natural finish one with walnut and maple, and have got the original case although unfortunately the case is kept at my Mum and Dads and they are smokers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerboy Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Is the XL9 the one with two P pickups and the most amazing set of knobs and switches this side of the Space Shuttle? BigRedX knows the score with prices - I'd say at 350 someone would have a bargain, and at 600 they'd feel like they were paying top end (I've owned 3 Kramers myself - DMZ4001, 450b and XL8). But those are basschat prices. You may well do a lot better on eBay - or worse! You could always stick an ad on www.metalnecks.com or in the forums at www.kramerforum.com too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Nearly everything you need to know about aluminium neck Kramers [url="http://www.vintagekramer.com/alum.htm"]here[/url]. Does yours have the crown inlays or just dots? Crowns are definitely more desirable. It would be great if you could post some pics either here or start a thread in the porn section. I own a couple of Kramers myself - a 450B and a KXB10 both of which were bought in the last couple of years and both under £300. It was while refurbishing the 450B that I discovered just what a difference getting the neck nice and shiny made. Before it looked like an old bass. Simply polishing up the metalwork made it look almost brand new: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ape Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='534813' date='Jul 7 2009, 03:41 PM']Nearly everything you need to know about aluminium neck Kramers [url="http://www.vintagekramer.com/alum.htm"]here[/url]. Does yours have the crown inlays or just dots? Crowns are definitely more desirable. It would be great if you could post some pics either here or start a thread in the porn section. I own a couple of Kramers myself - a 450B and a KXB10 both of which were bought in the last couple of years and both under £300. It was while refurbishing the 450B that I discovered just what a difference getting the neck nice and shiny made. Before it looked like an old bass. Simply polishing up the metalwork made it look almost brand new: [/quote] Yeah its the one with 2 P style pickups, badass bridge, schaller machine heads, more knobs and switches than a red dwarf prop and crown inlays, think the pickups are dimarzios as well as standard on these, oh and a circuit board that looks like it belongs inside a computer. I'll try and get some pics up when I get home. Might try and put it on here, metal necks and kramer forum as suggested and see how I go lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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