Background info on LEH here in this TalkBass News thread:
LEH Guitars Releases their Latest 4-String Bass
The comments and photos below are from my good friend Dave, who is not on TalkBass. I can confirm that his words below are true: his bass search has been a highly frustrating ordeal at times. Here's Dave's review:
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If you're in the market for a new custom bass then you should seriously consider an LEH.
Why?
Well, I've had many different basses that were custom made for me over the years, and have owned some really nice instruments, but most times after receiving the new bass there was at least one thing that wasn't exactly right for me.
Maybe the bass was a little too heavy than what I had asked for, or maybe the tone wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, or maybe even though the bass had outstanding construction, it just didn't feel right and have that certain something that makes you feel connected to it and never want to stop playing it.
It's just very difficult to get a bass that's exactly right for you, so the search continued for me and in 2021 I decided to order an LEH.
I first met Ellis (over the phone) when she was working at Sadowsky and I spoke with her about a custom option that I wanted on a new bass. I noticed that she really tried to find out what I was after with my request and really took some time to talk to me about it.
Then when I found out that Ellis had started her own company and saw the photos posted online of her first basses I immediately became interested and contacted her.
I've learned that it's really important for a builder to find out exactly what you are looking for during the initial stages when ordering a custom bass, and I believe that Ellis has this down to a science as she took a lot of time to go over every single detail of what I wanted, even some things that I hadn't thought about! Throughout the whole process she kept me informed and sent me all kinds of updates, from the raw wood selection to the finished instrument, including many different photos and even a video of the whole neck being fretted! How cool was that!
She also explained some technical things and helped me to figure out the right color choice along the way, which was extremely helpful.
I believe that a luthier needs to have knowledge, skill, talent and passion to create a great instrument, however they also need to have the ability to listen and communicate to make sure the instrument is just right for you, and I believe that's what sets LEH apart from many other builders.
I absolutely fell in love with my new bass from the moment I picked it up out of the case at the LEH shop, and I find it extremely difficult to stop playing and set it back in the case, which is just the way an instrument is supposed to be to inspire you to practice harder and play better and to get you into that zone!
After all of my years of experience ordering custom basses from different builders, I feel that I'm qualified to inform others to consider an LEH when you are ready to order your next custom bass, or as Ellis has it written on her website: "Your Next Favorite Bass".
Also, after meeting Ellis in person at her shop I can tell you that she is an outstanding person who you can absolutely trust 100%, especially when it comes to quoted build times and deposits, and an added bonus is when your builder is a super cool and really nice person, and you can consider them a true friend!
Highly, highly recommended!!!
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I'm on the east coast and Dave is way out west so I doubt I'll get to play his LEH bass myself, but here's a selection from the great photos he sent:
LEH Guitars Releases their Latest 4-String Bass
The comments and photos below are from my good friend Dave, who is not on TalkBass. I can confirm that his words below are true: his bass search has been a highly frustrating ordeal at times. Here's Dave's review:
-----------
If you're in the market for a new custom bass then you should seriously consider an LEH.
Why?
Well, I've had many different basses that were custom made for me over the years, and have owned some really nice instruments, but most times after receiving the new bass there was at least one thing that wasn't exactly right for me.
Maybe the bass was a little too heavy than what I had asked for, or maybe the tone wasn't exactly what I was hoping for, or maybe even though the bass had outstanding construction, it just didn't feel right and have that certain something that makes you feel connected to it and never want to stop playing it.
It's just very difficult to get a bass that's exactly right for you, so the search continued for me and in 2021 I decided to order an LEH.
I first met Ellis (over the phone) when she was working at Sadowsky and I spoke with her about a custom option that I wanted on a new bass. I noticed that she really tried to find out what I was after with my request and really took some time to talk to me about it.
Then when I found out that Ellis had started her own company and saw the photos posted online of her first basses I immediately became interested and contacted her.
I've learned that it's really important for a builder to find out exactly what you are looking for during the initial stages when ordering a custom bass, and I believe that Ellis has this down to a science as she took a lot of time to go over every single detail of what I wanted, even some things that I hadn't thought about! Throughout the whole process she kept me informed and sent me all kinds of updates, from the raw wood selection to the finished instrument, including many different photos and even a video of the whole neck being fretted! How cool was that!
She also explained some technical things and helped me to figure out the right color choice along the way, which was extremely helpful.
I believe that a luthier needs to have knowledge, skill, talent and passion to create a great instrument, however they also need to have the ability to listen and communicate to make sure the instrument is just right for you, and I believe that's what sets LEH apart from many other builders.
I absolutely fell in love with my new bass from the moment I picked it up out of the case at the LEH shop, and I find it extremely difficult to stop playing and set it back in the case, which is just the way an instrument is supposed to be to inspire you to practice harder and play better and to get you into that zone!
After all of my years of experience ordering custom basses from different builders, I feel that I'm qualified to inform others to consider an LEH when you are ready to order your next custom bass, or as Ellis has it written on her website: "Your Next Favorite Bass".
Also, after meeting Ellis in person at her shop I can tell you that she is an outstanding person who you can absolutely trust 100%, especially when it comes to quoted build times and deposits, and an added bonus is when your builder is a super cool and really nice person, and you can consider them a true friend!
Highly, highly recommended!!!
-----------------
I'm on the east coast and Dave is way out west so I doubt I'll get to play his LEH bass myself, but here's a selection from the great photos he sent:
