For sale FS: Barker 5-string fretless (unlined)

FunkHead · Sep 7, 2013

Awesome!

Tom7 · Sep 7, 2013

Thanks!

As a college student, I made the tough (for me) decision to step away from music so I could focus on a business career and on my young family. As hard as that was for me to do, in the long run it proved to be a great decision.

In time, I was able to pick music back up again and enjoy some great times and great basses -- as the photos below show.

However, the time has come again to semi-retire from music, which means I need to start putting some of these great basses up for sale so others can enjoy them.

I've already sold my Fodera Yin Yang Deluxe, Nordstrand Nordy, Pedulla Rapture, two Yamaha Patituccis, Fbass fretted AC6 and Fbass VF5 (alder/rosewood/60s)...

And now it's time to bid a sad farewell to my Barker B1.

The Barker is is just flat out fun to play.

The Barker looks very cool on stage and never fails to get positive comments when I gig her.

She has a jazz bass vibe, but with an interesting thickness in its tone that no doubt comes from its large, chambered body.

Visually, the Barker works well in swing jazz, country and folk gigs, and I like to bring it and play it at wedding receptions because of its classy look.

Note that the Barker does not sound like an acoustic upright bass any more than any other j-style bass would, nor was it designed to. The Barker is what I choose when I want a certain look in the band, and want that jazz bass tone.

Barker Basses are all hand made by a great guy named Lee Barker of Redmond. Oregon.

Because its scale length and string spacing are like that of an electric bass guitar, a bass guitar player can instantly make great music with this bass without a lot of extra woodshedding.

She is a one of a kind bass that a I've really enjoyed, and I'm confident other bass players will as well.

Tom7%20-%20Bass%20Family%20Photo%2001.jpg

Tom7 · Sep 8, 2013

Here is an interesting little video that will give you a good flavor of Lee Barker, the man who makes these basses.

The background music will give you an idea of how a Barker sounds in the mix too.

craigb43 · Sep 9, 2013

Tom7 said:
Thanks!

As a college student, I made the tough (for me) decision to step away from music so I could focus on a business career and on my young family. As hard as that was for me to do, in the long run it proved to be a great decision.

In time, I was able to pick music back up again and enjoy some great times and great basses -- as the photos below show.

However, the time has come again to semi-retire from music, which means I need to start putting some of these great basses up for sale so others can enjoy them.

I've already sold my Fodera Yin Yang Deluxe, Nordstrand Nordy, Pedulla Rapture, two Yamaha Patituccis, Fbass fretted AC6 and Fbass VF5 (alder/rosewood/60s)...

And now it's time to bid a sad farewell to my Barker B1.

The Barker is is just flat out fun to play.

The Barker looks very cool on stage and never fails to get positive comments when I gig her.

She has a jazz bass vibe, but with an interesting thickness in its tone that no doubt comes from its large, chambered body.

Visually, the Barker works well in swing jazz, country and folk gigs, and I like to bring it and play it at wedding receptions because of its classy look.

Note that the Barker does not sound like an acoustic upright bass any more than any other j-style bass would, nor was it designed to. The Barker is what I choose when I want a certain look in the band, and want that jazz bass tone.

Barker Basses are all hand made by a great guy named Lee Barker of Redmond. Oregon.

Because its scale length and string spacing are like that of an electric bass guitar, a bass guitar player can instantly make great music with this bass without a lot of extra woodshedding.

She is a one of a kind bass that a I've really enjoyed, and I'm confident other bass players will as well.

Sweet collection !

Tom7 · Sep 9, 2013

craigb43 said:
Sweet collection !

Thanks. I'm trying to narrow the collection down to 4 or maybe 6 basses though. I go back and forth on which ones will ultimately remain, but my wife has strong opinions about that too so it looks like it's not solely my call.

Sixgunn · Sep 9, 2013

but my wife has strong opinions about that too so it looks like it's not solely my call.

Thus, I am single :bassist:

Tom7 · Sep 9, 2013

Laughing!

I can see where she is coming from though. For example, she doesn't want me to sell the Fbass BN5 because she got it for me as an anniversary gift. And the Fodera we got signed by Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington and have some cool memories with that bass (plus she loves the color).

As for me, I'm primarily a 6-string player and if I have to narrow everything down to just 4 basses, odds are at least 4 of them will have 6 strings. [wink]

Tom7 · Sep 10, 2013

In this video Lee Barker answers some FAQs about Barker Basses. (Video length: 1:47).

http://youtu.be/PFGWFSxOkvo

Tom7 · Sep 11, 2013

This short video clip gives you a flavor both of the fretless Barker playing in the background, and of the luthier, Lee Barker with the voice over.

I've got a lot of great, high end basses, and while this isn't as known as Fbass, Fodera and Alleva Coppolo, I love it. It looks and sounds so great in an ensemble, and it is a blast to play.

Chef · Sep 11, 2013

Dude: you have a nice toolbox.
Bump for a cool bass I wish I needed.

Tom7 · Sep 12, 2013

Chef said:
Dude: you have a nice toolbox.
Bump for a cool bass I wish I needed.

Thanks! And I wish you needed it too.

Tom7 · Sep 16, 2013

Here's someone's video of a couple of Barkers being played at NAMM 2008.

Again, the upright look of these basses just fits with some live music, they are a blast to play and the tone is really great.

Aren't you at least a little curious?

Tom7 · Sep 25, 2013

New price: $1,000 shipped to the "lesser" 48 states. [wink]

Tom7 · Sep 26, 2013

Here's another Barker video clip for you guys to check out. Hopefully someone will get how fun this bass is to play and give it a chance; I'd love to see it go to a good home.

Tom7 · Sep 30, 2013

Some perspective on my bass retirement plan...

Tom7 · Sep 30, 2013

And another shot of the bass in our bandroom... which my wife now wants for more craft room space.

Tom7 · Oct 9, 2013

Just a reminder it's still here...

fretster · Oct 13, 2013

Bump for a bass that is just too much fun! I always get looks and comments about the sound and the look when I'm playing my Barker. The sound is about as close to an upright as you can get. The coolness is just off the charts.

Good luck selling this one, Tom!

Jazzdogg · Oct 13, 2013

GLWTS!

Your post reminds me of pleasant times spent in Eagle River when I lived in Alaska in the seventies.

Interceptor · Apr 16, 2014

I've been dragging a five string fretless Barker around for four years. I can vouch for the tone of these things. Great live or in the studio - fat and sits in a mix perfectly. It takes zero time to adapt to the upright position.

Really special basses on stage. Am I tempted to own a second one? Yep.

Jim

For sale FS: Barker 5-string fretless (unlined)

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I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

I'm so bright, my mom called me son! ;-)

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Less barking, more wagging!

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