LeCompte Electric Bass ST-5

2005 LeCompte ST-5 Standard serial #6

Features
? Two piece ash body
? Walnut top w/ flush inlayed spalted elm faux pickguard
? Three piece ash and maple neck
? Dual action truss rod
? Macassar ebony fingerboard
? Medium jumbo frets
? Bone nut, 1 7/8 inches wide
? Gotoh tuners
? ABM bridge, 18mm spacing
? Chrome metal knobs
? Bartolini 72M55C soapbar pickups
? Bartolini NTBT 3.3 A/P preamp w/coil splitter switches and active/passive switch (push/pull knob)
? Spalted elm and walnut pickup covers
? Separate battery box
? Body finish - hand rubbed catalyzed lacquer
? Neck finish - satin polyurethane finish
? 35" scale length
? DR Sunbeam Lites strings

BTW, it also has the Bart pre-amp with the passive option (push/pull volume knob). The only thing that I might have to get a little used to is the tighter spacing of the knobs and switches vs my other basses. Not a biggie though, I'l get used to it quick I'm sure. Popped off the back cover. Hats off to Bud. All electronics were EXTREMELY neat. Copper shielding was well applied on cavity and cover. Soldering was A-1 (I have experience here). One of if not the neatest jobs I've seen! Only MINOR complaint is that the cover screws go right into wood vs having inserts. A lot of high-end builders do this too. No biggie as the battery compartment is separate, so I really don't see the screw holes wearing out...

Now to the sound. Plugged her up to the Kustom first (followed by my SWR). Has that great Bartolini tone! Low down, boom, boom, boom! Mids are punchie and highs are just right (not shrilly). Knobs and pots are solid with center dents. Stacked treble/bass knob is new to me also, but I'll get used to it.

I just got the bass tonight so this is an initial review which I'll add to after I put a few miles on it. After pulling it from the box and getting all of the bubblewrap, etc off (great packing job, it could be dropped off a building and not damaged, well almost :-) At first glance....one word.....AMAZING! It's STUNNING to look at. Put it on my knee, tuned it (intonation was dead on too). Spacing is perfect for me, fits like a glove. Just felt right from the moment I plucked the first string. Neck profile is a lot different from what I'm used to (flat back vs more rounded profiles I've played) but I love it. I now can use my thumb to get better leverage. Just feels more natural...

Action was nice and low, with no buzzing unless I really whale on it. Perfect setup from the factory Bud! Fretts were all crowned, dressed and finished well. No sharp edges on the nut or fretts.


I almost feel bad playing this bass. It's like a freaken work of art, but she is going to be played, that's the reality! Low B is very tight, tighter than my G&L 2500 USA. This is prob due to the fact that it's a 35" scale vs a 34" but I'm sure that the craftsmanship also plays in here.

Finish is glossier than on the photos. Don't know why it didn't show that way. Finish is also a bit darker than in photos in most light. All woodwork is perfect. Walnut top and flush mount pickguard (no screws!) are a work of art. The P/U covers are a work of art too. Walnut on the bottom and Elm on top. All wood has more grain than shows in photos too. Pics don't do it ANY justice. This bass should be going for at least double that I paid for it (shhhh don't tell Bud!).

This custom is extremely well built. Neck joint, frett work, electronics etc are as good as I've seen. This thing is built to last... I don't think that I would ever need a backup with this bass!

Bud LeCompte is extremely responsive to emails and phone calls. I give him top ranks here!

I've been playing for 20 yrs now. I've owned a lot of real nice basses (American Fenders, G&Ls, Conklins, etc, etc) and played many custom shop basses. This bass is right up there with Pedulla, Warrior, Zon, Sadowsky, etc. Get in while Bud is still launching this company and his prices are still crazy reasonable for the craftmenship that you get. You'll pay 2 - 3 times as much elsewhere for the same quality!