Early DMZ 2000

[simpler1]

This is an early DMZ 2000, pre the "Made in USA" stamp on the serial number plate. According to Paul the serial numbers were hand stamped in the factory early on. I also spoke to Steve about it a while back and he stated similar. This guitar sounds great and is a joy to play. I bought it from a guy who's father was the original owner, his Dad had passed it down to him. Overall in excellent shape and everything is original.

Some pics:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/6395/img0388rl2.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5340/img0391dk8.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2382/img0395om9.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5249/img0396lz9.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6317/img0413pq3.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/2390/img0416qp0.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7123/img0403as3.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8518/img0405nb6.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

Another interesting tidbit is the case is an original pre-logo Kramer case, verified by several in the know.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4097/img0409ge0.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-23

*Don't know why ImageShack insists on including my user name and what I took the pictures with. ImageShack does this automatically for some reason.

[serdontos]

Wow! that's a sweet one:thumbsup

[Steve EZ]

Sweet! How's it play? I've seen some of those chocolate brown cases but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to how they were sold. I have a 450 that has the lighter color and the adhesive plastic Kramer logo on it.

What's the serial number on yours? I'm still amazed by how there is virtually no hum on my DMZ even when I have the gain cranked. :scratchhe

[simpler1]

Steve,

I was playing it this morning and it sounds awesome both clean and dirty. You are right though, there is no noise that I recall to speak of and I keep the gain cranked up as well. I'll have to try it out against one of my other lumies to verify if it is quieter than the others.

I was told case is original and was pre-logo. I'll see if I can find out why. Because I have seen some of the X50G cases with logos and since these came later I'm with you and not sure why either. Maybe when they switched cases?:scratchhe

Serial is 023XX

[Steve EZ]

I think mine is a DMZ1500 :D

It has one coil tap switch but otherwise looks like a 2000. Serial is 01123 on mine.

[Midnight_Highway]

Badass DMZ 2000! I have a 1000 myself, one of the ones with sharp horns--it's a keeper 'fer sure!
http://www.kramerforum.com/george/kollection/dmz1000_1980_racing.jpg

Mine actually has the PAF pickups in it instead of Super Distortions, so I (gently) replaced the bridge pickup with an older reverse zebra JB. Sounds much better now. :thumbsup

The earliest ones actually had square heels instead of rounded ones; I'd like to get me one some time. :thumbsup

George

[simpler1]

George- Thanks! Some good info there as well. I think one other guy here has one of those early 1000's with the DMZ 5000B or XKB-20 looking body as well. Yours looks like it has a square heel, no? I know the 6000 has a square heel. :)

I'll be on the look-out for either one of those! :brow

Steve's DMZ 1.5K is pretty interesting as well. I told him to send me that thing because it's obviously a factory reject! ;)

[Midnight_Highway]

lol ok I think I've been :funnel and out of pocket for too long.. Actually, only the earliest Kramers (1976) had the square heels. I think I was thrown off because your DMZ 2000 looks so much like a 450G. The rest of 'em, likely including all the DMZ's, have the rounded heel.

George

[NightRider]

that is sweeet:drool ... i still need to get me one of those:thumbsup

[KrameRemarK]

Another great looking lumie right there :thumbsup

Always great to see another ..... love the woods, the build quality and of course the aluminium!

And they sound awesome ..... :thumbsup

Great find there with the OHSC.

[Unhomed]

Looks great :thumbsup ! I got it's twin, also without the roller nut.

Looks like she's brand new :) .

[Steve EZ]

I gotta get the right bridge for mine. Anyone know where I can find one?
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/steveez/DSC05063.jpg

[lostinthemasses]

what a trip, it doesnt have a roller nut.

[Midnight_Highway]

Steve, Warmoth has 'em.

http://warmoth.com/hardware/bridges/bridges.cfm?fuseaction=bridges_schaller_456

It's a pretty good price too. They are even more expensive in EU!
http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_456.htm

*edit* did you want the one without the fine tuners?
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Schaller_Bridge_Tailpiece.html

George

[simpler1]

Steve-What brand of bridge is in it now?

