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

[Munjibunga]

For $1,700 you could get four or five Wishbasses. Before Dan Atkinson quit doing custom orders, you could've gotten one of his. The base price on my LeCompte VB5 was about that. Not any more.

[MX5J6]

So is there anything compatible to that now? Or should I just keep saving?

Btw after a couple people suggested Carvin I saw I can get a pretty nice B25SF for about $1408. So that is definitely an option right now.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by MX5J6

So is there anything compatible to that now? Or should I just keep saving?

Btw after a couple people suggested Carvin I saw I can get a pretty nice B25SF for about $1408. So that is definitely an option right now.

Carvin makes fine basses, but have a comparatively low resale value. I live 10 minutes from their factory (when I'm not at Groom), and I go over to drool on their basses every once in a while. Lots of options, high craftsmanship, and nice top woods. I'd say that's about the best you're going to do in your price range. Unless, of course, you opt for four or five hand-made custom Wishbasses.

[MrLenny1]

Stambaugh. I own one, have visited his shop several times.
Great quality, reasonable prices.
$1700 may be a little shy but close to what Chris offers.
Call him, talk to him, he knows basses.

[AltGrendel]

Originally Posted by Ric5

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would build several of my own frankenstein parts basses.

I want to build a couple of 5 string RickenFakers, another Fenderbird, a couple more 5 string SG basses ... etc ...

+1

[grendle]

for that coin, you might want to find a used Kubicki Factor or a used steinberger XM series ( the ones with the bodies) and refinish it possibly. you could possibly get a body from Warmoth and find a graphite neck ( moses, or a from a peavey G bass) and have them paired up. Theres ways to do some custom but not so custom stuff on that $. But a full blown custom like your thinking, probably not, at least not something your going to be happy with.

[grendle]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Carvin makes fine basses, but have a comparatively low resale value. I live 10 minutes from their factory (when I'm not at Groom), and I go over to drool on their basses every once in a while. Lots of options, high craftsmanship, and nice top woods. I'd say that's about the best you're going to do in your price range. Unless, of course, you opt for four or five hand-made custom Wishbasses.

+1

you can do a sick carvin for $1700 with all the goodies and custom everything. ( the bromberg basses are a little different and very cool). top notch basses, just hard to find one to play is all.

[Modern Growl]

$1,700 wont get you much to be honest... You could do a custom "factory" Music Man - meaning you can choose what pickup configuration you want (H, HS, HH) and what color, fretboard, etc...

[baileyboy]

Originally Posted by MX5J6

I don't know how decent a budget of $1700 is for a custom bass but that will be my budget when I have a bass built so I figured I'd see what others might want or have gotten for around this price range.

FBB basses are superior builds and pricing is very fair. Matt Schmill is currently selling off old inventory at very low prices. Check out his site: www.fbbcustom.com You won't be disappointed.

[SteveC]

Well, I go back and forth on the custom bass thing. I am currently playing a Geddy Lee jazz. It plays great, sounds great, and really covers 97% of my range needs.

Still, I have a desire for a Roscoe 5. I have one all picked out and ready to be built. All I need to do is put $300 down and off it goes. I have had them before and I know how great they are. I also have issues having that much money (totally worth it to me so lets not go there) in a bass when my family has many other NEEDS that really should take priority over a bass that I WANT and don't need.

For $1,700 I think I'd get a Lakland. Before I tried Roscoe, Lakland was my favorite bass. The Roscoe I am debating would have the "Lakland" style pickups - J neck and "MM bridge.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Easy. I would order a Carvin. Either an SB4000 or an Icon. I just went through the specs on ordering an Icon with a claro walnut top, mahogany body, 5 piece mahogany/maple neck, radiused pickups, stainless steel frets, etc. and the total came to $1563 with a hard case! Hard to beat that!

Huge +1

I needed a custom bass because I required a certain weight, and I wanted certain electronics,color combo, etc.

Carvin was it. They built me the bass to retire all my other basses. MIM Jazz of 16 years, sits at home. German Warwick Vette, sold. Hot-rodded OLP MM , sold. The Carvin is my bass. If you want one of those high end Jazz bass on steroids, that are often offered as "custom", I suggest you take a long look at Carvin. The bass is only limited by your imagination (and Carvin's inability to offer a P pickup )

If I had your budget for another bass, I am looking at Carvin again. (unless I could find a 7lb P bass in that price range)

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by MX5J6

So is there anything compatible to that now? Or should I just keep saving?

Btw after a couple people suggested Carvin I saw I can get a pretty nice B25SF for about $1408. So that is definitely an option right now.

If you are dead set on custom + headless, keep saving. And while you're saving you'll have more time to better define exactly what you want.

Unless Tom Clement or Chris Stambaugh can pull a headless rabbit out of a hat for you. (eww....that sounds messy)

[tjclem]

Unless Tom Clement or Chris Stambaugh can pull a headless rabbit out of a hat for you. (eww....that sounds messy) Sure does......

[malthumb]

Originally Posted by tjclem

Unless Tom Clement or Chris Stambaugh can pull a headless rabbit out of a hat for you. (eww....that sounds messy) Sure does......

Wear gloves Tom. You can do it.

[Margus Alviste]

Originally Posted by MX5J6

I don't know how to solder so that wouldn't really work. Plus warmoth gets pretty expensive pretty fast. Though it'd still be cheaper than a lot of options.

It's really easy! Someone can do it for you. But the quality is really great, even compared to the biggest names in industry.

[JoelFT]

I'll also recommend Tom Clement. To get a headless out of him you are going to have to ask very very nicely.

(Tom, I'm still thinking real hard about a headless 30" or 32". Profit sharing month is February FYI.)

[spector_boogie]

For $1700 I'd just buy something in the high-middle range used.

[MyMusic]

Another Carvin to match my XB75. Works for me.

[phillybass101]

Brubaker is coming out with a headless Brubaker Brute Single Cut and it will fit your budget and you'll have money left over. Ash body, soap bar pickups etc. Might be worth you checing into.

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by JoelFT

I'll also recommend Tom Clement. To get a headless out of him you are going to have to ask very very nicely.

(Tom, I'm still thinking real hard about a headless 30" or 32". Profit sharing month is February FYI.)