Low End Jazz Megathread, post pics and soundbites!!

[Tendollarcat]

Thanks, appreciate you(and the other guys who have replied) taking the time to give your opinion.

I posted the same question on the AC thread. Only got a reply from KJung, who seems a decent guy. He isn't that impressed with LEJ, doesn't feel the quality is up there with AC and the tone is too modern for him. The thread then moved on to a discussion on string types, so that's the input from the AC guys.

No worries. Kjung is an awesome guy and very knowledgeable. That said, I'm sure even he would admit, he is a real purist when it comes to the tones he loves at times.

I'm playing in 4 different projects at the moment and each one has very different requirements. I've found for original music in particular, the LEJ takes everything I can throw at it. The Alleva for me was a great classic style bass and I could never criticise AC because they really are superb. But if we are talking "quality", I've had two LEJs since that have surpassed it in fit and finish. The LEJs play beautifully straight out of the box after a quick set up. The AC requires some more love and attention to get right. Each to their own I guess.

 

[diglo]

I owned two AC's and return both. I have a thread on here. Tendollarcat hit it on the nail about the quality. I had to be real careful how I handled my AC's. They feel so delicate. My LEJ'a are like Timex's, Take's a lickin and keep on Ticking. AC's are good basses, but my LEJ cut better live and on projects. Honestly I played a Lakalnd DJ5 and it came off better, to me, than the AC live. That's a bold statement, but telling you what my ears hear.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I never really knew what these were until I accidently played a 4 String Low End Jazz the other day at my local guitar center... (its there used they had it for a while...)

Its freggin sexy! I want the thing! Trying to get up the cash...

Sounded awesome! It will be my new slap bass...

 

[LiF]

I emailed Brian yesterday for a quote. He got right back to me. I was impressed.

I let him know a little about my playing, current instruments and rig and he recommended the slimbucker pickups. I was a little surprised as the single coil seem like they would fit what I am looking for. However, he knows his instruments, so I'd go with what he suggests.

 

[diglo]

I emailed Brian yesterday for a quote. He got right back to me. I was impressed.

I let him know a little about my playing, current instruments and rig and he recommended the slimbucker pickups. I was a little surprised as the single coil seem like they would fit what I am looking for. However, he knows his instruments, so I'd go with what he suggests.

Slimbuckers or SC's, you will be happy.

 

[LiF]

What is the current build time on these?

 

[diglo]

4 to 6 months...but it can be shorter, depends on how many Brian has ahead of you.

 

[RedLeg]

thats why I buy used!
I bought diglo's old LEJ from Brian on a trade for a good price.
diglo, your avatar is my new (your old) LEJ?

 

[LiF]

4-6 months sounds good. I should have it by Christmas if I order soon.

 

[diglo]

thats why I buy used!
I bought diglo's old LEJ from Brian on a trade for a good price.
diglo, your avatar is my new (your old) LEJ?

I still own the rights to the avatar. LOL! It was hard letting it go, but I know it has found a good home. Enjoy!

 

[Matt Power]

Patiently witing for mine....(not really patiently.....I am just GASing for mine to be finished!) I know it'll be right when it's finished...just waiting.
Brian...can I request it be strung up with DR Low Rider Stainless 45-105s when it's done??? I'm not a big SIT fan, and I'd love to have it strung with my gauge and choice when it's ready. Please let me know.....

 

[Tendollarcat]

I emailed Brian yesterday for a quote. He got right back to me. I was impressed.

I let him know a little about my playing, current instruments and rig and he recommended the slimbucker pickups. I was a little surprised as the single coil seem like they would fit what I am looking for. However, he knows his instruments, so I'd go with what he suggests.

I have single coils on both of my basses. Not sure what type of music you play but the single coils are nice and growly and well suited for rock tones - which is what I do here in Brisbane. The duals are apparently more open and versatile. LEJ are big sounding basses generally and extremely versatile from a preamp perspective. Just bounce your ideas off Brian some more. He's given me some great advice on my basses.

I have a third build on order as of this week. It is -

4 string (with hipshot d-tuner)
34 scale
24 fret
Chambered Walnut Body - LEJ Shape - Trans finish.
Crotch Walnut Top
Ebony Board
2 humbuckers (think 2x2 single coils)

I have asked for it to be a monster I'm pretty confident it will be a gutsy, powerful, thumpy beast. Which is right up my alley......

