Stanley Clarke Bass

[811952]

Without a doubt, Stanley is killer on whatever instrument he's playing.  His upright work is very easy on the ears, for sure.
 
I wouldn't mind owning another Kramer aluminum-necked bass at some point.  I think those are neat and can sound pretty good.
 
John

[somatic]

hendrixclarke said
But one thing unique about Kramer basses were their aluminum neck mix with wood. This made the bass very light, and strong and the action was good too. However, the one thing I loved about them the most, was the thin-neck. I believe this was why the action was so good and were the ?preferred basses? for people who wanted to funk and groove. This was an advantage, if you were dancing on stage with your bass, I don't think there would be any question, Alembic basses wouldn't be the choice product. I never even seen anyone try to dance with an Alembic.
 
My Kramer Stagemaster Imperal is the heaviest bass I've ever hefted, and the chunky neck dives like a soccer player trying to get a penalty. If I danced with it, and the neck slipped out of my hand, I'd have a broken knee. My S1 and SC Dlx are quite light in comparison.
 
Great studio bass though and I love the feel of the aluminium neck.

[elwoodblue]

why does this make me cringe..anyone?

[hendixclarke]

This bass (in the picture) is very light...

[hendixclarke]

Although the hansome guy in the picture is not me playing, but this picture will server as a perspective interms of the Kramer size. The Kramer even smaller than my S1 small body and lighter.

[hendixclarke]

Above, was the omega body tipe I was referencing as the Disco-Dance bass LOL!!!!
 
It's all good people. Its great to smile, while typing these messages on a Sunday morning with fresh coffee brewed to perfection...
 
In otherwords, don't take life so serious, I have too may gray hairs already

[hendixclarke]

Too many gray hairs...

[hendixclarke]

Also, lastly...
 
The Kramer deplicted in both pictures are very light and necks are very thin fast. Sorry, I am not aware of the the other Kramer basses which were said to be heavy and a pain to play. But as for me, the Kramer I listed (too me) were enjoyable to play and it was one heck of a thumb popper and slapper bass. Like I said, it was great for dancing while playing (if you're into those level of entertainent...)
 
In terms of comparing the quality and sounds to an Alembic?
 
Alembics are a SMACK-DOWN, SIDE-DROP on Kramer basses...  
 
DING DING! GAME OVER

[somatic]

Sorry, I am not aware of the the other Kramer basses which were said to be heavy and a pain to play.
 
If you want to come for a visit, you can play mine, and I know of another nearby that's the same. It's heavy and it dives. Sorry if that doesn't jibe with your experience, but it is mine. And my bass is sitting in my rack on the opposite side of the room, now, not a memory.
 
I have no way to host a pic at the moment, but here's one from the Vintage Kramer site. Mine is near identical.
http://www.vintagekramer.com/Alum/stage-imperialb.jpg

[smuprof]

Hey Bill -
 
The Vs are fun to play, and all of the Kramer's I was familiar with had a nice tone with a ringing sustain.  My first experience with them was picking between an Ibanez Musician and the Kramer with the small body pictured above in 1979.  Loved the sound, loved the feel, worried about busting a kneecap like Somatic above.  Finally went with the Ibanez, played it for years, sold it to buy an engagement ring.
 
 
 
 
 
Really wish I had the bass back . . .  
 
 
 
(PS For those of you who know me, this was for a prior GF, NOT my darling wife of 22 years . . . )  
 
JT