custom bass DILEMMA

[johans]

Guys,

I need some of you guys' opinion here. I currently own and use my Fender Jaguar bass. Meanwhile, I had actually placed an order back in August 05 a custom bass that I have settled with the wood choices, tops etc. I was in a queue and it got delayed pretty long due to NAMM and other convention and personal circumstances. It was cool but now since it is been quite a while after that, I am facing this dilemma.

The bass costs $3300ish and I had placed 1k down and leaving about $2300 that I owe. The idea of having personalized custom bass and exotic tops etc was still cool to me, but as time drags, I wonder if I would gig with it considering tears, nicks etc that might get to it which lead me to this very dilemma.

I really really want a main bass right now maybe a 5-6ers but let say if I want to spend the $2300, should I spend on a totally new bass, or carry on with the custom order that might probably take another month or two complete. The production is sort of withheld since I am not decided yet.

Help me please....

 

[Bassdesires]

i would never ever wait for a custom build that length of time, by anyone...
i can assure you, Mike Tobias would fix you up in a lot less time than that.

there are many very good and a few great builders around that can and should be able to sort you out in a much more reasonable time-period. this imho is an insane amount of time to wait!

seems sketchy to me why the delay.
i would without hesitation pull it and have another builder (long ago) go at it.
if you are waoting this long - something seems sketchy.

my two cents...

if you need any help pm me.

 

[johans]

well, it wasn't that bad really its also my part to hold it that long without making any decision.

the wait when i placed my order is about 6-8 months which is okay. towards that, some issues happened which delay the whole company's production and it is still understandable. after that i kind of slacked off while waiting for their update and last december 06 i was told to expect it probably about spring 07 which is about now. but since then, i have not really decided should I go on with the boutique exotic bass or just good mid-end working bass. thus what caused it .. really next is just should i go on with it, or new one?

due to the wait, some other basses caught my interest too like mtd, f, zon etc so ... tough one here..

 

[Mikebass6]

I have only bought one custom bass from a guy that makes them by himself so the build times were a touch longer than some, but let me tell you that the wait was well worth it. Not only is it up to my specs, I can call and get ahold of the guy who made it just to discuss string gauges. I know that sounds weak, but if I ever did have any problems, it's good to know that help is right there. Don't get me wrong every bass that you mentioned that is in the high price range is great and the company backs up their instruments, but personal attention goes a long way as well! Good luck, bro!!!

 

[bongomania]

Depends, did you place your order with Bebensee? If so, pursue collection of your deposit. Otherwise, I would talk with the builder about setting a new timetable. If you and the builder can agree to a non-open-ended date by which the bass must be completed, then I'd say that shows good faith intentions on the part of the builder, and a re-commitment on your part to take delivery and pay the balance. If either half of that equation doesn't feel right, then I would (politely) try to get the deposit back.

 

[VroomVroom]

Personally I'd never buy a bass that would only stay at home....or only be used on 'special' occasions, etc. The fellow that just bought my F BN6 surprised me by saying he was only going to use it when recording. Anyway, not to preach, but I'd start there with your decision. Will you play this custom axe?

I recently pursued a custom instrument, but actually found one on the used market that did it for me. The long lead times were definitely a detractor (Michael Tobias quoted 11-12 months btw, which was longer than both Keith Roscoe and Brian Barrett), as was the uncertainty about spending that kind of money for something I'd never played. The ability to test drive an instrument is crucial to me.

 

[johans]

thanks guys..

well first off, the down is non refundable so let's start fresh assuming you have a $2600 budget for a bass..

if i were to ask myself, well maybe when i have it in my hand i'll go play and take a realllly good care of it, but still taking it to most gigs still scares me out at this point. partly because this is going to my current most expensive musical spending. yes, i still do have part of me wanting to keep it, since i had personally talk to them, meet them in person, choose my woods, electronics etc and like you said, personal touch is really what drew me to them after all. the builder a few months back asked me actually whether i want to proceed with my order, if i am yet decided, they might use my body for something else i guess, thus this is where i am still stucked

 

[bongomania]

Wait, let me see if I understand- you gave this guy $1,000. Non refundable. And you're not sure you want the bass? You do realize that if you decide not to get the bass, you've just flushed $1,000 down the toilet? If I correctly understand the situation, and if I was in your shoes, I would probably go ahead and get the bass, and actually play it before deciding I don't want it. That way, if I decide I don't want it, maybe I lose $1,000 in the re-selling; but at least I would have had a real hands-on experience. As it is, it sounds like you're willing to throw a grand in the trash just because of some vague ideas.

At a minimum, I'd try to get the builder to give me something "worth" the deposit like an unfinished bass, a neck or body, or even some premium pieces of raw wood or electronics to use in a different bass.

 

[johans]

Its kinda complicated .. but i was actually supposed to pay the complete payment, but sometime during their delay, i has a sudden financial need as well thus they delayed on their personal reason, and me .. on my own as well.

so i was pretty grateful enough that i can just 'halt' it there and now that i got stable up .. the choice really is still there, get it done, or moving on.

well that came across my mind is just that i am not sure how well can i sell if since it custom and not 2 persons may like the same choices etc pretty much it =)

thanks!