Steve
Jeffrey
Rutland, MA
http://www.eastofwest.net
Lee,
The bass just arrived, and once I got it set up, I was
ready to go.
All
I can say, is my tone is here, but BIGGER... MUCH BIGGER!
Nice
job with the Bartolinis, everything works perfectly...
feels and sounds so familiar, just BIGGER... right now
I've pretty much left the tone settings mostly flat,
and it sounds great!......
Very
nice bass, can't wait to spend some time playing it...
can't wait.
Steve
(7
hours later)
Lee,
Spent many hours playing the new bass today, and I can't
tell you enough how much I'm enjoying playing this
bass... It took a little adjusting (mostly on my technique),
and now I'm ripping the finger board up... didn't realize
my left forearm was in such bad shape... not any more.
I
am running it through an Eden Wt550, with a couple twelves
and a two ten cab... everything is set flat (including
the bass), and the perfect bass tone I've always wanted
is all around the room... as you know, I love the Bartolini
sound, and at least for me, they are the perfect match
for this bass.
As
for the B string, well, I will be selling my Modulus,
this bass has just as much low end as that one, but without Ýthe
annoying 35" scale.
As
you can tell, I'm very very happy with the bass, and
just wanted to thank you for making such a wonderful
bass... I hope you sell thousands more of these basses,
because I think you make a great sounding unique instrument,
that is a blast to play.
Enough
writing, I'm going back to play it some more.
Take care,
Steve
(next
day)
Lee,
I now know for sure that the next CD will be recorded with
a Barker Bass... it's the perfect tone for the music
I write.
Anyway,
I'm still playing the bass... I have found a sweet-spot
for very rapid percussive right-hand stuff by picking
around the 15 fret... no lack of definition like most
standard-type basses... this bass rules!
I
use to be a bridge pickup player, and never much cared
for the tone when picking around the neck pickup, but
now I have found that my right hand picks just above
the neck pickup, with my thumb resting on the north edge
of that pickup... my right arm is pretty much at a right
angle, with no arch in the wrist... what comfort, and
TONE!
One
other observation... when playing notes on the G string...
around F#, G, A, (11, 12, 14 fret), I've noticed that
with this bass, you can actually feel them...they are
Huge! I have never played a bass with such a pronounced
G string...it sings with authority all the way up...and
has such clarity on the lower G string notes too.
I
haven't been this excited about playing in a long time...
thanks again for the bass, it really is great, and you
know I'm very picky *smile*
Andrew
Pfaff
Musician, Educator and Author
www.andrewpfaff.net
I
got the bass and accessories today and had a few moments
to try it out. What can I say? It's a visually striking
instrument to see in person. These basses are obviously
made with a great deal of love and care. I tried it first,
briefly, by playing it without the included stand. The
importance of the stand became obvious as my left hand
bore too much of the weight of the instrument to be able
to play comfortably. Then I set it up with the stand
and adjusted it to my taste.
Some
initial impressions:
Great setup considering the thing came all the way across
the country. It was even close to being in tune! Very,
very playable straight out of the box.
I
played it through a small Gallien Krueger combo that
I normally use with my acoustic upright. The sound out
of the tapewound strings, with my right hand plucking
near the end of the fingerboard, has a very generous
amount of low end along with great definition. It has
acoustic "vibe" coupled with electric clarity.
I was impressed by the warmth of the sound and by how
the instrument responded to slides and glissandos --
they show just how the bass can sing. In addition to
the craftsmanship evident in the instrument itself, the
case and accessories are all very high quality and very
well thought out.
The
first gig:
Playing jazz standards and having a lot of opportunity
to solo, I noticed that I could solo on the Barker with
a dexterity and harmonic complexity that already approaches
my normal electric technique, and that’s on the first
gig! In other words, I can play a lot more "hip" without
killing myself!
Julia
Poplawski
Germany
" When
I saw the Barker Bass on Lee Barker's website, I was
immediately attracted by its extraordinary design and
the fact that the bass is played upright. Today I'm the
proud owner of Barker Bass no. 43. It's workmanship and
setup are very good . When I got it I was surprised to
find it even more beautiful than on the photos, revealing
details like the beautiful texture of the wood and the
nice color shading. Though it's quite tall, the slim
shape makes the Barker Bass easy to store and handle.
