$1,800 for a no-name bass...

Cant say i have.
But if you think its worth the price then good for you purchasing without worrying what name is on the headstock.

 

There's something exciting about the idea of picking up a bass that's not part of any production line. Straight from a luthier's hands to mine.

Far from no-name, I'd probably be calling that a handmade work of art that has transcended the need for such lowly things as mere names.

Assuming it plays fantastically, and I imagine it must if it's coming home with you.

 

I bought a 'no name' used bass off TB here. It ended up needing a lot of expensive work by Mike Lull. But... In the end I like it. So I guess it was 'worth it'. And it is most certainly unique as I doubt there are more than a few hundred if that in the world.

 

I have a one of a kind "no name" bass from an unknown builder (me). Almost certainly I could not get that kind of money for it, but even if I could, there is no way I'd part with it. About 20 years old and still going strong and trouble free! It gets a lot of notice, which I guess is pretty cool, but the bottom line is I totally enjoy having a bass nobody else has, most importantly, one that plays wonderfully and sounds great. If it shivers your timbers enough to shell out the cash, don't second guess yourself! Congrats, and enjoy. Oh yeah, pics are required!

 

In the mid-late 70's (bit of a vague era for me) I was visiting a friend in Long Island. We went to a music store, think it was a Sam Ash, and they had a 'no-name' bass on the wall. It had a unique look, thought I'd give it a try. Quite a bit of wood and very well built plus sounded Great. The salesman said the finish was shoe-polish. But even though it would have no resale value, I bought it. My friend thought I was wack. Some unknown luthier named Carl Thompson.

 

All things being equal, if you would pay $1800 for a big name bass, why not pay $1800 for a no name bass ?

 

My ears can't see the name on the headstock.
I seriously doubt anyone else's ears can either.

 

You should of snapped a picture, sounds interesting

 

Gothic Bass MIJ....can't say I know of it of the top of my head...apart from Mayones or Gibson Gothic models (not MIJ of course)....
Well if it feels good, is well made, sounds good AND looks good to boot why the hell not?!! Can't wait to see the pics; open up the back when you do take pics, might be able to trace who's work it is...you never know All the best for Xmas and new year!

 

I bought a no name bass from a luthier and teacher here in San Antonio. I paid $2000 for it. It is and amazing bass. If milk chocolate made a sound when being poured it would be this bass. It has no resale value but I will never sale it. It is great having a bass that is a one of a kind

 

I play one worth that much -- I made it myself. It was back when short scale basses were hard to get with good quality. It's a fretless, 30" scale one, with all my own specs and colors and pickups. I love it. It fits me, and has a decent sound. No name on the headstock. Just my specs.

With rondomusic.com importing a lot of inexpensive short scale basses, it's not as big of a deal anymore, but it's still mine...I love it.

I think it was Pat Metheny who said it's not the brand that is important -- it's the way the instrument is set up and how it sounds to you. George Harrison said the same thing. He walked into a music store and found an el Cheapo guitar, played it, and it sounded great!

 

I'm really happy to see all of the above posts responding positively to the OP. I concur that the worth of anything, and in this case a bass - is what it is worth to you. The consumer marketplace sets artificial prices based on implied value/worth and most of the time everyone abides by that. On top of that, money is an abstract construct that everyone relates to differently. At the end of the day - you can't take it with you. Post pics when you can - and enjoy playing it once you receive it.

 

I am endorsed by a one-man-shop luthier (Karl Hoyt), and I consider his basses priceless, although I might be a little biased . Karl's work is magic, I am a very lucky man, but re-sale for small shop basses regardless of quality is not high. My main guitar is a one-man-shop telecaster made by Saguaro Guitars, and I'd put Mike's work up against any big builder's best. I seriously LOVE being able to support the smaller builders when they are starting out, my Saguaro is serial # 004. These two axes will hold up to be passed onto the next generation. People are paying thousands for late 70s Fender stuff, which by all accounts from the era if you lived through it, were mostly garbage. Ooooh, you have a 1980 P bass? Yeah, that counts as vintage, but they were green wood junk not worth half their original retail when they were sold new. Smoke, mirrors, and non-existent quality control, produced A LOT of really crappy instruments, but the name was all they needed to sell/hold value. How on earth is a bump-necked 11lb p bass a score? Think about it, why would anybody keep reselling a good one?

But I digress. To the OP, I have always firmly believed one does not play the decal, one plays the instrument stuck to the back of it.

 

Bigfatbass, a very good post sir, and you you nailed "it"..... I'm forced to play the ones stuck on the back of a decal and they're plenty good for this old man. I'll bet Mr. Hoyt's work is something to see and hear. I envy you mister. Nev375 made a very good point. Nobody's ears can see what's on the headstock, nobody's..... Enjoy that new bass Acoustic356 and I'm looking forward to those pictures.....

 

There is 'one thing' I will say in favor of 'boutique basses' -- if you are looking for some consistency you tend to find it there due to small run and high attention. I have a few Pedullas and just live them. They consistently feel and play good. My no-name is pretty good, but it's not one of the Pedullas in my hands.

That doesn't mean my Pedullas are not someone else's Lull's, Foderas, etc. just that when you find what works for you, be it 'brand name' or 'one off', you have truly found the best.

 

Check out Xylem basses.

http://www.xylembassguitar.com/bass-gallery.html

 

I bought a "no name" bass from back in 1992. I still have it and love it. It's seen many many gigs and countless hours of practice...



Whoda thunk it would turn out to be a "Name" bass 23 years later?