Affordable Custom Luthier?

jordanm · Dec 14, 2005

So it looks like I'm finaly ordering a custom bass sometime soon instead of buying used stuff. I've owned US Spectors, Warriors, Benaventes etc.. My favorite so far has been my benny 219-b. At any rate I was just curious for those out there who have ordered basses from affordable luthiers before, who I should be looking at for a top quality bass that doesnt cost more than my car. Looking for nice top, atleast 5 piece neck through, top quality dual coils and active pre, wood pu covers, maybe laminate fingerboard? basically someone who can give me all the bells and whistles for under $2500 and do a damn good job at it. I was looking at Dave Pushic, as I really like the scroll bass he makes, and he has good prices. Just curious if there are others out there I should be looking at that I might not have heard of, as I dont have the money to order a Fodera, Jerzy Drozd, Benavente etc.. with all the stuff I want. So if you have any leads please post a site for the luthier and bass pics if you have any. I really appreciate it!!

Snarf · Dec 14, 2005

Stambuagh (http://www.stambaughdesigns.com)

I'd steer clear of Pushic, horror stories abound.

MAJOR METAL · Dec 14, 2005

Michael Dolan does excellent work at an awesome price point from what i have heard http://www.dolanguitars.com/

bassteban · Dec 14, 2005

This(+strings, pickup, etc)is going to cost me(my wife, actually)$2650. Worth much more, IMO- & they hold their value better than some.

chrisp2u · Dec 14, 2005

Snarf said:

Stambuagh (http://www.stambaughdesigns.com)
Click to expand...

YUP.

Lokire · Dec 14, 2005

bassteban said:

This(+strings, pickup, etc)is going to cost me(my wife, actually)$2650. Worth much more, IMO- & they hold their value better than some.
Click to expand...

Whoa, I knew his prices were good but I would've guessed more for that beauty

Justice · Dec 14, 2005

http://www.lecomptebass.com

lamborghini98 · Dec 14, 2005

If youre looking at a bass under 2500, go with a Nordstrand! I was going to go with a Pushic, but turned around and bought a used Nordstand NJ4 Deluxe. Its really pure art. Theres nothing thats not ridiculously amazing about it, imo.

Either that, or you MIGHT want to check out Nino Valenti. He can't necessarily cover all of the bells and whistles youre looking for (I shouldnt say that, because I dont really know what he has access to), but man has he gotten great reviews here.

Hyper-Flexion · Dec 14, 2005

www.beebasses.com

i'm getting one made

JJBACOOMBA · Dec 14, 2005

Lecompte!! I just picked up my Lecompte VB5 Fretless and words cannot describe how amazed I am with the quality and the playability of it. Money very well spent and all for less than 2K. The craftsmanship is flawless. Bud Lecompte is a cool guy to work with. He has amazing ideas and does listen to any you may have.I am currnetly working on writting a review on the VB5 and Thinking about which of designs I want next. Good Luck!!

teacherguy · Dec 14, 2005

DON'T EVEN consider Pushic for a SECOND! Esp. since you have a budget of $2500!
I have one and am going to sell it soon. Mine's like a high school shop project that earned a C+.

Don't forget to check out http://www.barbermusic.com/
while you do your research!! SWEET basses at GREAT prices!

Jon

jay_t · Dec 14, 2005

Can't go wrong with his basses. I have fallen in love all over again with my bass. And that's on a weekly basis more or less.

Richard Lindsey · Dec 14, 2005

I've heard good things about all the bass makers mentioned above. I've had very good experiences with Jon Shuker, of Sheffield, England:

www.shukerguitars.co.uk

The exchange rate today isn't as good as it was when I bought mine, but his prices are still decent, and he's a great guy to work with.

A bad photo of one of my Shuker basses:

jordanm · Dec 14, 2005

Thanks for all the replies so far!! I mentioned Pushic because I wasnt sure about his reputation. Stambaugh was one I was considering as well, as well as Bee Bass though I'm not sure on their prices. Nordstrand as well looks a little pricey. The basses on Dolan guitars website look very nice, but I havent heard much more about them. LeCompte doesnt look like they have even made a neck through bass as I dont see any in their gallery, though they look like really cool basses. Valenti only seems to make J basses (I like more interesing but still "tasteful" bass shapes, actually thinking maybe a weird single cut away?). I will definatley be checking out Barber and Shuker more as well. Thanks so much again for all the great replies, just giving a little feedback so you can see more of what I'm looking for You guys rock!

Phil Mastro · Dec 14, 2005

I'll post all the regulars...

-Marchlewski
-Nordstrand
-Stambaugh
-Kinal
-Lecompte
-JP
-Cliff Borwell
...

that's what i can think of now...

edit: Benavente and Hanewinckel too!

Geoff St. Germaine · Dec 14, 2005

bassteban said:

This(+strings, pickup, etc)is going to cost me(my wife, actually)$2650. Worth much more, IMO- & they hold their value better than some.
Click to expand...

Wwwwwwwhat!?!?

That's an amazing price. Every piece I've seen from Stambaugh looked like it was of outstanding quality.

Justice · Dec 14, 2005

jordanm said:

LeCompte doesnt look like they have even made a neck through bass as I dont see any in their gallery, though they look like really cool basses.
Click to expand...

I don't think Bud has any plans for neck through, but his set neck basses are awsome (bolt ons are as well )

MaskedJackal · Dec 14, 2005

SCOTT FREAKIN' HEMBRY!

It's not boutique, but he's just getting off his feet, and it's good stuff- see pklima's lefty doubleneck.

www.hembryguitars.com

west*coast*bass · Dec 14, 2005

jordanm said:

So it looks like I'm finaly ordering a custom bass sometime soon instead of buying used stuff. I've owned US Spectors, Warriors, Benaventes etc.. My favorite so far has been my benny 219-b. At any rate I was just curious for those out there who have ordered basses from affordable luthiers before, who I should be looking at for a top quality bass that doesnt cost more than my car. Looking for nice top, atleast 5 piece neck through, top quality dual coils and active pre, wood pu covers, maybe laminate fingerboard? basically someone who can give me all the bells and whistles for under $2500 and do a damn good job at it. I was looking at Dave Pushic, as I really like the scroll bass he makes, and he has good prices. Just curious if there are others out there I should be looking at that I might not have heard of, as I dont have the money to order a Fodera, Jerzy Drozd, Benavente etc.. with all the stuff I want. So if you have any leads please post a site for the luthier and bass pics if you have any. I really appreciate it!!
Click to expand...

Mark Garza of Garz Guitars is one hell of a builder and a nice guy. www.garzguitars.com

bassteban · Dec 15, 2005

jay_t said:

Can't go wrong with his basses. I have fallen in love all over again with my bass. And that's on a weekly basis more or less.

Click to expand...

That's the source for my electronics package- notice the dual outputs.

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