Vaccaro guitars

[Destroying Angel]

Does anyone know anything about Vaccaro guitars? I was looking into them a couple years ago but never played one. They had an aluminum strip inside the neck that was supposed to prevent warping and improve tone. They seemed like pretty cool guitars, retro looks with modern flare, but now i can't seem to find anything about them, anyone have any ideas?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

Does anyone know anything about Vaccaro guitars? I was looking into them a couple years ago but never played one. They had an aluminum strip inside the neck that was supposed to prevent warping and improve tone. They seemed like pretty cool guitars, retro looks with modern flare, but now i can't seem to find anything about them, anyone have any ideas?

Vaccaro was the leftovers from the old aluminum neck Kramer days...they went under due to bad business...good guitars. I almost bought a couple of different ones, but...never did. they are pretty well built and had some cool features...they should be pretty cheep right now!

I have some info from Henry Vaccaro (very cool guy), I'll see if I can find it and I post it.

 

[Destroying Angel]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

Ya they seemed like really cool guitars, i like the finishes and all of the chrome on them. Ive been trying to dig some up but havent seen any on ebay or anywhere else i looked on the internet, i have a catologe from a few years ago but that isnt much help.

 

[big_black]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

I'm pretty sure they started making them again in at least the past year. I was on their site a few months ago, I know that. I've seen the Vicarros on Ebay, but they looked kind of cheap. You may want to look into an old Kramer or even a Travis Bean if you have $1500 to spend. TGWIF and I both have Kramers and we are both very pleased with the quality. I don't think you will find a decent aluminum neck for less money these days. Various models are on Ebay every week, but don't get duped. Unless it's a high end model (crown inlays on the fretboard), you shouldn't pay more than $500 ($450 is more like it) with a hardcase. A high end model may be worth another hundred or so. If you have any question about them I am sure either of us will be more than willing to assist. We could always use another "metalhead" around here.

 

[big_black]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

Look here.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

we could use another metalhead indeed! You need to know that if you are looking for the metallic/sustain of an aluminum neck it is almost completely gone is a Vaccaro...there is sush a small amound of aluminum in the neck that they sound much more like a "normal" guitar. If you are looking for the metal neck tone, a Kramer is the way to go unless you just want to spend 2k or so on a Bean. The Kramers are killer guitars and like Big Black said, they are usallt less the 500 bones (I got mine for $330.00 in the original case), keep inmine mine had already been cut up for different pickups, but the up side to that is that since it's already cut, if I change it I won't care!

I vote for the Kramers...the Vaccaros are cool, but do not have the metallic tone that I have come to love!

 

[Destroying Angel]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

Thanks for that link Big Black, i've never played an aluminum neck before so i dont know how the Kramers and Vaccaros compare. Im not really looking to spend 2,ooo on a Bean, but ill still check them out. The looks of the Vaccaros are what really appealed to me. I really like the retro-ness of them but with modern playabilty/sound (plus the rio grande's that came in them). If i could find one of the Vaccaros for cheap thats what id like to go for, im looking for more of a stage guitar that i wont mind if it gets a little beat up (thats why im not looking to spend the 2 grand). When i originally checked them out i was looking at the higher end X-ray and the astrolite. Thanks for all the info, if you have any more on any of the aluminum necks or where i could attain one please share. Thanks again guys.

 

[big_black]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

I would just check Ebay every week for Kramers. I get the best results with "kramer" "aluminum". The basses seem to be more common that guitars, but there is usually something up every week. If I were you, I'd go woth the "DMZ" series. I have a 450G, TGWIF has a 350G. The problem with these is that the stock pickups really suck and they are not normally sized, so you have to do some routing. The DMZ series come with regular sized Dimarzios. I will warn you these things are heavy. I have yet to weight mine, but I'd say 12-14 lbs. I don't know if you would want to play it on stage all night, but the puzzled looks are sometimes worth the shoulder pains. Aluminum has a warm and distinct tone you will not find in any other material. If you like what they give, you will be chasing these guitars forever. For more info on these Kramers, check vintage kramer. To give you a taste, here's mine. Good luck.

The more expensive, but worth the money Travis Bean:

 

[Destroying Angel]

Re: Vaccaro guitars

Thats a sweet guitar man, kinda sucks you have to do some routing to replace the pickups, but those seem really cool. The weight isnt much of a factor for me, i like bulky guitars, the Mockingbird i have is one of the acrylics and weighs about 12 pounds or so, and ive played quite a few 45 minute sets with it. I checked ebay earlier and saw one bean up there, ill go back and check for the kramers now.