• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

attn: custom bass owners

beebassdude

beebassdude

Supporting Member
Sep 29, 2008
4,735
700
43
Ashburn, VA
www.facebook.com
#1
i keep seeing people talking about playing their ibanez basses and their musicman sterlings or any other stock bass, and i just cant imagine ever going back to a stock bass after owning a custom.

i have a 6 string queen bee and trying to go from that to something on a stand at guitar center is like going from driving a ferrari to a honda accord.

do any of you guys suffer from this? i still have a MIM jazz bass that ive got modded out a little, but i only use that for playing metal which isnt something id use my bee for. but i just couldnt imagine ever buying a stock bass again after playing my custom and playing on numerous other customs.
 
#3
beebassdude said:
i keep seeing people talking about playing their ibanez basses and their musicman sterlings or any other stock bass, and i just cant imagine ever going back to a stock bass after owning a custom.

i have a 6 string queen bee and trying to go from that to something on a stand at guitar center is like going from driving a ferrari to a honda accord.

do any of you guys suffer from this? i still have a MIM jazz bass that ive got modded out a little, but i only use that for playing metal which isnt something id use my bee for. but i just couldnt imagine ever buying a stock bass again after playing my custom and playing on numerous other customs.
Click to expand...


Congratulations... apparently you win.

I'm fine playing whatever I have access to. In fact, I find it rather challenging.
 
#8
beebassdude said:
i keep seeing people talking about playing their ibanez basses and their musicman sterlings or any other stock bass, and i just cant imagine ever going back to a stock bass after owning a custom.

i have a 6 string queen bee and trying to go from that to something on a stand at guitar center is like going from driving a ferrari to a honda accord.

do any of you guys suffer from this? i still have a MIM jazz bass that ive got modded out a little, but i only use that for playing metal which isnt something id use my bee for. but i just couldnt imagine ever buying a stock bass again after playing my custom and playing on numerous other customs.
Click to expand...

I can identify with this, although this was more or less started with my Peavey Cirrus and Millennium basses. :confused: Light, comfortable, and low action!

I know it gets us boutique players labeled as snobs, but my luthiers have certainly earned their keep! Although, part of why I own boutique is because what I want isn't usually a production instrument. If you can find me an unlined fretless 6er under 10lbs with a piezo bridge, magnetic pickups, and an awesome pre-amp for under $1k, lemme know. ;)
 
#9
I've been through the custom bass route, but in the end, for me, nothing beats a P Bass, T Bass, or a J Bass for what I do (though I've been known to use a T-Bird sometimes as well).

Point is, find what works for "you", but don't expect that to work for "everyone else". Every player is different. That's what makes the world go 'round. :D

PS - Got pics of that Queen Bee handy ? :)
 
#10
any "good" bass should be good enough for you.

every once in a while i bring my MIM jazz bass (as opposed to a $3600 custom 6 string) to gigs, just to keep myself in line, and that way youll always appreciate that you own such a fine instrument.
 
#13
Dark Horse said:
I've been through the custom bass route, but in the end, for me, nothing beats a P Bass, T Bass, or a J Bass for what I do (though I've been known to use a T-Bird sometimes as well).

Point is, find what works for "you", but don't expect that to work for "everyone else". Every player is different. That's what makes the world go 'round. :D

PS - Got pics of that Queen Bee handy ? :)
Click to expand...


beebass004.jpg
 
#14
If it's a good bass (by my own personal standards) then I enjoy playing it, regardless of the brand or price point. I don't own any basses that I don't greatly enjoy playing, and my basses range in price from $300 to $5K.

I have custom basses for reasons similar to what spade2you stated .... I can't find a production bass with the specs I want. But that doesn't mean I can't find a good axe for certain playing situations that originated on a production line .... ;)
 
#15
beebassdude said:
do any of you guys suffer from this?
Click to expand...
Yes. Nobody makes what I want so I've now had about 8 basses custom built. Sure, I'll play a Squier /whatever if need be, but I'm only comfortable on a bass with my specs. In fact I'm getting ready to build another J style 5 with my new custom Stambaugh neck I just received....1.6" @ the nut and 2.65" at the 20th fret.
 
#16
beebassdude said:
"whatever you have access to"? youd feel awesome if you were stuck playing a p squire with the action high enough to have a campout under? cmon dude.
Click to expand...

Thats what I play with. Tho, it ain't a Squier it's a Ministar. it got 10-15mm action at the 24th fret. Do I play it, yeah. Di I gigged with it. Yeah. Does people think that it sounded horrible, hell no. I'd rather gig the hell out of a 200$ bass than having a custom. Why? Because when i smash my bass against a wall because i don't pay attention, I don't even react. (gimme a less than a grand bass and i'll gig the hell out of it, gimme a 2 grand bass, I don't even think I would want to gig it.)

Thats what I had to said. But, I am just a noob.
 
#17
I typically play any of my MM Sterlings at most gigs. But I'll get out the Ibanez 3006,or one of my custom MPG Levels 5's when the mood hit's me. No problem going from one to the other. Just whatever you feel like playing that day.
 
#18
ok listen:

Snobs because we play boutique basses? Snobs because we play something that someone put "pride" into building? Opposed to bulk manufactured pieces that are identical to every other one? Those who build custom basses do it because they have a passion for it. To be the best. Trust me, its not for the paycheck. as for "playing what i got" theory. Sure, if it was the only bass in the world, i would play it, but I can listen to Pete Wentz play or.......Victor Wooten. Get my drift? Now im not saying you shouldnt play bass unless there is one worth 3k sitting around. I enjoy my $150 tradition 5 string, i play 3 times a week at one of my rehearsals but there is no comparison to my Ken Smith. However, there are those basses that are inexpensive that play like a dream but they are few and far between. I also dont believe in not playing a bass because its too expensive. If you have a bass that sits in the case, YOU SUCK.....
 
#19
beebassdude said:
"whatever you have access to"? youd feel awesome if you were stuck playing a p squire with the action high enough to have a campout under? cmon dude.
Click to expand...

I play everything in my signature - from a $100 eBay purchase to quite a bit more than that. Variety is the spice.......and it's a challenge too.

Of course a badly set-up boutique bass can be crap too! Action/Set-up is not usually a function of price these days! I should add that I've been impressed with any recent Squire I've played and I may well add a Squire VM fretless to my basses soon!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back