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Low End Jazz Megathread, post pics and soundbites!!
- Thread starter caesarbass
- Start date
- Status
Haha!!
Yes sir...two and counting also....
I keep going back to my LEJ time and time again, and it ALWAYS sounds/plays great and works for any gigging/playing/recording situation. So I figured....I NEED another one..and another, and another........
Not trying to brag (LOL), but Brian working on my 5th LEJ. The best basses ever made.
#2 got here today...and it is KILLER!!!!! Growly!!! I will gig with it this weekend and put up a review/comparison between my two basses. I think the Black one really nails the 70's tone and vibe, very Marcus-ish!!!
Caeserbass, at the end of the day, we're still LowEnd Family. LOL! The black one is a great bass. I checked it out awhile back. Peace!
Here's a quick soundbite of the Black LEJ!!
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Both pups up and eq boosted.....going straight into my M-audio Fast Track completely dry...
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Both pups up and eq boosted.....going straight into my M-audio Fast Track completely dry...
I like that one! It almost sounds like it has built-in compression. Very sweet sounding. You're absolutely right, very 70's sounding but not harsh in any way.
Congrats!
Congrats!
ZUMA!! How's things man? Hope you're doing well!!! Keep an eye out for a So Cal GTG coming soon...trying to organize it.
Thanks!!!! I think this new LEJ is absolutely killin and really nails the 70's vibe!!!!
Brian Barrett
Commercial User
- Nov 25, 2001
- 2,799
- 40
- Disclosures
- Dealer LowEndBassShop.com, Builder LowEndBasses.com
Hey Brian!!! The bass is awesome!! Thanks for your help and suggestions about the pups!! I will record more clips, that one was done quickly with no real thought, I like those for initial impressions for sure. I will be putting it through the paces this weekend...4 gigs, different settings and styles!!
Thanks man!!
RedLeg
Supporting Member
Well, I am one of you now. I received my LEJ yesterday. She plays like a dream and sounds great too. I need to get her to my tech next pay period. BTW I know she is probably some TB'ers old bass. Just goes to show you that no matter how hot she may be, someone is always sick and tired of her. 
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Sweet clip, Caesar. What pickups are those?
A mate just sent me a pic of this truly Spinal Tap moment involving my LEJ - two basses, backing a puppet show.
That is an awesome pic...if I told them once I've told them a thousand times...spinal tap before puppet show!! Classic!
As far as pups-Brian suggested I stick with the dual coils instead of single coils.
Thanks!!
Well, I am one of you now. I received my LEJ yesterday. She plays like a dream and sounds great too. I need to get her to my tech next pay period. BTW I know she is probably some TB'ers old bass. Just goes to show you that no matter how hot she may be, someone is always sick and tired of her.
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Man, that bass looks familiar. I like what you did with the pickguard. Enjoy!
I got my newly assembled hollow body LEJ back from the local set up guru today. Theres nothing worse than "honeymoon" reviews where some obviously happy person just rants and raves about the new bass and then it's in the classifieds 3 months later 
Initial impression of this bass (and I haven't used it with one of my bands yet) is that it is a pretty unique blend and not really like any single bass I've played before. The hollow body design works really well on the low frequencies. Theres a beautiful natural thud and punch to the lower notes. I can just imagine thumping along on the E string with this thing for hours.
My dislike of other hollow bodied basses I'd tried is that they had the signature thickness and thud - but no real clarity in the upper mids or highs. The action I've seen on many other HBs was high and hard and it all just sounded awesomely thick but a bit dull - like playing under a blanket. I really didn't want a bass that was limited like that. So this has arrived and it seems to be a hybrid between a 70s Ash/Maple Jazz and a Guild or something of that ilk. And importantly, it has that ultra-playable jazz neck. The natural clarity and brightness of ash/maple seems to sit really well with the thickness and thud of the typical HB sound. It honestly makes me wonder why every HB I see is made with a rosewood boarded neck the size of a tree. Maple offsets the thud really nicely. Chords sound amazing across the strings - heaps of warmth and clarity.
This bass is LIGHT too. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of my other LEJ but it's definitely unique and I can already think of plenty of things I want to try with the general resonance and punch of this design. What's strange is that the thicker body is every bit as comfortable as my other basses - maybe because of the light weight. I barely even notice it until I play unplugged and can hear the notes acoustically at a low volume. Anyhoo, I'll play it for a couple of weeks, use it in some jams and post a proper review. I'll try not to gush too much when I do
Initial impression of this bass (and I haven't used it with one of my bands yet) is that it is a pretty unique blend and not really like any single bass I've played before. The hollow body design works really well on the low frequencies. Theres a beautiful natural thud and punch to the lower notes. I can just imagine thumping along on the E string with this thing for hours.
My dislike of other hollow bodied basses I'd tried is that they had the signature thickness and thud - but no real clarity in the upper mids or highs. The action I've seen on many other HBs was high and hard and it all just sounded awesomely thick but a bit dull - like playing under a blanket. I really didn't want a bass that was limited like that. So this has arrived and it seems to be a hybrid between a 70s Ash/Maple Jazz and a Guild or something of that ilk. And importantly, it has that ultra-playable jazz neck. The natural clarity and brightness of ash/maple seems to sit really well with the thickness and thud of the typical HB sound. It honestly makes me wonder why every HB I see is made with a rosewood boarded neck the size of a tree. Maple offsets the thud really nicely. Chords sound amazing across the strings - heaps of warmth and clarity.
