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NBD!!!!!- Caution... Brubaker content

chris.gotfunk

chris.gotfunk

Mar 21, 2007
2,896
28
Purcellville, VA
#1
Okay, so today I will be receiving a #1 of sorts. Kevin Brubaker (www.brubakerguitars.com) is working on building a line of basses that sit between his full blown custom ones and the Brute series. So, below are two pics of the Brubaker KXB5- Standard 24 bass. It is currently out for delivery and it is coming to my work. I will be able to give a more detailed report once I get home and get the boys to bed... but I wanted to give you all something to chew on.

Specs-
Model- KXB5- Standard 24
Body- Soft Maple
Neck- Maple with satin black finish
Fretboard- Bolivian Rosewood
Frets- 24
Scale- 34 5/8" (yes, that is correct)
Bartolini Quad Coils and Bart preamp- Volume (Active/Passive), blend, stacked bass/treble, mid -push/pull for freq, coil tap switch
Bridge- Hipshot B style
Tuners- Hipshot Ultralites

I think that about covers it for now. Check back for more updates and possibly some audio clips.

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KXB-5TRANSTOBACCO.gif
 
#3
Dr. Cheese said:
I bet it sounds like a million bucks! I love that understated finish, it just looks classy.:)
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I have a feeling this is going to crush tone wise. Thanks for the compliments. I too love the satin understated finish. I love simplicty in appearance but sophistication in design. I think this bass is going to suit me well. This is also the first bass in many many years that I am getting "new" so this was a big step for me.
 
#4
Nice one Chris! Jorg Schroeder was telling me about these basses during BPL, but I wasn't really sure if they were an expanded Brute series model or what... He just said singlecut. I even checked the site yesterday and couldn't find anything (could be me though). Are these imports? I wonder if there will be a JXB version, I'd be all over that.

Enjoy Bro!
 
#6
YCBass said:
Nice one Chris! Jorg Schroeder was telling me about these basses during BPL, but I wasn't really sure if they were an expanded Brute series model or what... He just said singlecut. I even checked the site yesterday and couldn't find anything (could be me though). Are these imports? I wonder if there will be a JXB version, I'd be all over that.

Enjoy Bro!
Click to expand...

Thank you. They are not imports. They are still made in Kevin's shop. The process of not doing crazy top woods and crazy finishes, saves a lot of time on the build.
You won't see them on the site yet. This is #1 of these being built.
I should have it in a few hours and I cannot wait to play it tonight.
 
#9
Awesome bass! I normally don't like the "ultra high-end" type of instruments because the woods and finishes look too gaudy.

But the finish on this is just so... organic. It's very cool looking - the finish, and the hardware compliment each other well.

And I'll bet it sounds great too. ;)
 
#12
phillipkregg said:
Awesome bass! I normally don't like the "ultra high-end" type of instruments because the woods and finishes look too gaudy.

But the finish on this is just so... organic. It's very cool looking - the finish, and the hardware compliment each other well.

And I'll bet it sounds great too. ;)
Click to expand...

Thank you. I agree. I love the organic look to it and the fact that it isn't overdone really suits me nicely.

Mr. Pickles said:
I like the body shape. I'll bet the extra string length will sound great.
Click to expand...

I dig the body too. I am a big fan of Kevin's work being that he does his own thing. From his bolt-thru design, interchangeable preamp, crazy finishes and body styles; it really sets him apart and I like that a lot about him as a builder.

Gord_oh said:
she is beautiful!
if you get a chance, some sound clips would be amazing.
Click to expand...

No doubt there will be clips! It may take a day or two seeing as I have two newborn twins at home, but I will get some done and posted.
 
#14
Hey all, I asked Kevin to explain the process he is using for these basses. Here is his response below.

"Chris,

I work directly with a local machine shop that machines all our metal parts and is ramping up for us to eventually make the body blanks and the neck blanks - this will save on labor costs so we can get the price in the right zone. There is still much hand work that needs to be done though, truss rod install, fingerboards glued on and fretted, leved, and dressed, then finished and assembled. So the CNC work is only a small part of it. Right now we are making everything here.

Kevin"

I hope this helps to keep the waters clear as to these instruments. They are in no way shape and form any type of import. If you ask me, the details are in the fretting, leveling, etc... that really make the bass.

To me, this is just a killer value for a US made bass by a very reputable builder who wants to give players like me who don't have a ton of money but want something top shelf without the top shelf price.
 
#19
Wow. I was expecting some fancy-shmancy AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA quilted maple with dragonburst and ****, but that finish is just sooo damn sexy. It just oozes class. It's very understated, but that's what I love about it. And that black satin neck goes perfectly with that nice pale yellow.

However, I'm still not a fan of singlecuts like that, and I will never be. But to each their own. Hope you like it!
 

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