The tone is warm and accoustic. Playing upright on the
Barker Bass is very comfortable and easy. I'm very happy
to own such a great instrument!"
Doug
Mancini
Santa Cruz, California
www.mancinibass.com
"Fellow
bassplayers of the world:
My Brother is a drummer in Central Oregon and he told me
about a luthier there who was making an upright bass that
might be of interest to me. Bassists are by nature curious,
so I needed to find out more. I took time out from my fulltime
bass playing and teaching to investigate this "new" instrument." (read
more)
Hear the audio files here
Hussain
Jiffry, Bass
Yanni Ethnicity Tour
"I
was looking for an electric upright with sustain for
the "Yanni Ethnicity Tour" when I met Lee Barker at the
Music Trade Show. I tried the Barker Fretless 5 String
and loved the way it sounded and felt. It has a warm,
big sound and the sustain is amazing! Thank you Lee!"
Datta
Groover
Ashland, Oregon
Okay,
after several gigs under the bridge, I have to be very
honest with you. Your bass does not meet my expectations.
In fact, it far exceeds them. It is such a wonderful
instrument. I see now why I listened to my inner voice
and bought it. I really thought it would take my playing
to a new dimension that did not previously exist, and
would totally justify buying it even though common sense
and cash flow suggested otherwise. I have to say that
I was completely and absolutely right.
Ken
Wacker - Owner, #36
I
am having a ball with the bass...I find that I want to
play it any chance I can...that means practicing when
ever I am not on a Gig! THANKS!
Michelle
Ehr, on hearing the Barker Bass in a Trail Band Concert
...intriguing
design. It's a wicked-cool looking instrument. It is
eye catching, and from an audience perspective, it makes
one curious and want to sit up and take notice when it
gets played; to pay attention to the sound.
Bruce
Gertz, Professor/bass, Berklee College of Music,
Recording artist, Author of Mastering the Bass, Walkin and
other books.
The
Barker Bass is beautifully constructed and has a clear,
fat, warm sound.
It's fun to play!
Clay
Smith - SoundSmith Studios
www.soundsmithstudios.net
The
first thing that struck me upon hearing the Barker Bass
was how huge the sound was.....fat without being boomy,
with incredible sustain. Also impressive is the "evenness" of
notes up and down the neck, without the occasional dead
spots (or hot spots) found on some basses. Being an electric
bass player myself, I was surprised how comfortable and
natural it felt to play this "vertical" instrument.
John
Wisconsin
Lee:
Barker Bass #37 is comfortably residing in Wisconsin and
all are happy. My son Al, my wife Mary and I all think
it is different, unique, and really beautiful. The
sound is wonderful, with great sustain. I was up early
playing it today and am drawn to it constantly.
In
the category of fit and finish, it is a 10. Every detail
is taken care of: The opening in the bottom of the bag
for the endpin; the packing box and its intelligent design;
the numbered and signed truss rod plate; the musical
design in the monogram, the personality worked into the
owner's manual.
Again
Lee, thanks. This all happened to me rather fast, impulse
like, but I trusted my instincts, trusted DownBeat, loved
your website and found you to be very helpful. I got
more than I could have imagined when I purchased #37.
Cheers!
John
and Bernie Bliss
Greeley, Colorado
We
attended a recent concert of Kream of the Krop in Greeley,
Colorado. The Barker Bass provided a rich, resonant foundation
for the swing music they played. The band stood straight
and tall with the BVB providing the musical backbone.
Following the concert, we were able to see it up close
and enjoy the beauty of its workmanship.
Laura
Quigley
upright acoustic bass
Misty River Band
www.mistyriverband.com
My
first pleasure upon meeting the Barker Bass was walking
into the shop! I got the best vibes from the place.
Playing through a Fender amp, the first voice was powerful,
solid, happy, thorough, beautiful, bright, and clear, with
gorgeous sustain. Instantly I felt the ease and comfort
for my right hand. These basses gently guide you to the
upright position. The stand supporting the bass was another
solid joy to rely on. I felt free and easy to play the
Barker Bass this way. I liked the fact that there was no
make-shift acoustic body to pretend to lean on. The stand
supplied a great deal of freedom and stability. A very
vibrant lively tone emanates from these instruments. Lee
has a good thing going!
