Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Brubaker Brute Club
- Thread starter J. Crawford
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
- Status
I don't know how I read over the motorcycle accident...brutal!
I hope everything resolves as quickly as it can.
Totally different context and degree, but I recently had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand. One thing that realized out of that is how little of the overall function and strength of your right hand is needed to play finger style. I could play a lot sooner than I could do other routine tasks.
Well I'm playing back-to-back gigs this weekend with pins in my hand and finger. Don't know how I'm going to get through it, but I need the $s. It gets a littel easier when you loosen up after a song or two. Got the new PUPs today too. Im going to try and install them before the gig tomorrow nigh.
Any news on the front? Any new purchases, pics, complaints, praises? Gotta be somethin' out there!!! I just got my new "super duper top secret" electronics in the mail yesterday (after months of going back and forth with us trying to come up with the final configuration)! The finished project is still about three weeks away as I have to send off for a custom pickguard to fit the new pickups. I would cut it my self in interest of time and money, but I can't get a hold of this particular material so....you guys will have to wait just a bit longer, but I promise it will be worth it!
Anxiously awaiting the pix Billy!
I do have some praise for Kevin. A few days ago the bridge pickup went dead on my Brute. Within a day or two, Kevin had me out to shop and fixed it in minutes. Outstanding service indeed! Something else happened in the shop that day, but that story will be told when the time is right.
I do have some praise for Kevin. A few days ago the bridge pickup went dead on my Brute. Within a day or two, Kevin had me out to shop and fixed it in minutes. Outstanding service indeed! Something else happened in the shop that day, but that story will be told when the time is right.
Not too much new to share, but I did do a couple more mods on my MJX-5. Got a good friend who owns a powder-coating shop and had him do my bridge and tuner keys in black. I left the saddles and tuners alone as I didn't want to "muck" them up and regret it later. Anyway, I had a Peavey USA Millennium that was done up like this from the factory, so I figured if they can get away with it, hey, why can't I.
Also, as shown in pic 3 below, I drilled through the end of the body and added a ferrule "Warrior style" on th B string. I figure I gained over an inch on the string thus taunting it up just a bit. There is a slight noticeable difference in feel and sound. It's not "Lakland b-string clear" but closer then it was b/4 the mod. (I don't think I'll ever stop tinkering a little here and there
Oh well)
I'm very intrigued by this. Can't wait to see the completed "top secret" Brute.
I've been toying with the idea of picking up a used Brute 5'er, when I can find one again, and putting together a dual soapbar pup configuration. Your post has me thinking . . . Hmmm, did someone beat me to it? Guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Good call on the dual soapbar, that would be quite unique. Not a bad idea either. I can assure u that I am not heading in that direction!
I will thank you for placing the string ferrule idea back on my "maybe" list. I am in a band that does quite a few alternate drop tunings, and while I love the 34" scale, and play with lower guage strings, I have a problem dropping my 5's. I hate it because wen I change instruments from my 4 string (dropped to C) , I have to spend more time figuring out changed fingering position...THIS SUCKS!!! If I could drop the B to G# I will be sitting purty!!!! ESPECIALLY with this new setup!
There is a slight noticeable difference in feel and sound. It's not "Lakland b-string clear" but closer then it was b/4 the mod. (I don't think I'll ever stop tinkering a little here and there
One note: Don't forget that Lakland 5's are 35" scale AND strung thru the body from the factory. This is how that tight B string is achieved. I am one that has always prefered the 34" scale and lighter gauge strings; this lessons hand fatigue for me. I will normally only string my B string thru the body of my Lakland 5's or my E strings of my 4's that I drop tune. All others go thru the bridge. Nice work on everything else BTW.
Thanks.
Yeah, I'm strictly a 34" guy. I did the ferrule on the B because at one of the churches I play at the guitarist/worship leader sure does love his capo, and I find myself dropping a 1/2 to a full step quite frequently. The B string starts to get pretty sloppy even at a 1/2 step. I don't regret doing it at all . . . it does help when I'm dropped, and just rings out better/clearer/stronger when not. I plan on doing the same to my JJX-5 too. Maybe doing the E-string as well.
Although I have very limited experience with Lakland, I do know there are few basses out there that can match their B clarity. I used a friends 55-01 for a month b/4 I bought my own first 5 string. I tried about 3 different 35 inchers 'till I found, and fell in love with, my 34" Brute. None of the 35'ers could match the Lakland B string either . . . so . . . it is what it is I guess.
Yeah, it really was a bit of a struggle for me to switch back and forth. Switching to a 35" scale 5 from a 34" 4 at the point of my learning when I did actually hindered me tremendously. Had I learned on it (35") from the start, I wouldn't have had an issue I'm sure, or had I waited until I was a more advanced player, it may not have factored much. I was just developing my muscle memory, and had no idea why i was having so much trouble with not fretting properly when on my 5. I stopped playing 4's altogether and languished w/5 string basses. I had trouble convincing people that I was the same bass player as before. After a few years I pick a 4 back up and it was like magic! I was all over the place! It took a while but I realized (oddly enough while playing...no...KILLING on a Dingwall Voodoo 6 string) that my problem was not the number of strings but the scale length. This was one of the main reasons that I jumped on the Brubaker train. I realized that I needed to get as many 34" scale 5's in different configurations and hold on to them. Manufacturers don't really care to make them, outside of some of your higher end guys.
I do, BTW, still own a pretty killer Lakland JO5 with a J-retro that aint going nowhere!!!!
I do, BTW, still own a pretty killer Lakland JO5 with a J-retro that aint going nowhere!!!!
Billy, you might want to check the new MTD 5's hitting the market this week.
The CRB and The Saratoga...
Thanks! Got my eye on an X-otic XJ-1T, and tossing between Lull (He makes a SWEET 5 string p-bass that I'm told he may do in 34") or another custom Brubaker. May even take a look at a Carvin SB-5000. I will check out the MTD's for sure! I just need to get a few more gigs to make feel better about buying more instruments. I am blessed to say that I have more than my fair share. I have amassed a nice collection in a very brief time frame.
I had (never should have sold it) a Lull PJ5, I loved that bass...
Took me a minute to figure it out. But after that it was perfect.
I sold it to get a Lakland P5.
It's easy to do. I was up to 12, now I down to 3.
I'm only keeping the basses I play...
Played my new Matador red Brute MJX-5 on a gig last night and it kicked! It is one of the best playing basses I've owned. Even compared to any Roscoe, lakland, Sting ray, etc. bought it as a demo from Jorg Schroeder. Great job, Kevin!
I dont actually have my brute yet but i want one bad. Anyone selling one or know where i can get my hands on one??? 5-string wanted
If you're trying to buy a used one, you're going to have to just watch and wait...and wait.
A little while back, I decided it would be cool add a used MJX. There was one in the TB classifieds. I paused before committing, and it was gone
Good luck
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- Status
