Kramer DMZ4000 R&R (Rebuild and Revive)

[Hulakatt]

A few weeks ago I accumulated a rather beat lefty Kramer bass on eBay for the wife. There was some speculation and interest here on the bass and what it's next life would be like so here's a thread with a bit of that rebirth.

The bass landed today and we were itching to get started!

Here's how it landed:

[Hulakatt]

Got started with ripping off and removing all the duct tape. We used Goo Gone, vodka and a razor.









Didn't know that the pickup surround was wood, what a pleasant surprise!

[Hulakatt]

Actually a pretty nice body underneath it all. The body has a few dings and some wear but overall is in excellent shape. Most of the wear is at the bottom of the rear "belly cut" where it meets the flat of the body.

[Hulakatt]

Next up, I'm heading off to Pittsburgh Guitars for them to cut a new rear control cavity cover for it while I order an Orange Squeezer from GGG to replace the Alembic preamp. In the meantime, I'm going to check over the DiMarzio pickups that came in it to make sure there useable and in good shape.

[Flat]

Dang! Now I want it back!

I really had no idea what the body was like underneath the tape. I'm delighted and somewhat relieved to see it looking as good as it does!

No doubt this bass found the right guy and the right home!

Thanks for the thread, Hulakatt. It's a kick to see.

-dude who sold it

[AzWhoFan]

wow, i was just so sure that the reason for the tape job was to hide a disfigured body. Boy, was I wrong! That is going to turn into one heck of a nice restoration job.

My only question is: did the vodka get used for cocktails? LOL

[Matt R.]

Wow. Cool.

[amimbari]

Pittsburgh guitars on the S.side? they are like 10 minutes from my house, great bunch of guys and TECHS

[jayceofbass]

Woot and/or double woot! That is looking waaaaay better than I thought it possibly could under there.

I fully retract my cynical and premature statement from the other thread on this one. It has indeed found the right home!

Any other plans for it? Frets and neck joint okay?

Kudos!

[Hulakatt]

Yes. Pittsburgh Guitars on the south side. Scott is one of the best techs I've had the pleasure to deal with. Every guitar he has touched of mine is better for it. He's cutting a new control cavity plate now (black plastic for the time being).

There is a bit of fret wear but the neck is in excellent shape. All of the hardware has been oiled and clean and is in quite good condition as well. Really, just the duck tape and the electronics were the only negatives to the guitar and both are being taken care of without too much trouble. I'm really looking forward to re-doing the electric guts!

The vodka we used did NOT get used for cocktails, I would never recommend Vlady to anyone to actually drink. A glass of this accompanied me instead:

[Retag]

Got started with ripping off and removing all the duct tape. We used Goo Gone, vodka and a razor.

I have joked many times about using alcohol (moonshine/grappa/rakija) as paint thinner but I never thought people actually do so.

Great looking bass underneath, and I actually liked the duct tape.

[fivebass52]

Wow, you wasted no time in getting at that bass! As you said, I thought the duct tape was hiding some serious body damage, but you've brought it back, and it's beautiful! It's going to be one nice bass when you're done!

[pjmuck]

Simply stunning. It certainly did fall into the right hands. Glad to hear an old lefty will be back up and running.

[PunkRockBassist]

looking good

[Hulakatt]

FYI: Vodka works quite well for removing surgical tape and band-aids* as well. I have several medical professionals in my family who agree.


*Either just on the adhesive or one-for-you-one-for-me works best.

[fivebass52]

This picture says it all! Did you just rub the body out? Amazing the finish came back so nicely! The pickup ring looks great as well...

[Hulakatt]

Soaked a rag in vodka to soak into the duct tape. After letting it work in, started ripping and scraping it off leaving the residue behind. Sprayed the residue with Goo Gone and let it soak in. Scraped it off with the razor and then fingernails. Went over the body with the Goo Gone again to remove stickiness.

[leftieray]

Bloody awesome, you've done a great job

[fivebass52]

Soaked a rag in vodka to soak into the duct tape. After letting it work in, started ripping and scraping it off leaving the residue behind. Sprayed the residue with Goo Gone and let it soak in. Scraped it off with the razor and then fingernails. Went over the body with the Goo Gone again to remove stickiness.

I think I'm going to start rubbing all of my basses with Vodka and Goo Gone from now on!

[AzWhoFan]

slightly off topic: Many years ago i once splilled some Moskoskya (sp) vodka onto a cheaply laquered coffee table. Long story short, it did not get cleaned up for a couple of days. But when I wiped the table down with a damp rag i discovered that the vodka ate through the finish down to the wood.

That's the kinda cr@p I like to pour down my throat LOL.