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Bass made just for me.
- Thread starter remainthesame
- Start date
- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,351
- 543
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
I once had a bass made for me "from scratch" (independent luthier who makes great instruments and built what I asked him to). I don't think I'll ever go that route again. I much prefer going to a luthier who already has a design I like and will allow me to choose the wood and maybe the pickup types. Otherwise there are just too many variables to take into consideration - and a bunch of things you probably won't even think of until your instrument is finished (oops).
OP, you're getting a lot of vastly different suggestions here, and I think it would help if you gave us some of the specifics you're looking for. Do you want a more traditional looking bass, or a more modern exotic one? Do you want a builder that uses their own pickup and preamp designs, or one that uses a tried-and-true brand you're familiar with?
I'm in a very similar situation right now. I've been carefully planning out the specs of my dream bass, down to the finest details. Once I get everything ironed out, I may ask TB for luthier suggestions (I'd prefer someone close by, so I can get a good feel for their work), but I'll make sure to let them know exactly what I'm looking for.
I'm in a very similar situation right now. I've been carefully planning out the specs of my dream bass, down to the finest details. Once I get everything ironed out, I may ask TB for luthier suggestions (I'd prefer someone close by, so I can get a good feel for their work), but I'll make sure to let them know exactly what I'm looking for.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Just food for thought....
Maybe more of a philosophical approach....
I think most folks who finally arrive at the idea - that they really want to experience and own their ultimate instrument - are those that have been around the horn. They have played and owned an unbelievable stable of instruments over the years.
For me - when playing off the rack "conventional" instruments - whether vintage, or rare or custom or whatever - it was always, wow, I really like this BUT.....
It was always the BUT that caused the problem. I really like this this this and this but THIS feature - really isn't comfortable or right for me.
This is what it is. You eventually realize, I love this body shape, this neck feel, this pickup BUT - so you try to find it - and eventually realize that you need to create it - because for whatever reason it doesn't exist for you.
I understand the infatuation with the Fenders, I have a number of them - and the infatuation with all the off the rack basses - they are great - incredible in some cases - but they make you come to them - and in some small way - they always come up short. You have to learn, understand and sometimes create work arounds - and appreciate their shortcomings, if any.
I have been lucky enough in my life to understand and wallow in the remarkable satisfaction of owning a number of instruments that were created from the ground up just for me and I am very grateful for this. Think of taking all the best features of every bass you ever played, and rolling them into one bass that fits you in every way, shape and detail.
Make it your own.
Do it.
Get rid of the BUT....
Maybe more of a philosophical approach....
I think most folks who finally arrive at the idea - that they really want to experience and own their ultimate instrument - are those that have been around the horn. They have played and owned an unbelievable stable of instruments over the years.
For me - when playing off the rack "conventional" instruments - whether vintage, or rare or custom or whatever - it was always, wow, I really like this BUT.....
It was always the BUT that caused the problem. I really like this this this and this but THIS feature - really isn't comfortable or right for me.
This is what it is. You eventually realize, I love this body shape, this neck feel, this pickup BUT - so you try to find it - and eventually realize that you need to create it - because for whatever reason it doesn't exist for you.
I understand the infatuation with the Fenders, I have a number of them - and the infatuation with all the off the rack basses - they are great - incredible in some cases - but they make you come to them - and in some small way - they always come up short. You have to learn, understand and sometimes create work arounds - and appreciate their shortcomings, if any.
I have been lucky enough in my life to understand and wallow in the remarkable satisfaction of owning a number of instruments that were created from the ground up just for me and I am very grateful for this. Think of taking all the best features of every bass you ever played, and rolling them into one bass that fits you in every way, shape and detail.
Make it your own.
Do it.
Get rid of the BUT....
This is exactly where I'm at. I know what specifications work for me by experiencing them on a multitude of production basses, but finding a bass with all of those specifications together has proven all but impossible.
being vague about going custom gets you a ton of suggestions/builders to sort through. if you list your criteria for your custom bass, it will better allow the TB community to weed out the builders that dont meet your criteria and narrow down the list, making picking the "right" builder for you an easier and much less daunting task.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Clement, Dingwall, Roscoe, and Valenti are all good bets.
I know Tom personally and have played many of the basses he's built before shipment to their owners. They are great quality instruments. I don't own one of my own yet, but I will someday.
My Dingwall is a terrific instrument, as well, and Sheldon and crew do a great job. It's not a custom, but it's still a fabulous instrument and I recommend them highly.
Nino Valenti is doing spectacular work. I played quite a few of his instruments last spring and absolutely consider having Nino to do a build for me. Good quality instruments with terrific sound.