This bass is LIGHT too. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of my other LEJ but it's definitely unique and I can already think of plenty of things I want to try with the general resonance and punch of this design. What's strange is that the thicker body is every bit as comfortable as my other basses - maybe because of the light weight. I barely even notice it until I play unplugged and can hear the notes acoustically at a low volume. Anyhoo, I'll play it for a couple of weeks, use it in some jams and post a proper review. I'll try not to gush too much when I do
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,409
- 9,866
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
My LEJ arrived today - I was surprised at how quickly it made it through the military system. She's gorgeous, sounds awesome and plays like butter. I'll post an actual review once I've had a chance to really work out with her....
Semi-update -
This bass is just ridiculous I've played it every day this week and continue to find reasons to like it. I like jazz basses but sometimes wish they would have some more "nuts" across frequencies. People continually show me examples of "monster" jazz bass tones and my ears just hear a slightly diminished bottom end and a bump in low mids and treble growl sizzle to compensate. I call this the Schroeder bass cab effect I love Pbasses but often find that they have this beautiful full growl that is uneven in spots - particularly low E to A while the A to D just explodes off the fretboard. Obviously, this is just my opinion but it has had me hopping between Jazz and Precision basses for about 10 years so i have some experience in trying to change my opinion! I've owned some boutique basses that are non-traditional in design (like Stambaugh/FBass) and still stumbled across a lack of "something" - usually either a personality or natural aggression. It's almost as if "versatility" means a boutique bass can be anything but isn't really anything on it's own in terms of character to begin with. It's highly likely to all be in my head so I'm not suggesting these were poor basses at all.
So I guess the question is - whats different about the LEJ? Firstly, both of my LEJs are COMPLETELY balanced tonally. Theres mids there as per the traditional vibe. Theres treble sizzle as per the traditional vibe. But theres also rich low end. I don't have to "tame" or "boost" a LEJ to suit my playing style - it pretty much responds to my attack on every string and has sweet spots all over the place depending on my technique and needs. And I'm not sitting there feeling like 480 volts of preamp has taken away the natural sounds of the wood and processed something artificial.
The new HB is an ash/maple jazz bass and can sound like one - easily. But it is also a full, clear, rich hollowbody - meaning this is a superb jazz bass with a fat bottom and real earthy growl. But the critical thing - is that it's not just some slapped together combination of bass vibes that is a watered down mix. I should probably stop trying to compare it to other bass designs and tell you that it is a completely new animal. I'm now heading off to play it again.
This bass is just ridiculous
I've played it every day this week and continue to find reasons to like it. I like jazz basses but sometimes wish they would have some more "nuts" across frequencies. People continually show me examples of "monster" jazz bass tones and my ears just hear a slightly diminished bottom end and a bump in low mids and treble growl sizzle to compensate. I call this the Schroeder bass cab effect I love Pbasses but often find that they have this beautiful full growl that is uneven in spots - particularly low E to A while the A to D just explodes off the fretboard. Obviously, this is just my opinion but it has had me hopping between Jazz and Precision basses for about 10 years so i have some experience in trying to change my opinion! I've owned some boutique basses that are non-traditional in design (like Stambaugh/FBass) and still stumbled across a lack of "something" - usually either a personality or natural aggression. It's almost as if "versatility" means a boutique bass can be anything but isn't really anything on it's own in terms of character to begin with. It's highly likely to all be in my head so I'm not suggesting these were poor basses at all.So I guess the question is - whats different about the LEJ? Firstly, both of my LEJs are COMPLETELY balanced tonally. Theres mids there as per the traditional vibe. Theres treble sizzle as per the traditional vibe. But theres also rich low end. I don't have to "tame" or "boost" a LEJ to suit my playing style - it pretty much responds to my attack on every string and has sweet spots all over the place depending on my technique and needs. And I'm not sitting there feeling like 480 volts of preamp has taken away the natural sounds of the wood and processed something artificial.
The new HB is an ash/maple jazz bass and can sound like one - easily. But it is also a full, clear, rich hollowbody - meaning this is a superb jazz bass with a fat bottom and real earthy growl. But the critical thing - is that it's not just some slapped together combination of bass vibes that is a watered down mix. I should probably stop trying to compare it to other bass designs and tell you that it is a completely new animal. I'm now heading off to play it again.
Okay all you LowEnders, I am strongly considering joining your ranks!
I am thinking of a 5/24, not because I play all up on the neck, but because I prefer the smaller body style. I am curious though - how "thick" is the neck on these guys?
I have read that the necks are "thin and fast" (which is great!) but I am trying to imagine what that translates into.
From pics, the necks look to be a D shape, with a fairly flat back profile, but it's hard to tell. Anyone got a set of calipers, or a ruler they could bust out for an eyeball measure?
Any input would be most welcome. I think I am really just trying to stall while I scrape together a deposit, and I like imagining the final product!
Thanks in advance - and thanks as well for your collective enthusiasm about these basses. The strong "grassroots" kind of excitement about the LEJ is a big part of the reason that I am considering them for my first ever custom-built bass.
I am thinking of a 5/24, not because I play all up on the neck, but because I prefer the smaller body style. I am curious though - how "thick" is the neck on these guys?
I have read that the necks are "thin and fast" (which is great!) but I am trying to imagine what that translates into.
From pics, the necks look to be a D shape, with a fairly flat back profile, but it's hard to tell. Anyone got a set of calipers, or a ruler they could bust out for an eyeball measure?
Any input would be most welcome. I think I am really just trying to stall while I scrape together a deposit, and I like imagining the final product!
Thanks in advance - and thanks as well for your collective enthusiasm about these basses. The strong "grassroots" kind of excitement about the LEJ is a big part of the reason that I am considering them for my first ever custom-built bass.
RedLeg
Supporting Member
Mine is one of the older necks according to Brian. It is ibanezesque for lack of a better comparison. I mean it really reminds me of my old SR. But your thin and fast neck description would be accurate for my LEJ. BTW, how do I get a number.
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