Got my Bass Player article in the mail today. Guess what was inside? A Barker Vertical Bass review, of course.

It didn't seem like the reviewer "got" the bass. It seemed like he was more concerned with what you couldn't do on the bass - picking and slapping were mentioned, than what the bass does best.

Wha? Can you post that review? I've got a Barker and I slap it like a red-headed stepchild.

BTW, Columbia, MD: egads! Do you work for you-know-who?

I really don't want to violate copyright law, so no, I don't have a copy of the article.

Nope, don't work for "No Such Agency".

How about a fair use citation of what the reviewer said about slapping.

Check PM.

Check PM.

Thanks. The review says that due to your arm's angle, slapping a Barker is "out of the question," but I slapped it from the get-go just fine. I compensated for the difference in the angle by raising the Barker so that my eye level is between frets 2-3, instead of at the nut. This still left me with some muting difficulties of the E string that required getting used to.

I should add that I believe my slapping technique was a bit unorthodox to start with on a horizontal bass: my hand stays open (for percussive back slaps) and my thumb is about 45 degrees or more to the strings instead of parallel. On the Barker it's 90 degrees, which was an easy adjustment. Pulls are about the same, though my index finger meets the string at a different point of the fingertip on Barker vs. horizontal.

That sucks.

The Barker obviously isn't made for the slapping crowd anyways.

They should've had me do the review. I have NO problem slapping the Barker. Hell, I can do ALL of my slap tricks on the Barker as easily as I can on my Sadowsky. If you can't slap on a Barker, then you really don't want to. JMO.

I assume people saying the Barker can't be slapped orient their thumb parallel to the strings.

My impression is that the reviewer positions his thumb parallel with the upper bout of the bass in the "correct" slapping technique. I always slapped "incorrectly" with my thumb pointing down towards the lower bout.

After reading the "The Barker Vertical Bass" review in the "Bass Player" Sept. '06 issue, I must say I was a little disappointed and surprised by some of the inaccuracies of both the "main" review and the "second opinion". I must say, I had to chuckle when I read the "second opinion" where the reviewer said he had a difficult time playing the Barker without the stand,(The Barker is not designed nor intended to be played without the stand) The day I received my Barker, it arrived a day before the stand was delivered, of course I wasn't going to wait for the stand to arrive before playing it, so I found myself sitting down and placing the bass against my leg and was able to, although a little awkwardly, find a fairly comfortable playing position. It was VERY obvious that the stand is an intregal part of the Barker Bass set-up. Having a free standing vertical bass that you can just walk away from and pick up your other bass or take your break, I find very convenient and a major PLUS. Here I'd like to address the reviewer's comments regarding slapping and using a pick, both reviewers stated these techniques were either out of the question or nearly impossible. From my experience, I can tell you both techniques can be applied to "The Barker Vertical Bass". I personally prefer the "tone" and "at one" feeling with my bass by playing "finger-style", although when a pick or slap technique is called for, I'm there, with the ALL important "taste". I'm a great admirer of pick-style players Carol Kaye and Joe Osborne, and the jaw-dropping thumb/slap styles of Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten, they're simply not MY prefered styles of playing. I'm sure we've all sat through a 20 minute slap/pop bass solo and when it came time for the bassist to sit "in the pocket" and groove, it just wasn't happening. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to go on a rant. Back to the point, with a little work on technique and very importantly, setting the bass up PROPERLY,(yes, with it's stand) you can slap to your hearts content on the Barker. As bassists, we're all too familiar with working on new techniques and with some perserverence there's always the BIG pay-off. When it comes to "picking" on the Barker, rather than trying to use a flat-pick, I'd suggest slipping on some plastic finger-picks.
The reviewer also neglected to mention the Barker is available in both fretted and fretless models and in either four or five string versions. I'd like to finish here by mentioning I'm not an "up-right" player per se, but I adapted to the Barker Vertical Bass in maybe 5 minutes, literally. Yes, she's a beauty to look at and you will be noticed on stage before the band even starts, but wait until you hit that first note, the audience's faces will say it ALL. I've said this before and I'm sure I'll say it many more times, Lee Barker's unique "chambered body" design has got "THE TONE" baby.

Doug Mancini

Thanks to the folks at BassPlayer for putting the review on their web site. Here's the Link:
http://www.bassplayer.com/story.asp?sectioncode=13&storycode=15586

Also: I am in awe of the respect for the copyright/intellectual property issues that have been shown in this thread. It is impressive evidence of the quality of Talkbassers in general, and the posters on this sponsored forum specifically. I applaud your choices!

The editor's decision to put the review on the BP site allows us to freely read and discuss it while respecting their proprietary rights.

Kindly,

Lee

After reading the review in Bass Player, I find myself in agreement with Doug's comments. I've had my Barker only a short peroid of time, but since it arrived, I've played nothing else. I work anywhere from 20 to 30 hours a week, both shows and studio work, so in a short period of time, I've used my Barker a lot. First of all, as Doug mentioned, the Barker is designed to be used with the stand. The stand supports the Barker in the proper position for maximum playing comfort and fingering positions. I really don't understand the comments about "slapping". Slapping, tapping, popping, etc. require only a slight adjustment to your personal technique, and should not present a problem. If you are a pick user...I'm not going to say it can't be done, but using a conventional flat pick is probably not going to work out very well on the Barker. The Barker produces BIG, ROUND tones...yet articulate, with the ability to cut through the mix. Working with right hand fingering positions and pizzicato styles, a lot of various tones can be generated. Big and fat, sharp and cutting, smooth and sweet...they're all in there...I'm still exploring the Barkers capabilities. I'm in the process of writing a full review and comparision of my Barker to several of my other basses. Stay tuned to the forum...I'll be interested in hearing any comments on my future review. Thanks to all, Leo Goff

Sounds intriguing.

