Any thoughts... I've been looking for one of these for a while, just to try one. How do they compair to Beans? Do they have a decent price to play ratio? Anyone here have one they might want to sell?

I sold my 450G about 6 months ago. They are very hit and miss as far as QC goes. The neck route in mine was not tight at all, something you absolutely need in a bolt-on. They are extremely heavy too. Tough as shit and heavy. The body finish was about 1/8" thick. Play a bunch if you can, they can't all be as bad as mine.

atlantic wrote:Any thoughts... I've been looking for one of these for a while, just to try one. How do they compair to Beans? Do they have a decent price to play ratio? Anyone here have one they might want to sell?

Some of them are really cool. The main difference between them and the Bean's is that the neck is merely a bolt on, and doesn't go all the way to the bridge.

I own a Kramer 650g. The sustain on it is like a piano's. Strum a note and it will go on forever. That's a slight exaggeration, but the sustain is hella good.

I owned a Fender Stratocaster before, and I much prefer the Kramer, especially because of its more beautiful qualities.

I love my guitar. The weight of it doesn't bug me at all. Some people don't mind the weight on these guitars, and some people do mind.

Kramer guitars go for sale on ebay and craig's list quite often.

For me, Kramer's don't balance correctly when I play them. It made it very difficult to enjoy it.

Breadvan wrote:I own a Kramer 650g. The sustain on it is like a piano's. Strum a note and it will go on forever. That's a slight exaggeration, but the sustain is hella good.

I owned a Fender Stratocaster before, and I much prefer the Kramer, especially because of its more beautiful qualities.

I love my guitar. The weight of it doesn't bug me at all. Some people don't mind the weight on these guitars, and some people do mind.

Kramer guitars go for sale on ebay and craig's list quite often.

THe 650 may be the way to go. Although the tone and sustain my 450 had was to die for, I just couldn't get past the shoddy workmanship. Maybe the 650 will have more attention to detail than cheaper models.

I have a '76 650G and it is my favorite guitar. This was the top of the line model Kramer produced with aluminum necks (referred to as the "artist" model), and the woods - bookmatched flame koa sides and birdeye maple center - are exquisite, the tone goes from warm bell to jangly treble, all with great sustain. I can't compare to a 450 or a Travis Bean, as I haven't played either, but for the average price of a 650 these days, I have actually thought about getting a second one just in case. As for the weight, it's lighter than my '74 strat, but so are most phone poles.

As for attention to detail, the inlay/binding is phenomenal, and the pickup rings are gen-u-wine walnut. The neck mount and intonation have been solid as stone over the 8 years or so I have owned it.

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/D ... 50G-1.html

If you don't like the 450g, then you may not like the 650g.

I have a 450G and I love it. I also have a Bean artist so in comparison, the Kramer feels like a toy weight wise. The kramer feels a little easier to play and it seems to get a more delicate sound at times that I have difficulty recreating with the bean. Dont get me wrong, I love my Bean, but the Kramer is a great great backup.

-Paul

I own two bass guitars. I have a Rick from '75 and an 8 string aluminum neck Kramer. I love the Kramer. It's has the hugest tone ever given. It's my main axe if i am improvising on bass. It looks stupid, but sounds amazing. Very well made.
As a side note, the guy who started Kramer worked for Travis Bean before starting his own company. Every one i have known who has had a metal neck kramer has spoken very highly of it.
There are great deals out there on these guitars and bass.