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Choosing a Luthier for Custom

J Posega

J Posega

Cat Dad and Dingwall Enthusiast
Inactive
Suspended
Jul 16, 2005
11,796
17,172
38
Portland, OR
#1
I was told to repost this here from the Luthier's Corner, so here we are.

I'm looking into having a custom built for me, starting sometime this coming summer or fall. I have everything planned out besides pickup locations, the bridge location (estimated for the scale length/ intonation) and the exact headstock I want.

Otherwise, I have a scale drawing made up, body and neck wood (swamp ash and wenge, respectively), pickups and electronics, hardware and string spacing.

Fretted 5 string neck-thru singlecut
34" scale, 24 frets
Swamp ash body
Wenge neck & fingerboard
2" @ nut, 3" @ 24th fret, 19 mm pitch @ bridge
Nordstrand MM5.3 & NJ5FS
Passive with V/T, HAS Bass Varitone, Series/parallel & coil tap for bridge PU
Hipshot A; brass/black/.750
Hipshot Ultralites
2 over, 3 under angled headstock
No front inlays
Offset body

I don't have a scanner currently (maybe for Christmas), so I can't present pictures, but the design is (I hope) completely mind, with inspiration taken from some of my favorite designs. I drew it out in a notebook, no scale first, then measured some scale markers on graph paper and drew the design on there. Transferred it to another sheet, then traced it onto plain white paper, and have it hanging on my wall. I'll take some pics when my new cab comes in (no sense in wasting trips to my dad's computer to upload them).

I took my measurements for the scale drawing from my Ibanez SR506. I think it's a fair representation, and would come out rather ergonomical. The bass side of the body is wider than the treble side, so there is more weight at the 'top' when hanging, so theoretically there should be any neckdive. Plus, the singlecut extends about 1/2'' past the 12th fret in my drawing (can be changed when I find the right luthier).

This has been rather longwinded, but I think I've covered all the bas(s)es. In case you've forgotten the question; Who should I get in touch with about building this thing? Take into account quality, price and timeliness. The cheaper, the better, but I will not sacrifice quality for a cheap date.
 
#2
For the type of bass with the spec's you describe above, I've found that Chris Stambaugh is far and above any other luthier for fit and finish, neck stiffness and quality of fretwork, and general price value. He does beautiful work for a very good price IMO.

Chris is working on a bass for a friend of mine at the moment with a very specific neck profile. Chris's stuff is truly custom, and his woodwork is the best in the business (I'm not kidding... compared to any other bass I've ever played).
 
#4
I had 2 Stambaughs built, & had a used one for awhile. Awesome instruments, compare very favorably w/anything I've played or owned(Pedulla, Ken Smith, Warwick & others). 1 bit of advice: Be specific about the tone you want & flexible as to which woods to acheive the desired end result. BTW, as for scale legth, string spacing, singlecut vs double, etc, he can & will do whatever you ask for. The man knows what he's doing. All this is totally regardless of cost; his prices are well below most custom builders. He's worth more. :)
 
#10
Yes Stambaugh is great, especially for custom stuff. Your best bet is to call around and find the right luthier for YOU. Need to get someone thats on the same page as far as your design and overall outlook of bass otherwise you probably won't end up with what you want. If your set on a custom design and everything that will limit your options a little, but just look around.
 
#11
Thanks a ton. I'm writing a generic e-mail that I'll send out to numerous builders, and then see what they all reply with. So far, Stambaugh is winning the race on the sheer sexiness of his custom designs. I'm also looking at Lecompte, GW Basses, and a few smaller guys.
 
#13
bassteban said:
I had much better results calling Chris- he answers the phone 90% of the time but seems to routinely have email/computer issues. :rolleyes: Be forewarned though; I got such a good vibe talking to him that it totally cinched the deal. :)
Click to expand...

+1 He is definitely a 'phone guy'... not an 'email guy'.
 
#14
Chris does excellent work, I doubt you could go wrong choosing him.

In general, I say find luthiers that already build something at least similar to what your after. That is, dont go to someone who builds only 35" scales, and ask for 34", or someone who only uses Bartolini's and ask them to use Nordstrands, that type of thing. Pick builders that most represent what your after...

...then call all those guys and/or gals and talk about your project. If a luthier is super hard to get a hold of, or is not very receptive to your ideas, or just isnt as nice a guy/gal as you expected them to be, then keep looking. A custom bass is a very personal thing, and you will want to be kept in the loop and make sure your getting what you wanted. So find someone you can work with, on a personal, and a professional level, and then make your decision.

And remember, you may only get one chance to get the bass of your dreams, its often worth the little extra money to get exactly what you want. Cheaper isnt often better in the custom world. Neither is more expensive always better either though. Do your research.
 
