New Ken Lawrence 11-strings Build Thread

[R Baer]

Had my Ken Lawrence associate 5 bass for well over 15 years now and it is the one bass I will never sell. I do however wish Ken would expand the biz a bit to allow him to build more of his instruments at a more user friendly price. His basses are just the best and it's a shame so few of us actually have the privilege of playing one.

[anezthes]

Nice bass!

As for the expanding part, I agree as long as the quality would stay the same. On the other hand, 1-man operations have a certain "prestige" I like regarding their instruments.

Would love one of his Explorer models as well someday.

[R Baer]

Originally Posted by anezthes

Nice bass!

As for the expanding part, I agree as long as the quality would stay the same. On the other hand, 1-man operations have a certain "prestige" I like regarding their instruments.

Would love one of his Explorer models as well someday.

Well, I may have selfish motives in this respect. I really, really want another Lawrence, but just can't afford one!

[Jean Baudin]

Originally Posted by R Baer

Sweet bass! I'd like to get one of his 5-strings someday.

[koffeeeeee0313]

Please tell me Chordal pitch of 11 string bass.

[Jean Baudin]

Originally Posted by koffeeeeee0313

Please tell me Chordal pitch of 11 string bass.

You mean the tuning? Low string is C# (almost an octave lower than low B on a 5-string), F#, B, E, A, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb.

[koffeeeeee0313]

Oh,jean baudin thanks!
i'm japanese,so I wouldn't like to English.

I want to know your bass's string pitch(?).
String pitch is a space between a string and a string.
Sorry...English is too difficult for me to describe a thing I tell you.

[JamesGoodall]

String pitch is a space between a string and a string.

Koffee: I think you mean string spacing? On Joust and the Hideous Claw the string spacing is 15 mm, so I'll be presumptuous and assume Pinky and Stinky to be the same, with 15mm spacing.

I TalkBass creep wayyyyy too much...

Dag-Nabbit Jean, why'd you have to get a holly top? I've been contemplating top woods for my 11 string and Holly came up but now I cant cause I'd be a creepy obsessive stalkerish fanboy

All joking aside, I'm thinking bastogne walnut. Most beautiful wood I've ever seen

Anyways...Umm...can these be done yet? I'm getting sick of waiting

James

[koffeeeeee0313]

Thanks James!

[Jean Baudin]

Quick update on these two. Talked to Ken yesterday. Pickups are finished and in Ken's hands. He hopes to route out the pickup holes on the body soon, then get the fretboards attached then get started on the inlays. In addition to fretboard inlays, both instruments will have inlays near the knobs as well.

The bass pictured below has a piece from the same lumber as my fretted top, so you can see the grain pattern. This bass also has a Ziricote fretboard, but mine has a lot more sapwood in it (by choice).

[mark beem]

Those will be amazing (as usual ) Jean!!

[emjazz]

Must own Ken Lawrence basses.......incredible.

[PaPaVB20]

Fabian here Jean... Great news! Can we know which game theme the inlays will be? Maybe a trivia? Jejeje if I win you sell me Joust bass jajajajajja i know you will never sell Joust, but maybe this 2 basses will be so awesome I might have an opportunity... I can't wait to see the finished basses, Ken Lawrence basses are the most amazing instruments.... Great builder for great basses, for a great player!

[Jean Baudin]

Quick Update: Pickup holes have been routed out and the pickups (with wood covers) have been installed. On top of that the fretboards have been glued to the necks.

Next up is some neck carving. Still have inlays, bridges, tailpieces, etc. but moving forward!

And PaPaVB20 - won't be giving away the inlays until after they are installed.

[ChrisCassisi]

Any updates, Jean? Really interested in seeing the finished bass.

[JamesGoodall]

Originally Posted by ChrisCassisi

Any updates, Jean? Really interested in seeing the finished bass.

+1

Also, came across this on sevenstring.org. Keeping secrets?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

[Jean Baudin]

Originally Posted by ChrisCassisi

Any updates, Jean? Really interested in seeing the finished bass.

Latest from Ken is that he was doing the slots for the fretted one.

Next up is inlays though... I'll check with Ken later in the week.

My friend that designed Expressionator, worked with me and Ken to come up with a cool board that will be going in future KL instruments. I'd give more details, but I don't know if Ken wants to let the cat out of the bag just yet (and it's a needs a little tweeking)... I'm putting one in Joust, and these will have it installed as well.

Originally Posted by JamesGoodall

+1

Also, came across this on sevenstring.org. Keeping secrets?
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

[JamesGoodall]

Originally Posted by Jean Baudin

Didn't know that one was for you. I have to say, my interest is slightly higher now that I know that. You have given me bass envy yet again, damn you.

[ChrisCassisi]

Glad I revitalized this thread. Thanks for sharing, Jean. Looking forward to more updates

[CheshireCatFun]

How thick are the necks on these basses?

C.