Larkin basses

[CandleWaltz]

Hi,

what do you think about Larkin basses?
I can buy an used Larkin Bassix 6 for 850€ (1077$).
Is that a good price?
And how is the sound of a Larkin bass?

Thx for help

 

[Rusty Chainsaw]

I owned a Larkin Reacter (that's how he spells it) 4-string quite a few years ago. Nice bass, overall. Very heavy though, as it was mostly mahogany, and this, combined with the pickups (older Kent Armstrongs) imparted it a pretty dark tone. I think the stuff Chris Larkin makes now is a little more modern, though, and crisper sounding.

That's not a bad price - his basses are around €3000 new...

 

[lousybassist]

Considering what they cost new, that's indeed a good price. I've never played a Larkin myself, so I can't comment on how they sound. Chris Larkin does have a very good reputation as a builder, though, and the only one I've seen in real life sure looked like a quality instrument. But, as always, if you can arrange to play the bass in question before you buy, you should do just that.

 

[Rusty Chainsaw]

Check this out - one of Chris Larkin's better efforts. A very Anthony Jackon-esque sixer...

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[jmanfunk]

Chris Larkin is indeed a premium rate luthier and a damn nice guy, with excellent attention to detail. Recently I was fortunate enough to pick-up one of his single-cut basses (the prototype actually) second-hand and it is amazing, by far the smoothess and most palyable instrument I have ever owned, and has outperformed my warwick corvette and my stingray.

The sc5 is a little different from his standard basses (woods, pups etc.) but the overall construction is flawless. I have played one his reacter basses and the tone is very reminiscent of a wal, dark but very crisp and articulate; the kent pups, which are quite bright and high-fi, perfectly compliment the mahogany core. This very one in fact-

The EBS two-band pre-amps that he currently uses are fantastic also and allows the true tone of the wood to shine true without sounding too sterile, wish I could throw one in my warwick!

At 850euro, it is an absolute bargain as these are boutique basses at boutique prices; and given that these instruments are custom ordered they're as rare as hens teeth, so snatch it up quick!. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.