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BGRA: Kramer Focus 7000
| Manufacturer |
Kramer |
Model |
Focus 7000 |
| Reviewer |
Cneck |
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| Experience |
24 |
Item owned |
1-6 months |
| Review Date |
2009-03-09 |
Price paid |
$160 |
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Bass type | 4 string fretted |
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Neck join | Bolt-On |
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Neck construction | Maple |
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Fingerboard | Maple, 21 frets |
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Body | unknown |
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Finish | Metallic Blue |
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Pickups | Kramer P and J |
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Hardware | Chrome |
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Electronics | Passive, V/T/T |
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I needed a utility/workhorse type bass for not much dinero. This Kramer came my way, so I grabbed it. Not too heavy at 9 lbs. 13 oz., but not really a lightweight. Everything worked the way it was supposed to, and I think the bass was completely stock. Nice Schaller roller bridge branded Kramer. OK tuners, controls were a toggle switch for the pickups, and V/T/T knobs. Kind of weird having two tones and a volume, but made for some interesting possibilities. Pots I think were 500k. The stock P-pickup was just abominable. Dull and characterless, sounded nothing like a P bass should sound. I replaced it with a GFS pickup which helped a lot. I left the stock bridge pickup in, it seemed OK. Playability was so-so. The frets had been leveled before I got the bass and were fine. However, the neck was extremely stiff, and with the truss rod nut completely loose, I had to use .055-.110 strings (Ernie Ball Power Slinkys in this case) to get any relief out of it. I suppose I could have had it heat pressed or something, but I sold it instead. I've heard that these were made in Japan, and that the bodies were plywood. I never took the neck off, so I'm not sure. It was built like a tank, though. I dropped it once on stage and didn't even chip the paint. Overall, I'd have probably been just as well off (maybe better) with an Essex.
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| construction |
 | (75%) |
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| playability |
| (25%) |
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| appearance |
| (75%) |
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| sound |
| (75%) |
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| value |
| (85%) |
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| overall |
| (50%) |
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