• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Collaboration: Top 10 Custom Bass Makers

#81
hsech said:
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.
Click to expand...

I'm just confused on how you think Fender fits in the category of custom builders? When you include that they own Squire, they are by far the world's biggest bass producer. Must of the custom builders struggle to produce what Fender produces in one day in a year.... I don't dislike Fender basses, hell I own a MIM Jazzzz bass, I just seriously don't see how they are a legitimate answer to the OP's question....
 
#82
I guess we should define "custom." A company's size doesn't have anything to do with it per say. Hsech is just referring to the custom shop arm of the company. Custom only refers to how basses are produced (which really puts a lot of the builders mentioned in questionable territory vis a vis this thread)
 
  • Like
Reactions: hsech
#83
I believe the direction the op was headed by the list of builders he provided were the boutique company's or luthiers that build these basses. I have several Fender basses I'm not knocking them by any means, IMHO the only Fender basses that come close to boutique are the master built basses, custom shop basses are what have seen described as team built. Again everyone is entitled to their opinion.
 
#86
basschanges said:
I guess we should define "custom." A company's size doesn't have anything to do with it per say. Hsech is just referring to the custom shop arm of the company. Custom only refers to how basses are produced (which really puts a lot of the builders mentioned in questionable territory vis a vis this thread)
Click to expand...

Thank you. You stated it better than I did apparently.
 
  • Like
Reactions: basschanges
#88
If my money is involved, the list goes, in order, like this....

  1. Alembic (those who know me are not surprised)
  2. Roscoe
  3. Sadowsky
  4. Hanewinckel
  5. Fodera
  6. Sandberg
  7. Ken Smith
  8. Fender Custom Shop
  9. Jerzy Drozd
  10. Mayones
That is based SOLELY on basses I have owned or played. If I were to add eye candy that I've never actually played, I would have to consider
  • CallowHill
  • Shawn May
  • Stambaugh
 
  • Like
Reactions: jim777
#89
okcrum said:
Interesting that Alleva Coppolo and Sadowski are essentially mutually exclusive in these lists. There must be something those A-C owners know... ;)
Click to expand...


They're awesome, very cool basses...the one I owned personally was an all time great, but I have seen a few examples with alarming flaws...I feel like it's on this list a lot because it's trendy to put it up there along with some other brands..kudos to you guys sticking with the brands you know, whether there more well known or not...have a lot of these people putting some brands on their list (and some spelling the names wrong) even played one..?..don't know...I gotta wonder, if you haven't actually spent some time playing one for a little while and are just going with a few sound clips or just heresay, what's the difference between this list and a popularity contest..?..I'm not against this thread, but how can you judge something you've never even held in your hands..?..I can't put together a sound list myself..I've played many different brands but don't think I've logged enough time on a solid 10 to give an opinion based on experience...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GregC, ptleftybass and okcrum
#90
Ace Of Bass said:
They're awesome, very cool basses...the one I owned personally was an all time great, but I have seen a few examples with alarming flaws...I feel like it's on this list a lot because it's trendy to put it up there along with some other brands..kudos to you guys sticking with the brands you know, whether there more well known or not...have a lot of these people putting some brands on their list (and some spelling the names wrong) even played one..?..don't know...I gotta wonder, if you haven't actually spent some time playing one for a little while and are just going with a few sound clips or just heresay, what's the difference between this list and a popularity contest..?..I'm not against this thread, but how can you judge something you've never even held in your hands..?..I can't put together a sound list myself..I've played many different brands but don't think I've logged enough time on a solid 10 to give an opinion based on experience...
Click to expand...

I know your a fellow MTD guy, great basses I have Saratoga on order, love my 535. Being left handed I try a lot of basses upside down and backwards so I have to make some rough decisions before I pull the trigger on a build. When I'm at a show where Mike Tobias is, I give him my lefty MTD's for people to try at the booth. I have been lucky with my 3 boutique MTD 535/24 (Saratoga on the way) , Sadowsky UV 60 and Status fretless King bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ace Of Bass
#95
Chris May @ OVERWATER needs to be added to the list for sure! Then there's the other 9 that I have in my stable; Roger Sadowsky, Alembic, Jon Maghini, Ken Smith, Mike Lull; Fodera/Pope; Nordstrand; Warwick Custom Shop and the Fender Custom Shop. Those are what I use. However, we are Lucky enough to have So Many good builders out there for Bass Players nowadays !
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back