LobsterChat Ep. 4 - Jake Serek of Serek Basses - Working with Lakland, starting Serek, and more!

Looking to snag one of these basses? Use my Reverb affiliate link!- reverb.grsm.io/lowendlobster
Find out more about Serek Basses!- www.serekbasses.com
Hey everyone! Welcome to Episode 4 of LobsterChat! Today we're sitting down with Jake Serek of Serek Basses to get the inside scoop on where he got his start with building basses, how Serek Basses started, and more!
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
Discord: discord.gg/dzrFMzD
Facebook: LowEndLobster
Twitter: @LowEndLobster
Instagram: LowEndLobster
Reverb Shop: reverb.com/shop/lowendlobster

[@handidrummed]

I have a Serek Armitage and a Sacramento. I love them. I've dealt with Jake for some repair work too and he's great to work with. Greetings from Mass too 😁

[@LowEndLobster]

Awesome! Greetings :)

[@jamesconger8509]

I'm watching this after receiving one of Jake's basses. Thank you for doing this interview.

[@thefool2007]

This is awesome. Serek’s basses are a statement in sound and aesthetics. From what I’ve seen and heard...you could hang a career on one of his gem instruments.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Rick! We have some Serek surprises heading here soon :)

[@lexdecs8294]

Well there goes my productivity this morning. I have been drooling over Serek basses for the last month.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Lex! They are totally drool worthy

[@lexdecs8294]

@@LowEndLobster plus, Jake seems like such a chill dude. His new “All the Basses” series is gonna be great.

[@1977bassplayer]

Lobster, your videos are always a joy to watch. This one is no exception. The hour just flew by. Great back and forth with Jake. Very informative. I'm very much a Serek Bass fanboy now!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Joe! Jake is a great dude and I really like his bass designs a lot. Hoping to check out another (and maybe get one made for myself) in the future :)

[@abouc]

The casual, conversational nature of this interview is refreshing. Jake's story is as cool as the basses he makes. There isn't enough content out there yet on Serek basses, so I'm really looking forward to your review.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! Jake is so laid back and is such a genuine and cool guy to talk to. So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@dukealbert7017]

I LOOOVE that he talks about wanting to do it as a barn thing when he's an old man, reminds me of Carl Thompson, the man is nearly 90 and still builds his heart out and still has love for the craft! I love it!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Duke! Yeah man, Jake is a gem in the industry and his designs and quality speak for themselves. Can't wait to see more out of the Serek shop!

[@davidvitale9338]

What I like is that so many small companies are emerging and giving chase to the two institutions of guitar and bass manufacturing. This is important for innovation, quality and price challenges. Bass players seem to be more open than guitarists in accepting innovation as well and so we see much creativity in our basses - that's not to say there are not a lot of p and j clones 😃

[@josephjordan2883]

Life got in the way of completing my Sacramento order, a while back. Jake was a pleasure to talk with, and hopefully soon I’ll be speaking with him again to get my bass started. In the mean time, it’s awesome to watch his company’s innovative new designs and pickups pop up on the Talkbass Serek threads! Big congrats to Jake on his success!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Joseph!

[@TheBhunt1]

Very interesting interview. Really looking forward to getting my Serek Sacramento.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you! Congrats on yours :)

[@Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

I really love Jake , I’ve heard him talk about making Basses a few times and has literally influenced me to do it myself . Over lockdown I started designing Basses and now have a CNC machine so hopefully will be making instruments very soon. . Go Serek

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Phil! Yeah Jake is the man and is super down to earth. Best of luck with your bass making endeavors!

[@promkingtempura5846]

Good on ya ! Let’s see what your up too!?

[@Barry101er]

Serek basses- so cool! Trumpet for me too, then bass. All because of Herb Alpert on the radio at the time and, I ended up playing in a band with Mr Alpert’s cousin 25 years later! Kismet!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Barry! I kinda started on trumpet too haha. Thank you for sharing :)

[@jameshurster]

I’m the enthusiastic owner of six (6) Serek guitars. I met musician/luthier Jake Serek many many years ago in a repair situation, and we agreed to build an electric, solid body 6-string guitar. Although he moved strictly into bass and custom bass production, I was able to get another custom built, and then I dove into the Serek bass world.and never looked back. The Midwestern, Midwestern II, and Sacramento have won my heart and soul. And I’ll always love my ‘Serekaster’. Serek basses: the best basses..... ever. Check out the Lazen B-90 pickups......!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Oh wow! That's awesome! You have quite the Serek Squad! The Lazen-B90 is awesome! Jake gave me one to put in my Gibson LP Jr. Tribute and it transformed that bass - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiudYmqr9SbbZY I kind of joke that it's a cheap Serek now as it sounds VERY similar to the Midwestern of similar config.

