Bass of the Week: Brubaker Brute MJX Series

This week we check out the Brubaker Brute MJX series. A production version of luthier Kevin Brubaker’s design, the MJX hints at classic basses with a modern take.

Brubaker Brute MJX Body (Burst)

The Brute MJX series is available in 4- and 5-string versions. Each bass is built with an alder body, maple neck, and maple fretboard with 22 frets. They sport an MM/J pickup configuration with Brubaker’s 3200 series Dual Coil humbucker in the bridge position and a 3200 series single coil in the neck position. Electronics include a Brubaker 5200 Series two-band EQ with volume, blend, bass, and treble controls. It also has a coil tap switch for the MM pickup.

MJX Series basses come in Black, White, Natural, Satin Tobacco burst, and Satin Blue Burst finishes with an array of pickguards.

Brubaker Brute MJX Series Photos:

Brubaker Brute MJX Series Specs:

Weight:9.0 lbs for 4-string, 9.5 lbs for 5-string
Body:Alder
Neck:Maple w/ Maple Fretboard
Neck Shape:Slim Taper Contour
Number of Frets:22
Fret Size:Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays:Black Side Position Inlays
Fretboard Radius:Compound radius: 16″ @nut, 20″ @last fret
Scale Length:34″ (86.36 cm)
Headstock/Neck:Brubaker Natural Satin Finish
Neck Plate:4 Bolt “Bolt-Thru” Neck Joint TM
Truss Rod Nut:Double Action
Bridge Pickup:Brubaker 3200 Series® Dual Coil Humbucking Pickup
Neck Pickup:Brubaker 3200 Series® Single-Coil Pickup
PreAmp:Brubaker 5200 Series® Active Two Band EQ Electronics
Controls:Volume, Pickup Blend, Active Treble Boost/Cut, Active Bass Boost/Cut, Coil Tap Switch
Hardware:Nickel/Chrome
Bridge:Brubaker High Mass Bridge
String Nut:Graphlon
Pickup Covers:Brubaker Brute Series
Strings:Nickel Round Wound – .040, .060, .080, .100, .120
Control Knobs:Black Metal Knurled Chrome Knobs
Available Colors:Black, White, Natural, Satin Tobacco Burst, Satin Blue Burst

For more information, check out the Brubaker Guitars website.

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  1. They might sound terrific (I’m sure they do, given Mr. Brubaker’s reputation), but these brute basses are just awful to my eyes… the pickguard looks so cheap, and the headstock, god, it’s just horrible! but that’s only my opinion

  2. I owned a Brute @ one point and had major problems with the pick ups. I contacted Brubaker, they gave me a few tips to fix the problem. I tried them and they didn’t work. I contacted them again explaining that it didn’t work and the pick ups weren’t working correctly. Instead of sending me new stock pick ups they suggested that I just upgrade to Bartolinis(which I couldn’t afford at the time) and blew me off from there. After that I immediately sold that bass @ a significant loss. I will never endorse or buy one of their products again.

  3. I’m digging the sunburst one, but I agree with Charlie Monter, the headstock is clumsy looking. That said, I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to create a unique headstock shape.

  4. The headstock looks like a monster headstock,very unique and original,that doesnt make the sound,other basses have pretty headstocks,and doesn’t sound like a half brubaker