Are they available:
* in other scale lengths?
* in a five-string configuration?
* as a lined-fretless?

Is the fingerboard sufficiently curved to allow bowing?

Are the control knobs convenient as positioned (on the left when sitting behind the instrument, facing out)?

What is the range of possible height adjustments?

Can their sound be compared to anything else?

How do they respond with a set of TI JAzz Flats?

Thanks in advance!

Jazzdog: As the guy whose fingerprints are all over these things from day one, I'll respond to your questions that are factory-directed. I'll let the players, our real experts, tackle the experiential ones.

Are they available:
* in other scale lengths?

No. If you're wondering about the B string on a 5 in the 34 scale, ask an owner. Their fears of floppy went away on day one of Barker Ownership.

* in a five-string configuration?

Yes.

* as a lined-fretless?

Yes, in 5 and 4.

Is the fingerboard sufficiently curved to allow bowing?

No. There are a hundred other great luthiers out there making such instruments. Since I'd never heard a bass guitar player say, "I wish I could bow this thing," I didn't see a need to make mine bowable.

Are the control knobs convenient as positioned (on the left when sitting behind the instrument, facing out)?

I'll let players report whether the knobs are convenient. I'll merely note that most players stand. An exception on this forum is Leonard (lenandeb), who sits on a stool. Likewise a player in Greeley, Colorado.

What is the range of possible height adjustments?

The endpin extends 15 inches. I am 5'11some and mine is out 11 inches. All players have a "sweet spot" for height. We suggest you start with the nut at nose altitude and adjust from there.

All the above comments about string count and fret(less)ness are referring to our signature model, the B1. The B2 (currently in development) range has not yet been determined, but scale will be 34.

Thanks for the questions!

Jazzdog: As the guy whose fingerprints are all over these things from day one, I'll respond to your questions that are factory-directed. I'll let the players, our real experts, tackle the experiential ones.

Thanks for the questions!


Thanks for the answers, kind sir!

The Barker may be comparatively portable, but I still find its portability limited. Have you considered designing a Barker for travel? 34-inch or shorter scale lengths, but Steinberger-style, though perhaps with a headstock if that's better. I realize sacrificing the chambered body would alter the sound, but I'd buy one for the greater mobility. There are no other bodiless, on-a-stand, upright guitars out there, so the Barkerberger would find its niche.

I've bumped around some ideas like that but always felt, as I looked at them, the sacrifice of the sound would be too great a cost. I'm hearing in your post that you'd be willing to lose some sound quality in exchange for the playability that the Barker has combined with portability.

I'll rearrange the furniture in my head and start over. I truly appreciate this insight, Jimmy.

I'll give you my take on your inquiries...

Are the control knobs convenient as positioned (on the left when sitting behind the instrument, facing out)?

I find the location of the knobs (and the output jack) convenient. I usually set my front pickup about 50%, rear pickup 100%, tone 70 to 100%. Amp settings usually straight up or neutral.

What is the range of possible height adjustments?

I'm 5'11'', and I prefer the nut about the middle of my forehead, just slightly above my eyes.

Can their sound be compared to anything else?

I can get tones very similar to my 1963 Fender Jazz bass. I can also get tones very similar to my Godin A4. I can get some tones similar to my 1974 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass ( This is a hollow body with a single low impedance pickup) The Barker has incrediable substain... similar... but even more, that my Zon Legecy Elite. But...it's really in a class all it's own. The Barker is the "King of Tone" in my opinion.

How do they respond with a set of TI JAzz Flats?

I have not tried TI Jazz Flats on any of my basses. Maybe some other Barker owners can comment on that one...

I'm sure other Barker owners may offer additional insights...these are my experiences in my brief period of ownership. I hope you find them helpful...but if you're ever able to get your hands on a Barker, I think you would be impressed. It would be interesting to read about your experiences with a Barker. Hope this helps...Leo Goff

Thank you for taking the time to post thought such a thoughtful reply. I'm very curious about Barkers and can't wait to play one. BTW, I'm enjoying the TI jazz flats on my fretless '71 P-bass.

I'll give you my take on your inquiries...

Are the control knobs convenient as positioned (on the left when sitting behind the instrument, facing out)?

I find the location of the knobs (and the output jack) convenient. I usually set my front pickup about 50%, rear pickup 100%, tone 70 to 100%. Amp settings usually straight up or neutral.

What is the range of possible height adjustments?

I'm 5'11'', and I prefer the nut about the middle of my forehead, just slightly above my eyes.

Can their sound be compared to anything else?

I can get tones very similar to my 1963 Fender Jazz bass. I can also get tones very similar to my Godin A4. I can get some tones similar to my 1974 Gibson Les Paul Signature Bass ( This is a hollow body with a single low impedance pickup) The Barker has incrediable substain... similar... but even more, that my Zon Legecy Elite. But...it's really in a class all it's own. The Barker is the "King of Tone" in my opinion.

How do they respond with a set of TI JAzz Flats?

I have not tried TI Jazz Flats on any of my basses. Maybe some other Barker owners can comment on that one...

I'm sure other Barker owners may offer additional insights...these are my experiences in my brief period of ownership. I hope you find them helpful...but if you're ever able to get your hands on a Barker, I think you would be impressed. It would be interesting to read about your experiences with a Barker. Hope this helps...Leo Goff