[@gmartin167]

I remember when some kid working at Lakland posted his Grabber copy on Talkbass that Carl Pedigo helped finish. Knew it had to have been Jake Serek!

[@russellzauner]

1:15 When did you start in music? 3:20 Jake brings up his introduction to bass - a dearly passed friend. The community shares your loss. Thanks for doing the chat. 5:50 Cold calls Lakland and gets hooked up as a shop rat 13:05 Jake gets his own shop 13:40 What did your initial manufacturing floor look like? 14:50 CNC is introduced into the floor and evolving processes described 16:35 What does operations currently look like? 18:00 First hire and build/design philosophies 18:45 Discusses QC lol 19:15 *SUGGEST YOUR BASS PICKUPS TO SOLAR GUITARS THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN BASS ELECTRONICS YET* 19:26 Woods/Finishes? 21:25 Jake plugs his local wood suppliers/discusses expansion 23:35 Hardware/Electronics? 26:15 Pickup discussion begins 28:30 "At heart I'm a passive guy" :-) 28:45 How did you start making pickups? 32:40 Hum control methods/philosophies 35:20 *whispers in noise gate and 60Hz tuned line chokes* 36:10 Jake expounds on life and bass design 37:00 Lobster *gushes* about design and style guides/philosophy 38:15 Familiar examples of comparison/contrast with Serek Basses and other manufacturers 39:40 Jake gets fired up 43:20 How to stay in the modern classic zone without being overtly derivative 45:20 Best memories in an instrument codesign? 45:55 Deerhoof! 47:20 Tim Lefebvre with a Serek bass demoing some pedals on an obscure channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWrdKpmhrKIqLs 47:50 Jake delivers the bass to Tim lol 49:40 Heroic customer on Instagram constantly requesting crazy project shit to flex on 51:40 The Race to the Bottom - practical impacts on your company? 53:50 Jake discusses outsourcing philosophy 54:25 Stop asking corporate hiring questions lol 54:26 everyone laughs and says funny things lol I actually realized why there are so many small guitar/bass/instrument artisans in the area - there's a lot of good wood in Maine even today. 1. Check Craigslist in Oregon/Washington for bulk cheap slabs, esp if you have a kiln of your own - you can literally get a firewood permit for under 20 bucks and take CORDS of whatever is downed 100ft from roads in most of Oregon if you are feeling particularly ambitious and have a decent sized bandsaw. 2. For future travel, I've been looking HARD at bluewater cruisers for long time. Commercial air travel is going to be screwed up for eternity and driving places is limited, but I can get anywhere in a boat as long as I stay with a group large enough to keep literal pirates away. True story.

[@LowEndLobster]

You're a gaddamn hero with this summary. Thank you dude!

[@russellzauner]

@@LowEndLobster your lack of timecodes displeases me lol

[@russellzauner]

@@LowEndLobster See Technonomadia/Mobile Internet Resource Center channels on KZbin also, you want to stay able to connect and even stream when you can on the road. It's a more common story than most realize that people just get sick of tech or whatever industry they're in and just ... sell everything and leave on a boat. :-)

[@philmatthews5569]

Great interview! Discovered Serek through a TV Jones video while looking up pups to replace the singles on a Gretsch Junior Jet 2220 (see the Lobster connection? lol). Come full circle to find this interview. Putting aside my pennies to get one of the next The Grand batch or go full hog for a Sacramento. I like just about everything in these basses, especially Jake's comment "tools meant to be played" and "affordable to working musicians" (my paraphrasing). Kudos to you both for your bass passion :)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Phil! Jake is a gem of the bass building community. A humble down to earth dude whose passion for the bass shines brightly through his creations.

[@jeremygalvin7726]

So cool to hear this. Very cool there are builders out there like Jake. Serek basses are such a great option. And I I had a suspicion Lobster you were from MA. I am too, now living in CA. Don't miss the snow. :)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you... Please send some sunshine our way... So cold....so very cold ;P

[@KurtKnock]

Great interview! Now I really want a Serek! Love the down to earth, back to basics style! And that tone!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Kurt!

[@d.kellyfitness2565]

Jakes a great guy! Very accommodating and super open minded. Spoke with him today about a possible build.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks D.Kelly! Awesome! Indeed he is, looking forward to working with him again!

[@DTaylorGuitars]

Jake gives me so much inspiration looking at his style of bass and sound. Love these and hope to own one some day. I loved the one you reviewed.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you for the wonderful comment my friend!

[@motofugazzi]

That was excellent! I just received my Lincoln the other day, and it sounds and plays great!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Ken and congrats on your bass!

[@themigwel6185]

Gotta love Serek, discovered them on your channel. In love with the Lincoln model! And the Grand too.

