• 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.

Boutique Bass Benefits

#101
I haven't seen this mentioned so I'm going to mention it myself.

I have eight basses. A lot for me but not by some other people's standards here. But I think they're all beautiful, and I'm not just saying that cuz I'm bakedor anything like that, which I'm not, I'm just saying it because some people view instruments as art and I am one of those people. I also consider myself a very competent bass player, who plays in two bands and is asked to sit in a fair bit.

I've never had a boutique build and generally it's not up my alley. I tend to favor well-built production instruments that have most of what I'm looking for but it would be really nice to get an instrument that has almost exactly everything I wanted after I've played for so many years. Bass playing is one of the things I do and love the most. Is it truly all about ego? Or is it about having something that you really enjoy picking up and using, or even just looking at?

If I did get a boutique build I'd use it as much as I could. Even with all the experience I have I probably still get something wrong in the build, and personally I tend to trust Machinery, CNC before fully handmade custom builds.

My too long didn't read post was this.

You don't really have to play a boutique build as a competent bass player. You can enjoy the way it looks or the way it feels when you pick it up occasionally. This is the same reason why I don't drink terrible scotch, there are some things and some luxury items I like and pay for, and if I had the money, a bass probably would be one of those things.
 
#102
Just one last thing ill add when it comes to boutique instruments.

If you play anything more than 4 strings, I would argue that you're specs become much more, well, specific.

Sure there are lots of production 5's out there, but what if you want one with narrow spacing (16.5mm) but a thick front-to-back neck profile? There goes Fender and Ibanez (one too wide spaced, the other too thin necked). When you make the jump to six you are even more limited.

Two years ago I wanted a narrow spaced 6 with a thicker front-to-back profile. Short of custom, there was nothing. So, I made my own, and down the rabbit hole I went. I had the means and the tenacity to make mine, but MOST players do not. So there lies the non-artistic demand for custom and boutique. I would add that that requirement is not one of ego or of simply wanting something expensive and fancy for the sake of it, but purely for function. Look at Anthony Jackson. He went custom because he HAD too, and he even had to argue with builders to get the ball rolling...

I know that point was a little off topic from the prospective of Fender shaped basses. But consider this one:

Here in Vancouver we have an excellent luthier named Dave Riemer. A couple of years ago he built a 6 string P/J for an awesome metal player in town. Looked like a normal p bass but with a wider neck and a 4+2 headstock. WHERE THE HELL WOULD YOU GET ONE OF THOSE WITHOUT GOING CUSTOM/BOUTIQUE. In that case, the whole thing was FULLY justified beyond question.
 
#103
IMG_2967.jpg


Mass produced is nice, however, getting a bass custom made is the best.

Had mine custom made, in 1981, and it is still one of the best playing basses, I have ever tried.

And, I'd go custom made again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass Viking
#104
Brad_Pearson said:
I'm not trying to be negative here just trying to understand what you are saying. Is it egotistical to want to support a fellow artist?
Click to expand...
Everyone has his/her reasons, which can only be judged by his/her own conscience. Sure, it is cool to support a fellow builder and his/her family.

Having said that; I have seen instances where a player allegedly tries to make up his/her musical deficiency with an expensive instrument. To buy a "high end" instrument and illusorily feeling like a better musician is easier and quicker than improving chops and becoming a better musician.

I have been there too, you know ;) Consider my statement as a personal confession for past "sins".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brad_Pearson
#107
Bass Viking said:
I’ve bought boutique basses sight unseen. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to everyone.
Click to expand...
I don't think there is anything wrong with that. All I'm saying is that we get a lot of these "why are boutique basses so expensive" or "are boutique basses worth it" or "what makes a boutique bass special" threads from someone that has never played one. If you want to know, you have to try one.

My favorite example is Mercedes cars. My brother had one and he let me drive it. I hated everything about it. I wouldn't drive a Mercedes if you gave me one for free. From everything I read and heard about them, they are fantastic cars. They probably are, just not for me; I preferred my Jeep Wrangler.
 
#109
I find it interesting how many people in this thread have expressed a dislike for P or J style boutiques. I've owned four Sadowsky Jazzes and currently play a Mike Lull Jazz as one of my main basses and their Fender-ness was never a conscious factor in my selection process. I take them on their own terms, just as I have any other boutique bass. For those confused by the appeal of Fender-style boutiques I believe it's pretty simple: a lot of people are perfectly happy with many of the design aspects of classic Js and Ps but want something that (name your boutique maker) offers and Fender doesn't. I wonder how many people are confused by a person spending thousands of dollars on an acoustic guitar that has the same shape as any $200 acoustic guitar? The Fender design works well and it became a standard for good reason. Also, there's a lot of prejudice where Fenders are concerned. To this day a lot of people doing the hiring want a bassist with something that at least looks like a Fender. They don't want to see an MTD or a Zon and they sure as heck don't want to see something more adventurous looking like a Carl Thompson or a Ritter.

The beauty of the boutique market is that it has meant a big increase in available options where basses are concerned. Want a Fender-style instrument with a 35" scale, chambered body and premium onboard preamp? You can get that. Want something made out of bubinga with a scrolled upper horn, 36" scale and your initials inlaid at the twelfth fret? You can get that too. Aren't we a lucky bunch?
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC, JLY and musicman556
#110
lfmn16 said:
I don't think there is anything wrong with that. All I'm saying is that we get a lot of these "why are boutique basses so expensive" or "are boutique basses worth it" or "what makes a boutique bass special" threads from someone that has never played one. If you want to know, you have to try one.

