Playing bass in two groups means at least five hours of playing per week. I'm thankful I have that opportunity.
But in the summer of 2002 my wrists began to hurt after only an hour or so of playing. Noting the bent aspect of both wrists as I played my horizontal bass, I began to imagine an upright fretted bass and how my hand positions would be different as I played it.
I couldn't find such an instrument to suit me, so I built one.
It's called "The Secretary" because I had a little nameplate in a drawer in the shop. And the nameplate fit perfectly on the headstock from the "donor bass."
It was a fun project. People noticed the instrument and commented. I noticed my wrists--they were no longer telling me I should give up bass playing.
After fellow musicians repeatedly told me how good "The Secretary" sounded, I made another instrument...and another....and each sounded better than the last.
Even the first serial numbered BVBs vary from one to the next as the inveterate tinkerer in me has fiddled with components, varied pickup layout and tried different wood and core combinations, always seeking perfection in sound, playability and feel.
Prior to founding the eponymous instrument company, I owned and operated Great Ned! Woodworks for 22 years. As a custom woodworker and commercial cabinetmaker I enjoyed a reputation as a careful craftsman, a creative problem solver and a community minded businessman. And, in my off hours, bass player in the Dry Canyon Filharmonhick.
In that group as well as a local Praise Team, I Play It Straight.
You can too.
But in the summer of 2002 my wrists began to hurt after only an hour or so of playing. Noting the bent aspect of both wrists as I played my horizontal bass, I began to imagine an upright fretted bass and how my hand positions would be different as I played it.
I couldn't find such an instrument to suit me, so I built one.
It's called "The Secretary" because I had a little nameplate in a drawer in the shop. And the nameplate fit perfectly on the headstock from the "donor bass."
It was a fun project. People noticed the instrument and commented. I noticed my wrists--they were no longer telling me I should give up bass playing.
After fellow musicians repeatedly told me how good "The Secretary" sounded, I made another instrument...and another....and each sounded better than the last.
Even the first serial numbered BVBs vary from one to the next as the inveterate tinkerer in me has fiddled with components, varied pickup layout and tried different wood and core combinations, always seeking perfection in sound, playability and feel.
Prior to founding the eponymous instrument company, I owned and operated Great Ned! Woodworks for 22 years. As a custom woodworker and commercial cabinetmaker I enjoyed a reputation as a careful craftsman, a creative problem solver and a community minded businessman. And, in my off hours, bass player in the Dry Canyon Filharmonhick.
In that group as well as a local Praise Team, I Play It Straight.
You can too.
Features
The Neck
(typical 4 string) 34" Fender Jazz Bass type, 1.5" at the nut.
Select hard rock maple with rosewood fingerboard (ebony on the fretless).
5-bolt attachment to the body.
The Body
2" thick 3-ply sandwich construction: Cherry front over alder core and back.
Heavy cast roller bridge.
Fully adjustable endpin to accommodate players to 6'4".
The Finish
Hand Rubbed Semigloss.
The Stand
Heavy duty locking type with positive stud-and-socket attachment to bass. Solid gear-teeth locking head.
The Luggage
Heavy padded gig bag with hand and shoulder straps and zippered pocket.
Separate bag for stand.
(typical 4 string) 34" Fender Jazz Bass type, 1.5" at the nut.
Select hard rock maple with rosewood fingerboard (ebony on the fretless).
5-bolt attachment to the body.
The Body
2" thick 3-ply sandwich construction: Cherry front over alder core and back.
Heavy cast roller bridge.
Fully adjustable endpin to accommodate players to 6'4".
The Finish
Hand Rubbed Semigloss.
The Stand
Heavy duty locking type with positive stud-and-socket attachment to bass. Solid gear-teeth locking head.
The Luggage
Heavy padded gig bag with hand and shoulder straps and zippered pocket.
Separate bag for stand.
Dealers
Atlanta Bass Gallery
1584 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30324
P: 404.745.9924
F: 404.745.9925
Hours: Tue-Sat 11-6
After hrs. appts. avail.
Interested in becoming a dealer? E-mail us!
