A question for those of you that have boutique basses

[KenSmithFan]

One of the reason I listed what I was looking at, the OG's, is to give some perspective on what I was looking at.
I am 100% open to lesser-known builders, especially is the price-point is a little easier to digest.

They are cheaper, but a lesser known, or unknown maker will have little resale value. Most people don't go into it with the intention of selling, but it's something to consider. I have three guitars made by a practically unknown maker and I'd be luck to get 25% of what I paid for them, but I knew that going in and am OK with it.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

I am just wondering, for those of you that have boutique basses, how did you arrive at your decision?
Did you have a few favorites, and did you have the opportunity to try each one in-person before deciding?
What was the deciding factor?

I am thinking seriously about getting in line for a build (many have 24 month wait lists) but there is nowhere locally I can try any of them.

My ideal bass sound would be a cross between a jazz bass and a Ken Smith.
At the moment, I am eyeballing an F-Bass DN Deluxe.

Others I have been looking at:

Ken Smith - Killer sound but maybe a little too far from a jazz bass for me. Some say it isn't the most comfortable thing to play, and not overly versatile.
Fodera - Sounds great, but I feel it needs a little more balls. Maybe that is not the case, but it seems a little thin at times in the videos I have watched. Craftsmanship is high, but so if the price. Quite versatile.
Mattisson - Looks great, but the prices are in the same ballpark as a Fodera. I think that is unrealistic to be honest. Can't see anyone choosing one over a Fodera.
Adamovic - Looks good and it sounds like it has good ergonomics. Haven't seen many videos to offer up a good idea of what they sound like.


I play while sitting, in classical position like Hadrien Feraud, so it would need to comfortable for that.

I would love to hear other people's journeys in finding that grail? bass.

I went with a boutique custom because my desired feature set didn't exist in an off the shelf instrument.

I think a lot of folks go boutique to get top tier woods, construction and playability.

Me, I just wanted an instrument that had a weirdly specific set of features. That helped narrow it down to a few builders who would do it.

Good luck on your mission!

 

[rockdoc11]

I am just wondering, for those of you that have boutique basses, how did you arrive at your decision?
Did you have a few favorites, and did you have the opportunity to try each one in-person before deciding?
What was the deciding factor?

I've been playing bass since the late 1960s. Over the years I moved through the usual assortment of Fender Precisions and Jazzes, Ibanez basses, and so on. But none of them ever seemed to be "The One."

In the early 1990s I came across Pedulla MVP ads, and was intrigued. I was unlikely to ever see one in my small city. But I finally got to try one while at the San Diego Guitar Center while on a business trip there, but it wasn't set up very well. Still . . .

And then one day a couple of months later I was visiting my local Mom and Pop music store, where I was friends with the owner. He asked me what my dream bass was, and I said a Pedulla MVP. He thought for a moment, then told me that recently Pedulla had contacted him about being a dealer. I asked him how many he had to order to be a dealer. He smiled and said: "One."

I had bought a lot of gear over the years at his place, and he gave me an incredible deal on a new MVP, equipped just as I wanted. It was a ton of money, but I wanted a lifelong bass.

When it finally arrived, I opened the case, gasped, took it out, and started to play it. You know that scene in the movies where a man and a woman chat for a few minutes, and there is an undeniable immediate powerful connection. That was me and the MVP. I couldn't put it down.

In fact, within a few months I thought: "What would I do if I didn't have this bass?" I got so concerned that I actually bought a second Pedulla MVP (used) as a back up.

Now 30 years later, I'm as much in love with this bass as I was that first day. I think the main thing I most appreciate about it is that it feels to me like no corners were cut. Everything that could be done to make it the best bass it could be was done.

Good luck in your search!

 

[red_rhino]

In my case, I was researching custom builds back in the very early 90’s, considering an Alembic. I lived a couple of hours south of them, so I arranged a visit to the factory and played a bunch of basses. As beautiful as they were, nothing clicked for me, so I kept researching. A local store had a handful of Tobias 5 strings, so I played on and knew that it was right for me, except that I wanted a 4, and different woods. So a custom build was in order. I still have it (see my avatar).

My Ken Smith and Fodera were bought without playing them first. My Sadowsky and F Bass I was able to get my hands on first. I have 2 Roscoes and I was able to play one of them before buying.

Ultimately, Tobias led me to MTD (of which I have owned many), and Roscoe and others. But the key thing is I was able to play them first.

My Ken Smith had a very comfortable neck and that unique Smith sound.