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Michael! indeed, he's a great dude who builds excellent instruments. Hoping to check out more in the near future.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I really enjoy these!! There are so many great builders you could get! Be cool to see Chris Seldon on here! His basses are so amazing!!! I bet Carl Thompson has some amazing stories to tell also!

[@jpm2655]

The next series of The Grand on the back wall? Red isn't my favorite tbh. Loving my black and gold.

[@LowEndLobster]

I'd love to check out a Grand :). Black and gold is a classic combo!

[@timknowles8149]

Love this. I really want a Serek now more than ever after watching this interview with Jake Serek. Also, I love that Lobster's cat makes an appearance to demand being petted. Definitely something my cats would do :)

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Tim! We have a second Serek surprise premiering on Tuesday ;)

[@notmyfield5391]

Great interview!

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you :)

[@DKallday333]

may be what i thought was a curse of having to wait a month to order is ending up being a blessing in a disguise with this new pick up offering... especially when thinking about which pup combo on the MW2 I would want! Ha. cool interview thx 4 what u both do *also sidenote* that part about growing too much is awesome & i understand that brain block sentiment way too much. I can tell Serek can be w/e jake ends up wanting it to be BC of how awesome the work is. Theyll* still be a household name now & FOR SURE in the future even if that choice is to stay on the “custom, family” quality side. The sound is *chefs kiss*. My 2 cents. Later

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks Chrome! Great comment :)

[@TheGAMEGod_YT]

LET’S GOOOOOOOOO

[@LowEndLobster]

WOOOOOO!

[@ampthebassplayer]

I'm saving my pennies for a Lincoln. One day...

[@LowEndLobster]

They're beautiful instruments :)

[@alanscharrer5255]

Love my Serek Sacramento. All wood grain and it sings!!!!!

[@LowEndLobster]

That's awesome, Alan! Thank you for sharing! How long have you had it for?

[@alanscharrer5255]

@@LowEndLobster One of his earlier models built in 2018

[@alanscharrer5255]

Actually it’s his 57th based on the serial number

[@Solelova67]

There’s no School like the Old School. Regards to the balancing act... Spinal Tap quoted~ it’s a fine line between Stupid & Clever lol

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! Always love a good Spinal Tap quote LOL! (especially one not as well known!)

[@Solelova67]

@@LowEndLobster I love Serek basses. My Dream bass has always been a Gibson Grabber ( big Kiss Fan ) and I think of both the Grabber & Ripper whenever I check out Serek Basses

[@sknuts6429]

Love their stuff. I mean not that I’ve played or even seen one in person lol

[@LowEndLobster]

Indeed! I hadn't ever seen one in person... until... recently... vid on Sunday ;P

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

I still wonder why he never used the ‘tractor pickup setup’ in his instruments. Two jazz pickups at the bridge and a darkstar pickup in the front j position

[@LowEndLobster]

That'd be an interesting combo!

[@ricardobass4831]

😍😍

[@LowEndLobster]

:)

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Looks like you have a new toy to review!

[@LowEndLobster]

Just wait until Sunday ;P... the tone... the toooone

[@rmccain99]

I gotta get a Grabber G3 in my life time. Nothing sounds like that.

[@LowEndLobster]

I wish they'd bring back those classic designs. I just snagged a special edition Epiphone Ripper from about 14 years ago - PJ pickups on the GIANT Ripper body haha

[@cskeise]

💙👊😎

[@LowEndLobster]

:)

[@alanscharrer5255]

This episode needs to be re- titled “Beard vs Beard”. Who wins? Let’s vote...

[@LowEndLobster]

LOL - never cross beards!

[@PushSueAside]

Ahhh.....Rickenbacker...influencing shit kids to play bass and sweep floors since the 50s. Cheers another brilliant interview with yet another brilliant designer and person. Thank you

[@LowEndLobster]

Thank you Tommy!

[@PushSueAside]

@@LowEndLobster WOW!!! I went and checked out these basses online, and FUCKEN WOW!!!! Amazing basses!!!! Great interview, loving this series. Thank you buddy

[@PushSueAside]

@@LowEndLobster also...it’s amazing how, before today I had now clue that, I had no idea how I’m going to die happy...without one of these basses? 1st choice the Sacramento. 2nd the Lincoln, but any of the collection would be satisfying. Cheers Just WOW!!!

[@josephjordan2883]

@@PushSueAside same!! Sacramento and Lincoln for me too please!

[@pvfury2730]

All your basses magically turned into lefties!?!?!?!?

[@LowEndLobster]

Powerful magic ;P

[@Bass.Player]

All the basses hanging on your wall look like left hand basses....

[@LowEndLobster]

I'm a secret lefty

[@simaojoseph]

Cool interview. Would be cool to not have the dual cam all the time, plus the giant caption over and under. And that lobster logo......cringe....

[@LowEndLobster]

Thanks!