Custom basses

[Basso Gruvitas]

or you could call Benevente.

You CAN'T call Benavente directly. You have to go through Brian Barrett.

 

[mark beem]

gotta toss out conklin www.conklinguitars.com - bill's built me 8 customs and i have 2 others as well from ebay, and they all are awesome.

I also have to recommend Conklin....

 

[lamarjones]

Couple of guys I really dig are already mentioned, MTD and Nordstand. I am about to recieve my first Nordie, can't tell you how excited I am.

Tons of other good guys, but my keeper bass is an R bass by Ray Rogers, Maybe I am biased, but every bass of his I have had rocks.

 

[Phil Mastro]

You should also check Mike Kinal
www.kinal.com

they are supposed to be amazing instruments, and Mike's a cool guy. Plus, I think prices are in canadian funds.

 

[Benavente]

You CAN'T call Benavente directly. You have to go through Brian Barrett.

You 'CAN' call Benavente directly. You can't buy from Benavente directly. I am so busy that I prefer (and you'll get a faster response) that you contact an authorized Benavente dealer with questions/inquiries.... Thank you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.....

 

[malthumb]

You 'CAN' call Benavente directly. ......

AAAAY, How would you know? You act like you're (checks member name).....nevermind

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

I'd recommend any of the three luthiers/companies that have built my five basses. Depending on your price range.....

up to $2,500: Jacob Marchlewski (bass in the middle of the picture) Link Removed I'd also consider Chris Stambaugh in this price range.

Up to $3,500: Pete Hanewinckel (the two maple topped 6 string basses)
Hanewinckel Guitars I'd also consider Ken Smith, Jerzy Drozd, Carey Nordstrand and MTD in this price range. I personally would also consider Sadowsky, but you've already said ixnay on the enderfay.

from $3,000 to Withdrawal from Trust Fund: Alembic (The two darker wood basses on the outside of the picture) Alembic I'd also consider Ken Smith, Jerzy Drozd, and Fodera in this price range.



Peace,

James

That is an impressive collection!

 

[Benavente]

AAAAY, How would you know? You act like you're (checks member name).....nevermind

 

[James Hart]

You can say that again...

 

[bassplayer7770]

That is an impressive collection!

+1!!! I'd so love to try out a Hanewinckel...

 

[Basso Gruvitas]

You 'CAN' call Benavente directly. You can't buy from Benavente directly. I am so busy that I prefer (and you'll get a faster response) that you contact an authorized Benavente dealer with questions/inquiries.... Thank you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.....

Chris,
What I meant was, your phone number is not on your website. To talk to a live person, they need to call Brian (or a dealer). Glad business is so good!!

 

[michele]

... more interested in who was easy to work with, provided you with helpful feedback to get the sound you wanted in your head not the sound that the builder is known for.

A couple of years ago I wrote an e-mail to the guys at The Groove Shoppe. It ended up with no bass purchase (just a money problem) but I'll remember forever the feedback I get from David Beasley: he's very competent and very professional. At Link Removed you'll find some David's thoughts on custom basses construction.
The Shoppe will be my next Brooklyn stop.

 

[swampash]

check out linc luthier, nice bases

http://members.aol.com/lincinc/lincluthier.html

 

[mark beem]

check out linc luthier, nice bases

http://members.aol.com/lincinc/lincluthier.html

I've never played one and I'm sure they're outstanding instruments but I've never liked the body style.. The dual upturned horns just look odd to me..

 

[Brian Barrett]

Chris,
What I meant was, your phone number is not on your website. To talk to a live person, they need to call Brian (or a dealer). Glad business is so good!!

Not sure what info out of Chris you won't get out of me, but if you need to talk with Chris he will drop everything to call you. Chris is busy cutting/carving and spraying and I handle other odds and ends (electronic/pickup tweeking, customers/dealers, etc).

Call Fodera, you will talk to Joey more then likely not Vinny. But Joey can answer anything Vinny would. Both nice guys to talk to, but the phone, customer's, instrument setup is more what Joey handles instead of carving instruments which Vinny does.

If their is a point somewhere I didn't get, please feel free to contact me off TB and I'll be sure to take care of the situation for you.

 

[BeeBassist]

Fred at Bee Basses is a great guy ...I have two Bees built and they are both exactly what I wanted


Bee Basses Rule!!
Dave

 

[saxroots]

I also have to recommend Conklin....

I'm curious about Conklin - I don't see them mentioned as much as other makes - what do you think is so special about them? What's there strengths? How do rate Conklin basses against other makes? I'm thinking of buying one and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[FlawLaw]

I had a great time with Mr. Zon. He was very responsive to my questions and really customized my bass - including making it passive for me. When I opened up the electronics cavity and saw the beautiful simplicity of my bass and the craftmenship. It really was a dream come true.

I am now dealing with Rob Allen and he has been a dream to work with. His e-mails were so swift and he gave me lots of assistance and pictures of wood options. However, a Rob Allen bass may not be what you are looking for, but I want it as a lighter alternative to my main ax - an upright - for acoustic work.

 

[mark beem]

I'm curious about Conklin - I don't see them mentioned as much as other makes - what do you think is so special about them? What's there strengths? How do rate Conklin basses against other makes? I'm thinking of buying one and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks.

Hmmm.. I guess you can just say that I "connect" both with Bill Conklin and the basses he builds. I am and have been for the past ten or so years an ERB player (got my first 6 string back in 95), so when I found out about him (from resident moderator and fellow Conklin-ite John Turner) I looked into it and liked what I saw and heard from Bill and other players who use his basses and guitars. The Groove Tools line afforded me the opportunity to try out his "style" of basses for relatively little money and when I saw the advantages and possibilities I went ahead and sprung for a second hand custom shop model.

As far as strengths and advantages; increased range for one. My 8s offer an incredible tonal range that can go from incredibly low synth-range bass to guitar range. I think it was determined that a 8 string bass has more range than a grand piano (maybe someone here can verify that). Working with Bill was an absolute joy on both my 8s. He was incredibly patient, a good listener and more importantly a good "intuiter". He was able to take my vague concepts, ideas and descriptions and offer real world solutions to get what I wanted from both basses. The prices I thought were VERY reasonable for the product that was delivered.

As far as compared to other builders, I've owned and/or played basses by some the biggest names in the business; Modulus, Ken Lawrence, Roscoe, MTD, Zon and Ken Smith and I'd have no reservation in saying that Bill and his basses are on par with these guys in EVERY aspect; quality, fit, finish sound, tone and playability.

Please let me know if I can be of help in any other way.

 

[Brendan]

My favorites have been mentioned, but I'll throw down Greg Curbow (Invalid Link Removed) as an amazing luthier, if you can deal with the wait. Top shelf, all the way.