Custom Basses

[mart356]

hi, i was thinking about buying a custom bass, i just wanted to ask you guys about it first. i have several questions...

1.) can it be any shape? i want the body to look like a fender jazz bass.

2.) can the body be made out of anything? for e.g i want a marble look except in green, how would i acheive this?

3.) can you have the type of pickups you want and have them where you want?

4.)can you have the headstock the design you want?

5.)can you have a custom scratchplate, like a colour of your choice tortoise shell scratchplate?


thnx for the help

 

[neurotictim]

1. Pretty much. Fender Jazz basses are arguably the most common shapes anywhere, that won't be a problem.

2. Yes and no... Depends on what you're willing to pay. IMO, Your best bet is going to be a wood body finished professionally - have a look at Brubaker basses & guitars, anything is possible.

3. Yes.

4. To a point - a lot of custom manufacturers prefer to use their own headstock shape, and most won't copy another's shape. If you want something unique, then it may cost extra, but pretty much anyone will do it, I would think.

5. Yes - you'll probably change it out a few times, after a while, and you can even order your own material to make whatever shape you want.

*EDIT* It's in your best interests to work with the luthier for the best fit, finish, and tone. Most of them have decades of experience that you should be open to, for the best sound and playability.

 

[Marksb_2000]

hi, i was thinking about buying a custom bass, i just wanted to ask you guys about it first. i have several questions...

1.) can it be any shape? i want the body to look like a fender jazz bass.

2.) can the body be made out of anything? for e.g i want a marble look except in green, how would i acheive this?

3.) can you have the type of pickups you want and have them where you want?

4.)can you have the headstock the design you want?

5.)can you have a custom scratchplate, like a colour of your choice tortoise shell scratchplate?


thnx for the help

Sure

There are lots of builders out there who will make anything you want. There are 2 of them within a mile of my house.

Two things to consider:

It will cost a lot of money.

It will have very little resale value if it has too may custom options.

 

[lpdeluxe]

With enough money, you can do anything...

...except guarantee that the bass will sound the way you want.

 

[mart356]

so basically it can be anything?

and how could i help make sure it sounds right?

thnx for the help

 

[Virgil]

1. Most luthiers have their own body shapes, but fortunately for you, many have the Jazz body style.
2. Wood bodies can be painted to look like anything you want. Check out the Skjold thread to see examples.
3. Most luthiers want you to use the pickups they make or use...kep in mind their name goes on the bass, so if it sounds like crap, it's their reputation going down the drain.
4. Again, most lutheirs have their own unique headstock and will not change it.
5. Yes
Keep in mind, the more they vary from their design the more it will cost. Keep re-sale in the back of your mind. If you get to crazy with your design, you may not be able to sell it if it doesn't sound the way you want. The most important issue is tone. Make sure the woods you want will sound good together. Talk to several luthiers i.e. Mike Tobias, Pete Skjold, Keith Roscoe, Sadowsky. Pick their brains before choosing woods. Those guys know their stuff, and they may give you a price for what you want. The more established they are, the more the bass is going to cost, generally speaking. Good luck.

 

[spade2you]

They can do ANYTHING if you can afford it. Again, play bass for a while. Until you know exactly what you want/need, even best luthiers are often a waste of money.

 

[bongomania]

so basically it can be anything?

Yes, anything. Even the wildest outer-space design, or the most tricked-out Fender variation.

how could i help make sure it sounds right?

That's the catch. Until you have a really broad and comprehensive amount of experience with different basses, and can articulate your thoughts with technical accuracy to the luthier, and have specific personal experience with every element of the bass (components, neck profile, etc.) there is no way to make sure it sounds right. Even if you do have all the above stuff dialed in, there's still no guarantee because every piece of wood sounds different, and often small subtle variations and combinations that you wouldn't think would make a difference, do.

For example, Sadowsky is one of the most popular and consistent-quality Fender-style custom brands. But even somebody who has played and loved one Sadowsky may possibly be let down by the tone of another.

 

[mart356]

ok thanks very much everyone i understand now

 

[René_Julien]

...

It will have very little resale value if it has too may custom options.

Unless you become really famous and many bassists idolize you.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Anything is possible.
It's only a matter of money and finding the right person for the job.
Resale value is extremelly for all custom basses so you'd better know what you want for sure.

 

[spook396]

Find a good luthier, and they will build ANYTHING you want, set up exactly to your spec.

If you go to one who insists on anything that you're not happy with, take your money elsewhere.

You seem to have pretty much sorted your spec list - find half a dozen luthiers and visit them.
The good ones are ALWAYS prepared to spend time discussing your wants and needs, and will let you try out some of their products.

Sure, you CAN spend a lot more than the store price for your instruments, and you will have a wait, (the most frustrating bit!), but in the end you'll have a higher quality instrument that's perfect for you.

I had two identically spec'ed 5 strings made,each of which cost me not a lot more than the price of a good Warwick, since which my 74 Precision, (which I loved but struggled with a little , apart from the fact I needed a 5 string) has not left it's case.

I took it in, said this is the main tone I want, with a smaller body and a smaller neck (I'm a short arse with small hands!), and hey presto, 6 months later, perfection. So I told him to build me another!
In my humble opinion it's well worth it

 

[spook396]

Yes, anything. Even the wildest outer-space design, or the most tricked-out Fender variation.

That's the catch. Until you have a really broad and comprehensive amount of experience with different basses, and can articulate your thoughts with technical accuracy to the luthier, and have specific personal experience with every element of the bass (components, neck profile, etc.) there is no way to make sure it sounds right. Even if you do have all the above stuff dialed in, there's still no guarantee because every piece of wood sounds different, and often small subtle variations and combinations that you wouldn't think would make a difference, do.

For example, Sadowsky is one of the most popular and consistent-quality Fender-style custom brands. But even somebody who has played and loved one Sadowsky may possibly be let down by the tone of another.

I think that goes for many brands of bass, though a luthier made item will be more consistant