Custom Basses in New England

[lordnyra]

6 string prog rock bassist here.


Need a new bass sometime in the next couple years, a real step up. Looking for a custom bass luthier who could make a 6 string bass near New England.

Anyone have any experience in this field? Or know anyone?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Ristola, M-Basses, Stambaugh, Sage, and Pedulla are all in N.E. GGuitars has some basses by local luthiers, although none of them are six-strings, and I haven't seen websites for those luthiers to know if they make them or not.

[Jared Lash]

I dig Pedulla's but I wouldn't call them custom per se.

Brian Ristola makes a killer instrument.

And I'm biased but I love the work Chris Stambaugh does. Truly custom, he can build pretty much whatever you dream up. Great build quality and the most stable, comfortable necks I've ever played.

[markkoelsch]

Why would it need to be from New England, if I might ask? There are some great luthiers in he previous post. I am sure you could get what you want there. I assume you want to be able to pick out the woods and such in person?

You could look at Bee, but they are the opposite coast. I played one, and it was sweet (7 string-if I had had the cash it would have been mine).

Skjold is in Ohio, and makes some killer stuff.

Bordwell is in FLorida and also makes some great stuff.

I am just saying that there are great builders in different parts of the country, and perhaps you should consider them too.

Good hunting.

[kjpollo]

I've checked out the Sage website- IIRC they do 6 stringers.

Also- in keeping with the non-local theme, Tom Clement is down in Florida and he's built a bunch of 6 stringers.
He built a 4 for me a couple of years ago- its a killer instrument at a VERY reasonable price.

[Rapisme]

Jon Maghini, M Basses..

www.mbasses.com

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

Brian Ristola makes a killer instrument.

+1000

You cannot find someone more personable then Brian.
He understands sound and is great at taking what you are looking for and putting into an instrument.

[lordnyra]

Thanks for the info! I was keeping it to New England, mainly cause that is where I live and I would prefer it to be close, but a few hours drive for a high quality bass guitar should be fine.

[emjazz]

Where in NE do you live?

The builders I was going to mention have all been said. I have a Ristola 6 string and it's incredible. All of the other builders that have been listed are great. Find one or two that you really love the look of and visit their shops. That's the best way.

Also, I'm not sure if Jon Maghini is doing custom basses any longer. You'll have to ask. It looks like he's doing mainly 4 and 5 string J basses now. That would be a shame if that's the case because his custom stuff is killer....it all comes down to sales though in the end.

[Rapisme]

John's stuff in the inception when he 1st came out. I remember, I was there at his 1st Bassday Booth..

Man the stuff was just amazing!! Whoever snagged those originals has them some fine keep sakes!!

Originally Posted by emjazz

Where in NE do you live?

The builders I was going to mention have all been said. I have a Ristola 6 string and it's incredible. All of the other builders that have been listed are great. Find one or two that you really love the look of and visit their shops. That's the best way.

Also, I'm not sure if Jon Maghini is doing custom basses any longer. You'll have to ask. It looks like he's doing mainly 4 and 5 string J basses now. That would be a shame if that's the case because his custom stuff is killer....it all comes down to sales though in the end.

[west*coast*bass]

Originally Posted by emjazz

Where in NE do you live?

The builders I was going to mention have all been said. I have a Ristola 6 string and it's incredible. All of the other builders that have been listed are great. Find one or two that you really love the look of and visit their shops. That's the best way.

Also, I'm not sure if Jon Maghini is doing custom basses any longer. You'll have to ask. It looks like he's doing mainly 4 and 5 string J basses now. That would be a shame if that's the case because his custom stuff is killer....it all comes down to sales though in the end.

Hey Andy, have you played one of Jon's new 5 string Jazz basses?

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by west*coast*bass

Hey Andy, have you played one of Jon's new 5 string Jazz basses?

I have. I can't remember who made the pickups but it also had an Aguilar 2 band in it....didn't need it. The bass sounded incredible flat. Jon really nailed it.

edit: Mark, check out the thread that Nickybass created about his upcoming 4 string J that Jon's making him right now.

[west*coast*bass]

Originally Posted by emjazz

I have. I can't remember who made the pickups but it also had an Aguilar 2 band in it....didn't need it. The bass sounded incredible flat. Jon really nailed it.

edit: Mark, check out the thread that Nickybass created about his upcoming 4 string J that Jon's making him right now.

Thanks, I'll check it out. I wonder if Jon will be at NAMM...do you know?

[emjazz]

Mark, I don't know. Jon did show up in Nicky's thread though. You should send him a PM about it.

[west*coast*bass]

Originally Posted by emjazz

Mark, I don't know. Jon did show up in Nicky's thread though. You should send him a PM about it.

I sent him a message on FB... In the meantime, this bass is killin'...


http://www.youtube.com/user/jonmag3?.../1/O7TJhK6pcEQ

[acedabone]

For my money.... You can't beat a Bee or a Conklin! Just my humble opinion!

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by acedabone

For my money.... You can't beat a Bee or a Conklin! Just my humble opinion!

Bee has been having problems with making stuff on a timely basis lately. A few unhappy people around here.

Conklin is great and I love mine, but that's a heck of a lot of $.

[emjazz]

Guys...read the title. Neither Bee nor Conklin are in New England.

[micromo]

Don't forget MTD. Technically not far from New England.

[Rockmusician]

Pedulla Rockland, Mass
http://www.pedulla.com/html/pedulla_basses.html

3D Guitars Pembroke, Mass
http://www.3dguitars.com/

DeMars Guitars Norwich, VT
http://www.demarsguitars.com/