Cumstom commision price

JMcCarthy · #1 01-12-2011, 05:38 AM

I am planning to save for a custom, brand new bass. Most likely with some sort of fancy scroll and maybe five strings but with a c string as apposed to a b down low. Would that be a good idea? How many thoughsands of dollars would that be putting me out of?

Jason Sypher · #2 01-12-2011, 06:27 AM

Depends on the maker, both customizations will cost you... Start looking first for a maker whose work you admire, then move on to those bits. You're going to be playing a bass, not a scroll, so work on that part. Off the top of my head, I bet you're looking at over 20K.

JMcCarthy · #3 01-12-2011, 08:04 AM

Ken smith has some skills.Do you know if he Would do that sort of thing?

Jason Sypher · #4 01-12-2011, 08:08 AM

Are you talking about an electric bass?

JMcCarthy · #5 01-12-2011, 08:30 AM

No, why do you ask?

JMcCarthy · #6 01-12-2011, 09:05 AM

Pardon my lack of knowledge (Ken does not make basses) that just proves how much you should value my information/opinion.

Robin Ruscio · #7 01-12-2011, 09:49 AM

The factor more than the custom work is how quality the bass is itself; who the luthier is and what kind of work they do. Those details are fairly arbitrary and could be done for under $15k or over $40k for top makers.

I have trying out a bass out right now with a carved dragon headstock and 5 string that is under $20k, but the overall sound and quality is not as good as my "normal" Hawkes bass I own.

JMcCarthy · #8 01-12-2011, 09:57 AM

I beileve that playability is a main factor, even over tone because when you are more comfortable with the bass you are playing your melodic ideas and freedom are enhanced. so for me I could have the best sounding bass in the world but I would rather have a bass that would let me play to my best abilities even If it sounds like a CCB. So any bass that is the most comfortable is the best. But I really don't want to sound like crap either.

Eric Swanson · #9 01-12-2011, 10:58 AM

I don't see any info in your profile, so can't tell what kind of music you are playing. Your comments lead me to think that you are playing amplified much of the time, and playing improvised music (maybe jazz ?).

If you are playing with a pickup/mic, sound production and tone certainly won't mean as much as they do to someone who plays mostly acoustically.

Where do you live? I would want to be working with someone who was fairly close at hand, to consult with and discuss options, etc.

Good luck! Please keep us posted, as you go on this exciting journey...

JMcCarthy · #10 01-12-2011, 11:09 AM

I play everything from bebop to boroque. I do tend to improvise alot. But I prefer playing un-amplified. I also compose alot if that means any thing.

Jason Sypher · #11 01-12-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcCarthy

Pardon my lack of knowledge (Ken does not make basses) that just proves how much you should value my information/opinion.

This doesn't add up. Your lack of knowledge should prove how much I should value your information/opinion?

How does your lack of knowledge help me or anyone else here who, by the way, have been on these boards for ten years?

I'm not sure I understand your attitude.

JMcCarthy · #12 01-12-2011, 11:37 AM

I'm a wee bit dyslexic lol. You should not listen to me at all I just come to ask questions and be informed by the informed.

Jason Sypher · #13 01-12-2011, 11:46 AM

Dyslexia can be a good thing musically. Play your ideas and then play them backwards, twice the licks!

JMcCarthy · #14 01-12-2011, 11:52 AM

It also helps me find satanic messages in led zeppelin songs... Just kidding. And raeding the staff isn't at all difficult. Double win!

Jason Sypher · #15 01-12-2011, 12:31 PM

Luthiers that come to mind that might be of interest:

Jeff Bollbach
Christian Laborie
Joel Mentec
Mario Lamarre

MR PC · #16 01-12-2011, 01:40 PM

http://www.maynebass.com/main_pages/Basses.html

Jason Sypher · #17 01-12-2011, 02:54 PM

http://www.lamario.ca/lamario2009-vi...p?lang=english

mflaherty · #18 01-12-2011, 03:12 PM

KC Strings

I think that any bass with the Krutz name is custom made in the shop.

**David Morris** · #19 01-12-2011, 03:47 PM

http://www.uptonbass.com/

David Kaczorowski · #20 01-12-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Luthiers that come to mind that might be of interest:

Jeff Bollbach
Christian Laborie
Joel Mentec
Mario Lamarre

Add Barrie Kolstein to the list. I like his basses a lot, although my bass (the Fendt model prototype) was made for exhibition at an ISB convention, not commissioned.