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Custom P Bass Builder — Who?

#61
sonic 7 said:
Olinto
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This is if you want to go as close to vintage as possible.

I see a lot of Mike Lull suggested on this thread as well...As a Lull signature artist the brand makes some of the basses in the biz, they are second to none.

I just think the Olinto nails the absolute true vintage thing more then anyone.
 
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#62
DJ Bebop said:
I looked as that and agree these are a excellent representation of a Fender bass.

Stop and think for a minute as to what a Fender bass really is...

A bass put together out of parts that come off a shelf and out of a bin, with scew drivers and a soldering iron. The same thing you did, only difference is, you had the parts mailed to you :)
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Exactly. The problem with any instrument is the combination of components used. If you love everything about a bass, fine, but there may be one or two things you aren't happy with. Maybe the pots are cheesy or you don't care for the style of knobs used. With a mutt, you control every aspect. By knowing what specs you want, you're in charge. There is no shortage of aftermarket parts available ranging in quality from garbage to sublime. Do your diligent research and you won't be disappointed.
 
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#64
JazzyJacuzzi said:
TL;DR: You have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it?

—

I'm at a point in my life where I know what I like and don't like when it comes to basses, have the financial means and the justification (sort of) to get myself a custom bass. What I don't know is who to approach to build it? Fender Custom Shop? Sadowsky? Lull? Sanberg?

More precisely, I'm looking for a 60s Precision and am entertain the idea of a 5 string.

So you have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it?
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Me. I'd build a PJ, a JJ, a Ray, and also a Double Soap Bar active 5 string.

With enough left over to pay my truck bill.
 
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#65
40Hz said:
$6K? Seriously? Wow!

Gotta love Fender's "Custom" Shop I suppose. Yesteryear's basses at tomorrow's prices.
:thumbsup:
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Yes they are quite pricey! To get a Master Built Bass made the way I wanted it with a 60's style neck with an Ebony fretboard, 60's style body but drilled out for a string thru bridge, NOS finish, pickups, some wiring mods, and other hardware I was quoted up to $5000 and at least 9 months to build. Add tax and shipping and it's pushing 6k.

If you are going to go all out on a custom build, don't cut corners and get it exactly the way you want!

I might have done it if the build time was only around 3 months.
 
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#66
DJ Bebop said:
I looked as that and agree these are a excellent representation of a Fender bass.

Stop and think for a minute as to what a Fender bass really is...

A bass put together out of parts that come off a shelf and out of a bin, with scew drivers and a soldering iron. The same thing you did, only difference is, you had the parts mailed to you :)
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An interesting way to put it, but I agree!
 
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#69
JazzyJacuzzi said:
TL;DR: You have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it?

—

I'm at a point in my life where I know what I like and don't like when it comes to basses, have the financial means and the justification (sort of) to get myself a custom bass. What I don't know is who to approach to build it? Fender Custom Shop? Sadowsky? Lull? Sanberg?

More precisely, I'm looking for a 60s Precision and am entertain the idea of a 5 string.

So you have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it?
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I built my own. I love it and I've just used it on a brand new album recorded this month.
 
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#73
fourstringburn said:
Yes they are quite pricey! To get a Master Built Bass made the way I wanted it with a 60's style neck with an Ebony fretboard, 60's style body but drilled out for a string thru bridge, NOS finish, pickups, some wiring mods, and other hardware I was quoted up to $5000 and at least 9 months to build. Add tax and shipping and it's pushing 6k.

If you are going to go all out on a custom build, don't cut corners and get it exactly the way you want!

I might have done it if the build time was only around 3 months.
Click to expand...

The important thing is you knew exactly what you wanted. And you're 100% correct. If you're going to spend money, then go all in. Kinda like a car. Might as well get all the options you wanted since you're going to be driving it for the next seven or so years minimum if you're like most car owners. Amortized over time (a lifetime in the case of a top quality musical instrument) means the "cheaper" it gets with each passing year. So the sooner you pull the trigger, the sooner you realize the cumulative economic benefit. Even an $11K Alembic or Wal averages out to $550 annually (about the price of a CV Squier) over 20 years. :D:thumbsup:
 
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#74
4SG said:
$4000? If you have that much money and you know exactly what you want, do it yourself. Buy a custom body with your wood, weight and finish specs from MJT or some other quality builder. Find a neck you like from Fender CS, Warmoth or another reliable source. Get fantastic pickups from any boutique shop: Lollar, Fralin, Nordstrand, etc (or have them hand-wound). High-quality knobs, tuners, bridges and other parts are readily available online. Buy a pre-wired harness with great components so you can wire it yourself, or have the whole thing assembled by your trusted luthier. It's just a P bass, not an exotic coffee table neck-through with active pickups and a control panel like a spaceship. You should be able to get exactly what you want for less than half your budget.

I built a J bass customized to my specs and the whole thing was less than $1500: View attachment 4485907
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Very Nice build, maybe start a thread giving specifics and other details on your Bass!
 
#75
All the Luthiers suggested in this thread are spot on and you can't go wrong with any of them. If it were me and I had that kind of dough I would go Jimmy Coppolo, hands down. I own a fantastic, hand made 5 string P bass by Jon Mahgini and it checks all my boxes. I would highly recommend him, and you might even have some cash left over for a Noble pre!
 
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#76
JazzyJacuzzi said:
TL;DR: You have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it? So you have up to $4K for a custom Precision bass. Who would you choose to build it?
Click to expand...

I would build my own for $500 and find something else to spend the other $3500 on. I do not want to own a $4000 instrument. I like inexpensive parts basses ... but that being said with runaway inflation soon my $500 parts basses will be worth $4000

DSCF1202.JPG
 
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#79
You say you know what you like and what you don't like in a P bass and I'll bet you even have an idea in your head of how you would like it to sound. Whenever anyone here starts asking about which P bass to buy the overwhelming response is " go out and try some and find one you like". No matter who you end up having build your bass, it's a crap shoot. You will be spending some serious bank "hoping" to get the bass of your dreams. Maybe yes and maybe no. As for building your own. It will get you closer to some of the things you want but it's still a crap shoot as to how it will sound and how it will play. If you know a good local luthier who can set it up for you it may get you close to what you think you want.
 
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