Boutique Basses are Better: Get Over It!

[ReMmy]

anything less than a boutique bass is junk... my boutique ibanez, though very expensive, is way louder than anything out there!

 

[Margus Alviste]

I have had appr. 50 basses and as a bass freak I've tried hundreds of basses in different stores and luthiers' shops all over the world. I have also built about ten basses. Based on my experience I can say that there are nice production basses for sale but all the boutique basses I've tried have had much better wood, mostly better pickups and electronics, better fretwork etc. And they had also a special vibe, kind of worn in feeling. I've sold most of my basses recently and kept only the best ones. And you know, all of them are boutique basses.

 

[abstractart06]

I have had appr. 50 basses and as a bass freak I've tried hundreds of basses in different stores and luthiers' shops all over the world. I have also built about ten basses. Based on my experience I can say that there are nice production basses for sale but all the boutique basses I've tried have had much better wood, mostly better pickups and electronics, better fretwork etc. And they had also a special vibe, kind of worn in feeling. I've sold most of my basses recently and kept only the best ones. And you know, all of them are boutique basses.

I am curious to know what are your keepers and what set them apart from all the others. My bass teacher has a beautiful Warrior neck through that he has decided to sell and replace with a bolt on Nordstrand. He says he prefers the warmer tones and neck design of the Nordy for the music he's playing now.

 

[T-MOST]

I can prove your thoughts with two words. James Jamerson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jamerson
His bass was reportedly so messed up that no one else wanted to try and play it, And he did so with totally wrong technique.

James Jamerson used La Bella heavy-gauge (.052-.110) flatwound strings that he never changed. He never took care of the instrument, and it is possible that the neck eventually warped, as many claimed it impossible to play.

Yes, absolutely a high end bass is a thing of beauty and a fine instrument, but I'd still sound like a hack on a 4,000 dollar bass....

Great post Dr Cheese!

If you actually read what Cheese wrote you would realize that you are proving his point. He said Boutiques are better made, better fit and finish and take a set up better. he did not say their looks or tone would appeal to everyone. Just that it's a better crafted instument with a specialized voice.

 

[precarius]

I love Alembics and Fenders. Every bass I have, I bought used and the Alembics I paid less than a new MIA Fender would cost. Used boutique basses are still great and great values.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

go the the fender factory (USA models and Custom Shop) in Corona, CA. I just did recently and after seeing it, I'd definitely refute your claim.

You'd refute that most boutiques use better quality parts and have better fit and finish than the factory line Fenders? If I ordered a CS Fender and it didn't have better parts, fretwork, and finish than an off-the-rack factory model, I'd be pretty upset.

 

[Krügmeister]

anything less than a boutique bass is junk... my boutique ibanez, though very expensive, is way louder than anything out there!

Don't forget my boutique Peavey Foundation.

 

[Margus Alviste]

I am curious to know what are your keepers and what set them apart from all the others. My bass teacher has a beautiful Warrior neck through that he has decided to sell and replace with a bolt on Nordstrand. He says he prefers the warmer tones and neck design of the Nordy for the music he's playing now.

Thanks for asking!
I kept two 5-string Woodandtronics ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]), one of my MTD535s, Bravewood 4-string fretless '62 Jazz and my Frankenfender (78 neck on Warmoth body loaded with Bartolini pickups - amazing bass, these last two basses were better than the two original 69 jazz basses I sold). Oh, I still have my Washburn AB20 Acoustic Bass as well.

BTW, I sold my Nordstrand, although it had one of best necks I've ever tried.

 

[markjazzbassist]

You'd refute that most boutiques use better quality parts and have better fit and finish than the factory line Fenders? If I ordered a CS Fender and it didn't have better parts, fretwork, and finish than an off-the-rack factory model, I'd be pretty upset.

they use the same parts (bridges, etc.) and pickups are wound at the factory (i saw it) that boutiques use (boutiques usually outsource their pickups except alleva). the only difference between a fender and a boutique is that many people build it instead of one.

you people act as if your coffee table basses are so much better, yet 90% of the Pros don't use them (go to concerts and see all the fenders, gibsons, musicmans, etc.).

Plus the boutiques are a different flavor every week. Someone builds an allparts fender ripoff and you guys herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. just cause it's $6000 for a jbass copy with fralins. what a joke.

everyone just likes to knock fender cause they're the biggest and most liked (and apparently other production level companies as well according to Dr. Cheese) which is just a crock of bullcrap.

so you like $7000 coffee table basses? great, who cares, don't be an elitist about it. fenders are great basses just like your boutique stuff, different flavors for different folks, neither is "better".

 

[ProfGumby]

If you actually read what Cheese wrote you would realize that you are proving his point. He said Boutiques are better made, better fit and finish and take a set up better. he did not say their looks or tone would appeal to everyone. Just that it's a better crafted instument with a specialized voice.

