• 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.

Best custom built basses?

#3
charlie monroe said:
I’m not sure there is an answer to this question.
Click to expand...

No. There are A LOT of answers to this question.

OP, the answers you get are going to depend on what custom builders the reply-ers bought from. Because if I've paid a heap of cash to get a custom bass built, I'm likely to have to believe it's awesome. Otherwise, I wasted all my money.

Sorry to be unhelpful. I think the REAL answer will depend on your parameters and your budget, which you'll need to discuss here if you want a meaningful response.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beatdatthang, JohnnyPustular, lomo and 7 others
#5
charlie monroe said:
I’m not sure there is an answer to this question.
Click to expand...

Picton said:
No. There are A LOT of answers to this question.

OP, the answers you get are going to depend on what custom builders the reply-ers bought from. Because if I've paid a heap of cash to get a custom bass built, I'm likely to have to believe it's awesome. Otherwise, I wasted all my money.

Sorry to be unhelpful. I think the REAL answer will depend on your parameters and your budget, which you'll need to discuss here if you want a meaningful response.
Click to expand...

You guys are both right. There is not one answer. And there are hundreds of answers. “Best” depends on which parameters are prioritized when evaluating them. Quality of choice of woods? Choice of electronics? Beauty of design? Quality of workmanship? Bang for the buck? Responsiveness to customer input and inquiry? Delivery to promised build time? I can find shining examples and horror stories for each of those categories based on the custom basses I have or used to have and by reading the countless threads here where people were super-thrilled or horrifically ripped off based on their choice of bass and builder. A lot more info is needed before people can even try to answer the OP beyond “Here’s what I bought and why I would recommend it”
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lackey, MonetBass, lomo and 4 others
#6
charlie monroe said:
TB member @campbems has recently acquired several beautiful basses from a maker called Devon.

He may join us to share some knowledge
Click to expand...

I've been blessed to own and try alot of high-end boutique basses from the likes of Warrior, Roscoe, MTD, Lakland, STR, Custom Bacchus, Ristola, and many more. The best I've played for total value has been my Devon basses. You simply won't beat them for the money. Matter a fact I've owned several 2-3 times the money that aren't nearly as good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bender Fender, cdbrewer99, ELG60 and 2 others
#7
charlie monroe said:
I’m not sure there is an answer to this question.
Click to expand...
I'm sure there's not a single answer to the question. It depends on what OP is looking for in a bass. Put a different set of desires in the input, a different ideal custom builder should be selected to fit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jamro217
#8
The question should be, "Please list the custom bass makers you've used that you like and their location."

I had an acoustic bass uke made by Bruce Wei Arts in Vietnam that came out pretty good. I'm just getting ready to receive a small SG EB-0 for $800US shipped with gig bag from Brian Fanner in South Africa. Took about 4 months, looking forward to it.

SG progress.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jamro217, mikewalker and Nebula24
#12
Kristian said:
hi everyone,

Who builds the best custom basses these days and what are the prices?
I'm looking for a new instrument but haven't played electric bass for many years so I don't know where to look...
Thanks!
Click to expand...
What's your definition of custom? To me that means my choice of body style, neck join method, pickups, hardware, and finish, at the very least. You?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass
#20
If you are looking for a list I can get that started (with some that have been said here). Note there is no reason for order, just as I remember them

Alembic
Devon
Fodera
Valenti
Serek
Torzal
Carl Thompson
Hilton Basses
Ritter

Let me think of a few more top notch builders
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back