If you had $1700 for a custom bass...

[renniw]

Originally Posted by RickBlair

Considering that the bridge and tuners for a headless bass can cost $500.00 that doesn't leave a lot of room for a builder to make a profit.

You could buy a bass from Carvin and select most options that you like for less than $1,700. They don't make headless basses though.

Rick B.

Headless is not cheap, but you can get Steingerger bridges for around 150$ if you know where to look...

http://www.headlessusa.com/

Not affiliated in any way to the site, only sharing less expensive option for those of us who wants cheaper headless bridges (but with full quality parts).

[MX5J6]

That is amazing! Thanks for that.

[DWBass]

I'd buy a nice body and neck from Warmoth. Hipshot hardware. A full Bartolini or Nordstrand electronics pkg.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by DWBass

I'd buy a nice body and neck from Warmoth. Hipshot hardware. A full Bartolini or Nordstrand electronics pkg.

+1. 'Cept for the Bart's.

[placedesjardins]

I'd probably get a Carvin B24 with a bunch of options.

[LanOsb133]

My Stupid answer - I would get a Vintage Fender.

My "real" answer - I would build myself a "lotto" Telecaster bass, but with a Tele Bass body (not the P body) and a Maple Fretless. It was right in the $950 neighborhood when everything was all done and finished (neck, body and all the parts I needed) Then the rest I would use for gas for my car, and just have some spending money. :P

[D.M.N.]

I'd take that money and buy a Fender American Vintage Reissue, and have some cash left over. But hey, that's just me.

[39-Bassist]

If I had the $1700.....I would use my endorsement deal with Dean and order a USA Hillsboro, J pickups, Tiger Eye flame top with a maple neck.....black hardware, strap locks....and case.

[bassist4dalord]

Well right now I'm on a major acoustic bass guitar kick, so I'd go with a Kinal acousitc of some kind. If I were going used, definitely a Tacoma Thunderchief fretted 5er and a Breedlove Atlas fretless 4.

[wilfred]

I'd probably have a tele bass made out of a chunk of red mahogany with a p pickup no knobs whit painted body with custom made black PG, Maple neck with maple board with a tele shaped headstock, a badass ii bridge vintage fender type tuners graphtech nut and i Dimarzio model p black pickup.

[cybersnyder]

I'd add a couple bucks and talk to Matt Pulcinella (mpguitars.com)

[bootsox]

I'd look for a used Carl Thompson on ebay, or put together a custom build on Warmoth

[dedpool1052]

if you're patient, and diligent, you could probably find a used status that fits your criteria.(at least the headless/fretless part)

[Ewo]

If you want a J, the Carvin SB4K or 5K.

[Killens84]

With $1700, buy a used Mike Lull bass. They're some of the best Fender-inspired (Jazz and Precision) basses out there. Used ones are out there for under $1700

[Roy Vogt]

David King used to be in that price range but he has been discovered and has raised his prices. He does really nice RH tuning basses.
http://www.kingbass.com/
Not a custom builder per se, but I second Carvin. There are so many variations in the basic designs you can get a really nice bass built to specs for $1700.
www.carvin.com

[MX5J6]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice guys. I really like the Status Black Beauty. I don't think it comes fretless though. I looked up zero fret. Not what I thought.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

+1. 'Cept for the Bart's.

If you heard my Fender Jazz, you'd have a different opinion. Not your typical mellow Bart sound at all. Think Larry Graham!

[Ragoo]

Warmoth!

[Nino D]

You could try chiselheadbass.com. I tried one of their handmade basses in a local guitar shop. It was definitely different.