Low End Jazz Megathread, post pics and soundbites!!

[LowBSix]

Whats the nut width on the LEJ 24 sixers?

Real comfortable! AND>>>> so is the string width...
The LEJ6 is the first 6 string that I can slap without clammering a bunch of other strings.... Keep in mind, technique is still required, however... it's "normal" string spacing by the bridge to the neck... I'm not a measurer, so if you like the feel of a fender... you'll be good! The neck itself is not too bulky so you can access the low strings with your fingering hand... The Benevente pickups will blow your mind...

 

[Pacman]

If Beav's bored, I'd love a rendering of the bass I ordered.....

 

[SMASH]

Hey SMASH, can you share those settings? I've had mine for over a year and am still finding new tones... especially with series/parallel.

It'd be tough to describe in writing - the sheet I referred to has graphics to show the EQ positions. Maybe Brian could get one posted online, or e/mailed out to you.

One example is "Fingerstyle" for which the neck pickup is backed off about 1/8, the bass bosted about 1/8 and the treble backed off just a hair. More than just an EQ difference, I find it audibly changes the character of the tone - even in a live mix - especially in the mids. Fun to play around with.

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Funkometer - nut width on my 21-fret 6'ers is 2 1/8 inches. Weights vary depending on woods and hardware. My two 6'ers are 10 lb and under, even with a brass bridge and heavy knobs on one of them.

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Brian, since I'm here I'll explain the "world map" idea and maybe others will have some input. On blog sites, MySpace, etc. I've seen maps that show where visitors to the site are from. I've always found those interesting. Similarly I thought it'd be cool to see on the LEJ site where in the world the basses are in use and maybe even get players in those places in touch to hear 'em and check 'em out. Could just be a lot of updating or incomplete data every time one is sold, especially in the used market.

Can't say I really thought the idea through. Just thought it'd be interesting to see, or even just read, where all they've shipped to and what sort of music people are making with 'em.

 

[j-raj]

couple of New MP3's posted from Players. Scratch's are studio and Hector's are live in Canada for a Corp. Cover gig.

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I just want to add; Thanks guys for the Wonderful 08 Year and those that made it out to NAMM last Month to hang, it was great to see everyone. The New Single coils went over extremely well. Thanks for the friendships and support of LEJ's and the LowEnd Bass shop!

You should try to get some clips of Francisco Fattoruso, man that cat's LEJ sounds amazing... He's also a killer bassist from ATL.

 

[Pacman]

I'm am now 5-7 weeks away from mine!! Getting seriously (ahem) jazzed!

 

[Tendollarcat]

Guys,

I'm a new and very happy convert to LEJs. This is a review I posted on an Australian bass website -

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I figured there aren't many of these in Australia so a review was in order.

I ordered a Lowend Jazz from Brian Barrett at the Lowend in September 2008. The bass arrived from Nashville three weeks ago and I have had some time to try it out in a variety of situations including at-home messing around with and without effects, a mellow acoustic jam and also a full rock setting. These are the specs of the bass -

5 String
24 Fret
35 Scale
Mahogany Body
Flamed Maple Neck and Board
LEJ Preamp
Custom Single Coil Pickups
Vol/Vol/Tone (active/passive)/ Stacked Bass and Treble Controls.

Service -

Brian Barrett is a class act. He communicates with you daily if you want. He's great on emails and will consult with you on everything and anything you need. More importantly, he actually remembers what you ask for. The build was completed exactly in the timeframes provided. No delays. No problems. No issues. He doesn't go missing during the build process and seems to love the challenge of putting the best ideas possible into a build.

Build Quality -

Those of you who know me, know I go through some basses! This bass is immaculate. It's better in quality, finish and attention to detail than any bass I have ever owned. The black finish just gleams, the hardware and working parts are all set to perfection. The bass required a single truss rod tweak (being shipped internationally to me, it was set flat) and it was ready to go. I went with my personal preference of stringing thru the body and it was ready to play straight away.

Playability -

As per the immaculate finish, this is such an easy bass to play. It is surprisingly light and comfortable for a 35 scale. Fingerstyle tones are effortless. Theres plenty of room for slap and the 24 fret board means high chords and general noodling is too simple. The B string is where we seriously get to talk about the added value of a 35 scale. This bass has the best B string I have ever seen. It's firm and punchy and has none of the dreaded wobble-board B sounds coming from lesser 5ers.

