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Low End Jazz Megathread Part 2

#22
Well, only got to see MM perform one song, we had to head back to Nashville. But, he did "Scoop" solo. Couldn't do anything, but stare in amazement. I didn't get to see Jackie play....was helping LowEnd crew. Jackie was teaching a recording bass class. If you're FB friends with Jackie, he has some videos posted of Marcus's performance. I got to see Dewayne "Polyneon" Thomas Jr. play. This kid is wicked!! He has some Youtube vids posted.
 
#23
Hi guys. I am brand new to the LEJ family,having purchased an LEJ 5 yesterday. Interesting story how it came to past. Last November, Brian was at a guitar show in Valley Forge, Pa. I was unfamiliar with Low End basses, but when I walked up I heard some guy playing a bass, and the tone floored me. I looked to see what kind of bass he was playing and that's when I saw Low End on the headstock. I waited my turn and played the most amazing Jazz bass I had ever played. I asked Brian how much it cost and considering how close it was to Christmas I decided not to make an offer. Another guy was watching me play the bass, and he too was very interested in it. After about an hour I decided to leave, knowing that if I stayed longer that bass was coming home with me. Though I left, I could not get that bass out of my head. After a few days, and talking with my wife, I decided to call Brian to make an offer. I was devastated when he told me that the guy who was watching me play, purchased it after I left. Through some serious detective work, I found the guy who bought it. I gave him my contact information, telling him that if he ever decided to sell it, call me first. Last Monday, while at work, I got an email from him asking whether I was still interested. He also said for me to keep it for a week and try it out. Just so happen, I had three gigs that week. I played a gig on Saturday night, and the soundman for the venue, has done sound for John Legend, the Hooters etc. At the end of the gig I told him that I was trying out the bass, and I wanted to know how it sounded in the house. His face lit up, he said "your bass sounded like Thunder; I could hear every note, it was punchy, fat...everything you could dream of. If I could mix a bass like that every night, my job would be very enjoyable." As soon as he finished, his assistant came on stage. He said to his assistant, "the bass player wants to know how his bass sounded tonight." His assistant could not stop with compliments and they both said that they built the band's sound around me. And in unison, they said "BUY IT." The next night, the bass owner came to a club gig I had. After hearing the bass in the mix, he told me that he had second thoughts about selling it, and took it back. I was sick:crying: He called me yesterday and said that he took the bass home, and after playing it, it felt like it was mine, and not his anymore, and sold it to me.:hyper: I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to get them off of my phone. But it is an Exotic 24, ash body, Koa top, maple neck, and birdseye maple fingerboard, with slimbuckers, Vol Vol VTC stacked bass treble and a 2 band/3 band switch. It plays like butter, weighs maybe 8 pounds or less. I played it through and Epifani UL 902 C, and Bergantino HT ER 112 cabs. Sorry for the long story, but I had to tell someone; I knew you guys would understand. :)
 
#24
Welcome to the family Virgil. I played them, let'em go and now waiting on another LEJ. To me, nothing cuts like a LEJ. I'm currently using a LEPJ with pickup selection and 2 or 3 band option. They have the BEST NECKS IN THE WORLD! Glad you found the one that was made for your hands! Lol
 
#25
Virgil said:
Hi guys. I am brand new to the LEJ family,having purchased an LEJ 5 yesterday. Interesting story how it came to past. Last November, Brian was at a guitar show in Valley Forge, Pa. I was unfamiliar with Low End basses, but when I walked up I heard some guy playing a bass, and the tone floored me. I looked to see what kind of bass he was playing and that's when I saw Low End on the headstock. I waited my turn and played the most amazing Jazz bass I had ever played. I asked Brian how much it cost and considering how close it was to Christmas I decided not to make an offer. Another guy was watching me play the bass, and he too was very interested in it. After about an hour I decided to leave, knowing that if I stayed longer that bass was coming home with me. Though I left, I could not get that bass out of my head. After a few days, and talking with my wife, I decided to call Brian to make an offer. I was devastated when he told me that the guy who was watching me play, purchased it after I left. Through some serious detective work, I found the guy who bought it. I gave him my contact information, telling him that if he ever decided to sell it, call me first. Last Monday, while at work, I got an email from him asking whether I was still interested. He also said for me to keep it for a week and try it out. Just so happen, I had three gigs that week. I played a gig on Saturday night, and the soundman for the venue, has done sound for John Legend, the Hooters etc. At the end of the gig I told him that I was trying out the bass, and I wanted to know how it sounded in the house. His face lit up, he said "your bass sounded like Thunder; I could hear every note, it was punchy, fat...everything you could dream of. If I could mix a bass like that every night, my job would be very enjoyable." As soon as he finished, his assistant came on stage. He said to his assistant, "the bass player wants to know how his bass sounded tonight." His assistant could not stop with compliments and they both said that they built the band's sound around me. And in unison, they said "BUY IT." The next night, the bass owner came to a club gig I had. After hearing the bass in the mix, he told me that he had second thoughts about selling it, and took it back. I was sick:crying: He called me yesterday and said that he took the bass home, and after playing it, it felt like it was mine, and not his anymore, and sold it to me.:hyper: I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to get them off of my phone. But it is an Exotic 24, ash body, Koa top, maple neck, and birdseye maple fingerboard, with slimbuckers, Vol Vol VTC stacked bass treble and a 2 band/3 band switch. It plays like butter, weighs maybe 8 pounds or less. I played it through and Epifani UL 902 C, and Bergantino HT ER 112 cabs. Sorry for the long story, but I had to tell someone; I knew you guys would understand. :)
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Skjold and low end...doesn't get any better!
 
