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LE FAY---:)
- Thread starter jazzboi
- Start date
hey, me too, I'm a LeFay afficianado.
played a Herr Schwarz 5 for about 3 years and pushed LeFay-Reiner to build me the first 6-string Herr Schwarz ever. it's has too the very first LeFay-bridge
I only play this one instrument, redardless what type of music
LeFays sound incredibly wide, from thundering low-end to crispy-sizzling highs, very dynamic and open
playability ist a dream to me, nearly effordless, the body shapings are perfect
played a Herr Schwarz 5 for about 3 years and pushed LeFay-Reiner to build me the first 6-string Herr Schwarz ever. it's has too the very first LeFay-bridge
I only play this one instrument, redardless what type of music
LeFays sound incredibly wide, from thundering low-end to crispy-sizzling highs, very dynamic and open
playability ist a dream to me, nearly effordless, the body shapings are perfect
A friend of mine just bought that one. I got to play it tonight, and was completely blown away by it. I didn't get a chance to plug it in, but the feel and playability of it was simply unbelievable. Probably THE most comfortable neck I have ever laid my hands on.
I REALLY wish he hadn't done that to me (buy the bass and let me play it, that is
). Very unique looking, but the body of it seems to be very well thought out.
I've got two Le Fays, both purchased used here in the states: a Midas 5 and a Capone 5.
The Capone is headed, old-style, with tuners on the head. Two humbuckers, six position switch, Noll bass/treble pre and a passive mode. When I got it the action was insanely high and I had to do a bit of sanding on the bottom of the bridge pieces to make things comfortable. Ash body, Wenge top. So comfortable with all the body carving, hangs well on a strap and all positions are within reach. Quite possibly one of my favorite basses. Very high output pickups, the hottest I've ever had, and killer, versatile sound. The passive mode gives you your jazz, your p, your rick, and a few others you've never heard before. Pop it into active mode and it really sounds ACTIVE, like a different bass. Extremely flexible in the sound department, distinctive looks, comfortable and fast neck, not a bad thing to say about it except that I couldn't get the action low enough stock. A bass that truly can handle it all.
A year after getting it, I began to get curious about the models with 3 single coil pickups, and managed to land a Midas 5. Flame maple top, ash body, same padouk neck and ebony board as the Capone with a more normal, less rounded and "single cut-like" design. Well, it was a completely different beast. Hangs well on a strap and is very playable. Active/passive push/pull volume, six position pickup selector, and unknown bass/treble EQ.
I'm not a known fan of single coil pickups, and these didn't necessarily win me over. Much less output than the 'buckers, noisier, and a big difference between active/passive volume. If you balance the two, both modes are too quiet. This bass seems to NEED the EQ to sound great, the passive mode is an emergency mode only. Oh...and the freaking action is too high again!
A few months after I got it, the bass EQ died at rehearsal one day. Sine I like the Glock 3-band in my Human Bass OC-X, I had Mike Dolan install the same preamp in the Midas. He also took some wood out from under the bridge to make it more playable.
He did a great job and the bass is much more versatile now; I'll know whether it's a keeper or not after tomorrow's jam.
Mike got rid of the six position selector switch and installed an on/off switch for each pickup. He also installed a pan pot, and a series/parallel switch for the two pickups closest to the bridge. Oh, and a mid pot too!
Still got that single-coil buzz, and since the Glock is a zero-gain pickup (at flat) the flat setting is relatively measly. But the tones now available far exceed the stock unit, the tonal range is huge. Since the passive output is so low the Aggie OBP-3 might have been the better ticket, but the Glock is very sweet too. I finally get a chance to try it out live tomorrow, I'm very curious if I'm able to find sounds that work for me in our 3-piece context. The wood removed from under the bridge made setup a breeze. I'm told these usually come with low action, but since they seem mostly custom I probably just had the luck to pick up basses purchased by owners who liked their action much higher than I do.
Who knows, the Midas is the one bass I own that, if it doesn't work for me now, I'll be selling shortly.
I normally don't break my "no more than one bass from a given manufacturer" rule, but the only way for me to try a single coil model was to buy one. I'm easily happiest with the Capone with humbuckers, although the Midas is no slouch.
Having two, I can say that I like the necks on both; there are no uncomfortable spots or "reaches" required. The ergonomic body sculpting must be felt to be believed, the basses fit so well on a strap the bass feels a part of you. Craftsmanship on both basses is easily on par with the best. If I had the money, I'd love to have a Remington Steele 6 with humbuckers. I'm purely a fingerstyle player, so I can't comment on the slap or pick sound, but it shouldn't be too hard to dial in either bass to suit those styles.
The Capone gets my vote; it's comfortable, loud, buzzless at high volumes, has a wide range of sound and is comfortable enough to go for several sets without a break. This bass always brings a smile to my face.
I'm sorry I don't have any clips recorded, but feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I'll see if I can post a couple pictures of each just for comparison's sake.
I hope you consider one. Ritters seem to get most of the press these days, but Le Fays kick serious rump for much less bump.
