The Official "KEN LAWRENCE" Club - Page 7

portraitoftracy · #**121** 01-09-2013, 09:24 AM

Just wanted to chime in again and say that over the last month I have had over 10 Fodera's and many other basses come thru my house and the KL CB II still outshines them all!!!!!!! Even more amazing is how the B string on the CB II, which is a 33 scale, is so superior to all the other basses it is mind blowing, truly!

Brad Johnson · #**122** 01-09-2013, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guybassman

Hi , my vintage Ken Lawrence srn 13...

Great looking bass.

I've always meant to ask... there's a strong resemblance between this bass and Harry Fleischman's "Jayne" model from back in the 80's. Anyone know of a connection between the two?

Brad Johnson · #**123** 01-09-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Baer

Question for you guys. Has anyone tried replacing the stock Basslines soap bar pick ups in the KL? If so, with what? If my KL has one fault it was a pretty bad string to string balance with the B string being abnormally loud compared to the other strings. Adjusting the pick ups and bridge never seem to even that string out. I decided to try a set of Citron pick-ups which sounded horrible with the Duncan pre, but the B string balance was very much improved. Just recently put in a Nordstrand pre and a set of dual coils. Sounds great, but I kind of find this set up a bit too open and bright. My bass is very bright on top and a bit lean on the bottom, so I was hoping the Nordstrand set up would balance things out. The low end sounds much better, but the top end is even brighter than before. I really need a electronics package that has a good solid low end with good low mid punch and a fairly warm, sweet top end. Any ideas?

If the bass sounds good unplugged I'd try Bartolini soap bars and a neutral preamp. I've always been pretty indifferent about Bassline pickups. They're not bad, I've just heard others that I thought sounded much better.

Dan Knowlton · #**124** 01-09-2013, 01:46 PM

Apparently, Ken really liked Fleischman's designs and asked permission to incorporate design elements BEFORE he started using Fleischman's designs commercially. This is per John DiMaggio at Bass Alone - where I ordered my Brase. I had a cool pic with Ken, about 5 different Brases and tj Hill and I but lost it in a computer crash. Learned my lesson on that one!
Dan K.

Courtesy of the Wayback Machine -

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

Great looking bass.

I've always meant to ask... there's a strong resemblance between this bass and Harry Fleischman's "Jayne" model from back in the 80's. Anyone know of a connection between the two?

tombowlus · #**125** 01-09-2013, 02:05 PM

I can tell you that Ken and Harry both get along very well together - had them both at the Luthiers' Round Table GTG last year at NAMM and hope to have them both again this year. Knowing both of them, I have no doubt that it was done in an above-board, friendly manner.

Brad Johnson · #**126** 01-09-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

Apparently, Ken really liked Fleischman's designs and asked permission to incorporate design elements BEFORE he started using Fleischman's designs commercially. This is per John DiMaggio at Bass Alone - where I ordered my Brase. I had a cool pic with Ken, about 5 different Brases and tj Hill and I but lost it in a computer crash. Learned my lesson on that one!
Dan K.

I figured that, just never knew the story and never bothered to ask either of them. I haven't talked to Harry in probably 30 years. I came really close to buying a Jayne, ended up with my 84 Tobias instead.

Speaking of John DiMaggio, I still have this...

celinder 72 · #**127** 01-09-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portrait of tracy

Just wanted to chime in again and say that over the last month I have had over 10 Fodera's and many other basses come thru my house and the KL CB II still outshines them all!!!!!!! Even more amazing is how the B string on the CB II, which is a 33 scale, is so superior to all the other basses it is mind blowing, truly!

Ken and Dan (Luthiers Access Group) both suggested 33 scale, and Ari praising the 33 ,I figured how can you go wrong. After the excitement of putting a deposit in, I finally calmed down a bit,settling into the waiting period ,Ari you got me wired again thanks a lot!!!!!

portraitoftracy · #**128** 01-10-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celinder 72

Ken and Dan (Luthiers Access Group) both suggested 33 scale, and Ari praising the 33 ,I figured how can you go wrong. After the excitement of putting a deposit in, I finally calmed down a bit,settling into the waiting period ,Ari you got me wired again thanks a lot!!!!!

Speaking of Ken and Dan, have you checked out Dan's new site which features several KL basses for sale? Nice upgrade!

http://luthiersaccessgroup.com/

celinder 72 · #**129** 01-10-2013, 09:10 AM

Ari, the new LAG site is sweet indeed. Dan is the man! His Myrtle CBII 5 was on the site when he debuted it, but its disappeared. My CB is going to have Brazilian Rosewood from the same batch as Dans. Ari do you have a new build on the horizon?

Brad Johnson · #**130** 01-10-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I can tell you that Ken and Harry both get along very well together - had them both at the Luthiers' Round Table GTG last year at NAMM and hope to have them both again this year. Knowing both of them, I have no doubt that it was done in an above-board, friendly manner.

I didn't think there was bad blood, just curious about the strong similarities.

portraitoftracy · #**131** 01-10-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celinder 72

Ari, the new LAG site is sweet indeed. Dan is the man! His Myrtle CBII 5 was on the site when he debuted it, but its disappeared. My CB is going to have Brazilian Rosewood from the same batch as Dans. Ari do you have a new build on the horizon?

No new build for me, I lack the patience to wait unfortunately, perhaps when I finish my dissertation I might treat myself to a custom build.

celinder 72 · #**132** 01-15-2013, 10:00 PM

Ari, After a dissertation you deserve a custom build! Go for it.

Jean Baudin · #**133** 01-16-2013, 08:25 AM

My maple/ziricote custom is getting slotted for frets... Then we can talk about inlay placement...

blowinblue · #**134** 02-06-2013, 04:30 PM

Did any of you KL guys see this? Drooling...all over...myself.

http://luthiersaccessgroup.com/dt_ca...and-rmc-piezo/

M. M.

portraitoftracy · #**135** 02-06-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowinblue

Did any of you KL guys see this? Drooling...all over...myself.

http://luthiersaccessgroup.com/dt_ca...and-rmc-piezo/

M. M.

Yeah, that is my bass, or was my bass. It is killer and better than new. If it was a 34 or 33 scale it would have never left my house

blowinblue · #**136** 02-06-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portraitoftracy

Yeah, that is my bass, or was my bass. It is killer and better than new. If it was a 34 or 33 scale it would have never left my house

What makes it better than new? Is it stock, or modified?

M. M.

portraitoftracy · #**137** 02-06-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowinblue

What makes it better than new? Is it stock, or modified?

M. M.

The condition is untouched basically.

blowinblue · #**138** 02-09-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by portraitoftracy

The condition is untouched basically.

You speak the truth, my friend.

M. M.

portraitoftracy · #**139** 02-09-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowinblue

You speak the truth, my friend.

M. M.

Enjoy

portraitoftracy · #**140** 02-22-2013, 06:30 PM

Snapped a quick phone shot of my KL. I'll be honest, I sometimes get a smile on my face when I walk into my practice room and see her sitting there, as cheesy as that sounds it is the truth. Especially after the practice session I had with her today, decided to relearn good old Donna Lee.