Jim Laabs

[funkybish]

Has anyone heard anything or had any experience with the Jim Laabs basses?

[Texbob]

Hi Funkybish,

I purchased a 3/4 carved "Hamburg" bass from Jim Laabs a year and a half ago.
It's Korean made with spruce top and maple sides and back. Since it was my first Double Bass, I didn't have a point of reference to compare it with any other basses. I was told that I could return the bass if I didn't like it.
I ordered my bass and was told it would be shipped to me in about a month. The time it took to get my bass turned into about 8-10 weeks.
They supposedly had a problem getting the full order from Korea, so I had to wait.
They did however throw in a stand and a string upgrade, and paid for the shipping.
Troy Laab is the guy I dealt with, and it was overall a good experience.
The bass sounds good, plays well (after a setup), and it was a great bass for the money.
I've probably played over 250 dates hauling it around in a gig bag. It has held up very well and has some very minor scratches and dings from all the traveling.
I would buy another bass from Troy, the price was excellent, plus I got a gig bag, stand, horse hair bow and strings.
It took longer than expected to get my bass, but it was worth the wait.
If you do call Troy, tell him I recommended them.
Peace, Tex in Tulsa

[nickchalk]

i also bought a hamburg model about a year and a half ago and i guess we both had the same problem with shipping.

i have been told it had a surprisingly big sound for it's price.

[Texbob]

Hi nickchalk,

So how do you like your Hamburg bass?
I've had great luck with my bass, after I spent a few more hundred $$$ setting it up.
I had bridge adjusters installed, planed the finger board, sanded down the neck, and went to a D'Adario Solo Set tuned EADG, so I have less string tension. My band plays 3-4 nights a week and I do a lot of slap, jump, swing stuff.
The strings still sound good after 7-8 months of constant playing.

Let me know how your bass is set up.
Best of luck.

Texbob