#26
I see you have done your homework;) Yep, I have the best basses on the planet. They are very different, but they are beast. Pete is going to be at Gerald Veasley's Bass bootcamp this weekend; and I too will be there. I have never met him in person, but I feel as though I have known him forever. He is another young luthier who is making a great name for himself; and well deserved.
 
#27
diglo said:
Welcome to the family Virgil. I played them, let'em go and now waiting on another LEJ. To me, nothing cuts like a LEJ. I'm currently using a LEPJ with pickup selection and 2 or 3 band option. They have the BEST NECKS IN THE WORLD! Glad you found the one that was made for your hands! Lol
Click to expand...

How do you just let them go, especially when they have the tone you are looking for? I rarely sell my basses. Clearly I play some more than others, but they are like children to me. The LEJ I just bought is the first and only one I have ever played. The feature that stood out to me was the neck; it fit my hand like a glove. I have big hands, and narrower necks make it difficult for me to get between the strings. My LEJ's neck reminds me of MTD necks; they get flatter as you move up the neck. They really are 19mm, some luthier's say their necks are, but they aren't. Since I just got the LEJ, I don't know how versatile it is, my Skjold covers everything, but the tones I have found so far are incredible.
 
#29
Virgil said:
How do you just let them go, especially when they have the tone you are looking for? I rarely sell my basses. Clearly I play some more than others, but they are like children to me. The LEJ I just bought is the first and only one I have ever played. The feature that stood out to me was the neck; it fit my hand like a glove. I have big hands, and narrower necks make it difficult for me to get between the strings. My LEJ's neck reminds me of MTD necks; they get flatter as you move up the neck. They really are 19mm, some luthier's say their necks are, but they aren't. Since I just got the LEJ, I don't know how versatile it is, my Skjold covers everything, but the tones I have found so far are incredible.
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I completely understand I played one at NAMM 06 and it found one a year ago. I have large hands and the neck is perfect, wide and flat!
 
#30
Here's Lolo!
bass couch.jpg
 
#33
Virgil said:
How do you just let them go, especially when they have the tone you are looking for? I rarely sell my basses. Clearly I play some more than others, but they are like children to me. The LEJ I just bought is the first and only one I have ever played. The feature that stood out to me was the neck; it fit my hand like a glove. I have big hands, and narrower necks make it difficult for me to get between the strings. My LEJ's neck reminds me of MTD necks; they get flatter as you move up the neck. They really are 19mm, some luthier's say their necks are, but they aren't. Since I just got the LEJ, I don't know how versatile it is, my Skjold covers everything, but the tones I have found so far are incredible.
Click to expand...

I had to live and learn. Lol
 
#34
Here is the picture of mine when I saw it last November at the Guitar Show. That is not me playing it, but a friend of mine who was with me.
 

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#35
Had a nice shed session with local drummer today. The LEPJ5 sound great. We did more pocket playing. As James Brown would say, "give the drummer some" and I did. Can't wait for my LEJ5. Was told it's on it way to the shop.
 
#36
OK! I need everybody's help. Still trying to figure out what color I want my LEJ. It's between Sonic Blue/vintage PG or Aged White/Tort PG. Rosewood board with pearl dot inlays, nitro finish...getting a olympic white/tort PG built by another luthier. I just always like white basses, but don't want too many of same color.
 

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