I love the Smith sound, but I’ve never felt really comfortable with the neck myself. But this is an excellent example of why you should at least play something from the builder before commissioning a build. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t.

My main recommendation to anyone looking for a high end bass is to make sure you're comfortable playing it, especially regarding the neck.

Truth.

I recently picked up a used Stambaugh 4-string here on TB. Never played one before and I’m surprised at how much I like it and how well it works for me. Based on the experience, I would definitely consider a custom build if I was so inclined.

 

[Manticore]

I had read about Alembic basses, and heard a number if them on recordings. I knew I liked what I heard, but they simply didn't exist in stores. I went to a small seminar hosted by Tim Bogart. Tim had brought an Alembic to this gathering, which was actually quite small. He was very open to questions and interaction with this small group. I brashly asked if I could play his bass. He paused for a moment, and said "sure, but please keep in mind this is over $1,000." (It was a long time ago.) I was hooked. It was like the bass had been custom made for me. I bought my first one in 1992. It has been my No. 1 since, but I've purchased several more to try different electronics, body styles, etc. Most have been moved on since. I've settled on the three I currently own. They are all Elans. Although I like and appreciate the series electronics, I've settled on the Europa electronics for my purposes. These are interesting basses. I freely let anyone asking play my basses...Mr. Bogart did that for me, so I do it for others. What I've noticed is folks either bond with them immediately or not at all. Kinda interesting.

 

[Matt Power]

If you want a bass that can do the Smith sound, and is crazy comfortable, light, well balanced, and customizable beyond your wildest imagination, you should seriously consider Shawn May, if you can get him to build you a bass.

Another safe bet is Cliff Bordwell. Never a miss, especially when you talk to Cliff about what your needs are. Plus, both of these men have long records of great instruments and great business practices. Roscoe as well.

Besides the great woods, a lot of the Ken Smith sound is a custom Kent Armstrong (Vermont) in parallel through a Haz-Lab, but a Trickfish pre can get you very much in the same zone, IMO.

 

[JimmyM]

I got my two because it was a local company that would make everything but the shape to my specs, including skipping the fancy woods to bring the price down. That was about 30 years ago and I now use FSO’s for everything.

 

[Snarf]

My first boutique was a used Roscoe SKB3005. Owned it for about 3 years before selling it due to the 35" scale.

Commissioned a custom 5 string from Chris Stambaugh. Great instrument, sounded excellent on its own, but fell short in group contexts. Had the Fodera pickup/preamp package in it. Big learning experience. Those electronics and wood combos are not for me.

Have another used Roscoe right now, an LG3005. Again, great instrument, but this experience was the nail in the coffin for 35" scale basses for me. I cannot comfortably play them. Have owned this one for about 3-4 years.

Now my main bass is an American Pro II Precision 5. Plays great, and it will sound great once I get rid of the stock pickup. Would prefer to play my 2001 MIM P for all gigs (best bass ever), but I absolutely need 5 strings in most cases. I have a Carvin SB5001 for whenever I need a jazz bass.

Right around the $2000 price point, I think you enter diminishing returns territory. What you really need from an electric bass is good fretwork, decent wood, and good pickups/hardware. That can all be had for $2000 or less. After that, you're paying for name recognition and bragging rights. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Obviously there's a market for it. But I found it a little funny this one time when I went into NYC for a jam session hosted by a friend of mine, and another friend was the featured artist. The bass player was playing an instrument that cost as much as I made in a year when I first got my start in the city. I just can't see how there can be a favorable return on investment with a purchase like that.

 

[turcmic]

I was lucky (and financially able) to own a couple of boutique basses. I had one built, a headless 5 string, from Lutherie MF in Montreal based on my specs that was my main bass for almost 10 years. Sold it a bought another one from them, a 6 string. I sold it and bought a new Sadowsky Metro unseen. The reviews were solid and the bass didn’t disappoint. Was my main bass for 15 years. I wanted to go full P bass, sold the Sadowsky and bought a 4 string Fodera unseen from a TB seller. Again, didn’t disappoint but I missed the 5th string. I fell in love with a Serek that I also bought unseen from a guy in NYC and sold the Fodera. It’s now my main bass.

