PRODUCED: 1998 - 2002

ORIGIN: USA

TYPE: Solid body, offset double cutaway, 4-string

BODY: Alder

NECK: Aluminium/Maple, bolt-on, 20 medium frets plus zero fret

SCALE LENGTH: 864mm (34-inch)

FINGERBOARD: Ebanol, pearl diamond inlays

HARDWARE: Chrome, Vaccaro V200 Fully Adjustable Bass Bridge, regular open gear bass tuners

PICKUPS: Vaccaro V2 P and J Style Set (Basslines)

CONTROLS: Volume, Tone & Balance

FEATURES: Aluminium neck core, Tuning Fork Headstock

COMMENTS: Henry Vaccaro Senior was one of the founding members of Kramer Music Products who introduced the amazing power-forged aluminium T-neck in 1976.

He was the company chairman from 1982-1988 but dissolved the company when testing began on the new aluminium V-neck, and the Vaccaro brand was launched. Unlike the Kramer T-Neck, which was troubled by temperature change, cold to the touch and extremely heavy, the V-Neck used an aluminium core surrounded by wood, and so was considerably lighter, resistant to temperature changes and also employed a truss rod.

Whist many other basses also opt for a P/J pickup configuration the X-Ray has a distinctive edginess to its overall sound plus excellent sustain thanks to this unusual construction. Combined with that striking headstock it was a winner but sadly not enough to prevent the company closing in 2002. Orange Sparkle was the signature colour but came in several other sparkling finishes as well as black.