The Mike Lull Club

[YCBass]

Guess I should have clarified that....Maybe a used M4V...Or new one...Pretty much the same price as a Sadowksy Metro right?

As great as Lull's are they are not immune to depreciation like with all brands so I say go find a used one like I did... I got really lucky with a mint condition M5V and got it for a ton cheaper than the new one that started my Lull GAS... But like I said, I got really lucky.

With that said, I still would like to order a new custom M5V in the near future... But I am just happy enough to get in the door now with a lower admission fee.

 

[B.C.]

Guess I should have clarified that....Maybe a used M4V...Or new one...Pretty much the same price as a Sadowksy Metro right?

Actually, funny you say that. When I was deciding to get a new bass, it was between the Sadowsky Metro and the Mike Lull. Playing the Sadowsky, you'll get a good bass, but not near as good as the Lull IMHO and IME.

 

[Vic]

When I was deciding to get a new bass, it was between the Sadowsky Metro and the Mike Lull. Playing the Sadowsky, you'll get a good bass, but not near as good as the Lull IMHO and IME.

This is a very close call, but I also like the Lull better. They're different in a lot of ways, so this probably falls more on preference than actual quality diffs, but for the same money, I like B.C.'s Lull better than the comparably priced Metros I've played. Plus, you can get a PJ5 NOW instead of having to wait many months.

Also, while this might not matter to everyone, and I (honestly!!) don't want to start a huge side thread on this, but it does make me feel better that I'm keeping dollars here in the USA by buying a Lull instead of a Metro.

 

[B.C.]

This is a very close call, but I also like the Lull better. They're different in a lot of ways, so this probably falls more on preference than actual quality diffs, but for the same money, I like B.C.'s Lull better than the comparably priced Metros I've played. Plus, you can get a PJ5 NOW instead of having to wait many months.

Also, while this might not matter to everyone, and I (honestly!!) don't want to start a huge side thread on this, but it does make me feel better that I'm keeping dollars here in the USA by buying a Lull instead of a Metro.

+1 Vic, don't get me wrong, I love Sadowsky's, but I love love love my Lull. American made is also nice, as I'm sure Sad.'s standards are high with the metros, I know how Mike takes care and time with his stuff.

 

[YCBass]

Hey Guys, to those who has emailed Mike and crew, how long does it normally take to get a reply?

I emailed them almost 2 weeks ago asking for some info on the used M5V I just bought since my seller didn't really have too many specifics - I am mainly interested in finding out the year, p/u & pre (I assume it's SD/Bart)... No replies as of yet... Do you guys know if they would have that info? Should I call instead?

Anyone know what type of finish Mike uses - nitro or poly or other?

Thanks!

Honestly that is unusual, I got a reply the next day. Maybe it feel through the cracks, I would say try again.

Finally got a reply from Roger... BC is right, my original email must've fallen through the cracks... Because I replied with a follow up question and Roger responded right away.

Since I don't have any gigs anytime soon and hence can't give a gig report, maybe I can just share some thoughts at this point and the specs as I've come to find out:

M5V
Built in June 2002
SD's w/ Bart pre (Older 9-volt version)
Alder body (According to Roger, but it sure is Ash looking... What do you guys think from the pics? Whatever it is I love it!)
RW board
3-tone burst w/ tort pg

So far I am absolutely in love with it... It was a rough start but after a nice set up (which I am still tweaking here and there to make it perfect to my taste) and my fav DR Lo Rider Nickels... It plays like a dream. The sound? I don't even know what to say... It's exactly how I like it, just a nice boost from the pre but not "hot" sounding... Totally a vintage vibe. The low B? Wow!!! What more can I say. That's it I guess...

Pics:

 

[B.C.]

I agree man. What is nice about the B string is that it is totally usable! So tight and even but so musical! How do the Lo-Riders sound? I am about to put on a set myself.

