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cheapest custom bass brand

#7
reubmister said:
hi guys i have been thinking about getting a custom bass and wondering which brand does them at the best price

much appreciated
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A used one?

Carvin may be the cheapest, especially if you assemble it yourself. But then what is your definition of a custom bass? Guys like Valenti and Atkinson do a bang up job at a really reasonable price.

I guess you have to know what you are looking for in a bass and why you want a custom bass vs a really decent bass made by any company. To have a custom just to have a custom, without saying what you want could get you an expensive case jockey.
 
#14
spade2you said:
Carvin is a great value, but their custom options are somewhat limited.

Depends on what you want custom and how picky you are with how well it's made.
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Disagree. They have a long list of "standard" custom options and will also perform anything you ask for that they can do. It's called an "option 50"

Thier woods and build quality are excellent. I have owned two Carvins and was very impressed with both. My current basses are Mike Lull, Pedulla, and Carvin, the Carvin is right there in quality and cost much less.

FWIW, Wish bass had a terrible review in Bass Player Magazine. Custom, yes. Cheap, yes. Good? I have heard no.
 
#15
Carvin is more of a normal retail bass but you can choose many options that are mostly cosmetic.

To me a real custom is like Warwick custom shop ( they will do what you want ... for a price ) or Clement or Fodera or Conklin.
 
#16
Talk to Karl Hoyt

Great quality, super affordable....

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#17
Staunch said:
I'd think Clement.
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+1 If you are talking fully custom, individual luthier, then I'd certainly recommend Tom Clement. I do love Carvin basses, though, and they are very much worth consideration.

Another builder who makes basses that are competitive at a much higher price range than what he charges would be Alan Cringean, of AC Guitars. The exact bargain may depend upon the applicable exchange rate (Alan's in the UK), but he builds you a whole lotta bass for the money.

If you want a custom Fender-inspired instrument, Carey Nordstrand's Nordy basses kick all kinds of @$$ and don't cost an arm and a leg.

Tom.
 
#18
prd004 said:
Disagree. They have a long list of "standard" custom options and will also perform anything you ask for that they can do. It's called an "option 50"

Thier woods and build quality are excellent. I have owned two Carvins and was very impressed with both. My current basses are Mike Lull, Pedulla, and Carvin, the Carvin is right there in quality and cost much less.

FWIW, Wish bass had a terrible review in Bass Player Magazine. Custom, yes. Cheap, yes. Good? I have heard no.
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I didn't say that quality wasn't there with Carvin, just not nearly the options of your run of the mill 100% custom shop. I wouldn't say that the options I like are necessary, but I prefer as few of limitations as possible.
 
#20
The problem with the original post is the word "custom" without a definition of what you mean. It's almost a troll ;)

Makers like Carvin have a few set basses with a ton of options, but you can't order 30 frets, blocks in maple boards or neck binding, for example. Tom Clement has a few set models with a ton of options, but he also has some things you can't order.

There is a big difference between 'full boat, full on, every single aspect Custom' and a very wide array of options for you to choose from to 'customize' your particular bass. Until the OP adds a bit of clarity these responses will either be helpful or not.

Also, fully custom will almost certainly mean a 'builder', like a Tom Clement, and not a 'brand' like noted in the original post.
 

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