Boutique Vibe On a Budget.

[Einherjar]

-cough- PEAVEYMILLENIUMUSA -cough-

 

[jonnybass1]

I was gonna say Ibanez SR1205 it has all the boutique features and is only around $1100. Or the Ibanez BTB series.

 

[throbgod13]

look at used Warwicks..

 

[sourwookie]

Ha! I was hoping to drive to KC today to see a used German Warwick but it was no longer available apparently. Ce'st la vie.

Thanks for the Cort recommendation. They look very high quality for the money.

I am kind of eyeballing a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Link Removed also look interesting, but reading the flameout here concerning them would make one leery. That was, however 3 1/2 years ago. I'm curious if anything has changed because they look like fun second and third basses to tinker with once I get my "real bass" needs addressed. (I wonder if you could fit a Warmoth neck into one of those).

Brubaker looks intriguing. Never heard of them before today.

 

[LaBassGuy]

I was gonna say Ibanez SR1205 it has all the boutique features and is only around $1100. Or the Ibanez BTB series.

I dont know much abour ibanez basses. Which is their top of the line, boutique line?

 

[two fingers]

Honestly, I would highly recommend Carvin even though you seem to be leaning away from them for some reason. (Not knocking you because ultimately you have to live with the bass.) J99 pickups are some of the best sounding pickups I have ever heard. I sold my Carvin because I got out of the 6 string thing. But one of my closest friends, who is a died to the wool vintage Fender all the way guy, keeps asking me when I'm going to get another Carvin. He and I have played together for a couple of decades off and on. He has gigged with me playing over a dozen basses. And according to him that's the best sounding one I have eve owned. (LB76 with J99s) They make coffee table looking basses as well. So wood isn't an issue. No matter how high your expectations are, a Carvin will probably pleasantly surprise you.

Other than that, a good Warmoth build is a good idea too. Only if it were me I would just get them to cut and finish everything.

 

[bassmalone4]

Used Alembic and Yamaha basses are all over the place for your money.

 

[BassistForJesus]

Lakland DJ5. Take off pick guard.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

Carvin + upgraded electronics = one killer bass!.

I don't know about the upgraded electronics - I have been very impressed with the sound of the stock ones. My primary bass now is a Sadowsky but I have owned a lot of other great basses to compare to the Carvin sound. The ONLY deal-breaker for me owning a Carvin is that the width at the nut is tighter than I like (and the fact that I ***try*** to keep my collection under control!).

Dan K.

 

[adamsmatthewj]

The Brubaker Brute is incredible, and the price is ridiculously low. 4 or 5 string. They come in single cut versions, too

My buddy runs a guitar shop that carries em www.thehighstudio.com he could answer ur questions

I've borrowed a Brute double-cut 5 for gigs a couple of times, it sounds nasty and plays real nice. I might be picking up a single-cut 5 since I don't actually own an active bass right now. Def worth checking out!

 

[StuartV]

Peavey Cirrus.

 

[Stee Flo]

Peavey Cirrus.

+1

You mentioned liking ken smith. The Cirrus has a nice boutique quality and a definite "smith" vibe to the sound. A great bass!

 

[Stranger Danger]

Ibanez Prestige and Premium stuff is pretty great.

 

[peledog]

My vote is for a Spector Euro. I just picked this one up recently.

Link Removed

 

[LaBassGuy]

+1

You mentioned liking ken smith. The Cirrus has a nice boutique quality and a definite "smith" vibe to the sound. A great bass!

To me, I couldn't get into the cirrus tone but did like thw ken smith. Maybe I just need the right wood combo for the cirrua

 

[awilkie84]

I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. Please feel free to direct me to any threads (recent, as things do change) that have covered this already.

Through a series of robberies over the years I have found myself losing a Ken Smith, a 1980 mahogany/ebony G&L L1000 (I cried for months), and a modified USA Jazz. Now I am currently without anything "pro" level (I gig for a sizable chunk of my income) and it's driving me insane.

I picked up a Fender Vintage Modified Jazz (the humbucker model) and I added an 18v preamp to tie me over until I figure out my next move. But it's time to move on (I keep an ultra-low action and it only makes me aware of how "rubbery" the neck on this thing is).

I am looking for a bass with a bit of a "boutique" look that can be had for under $1500. Oddly enough, I don't have real strong feelings concerning bolt-on vs neck-thru. I really prefer flatter FBs with larger radiuses. J-style spacing is a must. I think I'm ready to go back to a five (oh, how the pendulum swings. Farewell, alt country/garage rock era).

As far as style goes, I confess I'm a little tired of Fender-Style basses and would like to go with something less traditional. I like woods more than paint, and am not a big fan of pickguards. I like little horns and symmetry in my double cuts--more so than the "pointy" horns I associate with the 80's and 90's*. My first bass as a teen was a Kramer 450B in natural (think SD Curlee) with a definite "Alembic" vibe--and I think it may have colored my tastes for life.

I am familiar with Warwick and Carvin at that price point, but I feel as if I'm missing something, perhaps from smaller builders. Unless I miss my mark, my beloved Alembics and Foderas are right out. Any help? Thanks so much!

*bonus points: I'm a sucker for single-cut bodies.

Did you mean Jazz or Jag. The VM Jazz are all Jazz pickups. The VM Jag has a humbucker option. OR, did you mean the Modern Player Jazz?

 

[Margus Alviste]

Check out the Velliette-Citron 4-string on The Low End's site:

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[atracksler]

Chris Stambaugh had this beautiful duality in Bubinga that I almost got, but then I was told that I needed new windows.... <sigh> it was @1400.

 

[Texan]

Lakland or Carvin. Both are stellar basses.

 

[Jackie Clark]

I am looking for a bass with a bit of a "boutique" look that can be had for under $1500. Oddly enough, I don't have real strong feelings concerning bolt-on vs neck-thru. I really prefer flatter FBs with larger radiuses. J-style spacing is a must. I think I'm ready to go back to a five (oh, how the pendulum swings. Farewell, alt country/garage rock era).

As far as style goes, I confess I'm a little tired of Fender-Style basses and would like to go with something less traditional. I like woods more than paint, and am not a big fan of pickguards. I like little horns and symmetry in my double cuts--more so than the "pointy" horns I associate with the 80's and 90's*. My first bass as a teen was a Kramer 450B in natural (think SD Curlee) with a definite "Alembic" vibe--and I think it may have colored my tastes for life.

I am familiar with Warwick and Carvin at that price point, but I feel as if I'm missing something, perhaps from smaller builders. Unless I miss my mark, my beloved Alembics and Foderas are right out. Any help? Thanks so much!

*bonus points: I'm a sucker for single-cut bodies.

You would definitely get that in a Carvin!!! Warmoth is great but,unless you know exactly what you're doing or what you're looking for,you could end up wasting money.

I would also suggest finding an older Lakland Skyline 55-02 or Joe Osborn jazz 5 (before 2006 when they sold the company)

If you happen to find an Osborn you like,try adding a nice preamp that works well with those pickups(do some serious research on that because all preamps don't work well just because)

Good luck with whatever you decide...just don't rush it...this is an investment!!!!!