 

[YCBass]

I agree man. What is nice about the B string is that it is totally usable! So tight and even but so musical! How do the Lo-Riders sound? I am about to put on a set myself.

I love the Nickel Lo Riders... They are the best strings I've used so far and pretty much stopped experimenting when I found them... The Stainless Steel ones are not for me, they are just harshly bright in my opinion, almost like you can hear fretbuzz a lot easier with them or something. I just love the feel of the nickels compared to ss... I just dig a mellower sound. And the one big thing I noticed with DR's is that they don't have the "new string super bright chorus effect" that I've experienced with D'Addario XL's.... Y'know what I mean???

The only problem is the Nickels are not normally stocked at GC's, etc... So I have to order a few sets every once in a while... Just a little advanced planning on my part.

 

[B.C.]

I love the Nickel Lo Riders... They are the best strings I've used so far and pretty much stopped experimenting when I found them... The Stainless Steel ones are not for me, they are just harshly bright in my opinion, almost like you can hear fretbuzz a lot easier with them or something. I just love the feel of the nickels compared to ss... I just dig a mellower sound. And the one big thing I noticed with DR's is that they don't have the "new string super bright chorus effect" that I've experienced with D'Addario XL's.... Y'know what I mean???

The only problem is the Nickels are not normally stocked at GC's, etc... So I have to order a few sets every once in a while... Just a little advanced planning on my part.

Cool, I'll let you know what I think. O and nice bass by the way

 

[mark beem]

Finally got a reply from Roger... BC is right, my original email must've fallen through the cracks... Because I replied with a follow up question and Roger responded right away.

Since I don't have any gigs anytime soon and hence can't give a gig report, maybe I can just share some thoughts at this point and the specs as I've come to find out:

M5V
Built in June 2002
SD's w/ Bart pre (Older 9-volt version)
Alder body (According to Roger, but it sure is Ash looking... What do you guys think from the pics? Whatever it is I love it!)
RW board
3-tone burst w/ tort pg

So far I am absolutely in love with it... It was a rough start but after a nice set up (which I am still tweaking here and there to make it perfect to my taste) and my fav DR Lo Rider Nickels... It plays like a dream. The sound? I don't even know what to say... It's exactly how I like it, just a nice boost from the pre but not "hot" sounding... Totally a vintage vibe. The low B? Wow!!! What more can I say. That's it I guess...

Pics:

BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[YCBass]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?


I was pleasantly surprised that there were no shortcuts taken in cutting/routing the body (by this I mean no extra CNC holes, etc that my previous 2 Fenders had, one of which being a Custom Shop) and that I could do the Jaco thing if I wanted... I was very tempted, but as I said that's the Jaco thing....



Mike Lull forever! Hahaha.

 

[B.C.]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?
View attachment 91349

I was pleasantly surprised that there were no shortcuts taken in cutting/routing the body (by this I mean no extra CNC holes, etc that my previous 2 Fenders had, one of which being a Custom Shop) and that I could do the Jaco thing if I wanted... I was very tempted, but as I said that's the Jaco thing....

View attachment 91350

Mike Lull forever! Hahaha.

I love that black pickguard! Also, that is a great Jaco vibe.

LF(Lull forever )

 

[TimothyGroovy]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?
View attachment 91349

I was pleasantly surprised that there were no shortcuts taken in cutting/routing the body (by this I mean no extra CNC holes, etc that my previous 2 Fenders had, one of which being a Custom Shop) and that I could do the Jaco thing if I wanted... I was very tempted, but as I said that's the Jaco thing....

View attachment 91350

Mike Lull forever! Hahaha.

Congrats on the new bass... I always wanna get a MV5 exactly looks like yours as a workhorse bass...but the 35' and full-sized body stop me...as I want a 34' and a downsized jazz for the working bass.. (I own a Mike Lull Modern 5 though)...Lovely Mike Lull bass as always!! Enjoy it!!

