Which bass should be my first boutique/high end fretted bass?

LaBassGuy · #1 10-26-2012, 04:03 PM

I bought a Pedulla Buzz 17.5mm 5-string. I really dig the tone and the neck, though maybe 19mm would have worked better.

This has been my only boutique bass--though I've owned a Warwick SSI. So I now want to try a fretted boutique/high end, but I will be buying it used off the market.

Though I'll consider anything, I've narrowed it down to:

Pedullla MVP 5
Pedulla Thunderbass 5
Roscoe SKB 5 (either soapbars or jj pups)
Yamaha BBNE2 (semi-boutique)
Warwick Streamer Stage II 4

I slap a lot. So I'd like a great modern slap tone, fat and round finger style tone, thin neck (will tolerate 35" scale), and a comfortable body.

Thoughts?

Kmonk · #2 10-26-2012, 04:05 PM

Have you looked at Alembic, Zon or Lakland? All are great basses.

dedpool1052 · #3 10-26-2012, 04:08 PM

not on your list, but mtd seems to fit your description. they have their US line and their oversees kington line. the do have wider necks, but they have an asymetrical profile, so its thicker on the bass side and thinner on the treble side to feel more natural. there plenty of reviews and demos on youtube.

LaBassGuy · #4 10-26-2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

Have you looked at Alembic, Zon or Lakland? All are great basses.

Alembic - don't like their look nor the tone

Lakland - yes, but looking for something bit modern and less Fenderish

Zon - Don't know much about them

osuok88 · #5 10-26-2012, 05:48 PM

Get an Fbass

Baird6869 · #6 10-26-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dedpool1052

not on your list, but mtd seems to fit your description. they have their US line and their oversees kington line. the do have wider necks, but they have an asymetrical profile, so its thicker on the bass side and thinner on the treble side to feel more natural. there plenty of reviews and demos on youtube.

I own a MTD USA 5er and I love it.

Great for slap and fingerstyle... light, ergonomic and sound great. Mostly 35" scale with wide flat necks. Pricy though.... In the $3k range used.

MTD KZ basses are also nice. Made overseas, but sound great and are in the $1000 range used.

Roscoes are also nice. Not my favorite slap bass, but still great basses. The LZg boy is really small and the SKB body is larger but very comfy or most.

**Cookye** · #7 10-26-2012, 07:41 PM

I fully recommend a Fodera, you can have it built fully to spec..your specs. So any tone you want, fit and finish they will do no problem.

**Cookye** · #8 10-26-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

Alembic - don't like their look nor the tone

What models did you look at and actually play? I have played a number of them and still have three in my collection. My Mark King has tone variations for days and is incredibly flexible when it comes to overall sound. And, by the way, Is drop dead gorgeous.

Bassist4Eris · #9 10-26-2012, 08:05 PM

When I was younger I was into slap, but had let the technique lapse. A couple years ago I bought a Carvin LB76W. I loved the slap tone so much it completely revived my interest in the technique.

Later I bought a Carvin BK40A that I like for slap even more. I prefer the tone of bolt necks for slap. And it's certainly easier to slap a 4 than a 6. (Although I do slap the 6 all the time).

Long story short, try a Carvin if you can.

Calaverasgrande · #10 10-26-2012, 08:13 PM

cant talk slap without looking at a Musicman.
The Sterling models are really nice. Also check out the Bongo models.

Josh Pelican · #11 10-26-2012, 09:10 PM

I'd suggest a Clement, but out of the list you posted, I'd be leaning towards a Pedulla.

cardboardJoe · #12 10-27-2012, 07:04 AM

Give Pete Skjold a call.......

Randyt · #13 10-27-2012, 07:18 AM

When you say boutique / High end...first thing that comes to mind is FBass or Fodera

But there are many great builders...

LeonD · #14 10-27-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

I slap a lot. So I'd like a great modern slap tone, fat and round finger style tone, thin neck (will tolerate 35" scale), and a comfortable body.

As soon as I read that, I thought Sadowsky.

His preamp is famous for slap tone (think Marcus Miller).

To me, fat and round finger style tone equates to sitting well in a mix. Sadowsky's got that covered.

The neck thickness is about average; not too thick, not too thin. They only come in 34" scale and most have a slightly downsized, J body.

I've seen used Metro's in the $1,500 range to used USA's in the $3,300 range. And given similar specs, Metro or USA, both sound the same.

RoeyHaviv · #15 10-27-2012, 07:46 AM

I'm an endorsing artist so look next to my name for what I would recommend

From you're list - If you are a working bassist I would go with the Yamaha or the Streamer, they are very versatile.

Warwick also offers a wide neck for a 19mm spacing on a 5 string.

ilikebass7 · #16 10-27-2012, 06:58 PM

Check out marcobassguitars.com Marco Cortes builds some really cool high end basses for a reasonable price. Great slap tone an very comfortable. Give him a call!

**awilkie84** · #17 10-27-2012, 07:02 PM

IMO, try out as many as you can. I found that boutique basses just don't call to me, after looking at a Fodera Yin Yang & trying a couple Laklands, Warwicks & even a Sadowsky.

zortation · #18 10-27-2012, 07:02 PM

I'd go with an MVP. You like to slap, no?

Stay away from a 35"

LaBassGuy · #19 10-27-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zortation

I'd go with an MVP. You like to slap, no?

Stay away from a 35"

Yes, does the MVP have a good slap tone? It's hard to estimate that tone from the fretless buzz.

zortation · #20 10-28-2012, 06:49 AM

Does the MVP have a good slap tone?

Yes, probably one of the best around in my opinion. I would say if you can find a used one with the spacing you're looking for, grab it without hesitation.