RussFM Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Anyone heard of Brubaker? Just seen these two on ebay, edging into US Fender pricing. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brubaker-MJX-4-Nat-Brute-Series-4-String-Active-Bass_W0QQitemZ390124550229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item5ad53c3855#ht_2632wt_982"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brubaker-MJX-4-Nat-B...5#ht_2632wt_982[/url] [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brubaker-MJX-5-Brute-Series-5-String-Active-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ300371996680QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item45ef90f008#ht_2587wt_982"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brubaker-MJX-5-Brute...8#ht_2587wt_982[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Hmm. Don't think I'd part with that much for the 4 string- the 3piece body timbers aren't very well matched. I'd save my better cuts for natural / translucent finishes, and hide the less appealing ones under solid finishes. Having bemoaned the aesthetics, it could still be a great player and a tone monster. I'd rather have all three; tone, feel and a lovely finish on a nice bit of wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erisu Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 As I researched a few months ago over at Talkbass... Brubaker make boutique, pretty high end basses and their newly introduced Brute series for 2009 are cheaper alternatives (maybe think of Warwick and their Rockbass range?) I read that their Brute series are made in China and they play really well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 (edited) The Brutes are getting rave reviews over on TB, but compare the UK eBay prices to the USA. We're about £300 more expensive! Owners of Brutes are loving the playability and upgrading the electronics and changing the pickguard. The bass is front-routed all the way under the pickguard, so there isn't the option of removing it like you can on a Jazz for example. Also it's wood and about 3 times as thick as a regular one. Replacement pickguardsare being made in a range of colors. As [b]erisu[/b] said the basses are made in China. They then go to Brubaker HQ to get setup and shipped out. Looks like Kevin Brubaker is really hands on with this new project. Customers are raving about the personal service they are getting when they call the shop. Edited December 2, 2009 by 7string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fissurette Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 [quote name='7string' post='672637' date='Dec 3 2009, 12:04 AM']The Brutes are getting rave reviews over on TB, but compare the UK eBay prices to the USA. We're about £300 more expensive! Owners of Brutes are loving the playability and upgrading the electronics and changing the pickguard. The bass is front-routed all the way under the pickguard, so there isn't the option of removing it like you can on a Jazz for example. Also it's wood and about 3 times as thick as a regular one. Replacement pickguardsare being made in a range of colors. As [b]erisu[/b] said the basses are made in China. They then go to Brubaker HQ to get setup and shipped out. Looks like Kevin Brubaker is really hands on with this new project. Customers are raving about the personal service they are getting when they call the shop.[/quote] Hello everybody, I actually bought a BB and if you have any questions about that don't hesitate. I Bought it from the same shop of the posted pictures up from this page there's a mounth go.So I paid the "European" price and now that I got it I can tell it's a really pretty bass (very fast neck, light weight, nice ergonomics), but it may be yet a bit expensiver for what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 Looks great!! Although.....possibly challenging Sei and Alleva Coppola for 'Worst Headstock Design' Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fissurette Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 the pickguard finish is a bit...how to say that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 They are only about $500 in the States. Far too expensive over here.Having said that a 'real' Brubaker costs in the region of $4000. They're reviewed in the current issue of Bass Player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 [quote name='fissurette' post='719990' date='Jan 21 2010, 12:01 PM']the pickguard finish is a bit...how to say that...[/quote] 'Orrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fissurette Posted January 21, 2010 Share Posted January 21, 2010 [quote]They are only about $500 in the States. Far too expensive over here.Having said that a 'real' Brubaker costs in the region of $4000. They're reviewed in the current issue of Bass Player.[/quote] 4000 or 5000 $ ones don't have many things to deal with a 500 one... But anyway, it's great bass. Although It deserves better pickup. When I see what's proposed in store... I have got no regret to have bought mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRichards Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 [quote name='fissurette' post='720348' date='Jan 21 2010, 01:50 PM']4000 or 5000 $ ones don't have many things to deal with a 500 one... But anyway, it's great bass. Although It deserves better pickup. When I see what's proposed in store... I have got no regret to have bought mine.[/quote] Resurrecting this thread. The latest production run of the Brubaker Brutes is being handled through APINTL. That is Andy Papiccio, former principal in the original Kramer company and also the current head of all things Floyd Rose. Kevin Brubaker is personally involved as well. I've known Andy since high school and I had a chance to play some of the new Brutes last week at his showroom. Maybe the best import bass I've ever played with the exception of the Aria Pro II SB series from the late 1970's and early 1980's. The action on the bass was good out of the box, the sound was exceptional. Upgrading the electronics and tweaking the set up wil absolutely give you a dirt cheap, great quality, gig worthy bass. I'm going to buy two as soon as the complete production run comes in, so that I no longer have to cry when some drunk guy in the bar spills his cheap Budweiser all over my Kubickis or Steinbergers. Tom Richards Bassist/Singer/Songwriter Founding Partner, LIX Music Creation and Produciton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fissurette Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) [quote name='TomRichards' post='1218681' date='May 3 2011, 03:16 PM']Resurrecting this thread. The latest production run of the Brubaker Brutes is being handled through APINTL. That is Andy Papiccio, former principal in the original Kramer company and also the current head of all things Floyd Rose. Kevin Brubaker is personally involved as well. I've known Andy since high school and I had a chance to play some of the new Brutes last week at his showroom. Maybe the best import bass I've ever played with the exception of the Aria Pro II SB series from the late 1970's and early 1980's. The action on the bass was good out of the box, the sound was exceptional. Upgrading the electronics and tweaking the set up wil absolutely give you a dirt cheap, great quality, gig worthy bass. I'm going to buy two as soon as the complete production run comes in, so that I no longer have to cry when some drunk guy in the bar spills his cheap Budweiser all over my Kubickis or Steinbergers. Tom Richards Bassist/Singer/Songwriter Founding Partner, LIX Music Creation and Produciton[/quote] I just saw your reply... Actually I replaced the jb Pick up that sounded a bit empty in the mid range, and too mutch modern to me. I placed a "Crel" jb and replaced the pre amp by a 3 eq Glockenklang... although I still have any little trouble when I mix the too pick ups, the tune is now very warm and precise, a bit like an good old 70's JB with more precision... I advice the same ! The next step is the MM pick up replacement with a MM from Crel's I guess, but I will do it when the wallet will permet it... Indeed now I have a 5 string bass with a very light weight and a very great sound, the most confortable neck I 've never seen, with many possibilities of sound, with a on/off preamp...for the price, I'm quite satisfied !!! I just need to fix that problem with pick up selector... I thinck that the point is that the original pick ups have a special alimentation mode inside... Edited September 13, 2011 by fissurette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonkyme Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 hi i got a high end brubaker NBS and it's fantastic.a glock preamp too , it's a very good preamp brubaker brute basses are done in china but checked in the usa by brubaker guitar. i try them and they are cool to play...for the price you can't go wrong i think and you can customise the pick up, preamp... Brubaker I love the tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRichards Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 [quote name='fonkyme' timestamp='1317939910' post='1396595'] hi i got a high end brubaker NBS and it's fantastic.a glock preamp too , it's a very good preamp brubaker brute basses are done in china but checked in the usa by brubaker guitar. i try them and they are cool to play...for the price you can't go wrong i think and you can customise the pick up, preamp... Brubaker I love the tone [/quote] Nice! You are the first I know to put Sadowsky pickups in the Brute, what a great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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