• 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.

brubakers+Quality?

trb6pJM2

trb6pJM2

Jun 22, 2007
679
10
Minneapolis Minnesota
#1
Edit: I Just got the pricelist, and I did miscalculate by alot, this thread can die, unless people just kinda wanna talk about brubakers.
All The best,
Shane


Hey there guys, as some of you might remember, I'm on the neverending quest for a custom bass. And I have noticed that Aside from your heavy hitters; conklin, jerzy, ritter etc. and your super boutiques, like alembic series I and II's that alot of luthiers are very reasonable people.

I came across these absolutely amazing basses just the other day, and aside from the amazing spalted work he does, I noticed something. He's INCREDIBLY affordable. Bordering on concerningly affordable. I used his pricelist, and a high end bass ended up being only about $2500. So I have a couple questions.
A: are these instruments of high quality as they appear?

and B: Is he really THIS affordable, or are his pricelists just a little off currently?

Thanks a bunch.
 
#2
I saw a blues band in Toronto called LMT Connection and the bassist played an incredible looking and sounding Brubaker. It was a pure white burst to natural wood tone in the middle (swamp ash I believe) and I loved it. The bassist said he had tried almost everything out there and swears by Brubaker now.

I looked into these basses briefly and they were less expensive than F bass and many others.

BTW, the Brubaker guy is a TBer (I forget his name on the board).
 
#6
Yep I just talked to him about it, cool guy, gave me lots of info. Those tops do not come cheap. theyre about $1000. Well worth it in my opinion, but, I dunno if I could ever spring for it. Especially considering the bass is going to be incredibly expensive by shear size. but thats neither here nor there.
 
#10
I've played 2 Brubakers and even though they were used instruments, the quality showed through. One was a 6 string which is overkill for me and the other was a 4 string that I liked, but would have been redundant for my needs.
 
#11
trb6pJM2 said:
Yep I just talked to him about it, cool guy, gave me lots of info. Those tops do not come cheap. theyre about $1000. Well worth it in my opinion, but, I dunno if I could ever spring for it. Especially considering the bass is going to be incredibly expensive by shear size. but thats neither here nor there.
Click to expand...

Spalted tops are well under that price. Moving up in models and finish pushes the price up. A more plain instrument like this
will be more affordable than something like this:this or this
 
#14
Quadzilla said:
You can score them used for good prices. I got a SICK deal on mine (one that you would not believe). Here are some very good deals:

http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listId=104519825

http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listId=102876849

http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listId=104435989
Click to expand...


I played the first one. It looked like the previous owner treated it very roughly. I think Brad Johnson actually picked this one up for some shop work. It's in much better shape now, but not the almost pristine condition most boutiques are kept in.
 
#15
Nice timing. I just got a 4-string Brubaker this weekend for a deal that well... makes the ones used at GC look astronomically priced. 2-Tex bridge, Lane Poor pickups, Basslines TMC preamp, D-tuner.

And though it was played long and hard by a platinum-selling band, the quality and sound are top-notch. It's definitely well-payed in and dinged, but... it's as good as my Hamer USA and the Pedulla I had. Plus it looks great and Keven Brubaker's a cool guy from what i can tell in emailing him.
 
#16
#17
cybersnyder said:
I played the first one. It looked like the previous owner treated it very roughly. I think Brad Johnson actually picked this one up for some shop work. It's in much better shape now, but not the almost pristine condition most boutiques are kept in.
Click to expand...


That was fairly annoying to find out it got damaged again not long after Kevin basically had made it like new again.

I don't pamper my basses but I also don't toss them in the trunk of the car without a gigbag, etc. IME it takes some doing to damage the finish on a Brubaker.


It's a heavy bass, very solid Ash body. Maybe that made someone drop it;)

BTW I didn't pick it up... I put Kevin in touch with them after someone let me know about it. I stopped by the store and it was sad to see how that bass had been treated after it was traded in. I knew the original owner and it was in great shape when it left his hands.
 
#19
I've played Kevin's basses at NAMM every year that I have gone. His work is top notch!!! ;)

JT

Jonesy4fnk said:
Saying that these are quality instruments is an understatement. I can plug my Brubaker into pretty much any amp, or recording gear, and it sounds amazing.

The craftsmanship is top notch, and the feel is incredible. Plus the electronics configuration allows for any tone under the sun.

My next bass will be another Brubaker!!

jonesy
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back