[Steve EZ]

Thanks guys, yeah, I'm looking for the non-fine tuner bridge. The one that's on there now is nice but i don't think it's original. I like the fine tuners but I would rather have it close to stock.

What does everyone think? Leave it or replace it? :scratchhe

[simpler1]

Are you sure it's not original? Is it a Schaller bridge? If so I would leave it. If not replace it.

[Midnight_Highway]

I'd leave it Stevo, but if you hate it you can sell it to me--I've been looking for one of these! :thumbsup

George

[Steve EZ]

Guess I'll have to take it off to see if it's Schaller. I actually like the fine tuners since I got use to them form year of having a FLoyd and Steinberger. Maybe I'll leave it be.

[simpler1]

Steve-I would leave it. It may be original given the fact that nothing about that guitar is "Standard".

[Midnight_Highway]

Oh, that's almost definitely Schaller. Could very well be factory too--they used them on the Liberty proto years later:
http://www.vintagekramer.com/catalog/cat87h.jpg

George

[KrameRemarK]

Just wondering, didn't they also use Leo Quan (Badass) bridges? :scratchhe

[Steve EZ]

I thought they did use Badass guitar bridges on some models but I can't find anything on that.

This has to be a pretty early DMZ. Check out the mini switch placement.
http://www.andypapiccio.com/photos/products/pages/productshots-24.htm

[simpler1]

Steve- I believe they did as well on the DMZ's. Is it a badass bridge? The one in the picture you reference has the X50G type bridge on it. The XK series also used that same type of bridge.

[simpler1]

What is this an early 350G? :scratchhe Notice the lower horn has a different shape to it:

http://www.andypapiccio.com/photos/products/pages/productshots-41.htm

[pel666]

I don't think that's a Schaller 456, some visible differences (connection to Anchor different, doesn't have the notch between the two posts) or it is an early one and they changed the design. Leo Quans Wraparound TOM are just great, as well as the Tonepros. If you have a locking nut, I would go Schaller 456. If not, Leo or Tonepros System II :thumbsup

[Unhomed]

I thought they did use Badass guitar bridges on some models but I can't find anything on that.



My Duke Guitar and Vanguard both have Badass bridges.

[Midnight_Highway]

What is this an early 350G? :scratchhe Notice the lower horn has a different shape to it:

http://www.andypapiccio.com/photos/products/pages/productshots-41.htm

It's def a 350G, but an early one judging by the exotic woods. I have the more regular walnut (I think) one:
http://www.kramerforum.com/george/kollection/350g_1978.jpg
It's actually a great guitar, and those pickups sound great too! I am a big fan of the Kramer tincans.

George

[KramerUK]

Wow, wish I could find one of those over here.

[simpler1]

It's def a 350G, but an early one judging by the exotic woods. I have the more regular walnut (I think) one:
http://www.kramerforum.com/george/kollection/350g_1978.jpg
It's actually a great guitar, and those pickups sound great too! I am a big fan of the Kramer tincans.

George

George-I like the sound of my 350G too! Here's mine:

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7674/img0925qm7.jpg
By simpler1 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/simpler1), shot with iPhone (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=iPhone&make=Apple) at 2008-08-25

[Unhomed]

George-I like the sound of my 350G too! Here's mine:




That black 350 is quite a stunner!! :drool

[KrameRemarK]

I thought they did use Badass guitar bridges on some models but I can't find anything on that.

This has to be a pretty early DMZ. Check out the mini switch placement.
http://www.andypapiccio.com/photos/products/pages/productshots-24.htm

I have a DMZ 2000 which has it's original Leo Quan Badass bridge. Hope that helps, and which is why I was querying the Schaller references. :thumbsup

[simpler1]

Steve- Did you see this one that went on the bay four days ago? It wasn't a 1.5K but had the same bridge as yours:

[Steve EZ]

Cool, thanks. I'll have to compare that with mine. :thumbsup