Sound -

Lets face it, theres plenty of basses out there that look the goods, feel the goods and then fail to sing when plugged in. I have to say, this bass kills tonally. It more than kills - take kills and multiply it a few times! I told Brian I wanted an aggressive, punchy, versatile modern bass. He recommended LEJ single coil pickups and I totally understand why. The bass is incredibly well balanced tonally - no boosted frequencies or loud/quiet strings in any way. It has none of the low-mid boominess that can kill a jazz bass for me. It's default tone is all modern jazz with real punch and grit mixed in. The LEJ is powerful, clear and articulate. It gets the best balance between real tonal character (the grit and bite) and versatile transparency (the ability to fit into any style you need) I have ever found.

I actually sold my beautiful FBass because it was so clean and clear to the ear that I didn't really know what to do with it. In the same token, I sold an Alleva Coppolo Jazz because it's jazz bark and bite was really very cool but I wanted to back it off at times to a fuller Pbass tone. I now have found a bass that blends the best of both. The tone knob means I can take this bass from warm thick dub tones right up to real Wal style grind. I can do a seriously good Musicman impression with this preamp too. The bass/treble stacked knob actually gives the mids room to breathe. Every adjustment in EQ seems to sink in just right. So in effect, I find myself floating between a modern jazz/Wal kind of vibe tonally. Great space to live in thats for sure! It has real character and real bite but I can control it for each situation as needed.

Overall -

Everyone has a bass honeymoon period. I tried to calm down a bit before I wrote this review and I have owned enough basses to know what I like. This bass is the BEST (and I mean on any level) bass that I have ever owned. I've played Sadowskys and owned Alleva Coppolos and I cannot understand why LEJs are not spoken of in the same breath (yet). This is a jazz bass that takes all of the best aspects of the design and enhances them in all of the right ways. It can fill up a mellow song with warmth, it can grind up a rock tune better than you can imagine and it plays like a dream. I'm not a good enough player to endorse brands. I just buy bass gear because I love the workmanship and craft in a beautiful instrument. I always have an idea in my head on what I need from a bass - and I'm fickle and hard to please. This bass is the best I have played. It's really that good.

I thought that was worth sharing

 

[pedulla-2007]

I own eighteen basses that I have accumulated over 25 yrs of playing. Modulus, Warwick, Ken Smith,Pedulla,Sadowsky,Fender, Michael Kelly,Gibson Epiphone, El Capitan, Lakland, all 5-strings. All with sentimental value because they have paid for themselves through playing. I have 2 large 300lb gun safes that I store my prized basses because of past burglaries. My bands used to practice at my home and all neighbors knew that we practice here, (not good). I rotate my basses monthly, and every time I pull out my Ken Smith and Lowend Jazz basses, Its like seeing an old friend. I have come to expect only the best from Master Ken Smith because of his years in the business, but when I play Brian Barret's basses, I have to remind myself of how relatively young this man is. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Brian in Texas and was immediately impressed with this guy. He too, is like an old friend, and his fairness and professionalism are second to none. I find myself praying for him and his success. I would like to see his basses in all Guitar Centers and Musicians Friends catalogs. I tease with him that I have seen Mark King in concert with a Lowend Jazz bass in my dreams. It could happen! Needless to say there is no bigger fan of Lowend Jazz basses, and I wish for Brian, twice what I wish for myself. Thank you for an incredibly inspiring bass. I don't see how you will ever be able to expound on your basses because they are perfection! I firmly believe that part of the magic of owning one of these Lowend Jazz basses is knowing the builder. Buy one of these Lowend Jazz basses, it will make you want to practice!

 

[Pacman]

Well, since there's been no action in here for a while I'll post a pic of my neck and body before going to the finisher....

Man, the wait is tough!

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[Brian Barrett]

WOW, I just now saw this post..... I'm touched! Thanks so much for your support and thoughtful words!!! I'm the one blessed by the musicians that find themselves in my instruments and I hope I can continue to offer something that makes players feel free, creative and at home.

