I have been living with this bass for a while because I wanted to take my time and really develop a feel for it. After having it in house for several months, I think I'm finally qualified to share some thoughts.
This is a Barker B2 prototype model that Lee asked me to evaluate. I don't know how closely this will approximate the final out-the-door version but in my opinion, this bass is an unqualified winner!
Upon immediate observation, this is definitely a Barker Bass. It has the same visual impact in a subtly different, yet unmistakably familiar package. The finish is slightly different
(a tad less glossy although Barkers are never "blingy"), and the B2 doesn't have the "Violin Edge" of the B1. That said, the bass exudes the same quality and attention to detail of all the Barker Basses. It's no secret that this model is designed to be more affordable but there is no evidence of "corner cutting" or "cheapo touches" to make that happen. Lee has kept his high standards of manufacture and design intact here and he is to be commended for that.
Speaking of design, Lee has often referenced the shape of the Barker Bass as being
"Feminine." Others have mentioned this as well. I remember doing a demo of the B1 and one gentleman remarked that,
"It looks like a Lady's body!" The B2 carries over that theme but in a slightly different way. If the B1 could be compared to Catherine Zeta-Jones, then the B2 is like Julia Roberts. Both beautiful women and both highly desirable and shapely -- but in different ways.
From a tone standpoint, my viewpoint is the same as it was when I first played it:
"It sounds like the Worlds Biggest P-Bass!" Notice that I didn't say,
"A P-Bass on Steroids." There is nothing artificial or synthetic about the tone. It sounds like someone captured the essence of a P and just added MORE of it! The use of the split-P pickups is a natural for the Barker vibe and it was a very smart move on Lee's part to move in this direction.
My B2 came strung initially with LaBella Super Steps and quickly swapped them out for Elixirs. The P-Bass sound was definitely there but it still didn't give me what I wanted. From there, I changed to D'Addario Chromes and it was like, "AHA!" Nice, round, smooth tone without being boomy or pillowy. I think that this is the optimal string for this bass. It allows the bass to sing and thump at the same time. I can just see (hear) this bass in a Rock & Roll or R&B gig with no problem. It just begs to be played in a fingerstyle groove. (I've been noodling around with tunes like "My Girl" and "For the Cool in You" as well as some 16-bar blues and the bass is right at home!)
I could go on and on but the bottom line is that
the B2 is a winner. Lee is to be congratulated on taking the design of the Barker B1 and tweaking it for a wider audience. I am confident that this is a bass that a lot of players will really vibe with!