My favorite example is Mercedes cars. My brother had one and he let me drive it. I hated everything about it. I wouldn't drive a Mercedes if you gave me one for free. From everything I read and heard about them, they are fantastic cars. They probably are, just not for me; I preferred my Jeep Wrangler.
Click to expand...
There's nothing wrong with buying sight unseen as long as you understand and accept the risks. It's not for everyone. There was a long thread not to long ago where the OP purchased a Kiesel with no 10 day trial from their in stock page. He was disappointed with it and blamed Kiesel for selling him a defective bass. He tried getting a credit card reversal, swapping pickups, but neither worked.
 
#111
Bass Viking said:
There's nothing wrong with buying sight unseen as long as you understand and accept the risks. It's not for everyone. There was a long thread not to long ago where the OP purchased a Kiesel with no 10 day trial from their in stock page. He was disappointed with it and blamed Kiesel for selling him a defective bass. He tried getting a credit card reversal, swapping pickups, but neither worked.
Click to expand...
I stopped buying instruments without trying them. Too many times I've just thought, meh. Nothing wrong with them, just nothing I would have bought if I'd tried it first.

If I lived in a place with no music stores, I'd either drive, fly, walk or swim to a place that had them or see if there was anyone around with a bass I could try. The internet is a great thing, but we old timers managed without it for many years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Passinwind
#112
lfmn16 said:
If I lived in a place with no music stores, I'd either drive, fly, walk or swim to a place that had them or see if there was anyone around with a bass I could try. The internet is a great thing, but we old timers managed without it for many years.
Click to expand...
I've been to Bass Central a few times and a couple of local TBers have really nice collections. Those are jaw dropping experiences!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lfmn16
#113
I have a Voodoo Hoodoo Mountainbike that fits me like a custom bike. I love feel, performance & looks although I have had to make some changes to the setup over the dozen or so years I’ve owned it. I wouldn’t love it any more if it had been custom made for me.

if a production bass fits you and sounds just like you want, well then you don’t need a custom bass.

I love mass production and trust CNC too, but more importantly I want to try before I buy so a bespoke bass of my own specs is no good for me.

Finally, if you want something different and you can afford it and have the courage to engage a custom builder-enjoy!

Great posts by the way folks.
 
#114
Outbush said:
I have a Voodoo Hoodoo Mountainbike that fits me like a custom bike. I love feel, performance & looks although I have had to make some changes to the setup over the dozen or so years I’ve owned it. I wouldn’t love it any more if it had been custom made for me.

if a production bass fits you and sounds just like you want, well then you don’t need a custom bass.

I love mass production and trust CNC too, but more importantly I want to try before I buy so a bespoke bass of my own specs is no good for me.

Finally, if you want something different and you can afford it and have the courage to engage a custom builder-enjoy!

Great posts by the way folks.
Click to expand...
You spoke of a bespoke bass, but you also spoke of a non-bespoke bike which ironically has spokes.:roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Outbush
#116
Kerem Koseoglu said:
Everyone has his/her reasons, which can only be judged by his/her own conscience. Sure, it is cool to support a fellow builder and his/her family.

Having said that; I have seen instances where a player allegedly tries to make up his/her musical deficiency with an expensive instrument. To buy a "high end" instrument and illusorily feeling like a better musician is easier and quicker than improving chops and becoming a better musician.
Click to expand...
How does that affect your life in any way? Never mind...I'll tell you how...it enables these builders to stay in business. Other than that, it effects my life in zero ways. I long ago gave up being the arbiter of who deserves the gear they have and who doesn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC, PJ Muzikmansky, Passinwind and 2 others
#117
Kerem Koseoglu said:
Having said that; I have seen instances where a player allegedly tries to make up his/her musical deficiency with an expensive instrument. To buy a "high end" instrument and illusorily feeling like a better musician is easier and quicker than improving chops and becoming a better musician.
Click to expand...

I play in churches. Most of the folks I play with are volunteers, but there are also a fair number of professional musicians that I play with. It isn't that the volunteers are buying more expensive instruments because they are making up for deficiencies; they're buying them because they are passionate about music, and can afford them (having decent paying day jobs). The professionals, not so much - they tend to play serviceable, but not high end instruments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TylerJ and JimmyM
#118
micguy said:
I play in churches. Most of the folks I play with are volunteers, but there are also a fair number of professional musicians that I play with. It isn't that the volunteers are buying more expensive instruments because they are making up for deficiencies; they're buying them because they are passionate about music, and can afford them (having decent paying day jobs). The professionals, not so much - they tend to play serviceable, but not high end instruments.
Click to expand...
I do know some who play high end basses and guitars, but they usually only have one or two :D And many waited and bought them used only when they were good deals. And some bought them long before the prices were insane. Me, I have a couple booteeky basses that weren't cheap for their day, but I hardly ever use them anymore. I use serviceable but not high end instruments that I got good deals on or had for a long time. But when you see me play my serviceable instruments, know that I have a couple basses I paid a lot for at home :D
 
#120
Kerem Koseoglu said:
Having said that; I have seen instances where a player allegedly tries to make up his/her musical deficiency with an expensive instrument. To buy a "high end" instrument and illusorily feeling like a better musician is easier and quicker than improving chops and becoming a better musician.
Click to expand...

I don't think this necessarily applies with boutique basses, but I have seen people buy a bass "above their pay grade" when starting out and having that instrument compelled them to practice more and longer. The end result is they fell in love with the instrument and playing the instrument. One of my friends that did this ended up sticking with a mid 90s StingRay for years after giving up the "high end" bass.

I know that when I went from a cheap-ass pawn shop buy to a MIM Fender Jazz, my desire to play increased, and my practice time increased, and because of that, my skill increased. It increased more when I got my first Rick, my first Warwick, and my first StingRay 5.

So while you might look down on the idea of buying better than you are, the concept does have merits for some people.

However, and I will certainly give this credit, just having an "expensive" or "high end" bass ON ITS OWN does not make one a better player.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back