My point is if you have the means, make the jump. There are numerous videos on YT where you can see and hear the boutique instruments. There are infinite threads here where you can benefit from the experience of fellow bassists. QC is usually way above standard instruments. I live in a variable climate (very dry during winter because it’s very cold and snowy outside, hot and humid in the summertime) and I didn’t have to mess with the trussrod once (unless I wanted to change the action). Am I a better musician because I have a boutique bass? Nope. But I can’t blame the instrument lol

Note that you have to evaluate if the cost of the instrument will offset the revenues. The most expensive bass I bought cost me 3200 USD so I’m in the green zone even if I don’t gig that much. I couldn’t justify a 10k$ instrument, especially considering that I have to have a couple of other basses for different duties (P bass and Ric for rock gigs, acoustic basses and URB for acoustic gigs, etc).

 

[monsterthompson]

I've been through a few F Basses in recent years. Nothing I couldn’t afford, but definitely a few “risky” purchases. My first “gamble” was a used F Bass on Reverb. I couldn’t try it, but the price was fair and since it was used I could flip it for roughly what I paid. Based on my experience with the fretless, I opted for a fretted and had to decide on Standard vs Deluxe. I found a Standard at a shop a couple hours away which I drove to, and I found a great video demo of the Deluxe. I ultimately went with the Deluxe which I was very pleased with. However, the bug for a Standard was under my skin and I considered placing an order. While I was considering the 24 month wait time and available options, and the cost, I stumbled upon a Standard online that knocked my socks off. I was able to get a sale price at the shop I had driven to before, and they had a return policy, so I got it.

I have no doubt there’s probably a VF in my future. Not sure when, and I definitely don’t need one, but I clearly have a habit.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It depends on how you define boutique. Boutique is often used synonymously with custom.

I once had a bass teacher say that people often asked him why he didn't get a custom bass and his response was because his basses already did everything he needed them to (he had a modded vintage P bass - the mod being an added J bridge pickup, and a Stingray 5, plus an upright). And he was right! If you can get everything you need from a shelf model production bass, there really is no need to go the custom/boutique route.

I arrived at boutique by owning and playing a lot of different basses. The more you play, the more you know what you like and don't like. Once you identify that, then you can look for what you want. Other than that, it might just be the 'cool' factor and aesthetics. There's nothing wrong with that either; play what makes you happy!

My main basses for the last 20 years have been Dingwall and (more recently) Sandberg (with a nice Lull in there too).

I played a Dingwall and once I did, I couldn't get my mind off of it. 5 Dingwalls later and I was hooked. (I am down to three, maybe 2 soon).

The Sandberg (VM5) - I had seen a lot of reviews, watched a lot of videos and by the specs, I knew it would likely be a good bass for me. I managed to buy one from Europe at a good price and I wasn't disappointed. That led me to custom order a second, but with a slightly different setup.

 

[Hundred proof]

I kinda had to go a one of custom build … after seeing the Cream reunion with Jack Bruce playing that early Gibson EB style bass I knew what I wanted. A modern interpretation of that style bass, my specs included a 34" scale jazz taper neck, mahogany body with a wenge neck. It's been an adventure but it's sorted out now. Dust settled it's my only bass currently.

 

[factorplayer]

I've been playing bass since the late 1960s. Over the years I moved through the usual assortment of Fender Precisions and Jazzes, Ibanez basses, and so on. But none of them ever seemed to be "The One."

In the early 1990s I came across Pedulla MVP ads, and was intrigued. I was unlikely to ever see one in my small city. But I finally got to try one while at the San Diego Guitar Center while on a business trip there, but it wasn't set up very well. Still . . .

And then one day a couple of months later I was visiting my local Mom and Pop music store, where I was friends with the owner. He asked me what my dream bass was, and I said a Pedulla MVP. He thought for a moment, then told me that recently Pedulla had contacted him about being a dealer. I asked him how many he had to order to be a dealer. He smiled and said: "One."

I had bought a lot of gear over the years at his place, and he gave me an incredible deal on a new MVP, equipped just as I wanted. It was a ton of money, but I wanted a lifelong bass.

When it finally arrived, I opened the case, gasped, took it out, and started to play it. You know that scene in the movies where a man and a woman chat for a few minutes, and there is an undeniable immediate powerful connection. That was me and the MVP. I couldn't put it down.

In fact, within a few months I thought: "What would I do if I didn't have this bass?" I got so concerned that I actually bought a second Pedulla MVP (used) as a back up.

Now 30 years later, I'm as much in love with this bass as I was that first day. I think the main thing I most appreciate about it is that it feels to me like no corners were cut. Everything that could be done to make it the best bass it could be was done.

Good luck in your search!

I remember the few times I tried out an MVP and that bass definitely had "it".

