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Brubaker Brute Club

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#403
Hey team Brute

I am moving back into playing extended range basses after a decade of only 4-string, and think that the MMJ Brute might be a good choice for a 5. I have read this thread, the "brute" thread, and the single cut thread, and have some questions about this instrument.

First of all, what is up with the availability? Are these out of production right now? There are exactly 4 Brutes on ebay right now; and non of the links from Kevin's website "where to buy" really lead to anything. Is there another wave of production about to hit, or what?

I was also wondering if the white and black pickguards are made of wood, or if they are plastic. Are replacements readily available? Was thinking of pulling the trigger on the black/white 5er on the bay, but I would much prefer a black/black or natural/black.

I prefer to try basses before I buy, but from what I have read, and the sound samples that I have heard, I think it would be worth the chance. Tried an MTD Z5, and didn't really dig the 35" scale (although I could have gotten used to it). I hear Brutes have flats necks, I have been playing an Ibanez 506 which has a very flat neck that I love, so I can't wait to try the Brute.

Just wondering if I should hurry up and grab what's there before it sells, or if I should wait for a better selection...
 
#406
Pickguards seem to be an interesting story with these basses. drpepper is right...black and white are plastic.

I did however get a replacement black pickguard from Kevin's distributor for $69, he said the should be plentiful.

Now, custom wood guards. If it's not black or white, it's wood. Kevin charges $250 for a wood guard. BUT if you buy a bass with the wood guard, it doesn't cost anything extra. Odd.
 
#407
Actually it is an upcharge on a new brute I think about 50.00 ,unless you go with the Mediterranean it comes with a flame pickgaurd. I've got an order in for a mediterranean JJX5 cause I just like that combo of color but maybe on my next one I will go with black and red flame guard , I just freaking love the brute bass's and with the new electronics , I will keep it stock other than circle k strings .
 
#409
mmbongo said:
Pickguards seem to be an interesting story with these basses. drpepper is right...black and white are plastic.

I did however get a replacement black pickguard from Kevin's distributor for $69, he said the should be plentiful.

Now, custom wood guards. If it's not black or white, it's wood. Kevin charges $250 for a wood guard. BUT if you buy a bass with the wood guard, it doesn't cost anything extra. Odd.
Click to expand...

I'll try to make some sense of the wood pickguard situation
:D

The Brutes were designed as an affordable alternative to a US Brubaker. Kevin designed one "upscale" finish, the natural with wood pickguard with burst finish Mediteranean. All of those basses including that model with the wood pickguard are made at the same factory. There's an economy of scale involved. IIRC I don't think there was even an upcharge for the Mediteranean (I could be misremembering).

Now if you wanted something different in a painted wood pickguard Kevin Brubaker finishes them himself. No one else involved. So you get the same guy who painted this...

DSC07940.jpg


painting this...

DSC00001.jpg


I know putting a $250 option on a $600 instrument probably seems like a lot. OTOH look at who's doing the work:D. When you look at what Kevin could be doing in the shop instead of making a custom pickguard you realize that it's not the most cost effective way to spend his time. But he also wants people to have a nice option to trick the basses out.

Hope that clears it up. If at some point he can offer them in a few colors from the factory they'll likely be more affordable. It's a numbers game.
 
#411
Thanks Brad, that was the info I was looking for. I have been checking them out for a month or two now, and the inventory of what I could find for sale was pretty minimal. Any shops in Northern California carrying these that you are aware of?

Btw, put me down for +1 on the single cut Brute...if it's a five string unlined fretless =)

(bass players are a picky lot, I know. I would also +1 the 6er...)
 
#412
i know circle k strings aren't everyones bag, but for me they work i feel like i am playing better than i have in years.I also recently signed with a band that is with universal/interscope and is being managed by Mark Berry , and we are getting ready for a tour this spring looking forward to showing off my brutes on the lighted stage.They said they could get me an endorsement for fender or Ibanez but I am choosing to go with brubaker on my own ..
 
#413
Brad Johnson said:
Hope that clears it up. If at some point he can offer them in a few colors from the factory they'll likely be more affordable. It's a numbers game.
Click to expand...

Interesting. So the pickguard on this bass:
NEW Brubaker Brute Series Onyx Black MJX-4 string bass | eBay
is made in China basically? That bass costs the same as one with a plastic guard.

And since it's not made by Kevin, and does not cost more than a plastic guard...could one buy this guard for the same price as a plastic one?
 
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#414
Funny this thread happens to show up while I'm rarely on the Bass discussion section here - I am the owner of the above Blueburst USA pickgaurd, and also the matching Redburst USA pickgaurd. I had bought both basses, but they were both damaged in transit to me. It was a shame, but I got to keep the pickgaurds which are in prefect condition. One is for a MJX-5 and the other is for a JJX-5.

I have another white MJX-5 now, but haven't put the USA pickgaurd on it. If anyones interested in EITHER pickgaurd let me know, I don't have much use for at least one. I may consider selling the MJX-5 along with a pickgaurd too.

Let me know!
 
#415
I think the custom color gaurds are still right from brubaker even the one you have linked. when I talked to Phil at APINtl.com about getting a black one with a custom gaurd he said it would be a few days because they would have to sent the bass to brubaker and then it would come back with a custom gaurd in the color of my choice .
 
#417
Ds1 said:
Funny this thread happens to show up while I'm rarely on the Bass discussion section here - I am the owner of the above Blueburst USA pickgaurd, and also the matching Redburst USA pickgaurd. I had bought both basses, but they were both damaged in transit to me. It was a shame, but I got to keep the pickgaurds which are in prefect condition. One is for a MJX-5 and the other is for a JJX-5.

I have another white MJX-5 now, but haven't put the USA pickgaurd on it. If anyones interested in EITHER pickgaurd let me know, I don't have much use for at least one. I may consider selling the MJX-5 along with a pickgaurd too.

Let me know!
Click to expand...

PM'd you! I want a custom guard so bad, probably can't afford it though :)
 
#418
mmbongo said:
Interesting. So the pickguard on this bass:
NEW Brubaker Brute Series Onyx Black MJX-4 string bass | eBay
is made in China basically? That bass costs the same as one with a plastic guard.

And since it's not made by Kevin, and does not cost more than a plastic guard...could one buy this guard for the same price as a plastic one?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with that particular bass, believe it or not a friend of mine was just talking to me about it so I went on ebay and looked at it prior to coming back to this thread. The first thing that I looked for in the description and found was this:

"It also comes w/ a flame hand painted (by Kevin Brubaker himself) pickguard!"

If that's true, the seller seems to throwing it in for free. I'll ask Kevin.

If it were me and I was interested, I'd jump on that bass before the smoke clears. The worst that could happen would be that they're now offering another color for the wood pickguard from the factory. It won't be less than the plastic one.
:D
 
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#419
johnnybass01 said:
i know circle k strings aren't everyones bag, but for me they work i feel like i am playing better than i have in years.I also recently signed with a band that is with universal/interscope and is being managed by Mark Berry , and we are getting ready for a tour this spring looking forward to showing off my brutes on the lighted stage.They said they could get me an endorsement for fender or Ibanez but I am choosing to go with brubaker on my own ..
Click to expand...

Greatly appreciated. I'll let Kevin know.
 
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