I own eighteen basses that I have accumulated over 25 yrs of playing. Modulus, Warwick, Ken Smith,Pedulla,Sadowsky,Fender, Michael Kelly,Gibson Epiphone, El Capitan, Lakland, all 5-strings. All with sentimental value because they have paid for themselves through playing. I have 2 large 300lb gun safes that I store my prized basses because of past burglaries. My bands used to practice at my home and all neighbors knew that we practice here, (not good). I rotate my basses monthly, and every time I pull out my Ken Smith and Lowend Jazz basses, Its like seeing an old friend. I have come to expect only the best from Master Ken Smith because of his years in the business, but when I play Brian Barret's basses, I have to remind myself of how relatively young this man is. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Brian in Texas and was immediately impressed with this guy. He too, is like an old friend, and his fairness and professionalism are second to none. I find myself praying for him and his success. I would like to see his basses in all Guitar Centers and Musicians Friends catalogs. I tease with him that I have seen Mark King in concert with a Lowend Jazz bass in my dreams. It could happen! Needless to say there is no bigger fan of Lowend Jazz basses, and I wish for Brian, twice what I wish for myself. Thank you for an incredibly inspiring bass. I don't see how you will ever be able to expound on your basses because they are perfection! I firmly believe that part of the magic of owning one of these Lowend Jazz basses is knowing the builder. Buy one of these Lowend Jazz basses, it will make you want to practice!

 

[g4string]

Here is mine.......

 

[Hullaballoo]

I'm going to treat myself to a "dream bass" in the near future, and I was about to post on here asking if people thought that LEJ's matched up to Sads in terms of sound. I've just caught up on the last few pages, and now I don't think I need to ask! I love the look and the choice available with the LEJ's, but I've never heard a really clear clip of fingerstyle playing on one, so I was worried that the sound might not match up to the stunning good looks, but if any one has anything more to say on the subject, I'd be pleased to hear an opinion - I know the slap tone is great (not that that matters to me), but I need to be sure that the finger style is everything I hope it is (single coils, aggressive to mellow - you know what I mean) There are tons of clips of Sads played finger style out there, but the only ones I can find of the LEJ's aren't of good enough quality for me to get a definite idea - even the ones on the site don't sound clear to me for some reason. If anyone has a nice example, I'd love to hear it.
EDIT - somehow I managed to miss the previous page, which needless to say, is full of clips and references to clips, so, der? sorry about that. The single coils sound just like I'd hoped, so it's an LEJ for me, most definitely
Mark

 

[Beav]

This guy has some great clips of him and his LEJ. Amazing player too.

 

[Tendollarcat]

Guys,

Brian is currently building me the first ever LEJ Hollow Body. It will have single coils and it will thump like a mofo Early reports are that the bass is super-lightweight and coming along nicely. Pics are below - Note that the bass is alongside a standard size LEJ to demonstrate the differences in the body shape.

 

[Tendollarcat]

And a couple more -

 

[diglo]

Guys,

Brian is currently building me the first ever LEJ Hollow Body. It will have single coils and it will thump like a mofo Early reports are that the bass is super-lightweight and coming along nicely. Pics are below - Note that the bass is alongside a standard size LEJ to demonstrate the differences in the body shape.

Brian let me check it out. It's going to be very light. Congrats!

 

[Brian Barrett]

Jerry just sent me this video link, pretty cool and the bass is cutting well and upfront.

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[matthew.murray]

Here are some live shots of my LEJ. Six string, 24 frets, all gold. Its perfect for gospel! To God be the glory!

 

[SMASH]

Holy ... moly. If there were churches around here with bands like that, I'd go to church. But I'm Canadian ... and Catholic. :shrug:


I posted mostly to ask - is yours the one that's truly all gold. Gold strings, hardware, etc? That's a fantastic looking bass man. Kudos to you, or to whomever had that idea. Took some guts to go for it, and I think it turned out stunning.

Hollowbody ... oh man that's potentially very gassy. What's the top on that one (the hollowbody is the one with the fancy top, yeah?) Looks like some kinda hybrid.

Pacman what's the top on yours ... something curvy with some flame. I don't recognize it. That looks fancy too.

 

[Pacman]

Smash - quilted maple..


And it's killing me.......

 

[matthew.murray]

Holy ... moly. If there were churches around here with bands like that, I'd go to church. But I'm Canadian ... and Catholic. :shrug:


I posted mostly to ask - is yours the one that's truly all gold. Gold strings, hardware, etc? That's a fantastic looking bass man. Kudos to you, or to whomever had that idea. Took some guts to go for it, and I think it turned out stunning.

I don't go to a church like that either! The choir and each of the band members were all friends that volunteered... the event was a benefit concert that I put together for Compassion International. We THREW IT DOWN! Isn't every bassist's dream to play gospel music with a real gospel choir?

The gold bass was actually inspired by Optima Gold strings. I love the strings and had been using them on my last bass, but I didn't dig how the gold strings clashed with the chrome hardware and frets. So, when building my LEJ, I chose gold hardware and frets and a custom gold color to match. It had a white pearl pickguard at first, but I think that tort looks way better. Thanks for the compliment!