 

[JRB]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?
View attachment 91349

I was pleasantly surprised that there were no shortcuts taken in cutting/routing the body (by this I mean no extra CNC holes, etc that my previous 2 Fenders had, one of which being a Custom Shop) and that I could do the Jaco thing if I wanted... I was very tempted, but as I said that's the Jaco thing....

View attachment 91350

Mike Lull forever! Hahaha.

Man that black PG looks great. Congrat's. I just came home from a jam with my Lull M5, it sounded great.

 

[YCBass]

Congrats on the new bass... I always wanna get a MV5 exactly looks like yours as a workhorse bass...but the 35' and full-sized body stop me...as I want a 34' and a downsized jazz for the working bass.. (I own a Mike Lull Modern 5 though)...Lovely Mike Lull bass as always!! Enjoy it!!

For me it's the opposite, hahaha. I am a big guy so I always wanted a bass that didn't look like a guitar on me... So a full size J body and longer scale totally works for me, and the B string benefits of the 35" speaks for itself... IMHO.

Thanks for the kind words everyone... I am truly in love with this bass, now more than ever - it is and will be my workhorse!

 

[B.C.]

Congrats on the new bass... I always wanna get a MV5 exactly looks like yours as a workhorse bass...but the 35' and full-sized body stop me...as I want a 34' and a downsized jazz for the working bass.. (I own a Mike Lull Modern 5 though)...Lovely Mike Lull bass as always!! Enjoy it!!

Just as a note, I went from mainly 34' to 35' and with the Lull, it was strange for about a day, then I got it. Just as an FYI.

 

[YCBass]

Just thought I would share my GC experience today... But I wanted to keep it in our club thread to not offend anyone else and because I know you guys will agree for sure.

Anyway, brought the M5V into GC today to try some amps... Sales guy walks up to me and says, "Cool bass, if you want to trade it in I can make you a great deal on a real Fender."

It was toooo funny for me to get mad or anything... I was gracious and just said, "Oh I'm cool Bro, thanks."

 

[fishtx]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?
View attachment 91349

I was pleasantly surprised that there were no shortcuts taken in cutting/routing the body (by this I mean no extra CNC holes, etc that my previous 2 Fenders had, one of which being a Custom Shop) and that I could do the Jaco thing if I wanted... I was very tempted, but as I said that's the Jaco thing....

View attachment 91350

Mike Lull forever! Hahaha.

Wow...love that color...

 

[YCBass]

Wow...love that color...

Thanks! What started my Lull GAS was a black on black w/ maple board but this came around for a great price so I jumped on it. I would still like my black on black sometime.

It's kinda cool the way it happened, I sold a Fender J4 with the same 3-tone/black pg/rosewood combo and I missed it so this took it's place - but in a much better way!

 

[Ian Perge]

In the spirit of personalization I couldn't resist... As classic as the 3-tone/Tort/RW look is, I like the Black pg look more so I called up Roger and ordered one... After a bit of filing and shifting here she is... What do you think?

As much as I usually don't like most pickguards (the stock tort as an example), the black is pretty damn sweet... most likely because the top isn't a "Crazy Go Wild" Exotic Top. Still, I'd pick up a clear one so you can swap out and go for "TJL" now and then.

Anyway, brought the M5V into GC today to try some amps... Sales guy walks up to me and says, "Cool bass, if you want to trade it in I can make you a great deal on a real Fender."

HA! Now that's funny!!

 

[Ron Plichta]

Just thought I would share my GC experience today... But I wanted to keep it in our club thread to not offend anyone else and because I know you guys will agree for sure.

Anyway, brought the M5V into GC today to try some amps... Sales guy walks up to me and says, "Cool bass, if you want to trade it in I can make you a great deal on a real Fender."

It was toooo funny for me to get mad or anything... I was gracious and just said, "Oh I'm cool Bro, thanks."

I can guarantee you that I wouldn't have been so diplomatic.