Want to get your hands on a Barker Bass and talk to an owner? E-mail us your location and we'll get you in touch with the closest owner.
Andrew Pfaff
Clifton, NJ (New York City area)
He's a pro player and a teacher and he does studio work too! Busy person, Andrew. And he's written a book about bass playing as well. A four string fretless and a fretted four are his choices. Andrew has a real first: He's played a Barker Bass at the Rainbow Room.
Joel Barker
Portland, OR
Pete's taller brother. He writes computer software manuals by day, but is never far from his Barker Bass. He helps out in the Barker shop when he can, forcing himself to endure the 140 mile motorcycle ride to get there and back. He has built a prototype Barker 6 string, "just because. He did not take it back home on the motorcycle. Joel plays casual gigs with a singer songwriter.
Doug Mancini
Santa Cruz, CA
Doug is a full-time bassist; live performance, studio and bass instruction. He got hooked the first time he played a Barker Vertical Bass, and shortly thereafter laid down some tracks for the "Barker Bass" web-site. Originally a four-string purist, Doug plays a Barker 5 string live at his shows and is now making it possible for musicians and audiences to hear this amazing instrument upclose and personal. He welcomes the question "What kind of bass is that? Tell me more!" and loves discussing the instrument with the "ever so curious" bassist. It was Doug who coined the phrase, "THE TONE, this bass has it!"
Pete Barker
Sacremento, CA
The last name is no coincidence. He grew up in a home where basses were common. Now he plays a Barker, the "uncommon bass," and enjoys telling the curious that, yes, it is unusual, and my dad built it! You'll see him with his 4 string fretless Barker at casual gigs in the Sacramento area. McKay is his dog. Oh, and he plays guitar too. Pete, not McKay.
1584 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30324
P: 404.745.9924
F: 404.745.9925
Hours: Tue-Sat 11-6
After hrs. appts. avail.
Interested in becoming a dealer? E-mail us!
Want to get your hands on a Barker Bass and talk to an owner? E-mail us your location and we'll get you in touch with the closest owner.
Andrew Pfaff
Clifton, NJ (New York City area)
He's a pro player and a teacher and he does studio work too! Busy person, Andrew. And he's written a book about bass playing as well. A four string fretless and a fretted four are his choices. Andrew has a real first: He's played a Barker Bass at the Rainbow Room.
Joel Barker
Portland, OR
Pete's taller brother. He writes computer software manuals by day, but is never far from his Barker Bass. He helps out in the Barker shop when he can, forcing himself to endure the 140 mile motorcycle ride to get there and back. He has built a prototype Barker 6 string, "just because. He did not take it back home on the motorcycle. Joel plays casual gigs with a singer songwriter.
Doug Mancini
Santa Cruz, CA
Doug is a full-time bassist; live performance, studio and bass instruction. He got hooked the first time he played a Barker Vertical Bass, and shortly thereafter laid down some tracks for the "Barker Bass" web-site. Originally a four-string purist, Doug plays a Barker 5 string live at his shows and is now making it possible for musicians and audiences to hear this amazing instrument upclose and personal. He welcomes the question "What kind of bass is that? Tell me more!" and loves discussing the instrument with the "ever so curious" bassist. It was Doug who coined the phrase, "THE TONE, this bass has it!"
Pete Barker
Sacremento, CA
The last name is no coincidence. He grew up in a home where basses were common. Now he plays a Barker, the "uncommon bass," and enjoys telling the curious that, yes, it is unusual, and my dad built it! You'll see him with his 4 string fretless Barker at casual gigs in the Sacramento area. McKay is his dog. Oh, and he plays guitar too. Pete, not McKay.
Contact Information
Barker Musical Instruments
1842 SE 1st, Unit F
Redmond, OR 97756
Toll-Free Phone: 888.899.8302
Web Site: BarkerBass.com
E-Mail: lee@barkerbass.com
1842 SE 1st, Unit F
Redmond, OR 97756
Toll-Free Phone: 888.899.8302
Web Site: BarkerBass.com
E-Mail: lee@barkerbass.com
