Custom made to order bass?

[Mer The Bear]

Hi everyone, some time down the road I wanted to buy a bass made to my specifications.

It's pretty weird. 4 string bass with an ash body, active EMGs and a 36-38 inch scale length. I'd like to have locking tuners, only because I like the way they look, but they're for purely cosmetic purposes.

I was wondering if anyone knew a good dealer to go to to get a bass like this and if I would need to call in to get this special made. I was also wondering who to go to in case I need strings custom made for this too.

Thank you for your time and help.

 

[who]

Just to clarify, when you say 36"-38" scale length, do you mean a single scale length within that range, or a multiscale/fanned fret that goes from 38" on the lower strings to 36" on the higher strings?

 

[lz4005]

Just to clarify, when you say 36"-38" scale length, do you mean a single scale length within that range, or a multiscale/fanned fret that goes from 38" on the lower strings to 36" on the higher strings?

Hopefully the former. Because I don't know of any non-custom made strings that will fit a 38 inch scale bass.

 

[Mer The Bear]

Just to clarify, when you say 36"-38" scale length, do you mean a single scale length within that range, or a multiscale/fanned fret that goes from 38" on the lower strings to 36" on the higher strings?

A bass with a scale length between 36" and 38". In hindsight, I really should have clarified that.

 

[sleddogn]

37? right down the middle, lol

 

[eastcoasteddie]

 

[Snaxster]

View attachment 3815258

Cryin' over here... whew.

 

[Solarmist]

Kalium Quake bass kinda fits the description.

 

[4stringsjack]

Locking tuners are the prettiest.

What else are you looking for in this magnificent beast?

 

[fcleff]

Just be sure and put extra consideration into your choice of color. Color is very important because if it is a custom made bass you want people to know you spent a lot of money on it. The color really has to pop and show that price tag. That’s all that matters.

 

[kasken]

I am not sure I agree; the beauty of natural graining and exotic wood lets everyone know you spent copious monies. Well, that and the hand rubbed...finish.

 

[4stringsjack]

Just be sure and put extra consideration into your choice of color. Color is very important because if it is a custom made bass you want people to know you spent a lot of money on it. The color really has to pop and show that price tag. That’s all that matters.

What color is good?

 

[kasken]

What color is good?

One that evokes strong memory; like the Antigua burst of a soiled diaper or the earthen brown of a "bass run" in the second set

 

[Mer The Bear]

Locking tuners are the prettiest.

What else are you looking for in this magnificent beast?

All I want is just a longer neck to fit my lanky ape arms. Just give me a 9 foot scale length and I'll be happy.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Just be sure and put extra consideration into your choice of color. Color is very important because if it is a custom made bass you want people to know you spent a lot of money on it. The color really has to pop and show that price tag. That’s all that matters.

I am not sure I agree; the beauty of natural graining and exotic wood lets everyone know you spent copious monies. Well, that and the hand rubbed...finish.

Wait. What? "Natural" is my 3rd least favorite finish, after sunburst and black. BORING!

IMO, ceruse in Blue/Gold.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Welcome to Talkbass!

I don’t know anything about the builder but this looks fun.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[kasken]

Well, that and the hand rubbed...finish.

IMO, ceruse in Blue/Gold.

So, you ARE a fan of hand rubbing...

 

[Volker Kirstein]

So, you ARE a fan of hand rubbing...

Unnatural hand rubbing, sure! *waggles eyebrows*

 

[fcleff]

I am not sure I agree; the beauty of natural graining and exotic wood lets everyone know you spent copious monies. Well, that and the hand rubbed...finish.

Regardless of what you choose, always get the hand rubbed finish.

 

[Jon Moody]

It's pretty weird. 4 string bass with an ash body, active EMGs and a 36-38 inch scale length. I'd like to have locking tuners, only because I like the way they look, but they're for purely cosmetic purposes.

The first two criteria are incredibly common. The locking tuners is easily doable, but the scale length is going to be the wild card for a builder.

Builders like Carl Thompson and Pete Hilton already do 36" scale instruments. I think CT also does a 38" scale as well. And at least with the 36" scale basses, you can get away with "extra long" strings, that are 38" winding length or more. Those are readily available.

Then as already mentioned, the Knuckle Quake bass would be another good option. It has a longer scale than what you're asking, but Skip makes the strings for it so you wouldn't have a hard time finding them.

I was also wondering who to go to in case I need strings custom made for this too.

If you get an instrument that already uses custom length strings, you're gonna be tied to whatever strings that builder is using. Hopefully they'll sell them direct.

If you want to approach a string company for custom length strings, there are "maybe" a couple of the smaller shops that would entertain that. The bigger ones won't do it, unless the idea of "minimum quantities" is acceptable.