The Official "KEN LAWRENCE" Club

[portraitoftracy]

It is time to have the best luthier on the planet represented with his own talkbass club. Having owned everything I can easily say that no one can make a better bass than Ken Lawrence! Join the club!
I'm member #1

My specs:
> 33" scale, 1 3/4" nut, 19 mm string spacing, adjustable to 18-20mm
> Claro Walnut body
> Figured / Blackened Redwood top and headstock cap
> Eastern Maple 3 piece neck with dual function stainless steel truss rod
> Brazilian Rosewood fretboard with Gaboon Ebony binding
> Grenadillo Heel Plate
> Gaboon Ebony control cavity cover
> Old growth Brazilian Rosewood tone block beneath the bridge
> Paua Abalone block inlays
> Matching Paua Abalone headstock logo w/ Ebony surround
> Blue fibre optic side dots with on/off switch
> Nordstrand hum-cancelling "J" pickups w/ Gaboon Ebony covers
> Customized Glockenklang 3 band preamp
> Tara Labs wiring

[Jean Baudin]

Here's some pics of Joust:










In progress shots:

[lowstrung5]

I do not currently own any of Ken's basses but I have in the past. I had to sell off most of my basses due to financial difficulties. I totally agree about Ken's basses. I have spent some time with him in his shop drooling over his latest projects, amazed by his craftmanship and artistry. Ken always has his finger on the pulse of the latest innovations in design, electronics, strings, hardware.....etc. He is a talented player himself and understands bass players. He can create a bass to your specific needs and desires. If I ever get in better shape financially, I'd love to have him build my bass. On a personal note......he's good people.

[Munjibunga]

Joust doubles as an aircraft carrier. Beautiful bass.

[celinder 72]

Some of the most beautiful basses I have ever seen. I have never played one. Seeing as Portrait Of Tracy has owned every great bass out there, I value his opinion . From what I understand there is almost a two year waiting list for one. You can think James Hetfield for that Im happy for Kens success. I just wish he was making more basses.

[portraitoftracy]

Originally Posted by lowstrung5

I do not currently own any of Ken's basses but I have in the past. I had to sell off most of my basses due to financial difficulties. I totally agree about Ken's basses. I have spent some time with him in his shop drooling over his latest projects, amazed by his craftmanship and artistry. Ken always has his finger on the pulse of the latest innovations in design, electronics, strings, hardware.....etc. He is a talented player himself and understands bass players. He can create a bass to your specific needs and desires. If I ever get in better shape financially, I'd love to have him build my bass. On a personal note......he's good people.

You are absolutely correct, Ken is good people. I have visited his tiny little shop twice. Waiting for a few Fodera's to sell so I can grab another KL bass.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Joust doubles as an aircraft carrier. Beautiful bass.

+1

Beautiful..... But no idea how Jean plays these friggin' things!

I am likely still better playing the '80's video game Joust than the KL bass.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

+1

Beautiful..... But no idea how Jean plays these friggin' things!

I am likely still better playing the '80's video game Joust than the KL bass.

Here's how.

[Jean Baudin]

I need to make some new videos! haha. Thanks Munj.

[Dan Knowlton]

Well, I only have one not even decent pic of my Brase but it is the best bass I have ever played. I've hung out at bass stores, clinics, NAMM and Bass Day and have never found another that would measure up to it.

Anyway-

• Ash body, wenge stipe, myrtle top
• gloss poly finish on the body/headstock
• 35" scale, three piece maple neck with an indian rosewood fretboard
• abalam inlays
• custom-wound Seymour Duncan soapbars and a 3-band EQ
• full bypass of the active EQ

And the whole is greater than the sum of the parts!






Dan K.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

Well, I only have one not even decent pic of my Brase but it is the best bass I have ever played. I've hung out at bass stores, clinics, NAMM and Bass Day and have never found another that would measure up to it.

Anyway-

• Ash body, wenge stipe, myrtle top
• gloss poly finish on the body/headstock
• 35" scale, three piece maple neck with an indian rosewood fretboard
• abalam inlays
• custom-wound Seymour Duncan soapbars and a 3-band EQ
• full bypass of the active EQ

And the whole is greater than the sum of the parts!

Dan K.

Dan, ordinarily I'd take you to task for the "best bass I've ever played" comment. Somebody might think you've played a few Squiers and an Ibanez. But we all know you have and have had some monster basses. That one is amazing.

[Munjibunga]

A bit OT, but here's another one of Jean's, obviously not a Kenneth Lawrence - somewhat influenced by Alembic, I'm sure. But we haven't seen it in a while. I give you my favorite, the "Hideous Claw." Now you can get back to KL.

[mrbassman_de]

Hi Ari,

I had the same idea since months

Ken is the master !

Here are my 3 Chamberbrases:

A 34' with premium Koa top and Pope 4-Bd. pre, born in August 2012:


A 33' with Myrtle Top and amazing Snakewood board, HUUUUGE B:


And the mother of all fretless', 35', Myrtle top:

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by mrbassman_de

Hi Ari,

I had the same idea since months

Ken is the master !

Here are my 3 Chamberbrases:

A 34' with premium Koa top and Pope 4-Bd. pre, born in August 2012:


A 33' with Myrtle Top and amazing Snakewood board, HUUUUGE B:


And the mother of all fretless', 35', Myrtle top:

Wow. What a set! That koa has a real golden tone to it.

[Dan Knowlton]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Dan, ordinarily I'd take you to task for the "best bass I've ever played" comment. Somebody might think you've played a few Squiers and an Ibanez. But we all know you have and have had some monster basses. That one is amazing.

And hanging out at Bass San Diego (and other high-end stores) does tend to set the bar kind of high! Off the top of my head - a partial list of the basses I have owned:
Tune
Alleva Coppolo (LG and KPB 5's)
Sadowsky (Modern, PJ and JJ Standard)
Zon Sonus
Acacia
MTD (several)
Modulus
Lakland
Pedulla
F-Bass
G&L
Yamaha
Alembic
Ibanez
Conklin
Elrick
Warmoth
Music Man
Peavy
Dingwall
Fender

I guess I'd better quit - I'll be in enough trouble if my wife sees this list!

Dan K.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by portraitoftracy

It is time to have the best luthier on the planet represented with his own talkbass club. Having owned everything I can easily say that no one can make a better bass than Ken Lawrence!

To be fair, you say this about a new luthier once a year or so

[portraitoftracy]

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

To be fair, you say this about a new luthier once a year or so

Actually I don't, show me the post. I've said things like one of the best, or best for the money.

I think you are just jealous Bryan since you don't own a KL

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Hang on, got you mixed up with Matt (Jacochops)- happens with you two for me a lot. Sorry!

Oh, and not jealous at all, but KL's Chamberbasses are some of the best looking basses out there IMO. Never gotten the chance to play one (Chamberbass or otherwise)- they're not common at all out here from what I've seen.

[JOEP054]

I could never understand why Ken didn't get more recognition for his work being that it is indeed some of the finest luthier work available today.

Here are a couple of my KLs. The Chamberbass is the very first one I believe he ever built and was his personal bass for awhile. He sent me a great email telling me about the instrument and why he disigned it the way he did. He was an extremely personable gentleman and eager to answer any questions I had.

Really glad he is getting some well deserved recognition.Would be proud to be a member. Peace

[JOEP054]

Sorry, Forgot to attach the pictures. Doh!!