Undiscovered Bass Maker?

slapmachine · #1 07-18-2011, 11:33 PM

Hey, I've been pondering the purchase of more of a boutique bass way in the future and had a couple of simple questions. When you look at a brand like Fodera (random boutique name in my head) and prices that are from 4-6k for a bass guitar, some of it has to be name, right? Endorsers etc. that made a name for your company as a testament to the quality..maybe, but still, that's a lot of money to throw down for an instrument.

Are there high quality instrument makers (specifically electric bass) makers out there that maybe don't charge as much?

I know I may be going out on a limb, but you know, I'm sure more ridiculous threads have graced the TalkBass forums.

Thanks as always,

Brooks

FrenchAK · #2 07-18-2011, 11:37 PM

I'm nowhere near the level where I could afford a boutique, but I've admired LedBelli since the first build thread I found.

The site says they start at around $2300, and they're stunning.

bongomania · #3 07-18-2011, 11:39 PM

Tons of them, actually. Check out the stickies in the Luthiers Corner subforum, for a list of the many builders here on TB. There are many more that aren't on TB, but of course you have to do a lot more hunting to find them.

Eric Albany · #4 07-18-2011, 11:41 PM

There's a person who lives in Broom Field, Colorado who makes guitars and basses for a lot of famous people, but at a reasonable price. I can't tell you his # or any thing else except that he works in his basement and does all the work by hand. I can give you his info by Thursday.

slapmachine · #5 07-19-2011, 09:48 AM

Yeah Eric, that'd be awesome. Again, I said in the future so I hope you're not telling him that I want anything right now or something :P. I wish I could but I just can't. As for the LedBelli basses, I agree that's a pretty cool design. Some beautiful basses in that gallery.

thanks for all so far!

Brooks

Hifiguy · #6 07-19-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchAK

I'm nowhere near the level where I could afford a boutique, but I've admired LedBelli since the first build thread I found.

The site says they start at around $2300, and they're stunning.

Those are beautiful basses.

Denial · #7 07-19-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Albany

There's a person who lives in Broom Field, Colorado who makes guitars and basses for a lot of famous people, but at a reasonable price. I can't tell you his # or any thing else except that he works in his basement and does all the work by hand. I can give you his info by Thursday.

Don Grosh?

Grosh Guitars

Eric Albany · #8 07-19-2011, 03:42 PM

Maybe. I'll have to talk to the guitar instructor on thursday and ask him. I think he lives in a community called Red Leaf, but I'm not sure. Oddly enough, both the guitar instructor and the guitar builder lived in the community next to where I used to live. My house was in the Broad Lands which was a 5min walk from a privet pool where 3 communities came together.

Dirk Diggler · #9 07-19-2011, 04:30 PM

May I suggest trying a few used boutique basses first? That way you will have a better feel for what the builder can do. Then you can have them build you the bass of your dreams.
That's my 2 cents,
Dirk

slapmachine · #10 07-19-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

May I suggest trying a few used boutique basses first? That way you will have a better feel for what the builder can do. Then you can have them build you the bass of your dreams.
That's my 2 cents,
Dirk

As much as I would love to, I just don't know where to look! I live in the Kansas City Area ( in Kansas obviously.)

Best Regards,

Brooks

Kwesi · #11 07-19-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Tons of them, actually. Check out the stickies in the Luthiers Corner subforum, for a list of the many builders here on TB. There are many more that aren't on TB, but of course you have to do a lot more hunting to find them.

Yup yup. Lot's of folks in the Luthier's Corner. I'm not sure if Tom Clement hangs out there but let me be the first to throw his name into the ring

. Got my 5 string fretless from him with all the trimmings for under $2500. Obviously, it all depends on what you're looking for in particular but Tom makes some GREAT basses. Mine is the best fretless I've ever touched, hands down.

kbuschmann · #12 07-19-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Yup yup. Lot's of folks in the Luthier's Corner. I'm not sure if Tom Clement hangs out there but let me be the first to throw his name into the ring

. Got my 5 string fretless from him with all the trimmings for under $2500. Obviously, it all depends on what you're looking for in particular but Tom makes some GREAT basses. Mine is the best fretless I've ever touched, hands down.

You can double that recommendation for Tom Clement. I've got 2 and am planning a third. Excellent builder who prices his instruments well below their relative value.

slapmachine · #13 07-19-2011, 09:07 PM

Man, just found Pete Skjold basses, BEAUTIFUL! I think I'm sold on appearance alone haha.

Best regards,

Brooks

gscroggin · #14 07-19-2011, 09:15 PM

Check out Matt Schmill at FBB, http://www.fbbcustom.com/. Beautiful stuff IMO, still the greatest fretless sound I've ever owned. The wood combinations he uses are amazing, and I think the value to dollar ratio is WAY in favor of the player, and not Matt. He usually has some sort of inventory going on, and the prices are typically even lower with that stuff. On the flip side, you're not likely to find his stuff in any store or even boutique, so you may need to go out on a limb direct from him. Easy to do though IMO as Matt is such a nice guy.

baileyboy · #15 07-20-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gscroggin

Check out Matt Schmill at FBB, FBB Custom Bass Works. Beautiful stuff IMO, still the greatest fretless sound I've ever owned. The wood combinations he uses are amazing, and I think the value to dollar ratio is WAY in favor of the player, and not Matt. He usually has some sort of inventory going on, and the prices are typically even lower with that stuff. On the flip side, you're not likely to find his stuff in any store or even boutique, so you may need to go out on a limb direct from him. Easy to do though IMO as Matt is such a nice guy.

I second this! I own an awesome sounding FBB fretless as well (1095-04 on the website) and it is a keeper, even though I much prefer fretted basses and don't play it much. He has some inventory for sale or you can special order and work with Matt to meet your needs. You will not find a more easy to work with luthier, rest assured. Good luck with it all.

**BassIsFun17** · #16 07-20-2011, 12:08 PM

stambaugh?

Schlyder · #17 07-20-2011, 12:22 PM

Jerzy Drozd.
His Soul model basses are not that expensive.

jim777 · #18 07-20-2011, 12:23 PM

You can check out Dan Ledard's Luthier's Access Group website. He usually has stuff from small builders that you may not have heard of. I got my Wood & Tronics bass from him and he was a pleasure to deal with, too.

shadowmac · #19 07-20-2011, 01:29 PM

If you like the look of a Skjold, then the tone is going to blow you away. I currently own a PSD '92 5-er, which I bought from a fellow TB-er, unseen (except photos), and it is fantastic - I purchased based on the look of the particular bass I own and on Pete's reputation - it is extremely well earned. If that's not enough of a testimonial, I liked my Skjold enough to have ordered one built to my specs: Pete is currently building me a Skjold Slayer 5.

Pete is a top-notch luthier and has the best customer service that I've ever come across.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapmachine

Man, just found Pete Skjold basses, BEAUTIFUL! I think I'm sold on appearance alone haha.

Best regards,

Brooks

hrodbert696 · #20 07-20-2011, 04:31 PM

Just to plug somebody, there's a bass luthier out in Kansas City, I played one of his basses in a music shop when I was out there and was blown away. I don't know if he's around TB or not, his name is John Toon (not the British one)... here's the website...
WWW.JTBASSES.COM - Home

His instruments start at $800, add all the bells and whistles and you're still under $2K.