Um, I did read his post, and I was backing him up with an example. And check out the first and last sentence in my post -

I can prove your thoughts with two words.....
Great post Dr Cheese!

So we both are in total agreement with him and each other...rock on!

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

they use the same parts (bridges, etc.) and pickups are wound at the factory (i saw it) that boutiques use (boutiques usually outsource their pickups except alleva). the only difference between a fender and a boutique is that many people build it instead of one.

I'd be disappointed to get a Fender CS then Most boutique jazz-style basses are built by multiple people as well. To say that that's the only difference between them is something I'd never claim though- grab an American standard off the wall of a GC and compare it to a US Sadowsky/Lakland/Valenti etc. and the fit, finish, and parts are usually noticeably different. That won't make them better sounding or anything, but they are different.

you people act as if your coffee table basses are so much better, yet 90% of the Pros don't use them (go to concerts and see all the fenders, gibsons, musicmans, etc.).

Who exactly is "you people" ? I certainly never claimed my "coffee table" basses were better than anything. I don't think Dr. Cheese (the OP) even owns a "coffee table" bass. I certainly don't care what 90% of the pros use- 90% of the population also think Miley Cyrus makes great music. 90% of the pro bassists that I regularly listen do play Foderas. Guess what? I don't care what they play either, and don't buy their basses either.

Plus the boutiques are a different flavor every week. Someone builds an allparts fender ripoff and you guys herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. just cause it's $6000 for a jbass copy with fralins. what a joke.

Who are these guys, and name the $6000 All-Parts Js you've seen? Fender has their own custom shop that charges nearly as much (often more) as all the other high-end J-bass builders. If even Fender thinks they can do a better job than their off-the-shelf basses, then I'm not sure why you wouldn't.

everyone just likes to knock fender cause they're the biggest and most liked (and apparently other production level companies as well according to Dr. Cheese) which is just a crock of bullcrap.

Who's knocking Fender exactly? Dr. Cheese plays one as his main bass. I've wanted a shell pink jazz forever. Sounds like you just got an endorsement deal and wanted to defend them at the slightest thought that they're being attacked j/k

so you like $7000 coffee table basses? great, who cares, don't be an elitist about it. fenders are great basses just like your boutique stuff, different flavors for different folks, neither is "better".

Who's being elitist? No one in this thread said boutiques were better in any other way than the physical parts and amount of labor that can go into each piece. It was very clearly pointed out that despite the finish/parts being better on a boutique, the fact remains that cheaper basses more that often will feel/sound/work better for different people.

It sounds like you read the thread title and posted without getting the full intent written in the first couple of posts.

And what's with the $6000/$7000 prices you're throwing around? I like the basses I like, no matter how cheap or expensive. Mine cost a little less than a CS Fender anyways

 

[PilbaraBass]

Facts:
1 Boutique IS generally better
2 Some production basses are fantastic
3 Exceptions exist in both camps
4 People will argue anything

 

[bassrique]

If one has limited resources, such should be spent on amplification, not CNC Fender type instruments.

In other words, give me a modded SX bass pared with a quality head,cabs and DI, and I'll sound just as good as the cat with a Lakland with similar amplification.

But - if you play nuanced jazz music like Janek, where the bass is up front and beautiful, then i might suggest a custom bass.

Oh yeah, if you are partial to really low action, then a boutique bass might be the ticket. I often beat the hell out of my basses, so this is something I'm not familiar with.

 

[lowphatbass]

they use the same parts (bridges, etc.) and pickups are wound at the factory (i saw it) that boutiques use (boutiques usually outsource their pickups except alleva). the only difference between a fender and a boutique is that many people build it instead of one.

you people act as if your coffee table basses are so much better, yet 90% of the Pros don't use them (go to concerts and see all the fenders, gibsons, musicmans, etc.).

Plus the boutiques are a different flavor every week. Someone builds an allparts fender ripoff and you guys herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. just cause it's $6000 for a jbass copy with fralins. what a joke.

everyone just likes to knock fender cause they're the biggest and most liked (and apparently other production level companies as well according to Dr. Cheese) which is just a crock of bullcrap.

so you like $7000 coffee table basses? great, who cares, don't be an elitist about it. fenders are great basses just like your boutique stuff, different flavors for different folks, neither is "better".

The kind of players that dig the "$7000 coffee table basses" are WAY into the little details, I don't think there's anything wrong with that as long as you can afford it. The fact is many of these instruments are able to provide tone and playability that is different(not better!)than the typical Fender. Some people seek that, but they shouldn't be elitist about, maybe it's just some peoples need to justify their expenditure, and it's too bad some of us do this in an elitist fashion......I'm not getting this vibe from Cheese in ANY WAY WHATSOEVER.

