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Custom basses - need recommendations

#4
My first suggestion would have to be Sei bass www.seibass.com but they stick rigisly to their great designs. Definitely worth a look at the website.

AC Guitars however, have been known to tweak their designs. With the weakness in the British Pound, they're getting more orders from the USA.

Again, definitely worth a look at www.acguitars.co.uk Look through the Gallery page as well as there are new designs which haven't made the specs page yet.

Best of luck !!
 
#6
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Hey everyone,

Haven't been on TB bass section for a while... Now that I have some money saved up, I'm thinking about getting a custom bass. I'm looking for a company that will let me use my own design instead of having to use their models. Can anyone recommend any companies in particular?

Thanks,

Hunter
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[This invalid link has been removed] would be my first tip.
 
#7
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Looks great and have awesome prices!

Link Removed
Good polish luthier. They are making a 8 string guitar for me now, and I am planning on a 5 string bass from them in the future. Great ptices, great luthier and very good customer service. Can build whatever you like!
 
#8
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Hey everyone,

Haven't been on TB bass section for a while... Now that I have some money saved up, I'm thinking about getting a custom bass. I'm looking for a company that will let me use my own design instead of having to use their models. Can anyone recommend any companies in particular?

Thanks,

Hunter
Click to expand...

All I can say is that I would NOT recommend Chris Stambaugh. Completely inflexible, won't do customer designs, outrageously expensive and his work is subpar.







Plus, if you order from him it will just make my wait longer for my third Stammie sometime this year.
 
#12
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Wow, 6 posts, 9 different answers... Hmm...
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And some very good answers too. The ones I've heard of have good reputations and I've played basses by three of them (ACG, CB & Stambaugh) and wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them.

That said, it might help narrow things down if you had a sketch or a mockup of the design you are planning on using.
 
#15
Using your own design/s is going to increase the cost of most customs considerably! There is so much choice out there, I'd say if you are on a budget then look around and do your research and see if you can find an existing model, which trust me, customizing to your exact needs is a lot of fun!
 
#16
AmazingGracePlayer said:
Look for a luthier that can make an exactly replica of Victor Wooten's Yin Yang Fodera, and a Carl Thompson look-alike.
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Hmm.

Just my personal feeling on this, but I'm not a fan of that kind of approach. It just seems a bit odd, like asking someone who is a great artist in their own right to paint you a copy of the Mona Lisa.

I do know that many people have gone to Chris Stambaugh for "Fodera-style" basses. I imagine they sound similar, but nothing will sound exactly like a Fodera but a Fodera. Here's one of Chris' basses where I think the owner was aiming for a Fodera style.

Stambaugh-L.jpg


He can do intricate work too. Here's a very custom design:
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As for a Carl Thompson, personally I look at a guy like Cliff Bordwell as a similar builder. Great sound, great craftsmanship, interesting shapes. Truth be told, I like Cliff's basses a good deal better. He could probably even give it a few CT like flourishes for you.

Here's a Bordwell that I really like:
b1-041225ff1_000.jpg
 
#17
Like TheBigO says, Chris is kinda good about Fodera style instruments. My upcoming Stambaugh is more than a bit of a Monarch tribute and "probably" boarders somewhere close to rip-off. Cliff is also good about a nice tribute to Carl Thompson's designs.

With the Yin Yang, a few things come to mind. Is that design trademarked? I don't know if it would be worth fighting, but I'd think if it were trademarked, Chris wouldn't want to mess with the hassles or possible bad pub. For someone to precision cut the lumber like that, it can't be cheap. Only Conklin and Fodera are out there making the Yin Yang or Conklin's signature melted tops. My last point is more of an opinion, but if you're going to shell out that kind of cash towards a bass, make it your bass. I'm not bashing the Yin Yang whatsoever, but I think flashing that kind of hardware might warrant some pretty high expectations, the kind of expectations that are pretty hard to fill and could cost you a gig or some embarrassment if you fail.
 
#18
spade2you said:
LOL, I have a feeling Fullrange will recommend Dingwall and I'll give a shout out to Cliff Bordwell....as per the usual. :p
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Well, you are right that I'd call Sheldon (Dingwall) for materializing my ideas:hiding::hiding::hiding:.

Back to the OP

Truth to be told, If it were a totally custom bass (from shape, construction and design to any other variables), I'd go with Chris Stambaugh. I've been very happy with my SC5P Stambaugh and I am happy to recommend him for any custom work. I am sure that Chris is able to make a tribute copy to either of the basses you mention. Cliff Bordwell is another very valid option too.
 

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