Product: Ken Lawrence Unity
Price Paid: $4200 (Can $)
Submitted
09/27/2001
at
12:43pm
by
Ian Findlay
Email: ifindlay at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:
10
Made in 2001, the Unity has the same features as the Associate except for the body wood combination - mahogany wings with a swamp ash centre block. My bass has a AAAAA walnut top (which is absolutely stunning) and a 35" 24 fret 3 piece hard rock maple neck with a birdseye maple fingerboard. It has Seymour Duncan soapbar pickups and 3 band active EQ with slap contour (no bypass switch). It is completed with goto tuners and bridge.
Sound
:
10
I have had the fortune of owning top quality instruments (Alembic, Modulus, Music man) and I can honestly say the Ken Lawrence Unity is the best sounding bass I have ever played. I have owned this bass for 5 months and am very critical of my sound - I play various styles of rock, jazz and fusion and this bass fits all these styles magnificently. The wood combination of this bass makes for a naturally pronounced midrange (which is pleasing) and can be dialed out using the preamp to fit many styles. It has a killer slap sound and you can dial in a fantastic Chris Squire pick sound. The B string is huge and requires a lighter touch (I have had many wide eyed looks from soundmen and audience members when I go below low E). You do not need to adjust the tone knobs on your amp as this bass sounds great with everything flat - in fact I got rid of my preamp and use an Avalon U5 with a power amp because of this bass.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
This bass was made with the highest attention to detail. Ken Lawrence makes only 15 instruments a year (by himself) and they are of the highest quality.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
The instrument is very solid and should age gracefully.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
No complaints, no problems
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing semi professionally for 15 years and this is the first bass that has satisfied my needs for the various styles I play. I plug into an Avalon U5, QSC power amp, and EA cabinets. If it was stolen I would definately order another one (although it might bankrupt my insurance company). I will be ordering a Brase 5 fretless from Ken soon which will take him at least 8 months to build but I am absolutely sure it will be worth it.
