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Best Build Quality in your opinion

#81
+1 to excluding boutique basses as they are all phenomenal and priced accordingly. Personal preference would go to Alembic as the cream of the crop... insane attention to detail.

The more interesting question is the qc/qa of the larger companies. It is hard to beat Ibanez and Yamaha for their consistency instrument to instrument and ability to offer a quality instrument at every single price point.

G&L has to get some love for their control over the USA production. I played dozens when I searched for my 2500 and every single bass was fantastic and worth the price tag... now the tribute series I feel has its issues.
 
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#83
USA: Alembic, Brubaker, Fodera, Ken Smith, Lakland, MTD, Roscoe, Sadowsky, Skjold, Warrior

Canada: Dingwall, F

EU: LeFay, Marleaux, Sandberg, Vigier, Wal

There are many, many others missing from this list. These are the ones I have personal experience with.

There are also many really, really great pieces by built by Fender, G&L, EBMM, etc. at much more reachable price points.

The difference is that for the premium basses, you could pretty much pick up any random one and it will be great. For the less expensive ones, you may have to try a few to find one that is as great. The difference is their investment in quality control, wood selection, component choices, and overall attention to detail. That is what you pay a premium for.
 
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#84
saabfender said:
Whoever in Vietnam made this for Peavey Grind. They got all of this one. Plays like... a really good-playing bass (OK, better than a Fender). Stock passives are sound good, distinct and solid through the whole range. Action is very low and neck has been stable the 8 years I've owned it. I actually marvel at the craftsmanship that went into this bass every time I pick it up. I can't imagine better execution. Paid $125.

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I've been wanting one of these forever! But the 4 string version. But the money and the availability never seem to coincide with each other! There is a 5 string one locally for $380 cdn. Good thing Im broke or else I'd have another 5ver that I don't play nearly enough
 
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#87
Looks like Schack is back in business, perhaps that’s the son of the original builder taking the reins? The new models look the same as the older ones, with even nicer electronics covers. If they pay the same attention to detail as far as wood selection, these are rock solid (and heavy- mine’s solid bubinga). I revamped the electronics on mine after the preamp got noisy, but the neck and body construction and components are as fine as any I’ve ever seen or played, albeit for the periodic inconvenient neck tightening. Now that I live in the relatively stable climate of San Diego, I haven’t had to tighten it in years. The focused tone this Schack inherently produces makes it so easy to manipulate, it was my only bass guitar for over a decade, used on gigs and recordings from standard jazz to metal.

schack-guitars.de/instrument/schack-unique-v-9

Here’s a video tour of mine, holy cow what a bad camera I had in 2010, although the black hair and skinny face were nice lol :

Here’s a newer, better sounding video

 
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#88
GeorgeBassPlay said:
Been playing for a long time…have had Squiers (3), Fenders American and Mex (4), Nash (1), Ricks (4), Gibson (1) and a couple of assorted Basses long ago and far away.

For me the Ricks have been the built built Basses I've had.

Hoping to try Sadowsky some day .. but haven't owned one yet.

I am interested in hearing from the men and women of Bassdom.. what brand of Bass has the best build quality in your opinion ? I am talking about fit and finish, how they resonate / feel in your hands, how they stay in tune, and how they sound to you.

Thank you - Happy weekend.
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Elrick basses are handmade..this is the Jazz model..every aspect is top quality..and every point thoroughly inspected..right at $3000..............Invalid Link Removed
 
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#89
I'm very licky to have a good day job and enough gigs to pay for my gear. 10 years ago, I was looking for a good J, tried numerous Fender but couldn't find one that was properly setup (I know, Fender QC has improved since). I bought a Sadowsky Metro, unseen and unplayed, from Club Bass in Toronto. Straight out the case, the bass was perfect.

I tried a MM Sterling that a store just received, and straight out the case, the bass was perfect.

I recently bought a used Fodera Classic P from a fellow TB. I still remember the look on my son's face when he gently plucked the strings when I opened the case. He said : Dad, did you hear this.

To me, quality build is something you hear when you open the case for the first time, way before you set it up. You may not like the looks or the tone, but quality build cannot be dispute.
 
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#90
Judging bass build quality is like judging home building quality.

Everything looks pretty great the first few years.

After owning it for 8-10 years you’ve probably worked on it enough to find out where all/any corners have been cut.

I’m just glad the cabinet installers left their business information on a placard inside one of the cabinet doors. That way I can be sure to avoid ever doing business with them again.
 
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#93
959E59B0-9E70-4BB8-8CD6-305B885665EC.jpeg
 
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#97
The obsession with quality is a bit of a moot point as far as I am concerned. The way a bass plays has more to do with the quality of the setup than the instrument itself. Even instrument with questionable quality can sound and play great. There was an article in Bass Gear Mag reviewing vintages basses and the author confessed that some of the vintage basses were terrible from a quality stand point of view but played well and sounded good.

Quality is also what moves you; you can have a perfect build with perfect wood (if there is such thing) and if it's not your cup of tea then what's the point?

Last thought, most current basses quality will exceed the average musician's ability to play them.

All that being said, Fodera, Lull, G&L all seem to be above current instruments. People love to bash Fender here but most of their current instruments are absolutely fine quality wise as far as I am concerned.
 
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#98
GeorgeBassPlay said:
Been playing for a long time…have had Squiers (3), Fenders American and Mex (4), Nash (1), Ricks (4), Gibson (1) and a couple of assorted Basses long ago and far away.

For me the Ricks have been the built built Basses I've had.

Hoping to try Sadowsky some day .. but haven't owned one yet.

I am interested in hearing from the men and women of Bassdom.. what brand of Bass has the best build quality in your opinion ? I am talking about fit and finish, how they resonate / feel in your hands, how they stay in tune, and how they sound to you.

Thank you - Happy weekend.
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Ken Smith
Alembic
Fodera
Low End
Sadowsky
Alleva Coppolo
American Lakeland
Am dlx Fender
Performance Bass
F Bass
That’s a couple that came to mind. I don’t necessarily like the way all these basses sound though.

Oh shoot... MTD’s too! Those are bangin
 
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#100
RichSnyder said:
Factory - EBMM

Reasonably priced builders - Valenti. IMHO, what he produces beats Sadowsky

If I only had $200 and a gig coming up - Ibanez Talman

Amazing all around bass - my Alien Audio
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I don’t know if this still the case but does Valenti still use USAGC parts? Should we be giving them some credit too? While we are at it, Warmoth also has a great reputation for high build quality.
 
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