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Low End Jazz Megathread Part 2

#64
OK....so this is about the 2,000,000th transaction I've done with ole' Spikey. I just ordered the following:

LEJ Classic 24
alder body
"superglued" satin finish fretless rosewood board, white lines and white face dots, side dots in regular "fretted position" really rounded over fingerboard edges
1 1/2" at the nut
cherryburst finish with 'bursted back...naked headstock
deep-flamed maple top, as light colored and mineral streak-free as possible
clear and white pearloid guards...shipped with the clear one on
chrome hipshot hardware
standard 2 band pre w/passive tone control and 2 volumes
traditional-style J bass knobs
standard chrome J control plate
slimbuckers
Dunlop chrome straplocks
brass nut
Mono bag

I was originally going to try and do a LEJ version of the restored Bass of Doom...3 tone burst on flame maple top and back, ebony on the back of the headstock, etc, but I'm a sucker for a nice cherryburst, so that color wins out! But...the superglued fretless rosewood board ought to give this bass a snotload of Jaco-like growl!

Off topic, Brian's ALWAYS been fair, straight, and easy to deal with. Really one of the nicest guys I've dealt with in the business, and I'm a professional percussionist/drummer with endorsements at Pearl, Remo, Vic Firth, Paiste and Offworld Percussion. Brian's customer service is as good as any of these companies, and then some! It's the reason I go to him when I am looking for a new or used bass. He says 3 months, so I'm hoping for mid-September delivery. :hyper:

Whaddaya think of the specs??
 
#65
+1 on dealing with Brian. A straight shooter. Always been extremely professional and courteous on all of my transactions with him. Most importantly, I trust him which is somewhat important when you are sending some one money now for a bass to be delivered later.
 
#67
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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Hey Virgil,

I was the guy you were watching play that bass before you! I knew then that you were really into that bass! I'm glad you were able to acquire it. Enjoy!
 
#68
Yeah man, I am really digging it. Played a gig last saturday night at the Firehouse Cafe in Mt. Holly New Jersey, and the guy I bought it from was in the audience. He came up to me with tears in his eyes, saying how much he regrets selling it to me. It sounded incredible. Got a gig tonight at Congress Hall, in Cape May, New Jersey, I gotta her packed up and ready to go. By the way, I have decided to go your route and get two SL 112's, the 410 sounds great, but the weight is killing me.
 
#69
My LEJ5 sounded great today at church. Played with my Ampeg PF350 and Tecamp S212 cab. Had bass sitting at 3 o'clock and treble at 1 o'clock position. Also play played in two band EQ setting. I don't play with an in-house system, all cab, so I play with enough highs to cut through the band. NO brightness.
 
#70
This might change at any moment, but I do have 3 LE's
Here's my LEJ-5 Exotic

RARE!!!! SOLID FLAMED KOA BODY, birds-eye maple neck, MOP block inlays, Kent Armstrong/Benavente wide aperature epoxy p'ups, LE preamp, passive/active incl VTC~!!
VERY full robust P meets J on steroid sound, with the modern/crisp LE tone on top. NOT looking for ANY trades will probably list it officially for sale for $2500 but wanted to run it by the boys first
it is stone cold MINT condition ; )
 

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#74
LiF said:
Sounds great Diglo.

Tell us more, particularly regarding Jackie Clark. That guy is the essence of groove, a very under-rated talent. If I could be half the player he is, I would be very happy.
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Gee thanks!!! hahaha! I really appreciate the kind comment bro! I'm not sure if I'm worthy but,I'll take it for now!! hahahaha!

Peace,
Jackie
 
#78
Benavente Relics are more traditional in respect to 1 pc neck and alder body with a think lightly relic finish and loaded with Lollar single coils in 60's position. Chris does build the instruments, they are not parts from a factory like others, he does do all the work.

LEJ's are a more custom oriented instrument with 3 pc necks, custom pickups, pre and many many options available. There is an LEJ 5/21 series in the works that will offer Lollar single coils, still keeping with the 3 pc neck and pickups in the 60 or 70's position. These are available with optional preamp.

Hope that helps, Thanks guys for all the support for Chris and I.
 

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