I'll post some pics as they come through.

 

[LiF]

I have single coils on both of my basses. Not sure what type of music you play but the single coils are nice and growly and well suited for rock tones - which is what I do here in Brisbane. The duals are apparently more open and versatile. LEJ are big sounding basses generally and extremely versatile from a preamp perspective. Just bounce your ideas off Brian some more. He's given me some great advice on my basses.

I have a third build on order as of this week. It is -

4 string (with hipshot d-tuner)
34 scale
24 fret
Chambered Walnut Body - LEJ Shape - Trans finish.
Crotch Walnut Top
Ebony Board
2 humbuckers (think 2x2 single coils)

I have asked for it to be a monster I'm pretty confident it will be a gutsy, powerful, thumpy beast. Which is right up my alley......

I'll post some pics as they come through.

That sounds beautiful.

I play 5 stringers, Funk and Soul mainly.

 

[anthowl]

noobish question on these, but i've only ever seen them as fivers.
they sound great, but o they come as fours at all?
just a comfort preference.

 

[LiF]

noobish question on these, but i've only ever seen them as fivers.
they sound great, but o they come as fours at all?
just a comfort preference.

Yep, 4, 5, 6 and 7!

see them here:http://www.lowendbasses.com/

 

[Bass Clef]

Yeah, I got to check out a LEJ 5'er over at the Aussie dealer's place not that long ago and that was probably the nicest Jazz bass I've ever heard and held. The neck just felt very comfy and fast. It seemed to have a whole lot of tones but at the same time the wood of the instrument would shine through which was really nice. I am really close to pulling the trigger on one of these babies.

 

[KJung]

That said, I'm sure even he would admit, he is a real purist when it comes to the tones he loves at times.

I'm playing in 4 different projects at the moment and each one has very different requirements. I've found for original music in particular, the LEJ takes everything I can throw at it. The Alleva for me was a great classic style bass and I could never criticise AC because they really are superb. But if we are talking "quality", I've had two LEJs since that have surpassed it in fit and finish. The LEJs play beautifully straight out of the box after a quick set up. The AC requires some more love and attention to get right. Each to their own I guess.

Hey guys. Just so you don't think I'm bashing the LEJ's, I prefaced my comments over on the A-C thread with a warning that I'm an A-C lover, and that if you ask about LEJ (or any other bass) on the 'club thread' of a different bass, you are going to get responses biased to the 'thread bass' (whew... that was a convoluted sentence, but you know what I mean). I have played quite a few LEJ's (they used to come through Low Down Sound used regularly, and I also went to one of the Ohio Guitar shows a while back and played a few).

Per the accurate comment above, I like my boutique J's to sound a bit more vintage, so that really drove me to the A-C and away from the LEJ and a number of other very nice boutique J type instruments. I don't even gig my Sadowsky much any more, so that's just a personal tone goal that I have.

I would enjoy trying an LEJ again with the new single coil pickups. I must say, the very modern sounding 'stock' split coils (or whatever HC design Brian uses) are not my thing, but they can sound very sizzly or burpy if you want them to, which is pretty cool!

And, I bought two of my three A-C's used from Brian, so I'm at least a little bit a part of the club

Regarding set-up, if you've only played the A-C's coming through Brian's shop, I too found the set-up on both of my A-C's a bit strange, and I had to adjust the neck and saddles significantly on both the A-C's I purchased from him. Not sure if someone is messing with the set-up or what. The A-C I purchased new from Jimmy played absolutely perfectly right out of the box. All these high end J's (Sadowsky, LEJ, A-C) seem to be set-up beautifully when shipped new. When you buy used, you are at the mercy of the previous owner, or the shop that you buy them from, etc. The A-C that Diglo had for a while that I ended up buying was almost not playable when I got it, but with a quick set-up (raise the saddles and straighten the neck), it's 'uber butter' now! Just FYI.

 

[Brian Barrett]

Thanks guys for all the Positive feedback, it’s always good to hear wonderful supporting statements especially from those that have owned and played both in many different settings.

Kjung, Thanks for the post and you know we are good.... we might disagree on this, but we agree on many things LOLOLOLOL. I know lowdown sound had a couple early ones come through years ago and then a couple of years ago at the Ohio show you played a couple, but really getting to sit down in your house, studio or gig is the true test. But again, we are cool, I understand your passion and support you in that. I think Jimmy builds one of the best J style basses on the market, I say it all the time......