The Capone is headed, old-style, with tuners on the head. Two humbuckers, six position switch, Noll bass/treble pre and a passive mode. When I got it the action was insanely high and I had to do a bit of sanding on the bottom of the bridge pieces to make things comfortable. Ash body, Wenge top. So comfortable with all the body carving, hangs well on a strap and all positions are within reach. Quite possibly one of my favorite basses. Very high output pickups, the hottest I've ever had, and killer, versatile sound. The passive mode gives you your jazz, your p, your rick, and a few others you've never heard before. Pop it into active mode and it really sounds ACTIVE, like a different bass. Extremely flexible in the sound department, distinctive looks, comfortable and fast neck, not a bad thing to say about it except that I couldn't get the action low enough stock. A bass that truly can handle it all.
A year after getting it, I began to get curious about the models with 3 single coil pickups, and managed to land a Midas 5. Flame maple top, ash body, same padouk neck and ebony board as the Capone with a more normal, less rounded and "single cut-like" design. Well, it was a completely different beast. Hangs well on a strap and is very playable. Active/passive push/pull volume, six position pickup selector, and unknown bass/treble EQ.
I'm not a known fan of single coil pickups, and these didn't necessarily win me over. Much less output than the 'buckers, noisier, and a big difference between active/passive volume. If you balance the two, both modes are too quiet. This bass seems to NEED the EQ to sound great, the passive mode is an emergency mode only. Oh...and the freaking action is too high again!
A few months after I got it, the bass EQ died at rehearsal one day. Sine I like the Glock 3-band in my Human Bass OC-X, I had Mike Dolan install the same preamp in the Midas. He also took some wood out from under the bridge to make it more playable.
He did a great job and the bass is much more versatile now; I'll know whether it's a keeper or not after tomorrow's jam.
Mike got rid of the six position selector switch and installed an on/off switch for each pickup. He also installed a pan pot, and a series/parallel switch for the two pickups closest to the bridge. Oh, and a mid pot too!
Still got that single-coil buzz, and since the Glock is a zero-gain pickup (at flat) the flat setting is relatively measly. But the tones now available far exceed the stock unit, the tonal range is huge. Since the passive output is so low the Aggie OBP-3 might have been the better ticket, but the Glock is very sweet too. I finally get a chance to try it out live tomorrow, I'm very curious if I'm able to find sounds that work for me in our 3-piece context. The wood removed from under the bridge made setup a breeze. I'm told these usually come with low action, but since they seem mostly custom I probably just had the luck to pick up basses purchased by owners who liked their action much higher than I do.
Who knows, the Midas is the one bass I own that, if it doesn't work for me now, I'll be selling shortly.
I normally don't break my "no more than one bass from a given manufacturer" rule, but the only way for me to try a single coil model was to buy one. I'm easily happiest with the Capone with humbuckers, although the Midas is no slouch.
Having two, I can say that I like the necks on both; there are no uncomfortable spots or "reaches" required. The ergonomic body sculpting must be felt to be believed, the basses fit so well on a strap the bass feels a part of you. Craftsmanship on both basses is easily on par with the best. If I had the money, I'd love to have a Remington Steele 6 with humbuckers. I'm purely a fingerstyle player, so I can't comment on the slap or pick sound, but it shouldn't be too hard to dial in either bass to suit those styles.
The Capone gets my vote; it's comfortable, loud, buzzless at high volumes, has a wide range of sound and is comfortable enough to go for several sets without a break. This bass always brings a smile to my face.
I'm sorry I don't have any clips recorded, but feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I'll see if I can post a couple pictures of each just for comparison's sake.
I hope you consider one. Ritters seem to get most of the press these days, but Le Fays kick serious rump for much less bump.
Attachments
- May 12, 2007
- 122
- 60
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Moollon, Glockenklang, Dunlop/MXR, VoVox, Basswitch
i have two lefays, too, a capone 5 with customized electronics and a "remington steel" 4 string fretless that is the best fretless i've ever played.
it sings! reiner is an incredible luthier and a complete sweetheart.
it sings! reiner is an incredible luthier and a complete sweetheart.
Loneranger: At first sight I think: That's mine. But it appears to be a little different at a closer look:
Link Removed
As being said: It's a great instrument. And no issues with the action.
Link Removed
As being said: It's a great instrument. And no issues with the action.
Lefay is second to none in terms of built quality,attention to detail and instrument design. And better than most.
The only question that remains is if the instruments are to ones taste.
I would recommend to anyone looking for an electric bass of the absulote highest quality, to check them out.
Plus...I can't think of many makers who produce the bridges and pickups that they put onto their instruments in house.
The only question that remains is if the instruments are to ones taste.
I would recommend to anyone looking for an electric bass of the absulote highest quality, to check them out.
Plus...I can't think of many makers who produce the bridges and pickups that they put onto their instruments in house.
Here is my LeFay Midas 5 that I got from Riis (Zooberwerx). It's one of the best sounding and playing basses I have ever owned. Everyone comments on how good it sounds not to mention how it look!
