"48th Street Custom Guitars" Club

[BlountEdge]

Hi All,

I've seen a few threads on the origin, history and ESP lineage of the "48th St. Custom Guitars" basses. However, I could not find any evidence of a thread that simply celebrates the existence of these fine instruments.

Well, here it is! The Official "48th St. Custom Guitars" Club.

For membership, please post pics of your "48th St. Custom Guitars" bass or any bass that was either built by, assembled by, purchased from or significantly modified by the 48th St. Custom Guitars shop, formerly located at 170 W. 48th Street in NYC.

Considering the presumed limited quantity of these basses, I don't expect there to be huge activity in this thrread, but my goal is to show all examples that exist within the Talk Bass community.

If you'd like a membership number, please request one with your post.

I'll start with #1:

 

[BlountEdge]

Wow! I expected things to be a bit slow in this thread, but .....where is everybody?

Where are the 48th St Custom Guitars owners?

 

[Bluesbob]

I bought some SD Antiquity pickups there about 12 years ago.
Also a pickguard and one of those "smoky" amps.

 

[BlountEdge]

For membership, please post pics of your "48th St. Custom Guitars" bass or any bass that was either built by, assembled by, purchased from or significantly modified by the 48th St. Custom Guitars shop, formerly located at 170 W. 48th Street in NYC.

Hi Bluesbob,

Well, your purchase doesn't exactly meet the above conditions, but we'll certainly give you an honorable mention!

At this point, I'm just glad that someone responded. Thanks!

 

[Zal Atlantic]

Hi.
I used to drop in ever so often when I was on the block with all the other stores whose demise is a bit upsetting

We Buy Guitars, Terminal, Manny's, Gracin's, etc...
Can I get an email address as I have a bass online that I'm trying to ascertain what it's worth...one of your creations.

All the best,

Zal

 

[pjmuck]

I bought my lefty '77 Jazz from them years ago ('98?), but I've since sold it:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Hoover]

I used to own a Peavey Unity in unfinished Koa that I took to 48th Street Custom Guitars to have defretted. They did a phenomenal job; that bass had the lowest action of any bass I've ever played in my entire life, but without any buzzing or choking. I almost kick myself for selling that axe.

Almost.

 

[CannyBusDriver]

cool bass

 

[Tone Doctor]

Check out this 48th St Custom Monster I play:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The pickups look like Barden J-bass pickups but I think this bass was made before Barden even released those pickups... any one got info?

Quartersawn maple neck with narrow 5-string spacing. 2 piece body that I believe is Mahogany. 3x Volume Controls. Super Deep FAT sound.

 

[BlountEdge]

Check out this 48th St Custom Monster I play:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The pickups look like Barden J-bass pickups but I think this bass was made before Barden even released those pickups... any one got info?

Quartersawn maple neck with narrow 5-string spacing. 2 piece body that I believe is Mahogany. 3x Volume Controls. Super Deep FAT sound.

Wow. Nice bass. I have no info about the pickups. Have you tried to reach Barden, just to verify?

 

[Rob Infinite]

I have a 48th st custom. As soon as I can get some photo's uploaded, I will post.

 

[BlountEdge]

I have a 48th st custom. As soon as I can get soe photo's uploaded, I will post.

Cool, Rob. We look forward to seeing it.

 

[Rob Infinite]

Will try to post today.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Can I get half a membership? I've got a 48th Street Custom neck with an ebony fingerboard I had custom made around 1990. Best neck I've ever played

 

[Rob Infinite]

Let's give this a try.

EB Musicman Stingray; Bass Collection SGC Nanyo; 48th St. Custom Jazz.

And, yes, I'd like a membership number.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Let's give this a try.

EB Musicman Stingray; Bass Collection SGC Nanyo; 48th St. Custom Jazz.

And, yes, I'd like a membership number.

Nice, what year is it?

 

[Rob Infinite]

Not positive. I've owned it about 10 years, I believe it was at least 4 years old at that point.

 

[BlountEdge]

I apologize for the delay in posting these, but here are membership numbers to date:

#1 - Blountedge
#2 - Tone Doctor
#3 - Rob Infinite
#4 - Duuuuuuuuuude

Please let me know if I have missed anyone.

 

[Bass1964]

I have one...it's a 4st red plays like a dream I'll post pics soon looks vintage

 

[kjpollo]

I USED to have a 3TS Jazz, but I sold it to help fund my Clement custom a few years back.
I remember the trip into NYC when I bought it. I was going to visit Sadowsky for hoots n giggles, but they were closed the day I was in town. So I went over to 48th St and wandered into their place and ended up buying the Jazz for no apparent reason. I had no intentions of buying a bass that day, but I did.
I still have some pics on my computer at home, I'll post them later if I remember. But really, you know what it looked like, 3TS Jazz with a tort guard and all maple neck IIRC.

Kinda wish I had it back but it wasnt overly remarkable, just a good, solid, well made Jazz bass. I think I spent about $375-400 on it. Again IIRC.