US Brubaker NBP-5

[Yogi Bear]

There doesn't seem to be a lot written or discussed about the US made Brubakers, especially this model. Can anyone out there provide me with some insight? I heard they can be a bit on the heavy side but the workmanship, as with all of Kevin's stuff, appears to be top notch.

Thanks!

 

[Brad Johnson]

NBP-5's are pretty rare... they were the pre-cursors to the Brutes and made by hand by Kevin and his crew in his shop. Hipshot hardware, Bartolini electronics including an access hole on the front for adjusting the internal gain on the NTMB preamp. I don't recall them being heavy. As a matter of fact, the same is true for the rest of the US Brubakers... order a heavier one and that's what you'll get. Order a lighter one and that's what you'll get. They're custom instruments so weight is not a given. But that hasn't stopped some from saying they're heavy.

 

[chrortiz]

I recently got one. I must have had the lighter version because I guess that it weighs no more than 8lbs and sounds thunderous. Whatever prior owner had this, they decided to move the preamp in such a way that you have no access to the level adjustment on the Bart preamp. Actually, Brad you have educated me, because I thought the hole on the pickguard was intended to be a Mid-switch that was previously mounted, and couldn't understand why there was a push/pull midrange knob (200, 800) if there was a switch. I had a warrior with mid-range switch (250,500,800) so I thought that was the reason for the hole on the pickguard. I currently am trying to install the 3-way, but perhaps I should back-off that and put the preamp in its proper place. Thanks.