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I think it had better be worth $3000 or Mr Ramsey won't be in business long. If he is a reputable guy then I'd expect he'll have taken that into account.
Are there stock parts for 10 string basses? I would expect that these items are not sitting on a shelf waiting for the phone to ring, so custom orders will cost more. This bass is less than some production line basses made in the same general area so $3000 might easily be a good price.
Most boutique and exotic basses use generic components. Very few luthiers actually build their own custom hardware. If they do...they get ABM to make them for them under license.
I just had a look at the website and I see Delano pickups, ETS Bridges....
What's the problem with them?
You can find these stuff on several high end basses. I
This bass doesn't come with Delanos though, it comes with the Korean stock pups.
In terms of it being an ETS bridge, I don't think it is, again, I think it's generic monorail single bridge pieces.
Is there any way you could figure out the guys who will be working on your instrument ?
I mean if it's Moollon 3K is totally worth it.
If it's Swing, as much as I love those guys, their instruments are not worth that much money.
I've owned numerous Korean basses, having lived there over 10 years. They were all excellent and very reasonnably priced.
If you could find the name of the maker of the instrument I am sure I can find some info on them.
I mean if it's Moollon 3K is totally worth it.
If it's Swing, as much as I love those guys, their instruments are not worth that much money.
I've owned numerous Korean basses, having lived there over 10 years. They were all excellent and very reasonnably priced.
If you could find the name of the maker of the instrument I am sure I can find some info on them.
It's definitely WMI, no idea who'll be making it, but it'll definitely be a small team of luthiers with special knowledge on these huge basses.
Why does it matter where it's made?
I think Koreans should be paid properly ,just like workers elsewhere.
Hardware/parts may well be excellent, as goes for workmanship.
Have you tried these basses?
3000 USD may not be cheap , but it's not Gbp.
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I also wish they were paid well. Whilst us Westerners may all benefit from cheap foreign labour, it's so sad to think that it's due to exploitation. But SK does seem to pay fairly well.
I've found out that the stock pickups are, unfortunately, pretty bad. The bridge is fine though.
I also saw a locking socket on one...I've had one work perfectly for 20 years or so.
Have a look around and see how many people replace the pickups on their instruments...
Also- can you contact the builder and ask for specific pickups to be put in?
Have you tried this?
- Oct 18, 2012
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
I've never understood why people are so concerned with Asian made instruments and amplifiers. Most of ow cell phones, computers, televisions and so on, all of which are made in Asia. Not only do we not have a problem paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for these products, we look for specific Asian made brands so we do we have such a hard time accepting Asian made instruments. The U.S. and Europe have not cornered the market on high quality craftsmanship. In fact, Asian craftsman ship is in many cases much better. I recently purchased a Korean made Spector Legend 5 neck-thru. (In the interest of full disclosure, I do have an artist deal with them) I had to wait about 6 weeks for the bass to be made and shipped. It is one of the nicest basses I have ever played. The neck is comfortable and the bass came with Aguilar pickups and preamp. I actually like it better than my Alembic basses.
Research the company and pay particular attention to online customer reviews. If you can't find much information, you should probably not take a chance but if there are a lot of positive reviews there is no reason to order the bass.
Research the company and pay particular attention to online customer reviews. If you can't find much information, you should probably not take a chance but if there are a lot of positive reviews there is no reason to order the bass.
I've played a lot of higher end production guitars from WMI. They can be quite good. I'm definitely not convinced they are capable of producing something worth $3k though.
As far as contracting with WMI yourself, that isn't possible as far as I'm aware. They have a minimum number of orders necessary. The astronomical price tag of the bass is likely due to them being a one-off. The bass would probably be $900-1500 if it were a production model from WMI.
As far as contracting with WMI yourself, that isn't possible as far as I'm aware. They have a minimum number of orders necessary. The astronomical price tag of the bass is likely due to them being a one-off. The bass would probably be $900-1500 if it were a production model from WMI.
If a bunch of TB members get one and love 'em, I'll gladly try them out some day. Until then, that's a lot of $ for an unknown.
I'd assume that most of us started on Asian instruments, some of which weren't that good. Most of this was due to modest components and rapid fire construction. I'm sure quality components, excellent CNC, and some talented hands can make something good.