Both Great basses, I do offer more options to the consumer as a true custom J style instrument verse what I would refer to others as a Highend J style instrument, not really a true custom, but all are great. It’s just a matter of what personal feels and reproduces the sound in your head. I'm bias without a doubt and I have been very blessed with the players and supporters that are passionate about the LEJ's, just like other builders have.


Thanks guys!

 

[KJung]

Thanks guys for all the Positive feedback, it’s always good to hear wonderful supporting statements especially from those that have owned and played both in many different settings.

Kjung, Thanks for the post and you know we are good.... we might disagree on this, but we agree on many things LOLOLOLOL. I know lowdown sound had a couple early ones come through years ago and then a couple of years ago at the Ohio show you played a couple, but really getting to sit down in your house, studio or gig is the true test. But again, we are cool, I understand your passion and support you in that. I think Jimmy builds one of the best J style basses on the market, I say it all the time......

Both Great basses, I do offer more options to the consumer as a true custom J style instrument verse what I would refer to others as a Highend J style instrument, not really a true custom, but all are great. It’s just a matter of what personal feels and reproduces the sound in your head. I'm bias without a doubt and I have been very blessed with the players and supporters that are passionate about the LEJ's, just like other builders have.


Thanks guys!

Hey Brian. +1 to all the above. I dig your basses in general, and all this stuff is just 'preference for a different flavor of great'.

And +1, I really need to play a recent execution with single coils... seriously! As you remember, I got 'snowed out' of a recent Ohio show last time, but am planning on hitting another one soon.

 

[KJung]

I'm probably pretty well qualified to answer this In the last two years I've owned two Alleva Coppolos and two LEJs. Right now, I own two LEJs and have a third on order. I've moved my ACs to fund LEJ builds.

In my experience, the Allevas are beautiful and extremely well built. They are pretty hyped up here on TB and I think the reputation is reasonably well deserved but it builds some dangerous expectations. If I'm honest, I feel they are less versatile than many of the AC fans let on and they sail extremely close to the advantages and limitations of vintage Fenders. If all you have ever wanted is a boutique Fender type bass, you can't do better than an AC. But I guess you already know this

If you want something more than vintage vibes, I think the LEJ is the best modern type jazz bass on the market. This mystique that AC and Sadowsky are the top two world class builders in this field is a bit misleading at times. They are the upper echelon in reputation and thats fair enough. But LEJs in my experience have been better basses to play. I have also found them to be more effective in a gig and recording setting and to be honest, I have found the build quality to be superior to the big guns in this field.

We are talking tiny margins when builders are this good and much of it comes down to taste. But I believe LEJs represent serious value for money. They also stand up as a "one bass" solution in gigs which is a massively underrated requirement for a gigging bassist. I paid a large amount of money for an AC and was satisifed with what I received. I paid less money for a LEJ and was blown away.

Obviously this is just my opinion and experience. I'm sure the fellas on the AC forum will stop talking about vintage colour schemes and tonal differences in different colour rosewoods at some stage and tell you something different

One more post here since LiF asked for some direct comparison of the Alleva-Coppolo versus the LEJ. I agree with much of the above. The A-C's are awesome if you are a lover of vintage Fenders but want a tone as close to that as you can get in a new, uber quality active bass. I would not particularly describe the A-C's as versatile the way that word is used around TB. An A-C LM will sound VERY much like a 1977 Jazz Bass, and an LG will sound very much like a mid 60's era Jazz Bass, etc. So, they are no more or less 'versatile' than a very good, very old Fender.

Also, the preamp on the A-C is meant to 'not be heard'. It is very subtle, and the passive and 'active flat' setting of the A-C's are very similar. Even when the tone controls are cranked, the inherent 'passive' tone of the A-C comes through. This of course, could be a positive or negative depending on tone goals and expectations (i.e., if you want the 'J on Steroids' super goosed J tone, the A-C brand would probably not scratch that itch). The LEJ preamp, similar to the Sadowsky concept, is IMO and IME designed to do a lot of things and add a lot of flavor. Different design goals.

So, again, +1 to the above. The LEJ, Sadowsky, A-C, Celinder, etc. basses all have their design goals and unique voicings, and are just 'different flavors of excellent'. However, they are all different enough that it would be surprising that each player didn't have his/her strong favorite.

OK, I'm done