As I was clicking through TalkBass during the holidays, I was showing my wife something on-line when the Barker ad clicked onto the screen. "Wow, what's that?" she asked, and I briefly explained what (I thought) the Barker Bass was. She reminded me that I had been looking for an electric upright (yeah, sure, like I needed to be reminded of that ;) ) and asked me why I didn't get one.

Dutifully, I explained that they were a bit on the expensive side, and she suggested that I check on Ebay for a used one. I explained that they were very hard to find used, and clicked on Ebay to prove the vastness of my intelligence .... of course, that was exactly the time that Barker was selling several prototypes of the newer B2, along with the "Brian Ritchie" proto. (Fortunately, my wife already knows that I'm basically an idiot, so it wasn't really all that embarassing :rolleyes: )

At any rate, I never did end up with any of the Ebay basses, but more research into the Barker Bass really started me to wonder if it could do what I needed it to do, i.e., fill the DB role while maintaining an electric slab presence. Bottom line, after some on-line conversation with Lee Barker and real-life chat with Dwayne Dixon (IotaNet), yesterday a Barker B1 5 string fretless (#0076) was delivered to my house.

Now, only having had the bass for a few hours, I wouldn't even pretend to give it any type of review yet ... that will come after some real-time gigs are under its belt. But I kind of thought that I'd take a few (lengthy :ninja: ) minutes to jot down my initial thoughts.

When first unpacking the bass, I was struck by the security of the packaging material. Very intelligent design, the bass is really protected from damages. Even though the boxes obviously took a few good hits during shipping, the bass itself was pristine. Also, I am impressed with the quality of the gig bag, which was the first thing I saw when opening the box ... I'm pretty sure it'll hold up well during repeated use.

It took me about 45 minutes to fidget with the stand height and angle of the bass to get it in what I think is the ideal position. Time will tell, but it really felt extremely comfortable to me. I spent about and hour or so playing it last night once the height/angle thing was straightened out (BTW, a quick mark on the stand with a magic marker gives me a good reference point for future set-ups) and it was instantly comfortable. I don't think it took me more than 5 minutes to adjust to the vertical orientation, but in fairness I am a DB player so I am used to playing in the upright position.

While playing, my wife came into my rehearsal room (also my office and spare bedroom :hmm: ) and said "Why are you playing so loud?". I looked down at my 20 watt Peavey MicroBass practice amp, something no one would ever consider to be loud and told her "I'm not". Actually, what she was experiencing was the deepness of the tone that was resonating through the house, even through my trusty, but admittedly crappy, MicroBass. It's very nearly impossible to describe the lows this bass kicks out :D

I'll be working this bass tonight and tomorrow, so early next week I'll post up some real time gig info. But I'll say this, at first blush I'm amazed at what I'm hearing ..... :cool:

And, of course, some token pics as mandated by the TB brotherhood (pics courtesy of IotaNet, I'll get some more posted soon) ....

http://www.dixontech.com/naba/fretless4.jpg

http://www.dixontech.com/naba/fretless2.jpg

http://www.dixontech.com/naba/fretless1.jpg

Congratulations! I just received your B1's 4-string sister (#0075) a few weeks ago. I love it! The tone is great and the vertical position has completely eliminated the aches that I was getting in my right wrist.

Special thanks to Lee for his great customer service! He was kind enough answer my plethora of pre-purchase questions. Lee - Please keep up the hard work (and your wonderful sense of humor)!

Now, I now feel that I have to keep practicing in order to be worthy of such a fine instrument... :D

A quick update ....

Used the B1 on the 1st and 4th sets last night. The gig was at a smaller restaurant/bar that is a little lighter in volume, so I didn't really open up the amp with the B1. Even so, the tone and clarity were really impressive :hyper:

Appearance-wise, I got a bunch of compliments on the bass from my band mates, the restaurant staff (we play there a fair amount so they're sort of familiar with my gear) and the clientel. It is an astounding piece of craftsmanship .... very nice job, Lee & Co.

Working it again tonight, so I'll try to get some pics taken at the gig. This is a much bigger place, so I should be able to crank the bass a bit .... I'll let you know what happens .... :cool:

Congratulations! I just received your B1's 4-string sister (#0075) a few weeks ago. I love it! The tone is great and the vertical position has completely eliminated the aches that I was getting in my right wrist.