So far though, my ultimate bass-spec experience has been with Roscoe Guitars. They don't direct sell, but they will work with you in conjunction with a dealer. For dealers, I'd strongly recommend Greg at Rocket Music, Glenn at Bass Specialties, or Mike/Grasshopper/Beaver at Bass Central, and Gard at Roscoe. It took us a few weeks and a lot of discussions, but Gard and Greg talked me through what feel I wanted, what look I wanted, and most importantly, what sound I wanted. They were patient and really explained stuff out in detail when I asked the same question more than once to be sure I understood what I was getting in for. In the end - I have an absolutely spectacular instrument that was more than built. It was crafted. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Roscoe shops and meet the team who built my baby, and after seeing them in their element, I can only say that this is a team of highly skilled craftsmen who understand music, the instruments, and the materials they're working with far more intimately that most of the population. They nailed the look. They nailed the feel. Above all else - they NAILED the sound I wanted.
I've had the Roscoe in hand since February, and while I don't do the fretlessness justice with my playing skill, she's had more hands on her than the first piece of bread in a loaf, and everyone who's played her has given a glowing report. I'd absolutely buy another Roscoe. The buying experience was the best I've ever had.
As sort of a side note, since I've met them in person and done some hanging out with them, I'd consider Tom Clement, Gard Lewis, Keith Roscoe (and the whole Roscoe crew) and Nino Valenti part of my family. They're great people who craft superb instruments. Same goes for Greg, Glenn, Mike, Grasshopper, and Beaver - all part of my family now based on my bass experiences with their businesses.
I know Tom personally and have played many of the basses he's built before shipment to their owners. They are great quality instruments. I don't own one of my own yet, but I will someday.
My Dingwall is a terrific instrument, as well, and Sheldon and crew do a great job. It's not a custom, but it's still a fabulous instrument and I recommend them highly.
Nino Valenti is doing spectacular work. I played quite a few of his instruments last spring and absolutely consider having Nino to do a build for me. Good quality instruments with terrific sound.
So far though, my ultimate bass-spec experience has been with Roscoe Guitars. They don't direct sell, but they will work with you in conjunction with a dealer. For dealers, I'd strongly recommend Greg at Rocket Music, Glenn at Bass Specialties, or Mike/Grasshopper/Beaver at Bass Central, and Gard at Roscoe. It took us a few weeks and a lot of discussions, but Gard and Greg talked me through what feel I wanted, what look I wanted, and most importantly, what sound I wanted. They were patient and really explained stuff out in detail when I asked the same question more than once to be sure I understood what I was getting in for. In the end - I have an absolutely spectacular instrument that was more than built. It was crafted. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Roscoe shops and meet the team who built my baby, and after seeing them in their element, I can only say that this is a team of highly skilled craftsmen who understand music, the instruments, and the materials they're working with far more intimately that most of the population. They nailed the look. They nailed the feel. Above all else - they NAILED the sound I wanted.
I've had the Roscoe in hand since February, and while I don't do the fretlessness justice with my playing skill, she's had more hands on her than the first piece of bread in a loaf, and everyone who's played her has given a glowing report. I'd absolutely buy another Roscoe. The buying experience was the best I've ever had.
As sort of a side note, since I've met them in person and done some hanging out with them, I'd consider Tom Clement, Gard Lewis, Keith Roscoe (and the whole Roscoe crew) and Nino Valenti part of my family. They're great people who craft superb instruments. Same goes for Greg, Glenn, Mike, Grasshopper, and Beaver - all part of my family now based on my bass experiences with their businesses.
Would highly recommend Pete Skjold of Skjold Design Guitars. His builds are top notch and aren't cookie cutter designs. I visited his shop in April and ordered a fretted bass and a fretless bass.We went over every detail and selected top woods and tone woods. We discussed electronics with an eye to my tone goals. I recently bought a third bass which is a special Catacomb model. Here's a picture.
Yeah what he said.
As a amateur part-time half-assLuthier I will not let the customer made every decision.If you want to micro manage put your own name on the headstock.
Anyway OP my advice to you would be find a luthier in your area,whose work you like,and talk about what would be right for you.
Carvin. You can design it online and place your order. Then sit back and wait. Everything from the wood to the pickups to the color is per your specs. The build quality is exceptional. The downside is low resale value.
Which is probably true for most custom instruments. The price of getting exactly what you want is that you get something that not everyone else would want.
Seems especially true with Carvin. I had a fretless 6 years back and was fortunate to sell it for almost what I paid. Very unusual.
That's why I think getting something a little more "mainstream" like a Roscoe where you can "customize" every part of the bass - body wood, neck wood, fingerboard, top wood, electronics from respected/popular Bartolini and Aguilar and Hipshot hardware. The "custom" bass you want but still very "sellable" if you choose.