 

[crucislancer]

For me, I never thought I would pay more than $2000 for a bass, but one caught my eye on Reverb, I did a ton of research, listened to players that use that bass and saw demos on YT. I pulled the trigger and I'm very happy with it. A '98 Mike Lull M5. It was a expensive, but worth it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I would love to hear other people's journeys in finding that grail? bass.

My "alpha" experience with boutique builds was with a custom order of a non-boutique. Back in my 80s metal days I played a Jackson Concert Bass in a music store. I loved the bass but not the color, so I custom-ordered one. I was nervous but it turned out fine, which removed much of my apprehension toward custom orders (and that eventually included online ordering, either new or used).

My first true boutique order was the Sadowsky NYC P5 in my avatar. I had played a friend's Sadowsky 4 string and loved it. The 5 string specs were to my preference so I took a chance on the P5, and that bass is still tops for me. I then purchased two more Sadowsky NYCs, also great.

My first boutique order where I had no first-person experience with the model in question was with Darrin Huff.... yes, that guy. Over 20 years later I got a 33% refund of my down payment... I offer no opinion on whether I think I'll get the rest.

The Huff experience has been unpleasant to say the least, but it didn't deterred me from buying from other smaller boutique shops -- however I made sure to order from builders who had a well-established track record. These include Nordstrand, Zon, Martin Keith (twice). I've been unconditionally thrilled with all basses, and build times for all were reasonable: 1 year or less.

Two sister basses bought from a different small boutique shop were... let's say four stars out of five because I had to have a tech mod them to correct some minor issues. I won't name the builder because these custom orders were far less expensive than those mentioned above, both arrived within 6 months, and after the corrections the basses are what I hoped they would be.

To sum up: with one notable exception, my experiences have been very good to superb.



Context: I know the specs I want in a bass, and only order from those who can provide it. For me, it's five string, 1-7/8" nut width, 19-20mm bridge spacing, moderate to chunky neck profile. For balance I need an upper horn (or single cut) that comes close to the 12th fret. Weight: 9 pounds, give or take a bit. Obviously these are MY specs; point is, it can be helpful to know your own preferences... unless you're lucky enough not to have any!

 

[JRA]

I would love to hear other people's journeys in finding that grail? bass.

my journey:
- i thought it was a 'necessary thing' to own and play custom axes after lots of off-the-rack instruments.
- i learned (more accurately: i accepted) that i really only care about the necks on the things!
- i found that the chinese make necks that i can appreciate, so
- i stopped with the custom/boutique stuff and started assembling my own EBs.

@micguy makes some excellent points in his post (#10).

knowing what you really need is a lot different than knowing what you really want, and taking the time and making the effort to be honest with yourself about the differences between the two ideas can make all of the difference...and accepting that those two ideas can change over time...

good luck with your "grail bass!"

 

[el murdoque]

One rather expensive lesson one can learn when going full custom is this:

What you think you want/need and what you actually want/need are, more often than not, not the same.





That said, my current #1 has a little less string spacing than I like; The neck profile is a little rounder than I prefer; The pickup configuration is not my first choice either.

Yet, I can play faster, more precise and with less fatigue on that neck than I can on any other bass I ever tried in my entire life.

 

[LanEvo]

I’ve owned a bunch over the years. Curbow, Leduc, Linc Luthier, Carl Thompson, in addition to some of the more common makes. They all do (or did) something special.

Just be careful when ordering a custom bass. You can never really know how it’s going to sound and feel until it’s done. It’s less risky to buy one off-the-shelf so you can be sure of what you’re getting.

 

[chris_b]

I'd hate to order a bass, wait 2 years and then not like it!!

The best basses I've owned were a Lakland 55-94, 2 x Wal 5 strings, a Mike Lull PJ5 and a Sadowsky Jazz, all fantastic instruments made by talented people at the peak of their craft. I've also played basses by the same people that I didn't get on with, so my advice is to buy used and try them before putting your money down.

 

[Watchootognbout]

When I first picked up the bass,I had an eye to Stanley Clarke's fine Alembic basses.
I wanted dark natural woods.Gold hardware.
I didn't want a Fender or anything imitating a Fender.
No paint,pickguard or chrome.
Or "old school" styling.

But My budget was not Alembic oriented
So I had to basically settle for less.

Until 2007.
When I bought My first Tune TWB63.
Bass makers were starting to branch out in terms of making more natural finished basses.
So nowadays that's all I buy.

So while I have a "boutique"eye,I don't necessarily pay "boutique"bucks.
The AIO 6W bass on the far left was $780.00 bought new.
The EHB was $1980.00 bought new.
The fretted TWB was $1181.00 used.
The fretless TWB was $560.00 used.