Special thanks to Lee for his great customer service! He was kind enough answer my plethora of pre-purchase questions. Lee - Please keep up the hard work (and your wonderful sense of humor)!

Now, I now feel that I have to keep practicing in order to be worthy of such a fine instrument... :D
Congrats to you, as well! The bass is making a big first impression on me, I'm liking the vertical orientation a lot, and the tone is just wild :D

It sounds to me--and I have experience in this--you guys are headed for a tone-off.

If you'd been in Connecticut and Massachusetts, I would have funded the rental of the venue on the state line, provided valet parking, an assortment of sandwiches cut out in the shape of musical notes, and acted as the Timer and Keeper of the Oscilloscope.

But since you seem dead set on this Continental US versus the British Isles, I'm not so sure. No, I am sure. You're on your own. Especially about the Halfway Between part.

Have a great time!

Meantime we're off to NAMM in a couple of days, excited to be seen with Dwayne Dixon, Will Witt, Doug Mancini, Simon Watkins, Vince Francis, Tom Szell, Jack Jobes, Eric Owens, Eduardo Kelerstein and that legendary-person-taller-than-his-dad, Joel Barker. Plus lots of other people. About 85,000 of them.

I'm looking forward to further reports from you two.

Lee

Ed -

I couldn't be more pleased with how you and your Barker are getting on. It's really nice to have your judgment validated and based on everything you asked about, I really thought that this particular bass would really work for you.

Congrats on a great bass and welcome to the Barker Family!

After two back-to-back gigs this past weekend, I'm beginning to get a better feel for my B1. Of course, I haven't had enough time with the axe to really give a thorough review, but I do have a few more thoughts on the bass.

I make no secret of my absolute love for all things FBB, and my fretless 6 and fretted 7 built by Matt Schmill will be by my side forever. They are fantastic basses and I'm honored to be able to play them. That said, they need to make some room for this B1 as well ..... I don't think I could ever give Barker a higher compliment than that ... :cool:

First off, the tone of this bass is the real deal :D The monster low end of this thing is amazing, and even more amazing is how absolutely clear and well-defined this low end is. The resonance of the bass is great, completely filling the room with butt-kicking lows. The mids and highs are also extremely clean and well defined, and if you're looking for the mwaah factor, this bass has it :hyper:

I think I have the height and angle thing straightened out. The B1 was totally comfortable on Saturday. I played it on the first set and for the last 1/2 of the last set. After trying a few different things, I think I'm going to get a decent A/B and switch off at times during the sets.

I post a complete review in the not-too-distant future, but for now here's a pic of the bass working on Saturday and other with the B1 next to "Irene" my FBB 7 .... :cool:

http://www.members.aol.com/justabassplayer/b1shark03.jpg

http://www.members.aol.com/justabassplayer/b1shark04.jpg

Ed,

Thanks for the update! I have to admit that the B1 and FBB do look good together... BTW, I love your web site!

Cheers!
Matt

Ed,

Thanks for the update! I have to admit that the B1 and FBB do look good together... BTW, I love your web site!

Cheers!
Matt
Thanks Matt :)

The basses really do go well together, for sure they are both a world prettier than the old fool who plays them .... :rolleyes:

Post up some pics of your 4 when you get a chance ... :cool:

Mmm... LOVE these photos! Thanks for taking the time to share all this with us.

As an owner of an unlined fretless 5er, it is weird to see a Barker with fret lines. :)

Mmm... LOVE these photos! Thanks for taking the time to share all this with us.

As an owner of an unlined fretless 5er, it is weird to see a Barker with fret lines. :)
Reading through this older thread makes me realize that I really need to do a proper review of my B1 ;)

I have both lined and unlined fretless basses so I barely even notice the distinction between them anymore. Truthfully, I'm sort of glad the Barker was lined ... when I first got it I was reverting back to standard DB positioning, so the lines helped a bit. Now, it doesn't matter at all .... :cool:

Reading through this older thread makes me realize that I really need to do a proper review of my B1 ;) Uh, YEAH!!! (I've seen you do a more in-depth review of an SX than you have of the Barker!) :rollno:

Seriously -- I have read a lot of your posts over the years and have always found them both thoughtful and insightful. I've really been looking forward to seeing what you have to say about the B1 after living with it for a while.

Clue us in on your thoughts!!! :hyper: