Collaboration: Top 10 Custom Bass Makers

[Just George]

I think Pat Wilkins definitely belongs high on this list.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

I don't think you can have a definitive top 10 because everyone has their favorites. And you're not really talking about total custom builds, you're referring to high end customizable instruments. I'd say the top ten most popular that have stood the test of time are:

1. Fodera
2. Sadowsky NYC (personal favorite)
3. Lakland USA
3. MTD/Tobias
4. Zon
5. Modulus
6. F Bass
7. Alembic
8. Marleaux
9. Ken Smith
10. Pedulla

Some other good ones: Skjold, Carl Thompson, Kinal (personal favorite), Warrior, Sandberg, Stambaugh, Benavente, Brubaker, Roscoe

 

[Menorahman]

How did nobody mentioned Brian Barrett?

My LEJ is the most comfortable bass I've ever played besides this one Fodera Monarch Deluxe.

 

[blindrabbit]

ACG is unquestionably my #1.

Roscoe, Ritter, Drozd, Pedulla, Alembic, F, Sadowsky, Fodera, and Drake would also make the list.

That might be 10, but the list could easily be 50. All these guys are awesome.

 

[Jared Lash]

That's all very interesting and informative, but I would still pick a Fender Custom Shop. Used, they can be had for $2,000 if you look. Not arguing with you, it's just my preference and opinion.

Nothing wrong with that. I even said a Custom Shop P with flats would be in my dream stable. Even when money is no object some guys would still rather have a Fender. I can definitely understand that.

But your original post said you "might choose one of the others but who has that kind of money laying around" which would imply that a Fender Custom Shop would be less than the other options mentioned.

My fully custom Stambaugh was less new than almost all used Custom Shop basses I've seen and much less than their starting new prices.

 

[Menorahman]

Getting a Fender Custom Shop just seems so...boring. For that money you can get a boutique that is at least a little unique, probably better too.

 

[PortlandBass77]

It's not stupid at all for those who like all flavors of Fender. You can brag on your brand of choice, but you don't have to dis mine.

Yes, but the question was custom bass maker. I don't care how well you regard Fender basses, they do not fit into this category, they are mass produced while all of the custom makers are small operations, some with long back orders.

 

[basschanges]

Such a pointless but awesome thread! (I mean that with all due respect)
So there's gonna be two lists for me: The Rolling Stone list, where fame and importance to the movement take precedence, and my real rankings: Where only the quality of the builds comes into play
Rolling Stone:

1.) Carl Thompson

2.) Alembic

3.) Ken Smith

4.) Fodera

5.) MTD

6.)Sadowsky

7.) Spector

8.) Warwick

9.)Pedulla

10.) Rick Turner

The "real" list

1.) Ken Smith

2.) Fodera

3.) Alembic

4.) Zon

5.) Sadowsky

6.) Atlansia

6.) Ritter

7.) Elrick

8.) Roscoe

9.) F Bass

10.) Pedulla

 

[hsech]

Getting a Fender Custom Shop just seems so...boring. For that money you can get a boutique that is at least a little unique, probably better too.

It may be boring for you, but wouldn't be for me. That's why it's nice to be able to have our own opinions.

 

[hsech]

Yes, but the question was custom bass maker. I don't care how well you regard Fender basses, they do not fit into this category, they are mass produced while all of the custom makers are small operations, some with long back orders.

This will go nowhere. Isn't a Fender Custom Shop a custom built bass? It's not one just pulled off the assembly line. If I'm going to suffer a long back order, I would prefer to do it for a bass I actually like and want. This is all my opinion and nobody else's. If my opinion doesn't square with you, skip over it without reading it.

 

[peledog]

Spector

 

[Menorahman]

This will go nowhere. Isn't a Fender Custom Shop a custom built bass? It's not one just pulled off the assembly line. If I'm going to suffer a long back order, I would prefer to do it for a bass I actually like and want. This is all my opinion and nobody else's. If my opinion doesn't square with you, skip over it without reading it.

I think we understand the concept of opinions man

 

[okcrum]

Interesting that Alleva Coppolo and Sadowski are essentially mutually exclusive in these lists. There must be something those A-C owners know...

 

[Neon Blues]

Spector

Whilst I think the USA Spectors are among the finest possible instruments you can buy. I don't see much in being a Custom Build other than a fancy paint job.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

How did nobody mentioned Brian Barrett?

My LEJ is the most comfortable bass I've ever played besides this one Fodera Monarch Deluxe.

That's a Benavente. Brian doesn't make them...

 

[baileyboy]

FBB basses... FBB Custom Bass Works waaaaay underrated, great builds at reasonable prices. IMHO, quality, tone, woods used, etc. easily stand up to those already listed. Additionally, master luthier Matt Schmill is a pleasure to work with.

If he had an endorsement from a household name, his basses would be just as popular.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

I would definitely add Adamovic basses on that list. So my list would go like:

Adamovic
Marin Cano
Fodera
Fender
MTD
Lakland
Yamaha
Drozd
Accuracy
Ken Smith
Lorita

Not necesarily in that order but on the top of my list are definitely Adamovic and Marin Cano.

 

[G On Bass]

I've owned a few of the more realistically priced ones on this list. the best one I've ever owned or played is a Wilkins. Hands down.

 

[Sweet Willie]

Using basses I've played that really spoke to me as something special (and maybe wouldn't have spoken similarly to others!), the following builders would be in my list (and I'll even acknowledge that I haven't liked everything I've played by a subset of them, which doesn't mean that they're inconsistent, but rather that some of their instruments weren't spec'd out in ways that spoke to me)...

Nordstrand
Stambaugh
Drozd
Fodera
Lull
MTD
Overwater
Sadowsky

 

[hsech]

I think we understand the concept of opinions man

You didn't skip over my post............