#16
west*coast*bass said:
Chris Stambaugh is great, Mark Garza is a personal favorite...and there are others. My suggestion, call each and discuss your design and listen to their input and then go with the one that makes you feel the most comfortable.
Click to expand...
I agree .... being comfortable with your builder is, for me, a major issue. If you think about it, most of the small-ish custom builders discussed here at TB will do a fantastic job for you. I'm an FBB guy, Nordstrand does simply great work, the LeCompte's I've played have been superb, I love Matt Pulcinella's basses ... the list can go on and on ;)

If the builder can't do what you have in mind, move on to the next guy till you find the right one. And like WestCoast said above, listen to the builders suggestions, as well. I had very specific ideas about my recent build, but Matt Schmill at FBB threw some suggestions at me that honored my design requests, but at the same time really made the bass something extraordinary ... :cool:

Most importantly, take your time and be sure you're getting what you want. The TB For Sale forum is filled with custom basses being sold very quickly after they've been built because the player didn't plan the build properly and ended up with something they didn't like .....
 
#17
pointbass said:
I agree .... being comfortable with your builder is, for me, a major issue. If you think about it, most of the small-ish custom builders discussed here at TB will do a fantastic job for you. I'm an FBB guy, Nordstrand does simply great work, the LeCompte's I've played have been superb, I love Matt Pulcinella's basses ... the list can go on and on ;)

If the builder can't do what you have in mind, move on to the next guy till you find the right one. And like WestCoast said above, listen to the builders suggestions, as well. I had very specific ideas about my recent build, but Matt Schmill at FBB threw some suggestions at me that honored my design requests, but at the same time really made the bass something extraordinary ... :cool:

Most importantly, take your time and be sure you're getting what you want. The TB For Sale forum is filled with custom basses being sold very quickly after they've been built because the player didn't plan the build properly and ended up with something they didn't like .....
Click to expand...

I think some are answering a different question. If the thread originator asked 'who is the best boutique bass builder', I would still include Chris Stambaugh, but then expand to Nordstrand, Skjold, etc., depending on what you were looking for.

However, boutique is very different than the strict definition of 'custom' (i.e., come in with a drawing and specs and have someone create that bass). The work I've seen from Chris is just amazing in that situation. While he does have some standard body shapes, etc., there really isn't a 'Stambaugh' sound or exact spec... each bass is quite unique and custom.

That being said, I think he is also the best 'boutique' luthier out there also (even including Fodera, MTD, and the other well know 'big boy's).
 
#18
KJung said:
I think some are answering a different question. If the thread originator asked 'who is the best boutique bass builder', I would still include Chris Stambaugh, but then expand to Nordstrand, Skjold, etc., depending on what you were looking for.
Click to expand...
Good point Ken .... just further documentable evidence that goes to prove that my reading comprehension is definitely being hampered by my "old-aged-ness" :rolleyes: ;)

But that being said, even considering only the total custom bass idea I stand by my opinion .... if you can't establish a high level of comfort with the builder you stand a good chance of being disappointed. And you should absolutely listen to the builder's ideas, and take your time when ordering.

Or, just forget all about this custom stuff and get a totally smoking SX and then mod it out with quarter-pounders and a BAII bridge .... oops, sorry, wrong thread ..... :hiding: :cool:
 
#19
I would also like to add Cliff Bordwell to this conversation.
I am having Cliff build me a bass and all I can say is that he has been excellent throughout the whole process. He has standard shapes, but I am pretty sure that he will do custom work...e-mail him as he is usually very fast in responding.
 
#20
pointbass said:
Good point Ken .... just further documentable evidence that goes to prove that my reading comprehension is definitely being hampered by my "old-aged-ness" :rolleyes: ;)

But that being said, even considering only the total custom bass idea I stand by my opinion .... if you can't establish a high level of comfort with the builder you stand a good chance of being disappointed. And you should absolutely listen to the builder's ideas, and take your time when ordering.

Or, just forget all about this custom stuff and get a totally smoking SX and then mod it out with quarter-pounders and a BAII bridge .... oops, sorry, wrong thread ..... :hiding: :cool:
Click to expand...

+1 to all points... and you make a great point in your last paragraph... sometimes what looks good on paper does not always come out as you wish in execution. There's a reason that Fodera, MTD, Sadowsky, Roscoe, Celinder, etc., etc. have a relatively fixed body styles and relatively standardized electronics... these luthiers and manufacturers have probably tried it all, and decided on the best combination of stuff to get their bass's signature tone.

So, I'm with you all the way... a much safer bet to find an existing bass line that is close to what you want, and then make a few tweaks with body wood, fretboard, etc. within the luthier's accepted range to 'customize' to what you want.:)
 

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