FS: Ken Lawrence 6 String

The Picard · #1 05-28-2009, 09:38 AM

For Sale is my Ken Lawrence Associate 6 string. Anyone and everyone who has played this bass agrees it is the easiest playing 6 they've ever come across and of course it sounds killer. Those of you familiar with Ken's work will know exactly what I mean. I'm the original owner and have loved this bass dearly, but I've got my sights set on something else right now. I've performed with this bass and there's some light scuffing/scratches on the back of the body as a result; nothing which couldn't be easily buffed out. The neck, however, is new as I had it replaced last year by Ken himself and shows no noticeable wear. I'd say 9/10 condition for the bass overall. Specs are as follows:

mahogany body (bolt-on)
highly figured cocobolo top with wenge layer
matching headstock
maple neck with katalox fretboard
34" scale
17mm string spacing
proprietary Seymour Duncan pickups (these I believe are completely unique to this bass. From what I gather they're supposed be some kind of fancy hum-cancelling single-coil. The specific layout necessitates the big pickup covers)
Seymour Duncan 3 band preamp with slap contour
wenge pickup covers, truss rod cover, and backplate
Hipshot tuners and A-style bridge

The body dimensions are actually those of one of Ken's five-strings and that combined with the neck dimensions/spacing make this one of the most manageable six-string basses around. It's also quite light for a six at around 9.7lbs. yet it still balances well. Tonally sounds clear, articulate and warm. Ken builds these things by himself and the current wait for a new one is well over a year these days. That these come up for sale so infrequently is a testament to both their quality and rarity.

Will ship internationally. Asking $3500.

Please visit http://s681.photobucket.com/albums/v...ast/th_KL6.jpg for full size photos.

Tumeni Notes · #2 05-28-2009, 09:40 AM

I recommend you post your pictures on Photobucket. The site is free and you can simply attach a link to the photos.

Good luck with the sale.

The link is http://photobucket.com/

cosmicevan · #3 05-28-2009, 08:00 PM

trades?

emjazz · #4 05-28-2009, 09:18 PM

My god...I am so sorry that I can't buy this from you...Ken makes the best bass guitars around and this one's right up my alley......c'est la vie. Good luck.

EduardoK · #5 05-29-2009, 12:24 AM

No pics=no bass...

The Picard · #6 05-29-2009, 10:50 AM

At last! Sorry for the delay folks, there's been some problems recently with uploading pictures apparently, but I've managed to get it sorted out. Many thanks to Tumeni Notes for the photobucket suggestion. My wife and I are going to try and get some more recent close-up shots this weekend if we can get her camera working so hopefully that will be helpful too.

As to the question of trades, I do have my mind pretty firmly set on something in particular (I wouldn't be trying to sell this otherwise as it's awesome!). That said, one can always be tempted . . . For me the only temptation would be something from Alleva-Coppolo, Fodera, or Ken Lawrence, and nothing over 34" scale, but I'm more looking to sell it though.

Thanks for the interest so far!

The Picard · #7 05-29-2009, 11:00 AM

Well, I realize the previous images aren't all that helpful and I haven't been able to get the bigger versions into this thread so here's a link to the photobucket page where you can see them in their full size glory.

http://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv178/sast/

I hope that works at least . . . if it does I'll try to get some more up this weekend.

Joelc73 · #8 05-29-2009, 11:14 AM

If it weren't for the narrow spacing I'd be all over this. The bass looks beautiful!

Good luck with the sale.

JC

emjazz · #9 05-29-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Picard

Well, I realize the previous images aren't all that helpful and I haven't been able to get the bigger versions into this thread so here's a link to the photobucket page where you can see them in their full size glory.

http://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv178/sast/

I hope that works at least . . . if it does I'll try to get some more up this weekend.

Wow...what a beauty. Good luck with the sale.

emjazz · #10 05-29-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joelc73

If it weren't for the narrow spacing I'd be all over this. The bass looks beautiful!

Good luck with the sale.

JC

It's the narrow spacing that I'm so attracted to! Stupid money....

Steve Clark · #11 05-29-2009, 01:30 PM

I think I've played this bass.

I always wanted this one but timing was never right.

The Picard · #12 06-01-2009, 08:48 AM

Finally got the camera out this weekend and just uploaded a bunch of pictures to my Photobucket album. These two are a tease (I can't load the full pictures into this thread), but please visit

http://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv178/sast/

to see these and some more of the photos in their full size glory.

**Mark Wilson** · #13 06-02-2009, 05:14 PM

About time you're hitting Talkbass for this!!! hahaha

And will you get facebook already?!

The Picard · #14 06-03-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

And will you get facebook already?!

Never!!! Arrgghh!!

emjazz · #15 06-03-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Picard

Never!!! Arrgghh!!

Fight it man, fight it!

The Picard · #16 06-10-2009, 09:21 AM

Price drop!

$3800 U.S.

http://s681.photobucket.com/albums/vv178/sast/

Angus · #17 06-10-2009, 09:44 AM

Are you sure the fretboard is katalox? The pictures look like cocobolo.

This bass has to be incredible. I had a teacher with one and it sounded and played incredible. Good luck!

The Picard · #18 06-10-2009, 11:24 AM

100% sure on the katalox fretboard as I specifically ordered it. Katalox comes in an interesting variety of hues actually. When I first received this bass it had a katalox fingerboard that was more "chocolate-green", if you can imagine, with crazy flaming going on in it. Unfortunately the neck itself was not stable and I had to have it replaced. I think when I asked for katalox this time around, Ken intentionally chose something that would really fit the bass aesthetically which I think he succeeded at (those of you who are familiar with his work will probably agree the man's a genius). I particularly love how the sapwood on the lower right edge of the fingerboard references the sapwood on the cocobolo top behind the bridge. Breathtaking!

The Picard · #19 06-10-2009, 11:36 AM

I should probably take a moment to point out that the photos were taken in direct sunlight which really brings out the reddish-orange hues of the cocobolo top and katalox fingerboard. Spotlights bring this out as well. In flat light conditions these woods look considerably darker or less obnoxious, more like fine heirloom furniture if you will. Kind of like having two basses in one I've always thought!

Oh and yes, this bass is pretty darn sweet Angus. I've honestly never played a Ken Lawrence bass I didn't like. The man's pretty consistent with his instruments and they all look like works of art, yet they're the most comfortable, playable instruments you'll get your hands on. I simply can't say enough great things about Ken or his work.

Angus · #20 06-10-2009, 07:00 PM

Yeah, I don't doubt it sounds and plays incredible- they're killer basses, and this is one of the coolest I've ever seen.

And IMO, there's no better fretboard material than katalox!

If I could...