The players that ignited the Ultra-Hi-End-Fender-Copy craze were studio cats that could probably make any bass sound good. As the music evolved and the range expanded every advantage was exploited. Let's face it, there are a lot of nice playing/sounding Fenders out there but a substantial amount of players in the 60's and 70's had to deal with warped necks, barely sufficient bridges and dead spots. Many of those instruments are now frankenbasses whose limbs and parts are probably in landfills, yet are stiill being used and making beautiful music! IMO, this helped to cultivate the market. Does it mean that every Sadowsky is going to sound better than every Fender? No way!

 

[Ziltoid]

I'd be disappointed to get a Fender CS then Most boutique jazz-style basses are built by multiple people as well. To say that that's the only difference between them is something I'd never claim though- grab an American standard off the wall of a GC and compare it to a US Sadowsky/Lakland/Valenti etc. and the fit, finish, and parts are usually noticeably different. That won't make them better sounding or anything, but they are different.



Who exactly is "you people" ? I certainly never claimed my "coffee table" basses were better than anything. I don't think Dr. Cheese (the OP) even owns a "coffee table" bass. I certainly don't care what 90% of the pros use- 90% of the population also think Miley Cyrus makes great music. 90% of the pro bassists that I regularly listen do play Foderas. Guess what? I don't care what they play either, and don't buy their basses either.



Who are these guys, and name the $6000 All-Parts Js you've seen? Fender has their own custom shop that charges nearly as much (often more) as all the other high-end J-bass builders. If even Fender thinks they can do a better job than their off-the-shelf basses, then I'm not sure why you wouldn't.



Who's knocking Fender exactly? Dr. Cheese plays one as his main bass. I've wanted a shell pink jazz forever. Sounds like you just got an endorsement deal and wanted to defend them at the slightest thought that they're being attacked j/k



Who's being elitist? No one in this thread said boutiques were better in any other way than the physical parts and amount of labor that can go into each piece. It was very clearly pointed out that despite the finish/parts being better on a boutique, the fact remains that cheaper basses more that often will feel/sound/work better for different people.

It sounds like you read the thread title and posted without getting the full intent written in the first couple of posts.

And what's with the $6000/$7000 prices you're throwing around? I like the basses I like, no matter how cheap or expensive. Mine cost a little less than a CS Fender anyways

ZING

 

[funkucan'ttouch]

how about we all play what we like? Is there any issue with that? I like apples. does that make a difference?

 

[Craig_S]

they use the same parts (bridges, etc.) and pickups are wound at the factory (i saw it) that boutiques use (boutiques usually outsource their pickups except alleva). the only difference between a fender and a boutique is that many people build it instead of one.

you people act as if your coffee table basses are so much better, yet 90% of the Pros don't use them (go to concerts and see all the fenders, gibsons, musicmans, etc.).

Plus the boutiques are a different flavor every week. Someone builds an allparts fender ripoff and you guys herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. just cause it's $6000 for a jbass copy with fralins. what a joke.

everyone just likes to knock fender cause they're the biggest and most liked (and apparently other production level companies as well according to Dr. Cheese) which is just a crock of bullcrap.

so you like $7000 coffee table basses? great, who cares, don't be an elitist about it. fenders are great basses just like your boutique stuff, different flavors for different folks, neither is "better".

Man, You just made a new friend.

I own a Fender P, a Fender J, a G&L L-1000, a Stingray4, and a Stingray5. All of them sound WONDERFUL and play great, as well.

I could care less about trying to impress people with how much I spent on my new, 20 wood species, custom, neck through boat oar. I've played a million basses, over the years. The Fender thing, well, it just works.

 

[Ziltoid]

How about all the coffee table player ships me their bass, because im surely a better player and they don't need those, a fender can do the job?

Hey wait, what's the last time you saw a mass produced fender P,J 6er? O true, i don't need all those strings because jaco didn't.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

they use the same parts (bridges, etc.) and pickups are wound at the factory (i saw it) that boutiques use (boutiques usually outsource their pickups except alleva). the only difference between a fender and a boutique is that many people build it instead of one.

you people act as if your coffee table basses are so much better, yet 90% of the Pros don't use them (go to concerts and see all the fenders, gibsons, musicmans, etc.).

Plus the boutiques are a different flavor every week. Someone builds an allparts fender ripoff and you guys herald it as the best thing since sliced bread. just cause it's $6000 for a jbass copy with fralins. what a joke.

everyone just likes to knock fender cause they're the biggest and most liked (and apparently other production level companies as well according to Dr. Cheese) which is just a crock of bullcrap.

so you like $7000 coffee table basses? great, who cares, don't be an elitist about it. fenders are great basses just like your boutique stuff, different flavors for different folks, neither is "better".

I sure didn't knock Fender or any factory basses. All I own is factory basses. I haven't owned a boutique in about eight years.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Facts:
1 Boutique IS generally better
2 Some production basses are fantastic
3 Exceptions exist in both camps
4 People will argue anything

+100 and Thread!