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Custom P bass

truand85

truand85

Zig Zag Wanderer
Nov 11, 2021
1,135
2,514
Phoenix, AZ
#1
I'm looking for some opinions on going the custom P bass route. I know there are a lot of threads on this topic, but I'd like to get some feedback from people who've gone down that road and have thought both about a parts bass vs a custom luthier build.

Here are the details on what I would want:
- Passive electronics, Lollar split P
- Maple neck with rosewood FB, 1"5/8th nut, chunky profile
- Alder body, maybe with a cool top and finish? I'm partial to a quilted maple top with Tiger Eye dye finish....

I've been spending too much time on the Warmoth bass configurator I must've built 3 dozen and added about half to my cart before talking myself out of it.

My budget is fairly large. I'll go up to $5000 for the right stuff, but it has to be worth it. I guess what I'm asking is - if I don't care about looks, and I have no problem putting a bass together from parts - is it still worth talking to Fender CS, Sadowsky, etc or am I better off spending half or even less on a built-to-spec Warmoth? Other builders worth considering?

My goal is really to have a great P bass with just a few details how I want them (chunky neck, 1"5/8th nut, rosewood FB are all must haves).
 
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#2
For my money there's none better than Pat Wilkins. I know that he does custom work - his finishes are among the best in the business. I'm a P bass guy through and through, and have owned a few J basses over the years. The only one I regret selling was a Wilkins J, the fit and finish were top-notch and his necks and fretwork are outstanding. Check out his website and maybe call and talk to him about what you want. I think that the Warmoth route will get you there, especially since you seem to have a good idea of what you are looking for, but for a higher budget I'd go Wilkins all day long.
 
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#3
truand85 said:
I'm looking for some opinions on going the custom P bass route. I know there are a lot of threads on this topic, but I'd like to get some feedback from people who've gone down that road and have thought both about a parts bass vs a custom luthier build.

Here are the details on what I would want:
- Passive electronics, Lollar split P
- Maple neck with rosewood FB, 1"5/8th nut, chunky profile
- Alder body, maybe with a cool top and finish? I'm partial to a quilted maple top with Tiger Eye dye finish....

I've been spending too much time on the Warmoth bass configurator I must've built 3 dozen and added about half to my cart before talking myself out of it.

My budget is fairly large. I'll go up to $5000 for the right stuff, but it has to be worth it. I guess what I'm asking is - if I don't care about looks, and I have no problem putting a bass together from parts - is it still worth talking to Fender CS, Sadowsky, etc or am I better off spending half or even less on a built-to-spec Warmoth? Other builders worth considering?

My goal is really to have a great P bass with just a few details how I want them (chunky neck, 1"5/8th nut, rosewood FB are all must haves).
Click to expand...
Warmoth doesn't do a chunky 1 5/8's neck so they're out. That's my preference as well. If you find one, let me know.
 
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#4
deff said:
Warmoth doesn't do a chunky 1 5/8's neck so they're out. That's my preference as well. If you find one, let me know.
Click to expand...

They don't? In the configurator you can pick 1"5/8th for the nut, my assumption was that not including the Slim Taper option would net me a chunky neck, but sounds like that's not the case.

I almost pulled the trigger yesterday, glad I held off and asked first.

I requested a quote from Valenti to see what going the custom luthier build route would cost me.
 
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#5
truand85 said:
They don't? In the configurator you can pick 1"5/8th for the nut, my assumption was that not including the Slim Taper option would net me a chunky neck, but sounds like that's not the case.

I almost pulled the trigger yesterday, glad I held off and asked first.

I requested a quote from Valenti to see what going the custom luthier build route would cost me.
Click to expand...
I think the choice is basically between a normal pbass neck at 1 5/8's and a slim taper. I was hoping it was like the old USACG where you could order one that was vaguely baseball bat like but not wide.
 
#6
deff said:
I think the choice is basically between a normal pbass neck at 1 5/8's and a slim taper. I was hoping it was like the old USACG where you could order one that was vaguely baseball bat like but not wide.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I want, pretty much a 70s type P neck, the chunky ones with the 41mm nut. That's my jam, just fits my hand right. Thanks for chiming in I'll have to rethink my Warmoth strategy... :D
 
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#9
buldog5151bass said:
I've been playing my Lull P4 for about 16 years. Love it in every way. Took me about a week to get used to the headstock - never thought about it after that.
Click to expand...

Yeah hard to ignore Lull after reading TB for awhile. I'll ask them for a quote also.

Bikeguy57 said:
Musikraft has a lot of options on their configurator. Might be worth a look.
Click to expand...

I'll take a look. I don't think I've heard of them before, thanks!
 
#11
Nash basses come stock with the Lollar split P and *I think* their P necks are usually 1 5/8" stock. Not sure of neck dimensions but you could always ask. Slightly more than $2k new.

For $5k theres Lull and Olinto. Sadowsky would be more money+wait time. Keith Roscoe builds a wonderful Fender style bass that's waaaay underrated. That would probably be $3kish.
 
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#12
Fender Custom Shop is certainly an option. Though I don't think you'll be able to get the Lollars through them. However, I have a FCS P-Bass with the Hand Wound '62 pickups and they are amazing.

Some options that might be a bit less expensive but good options are Nash and Bluesman Vintage, though I don't know if either will do a top. But it's worth contacting them. Bluesman, you can reach out directly but Nash (and Fender FCS actually) you'll need to go through a retailer.

Given what you want, my first stop would be Mike Lull. Never owned one but they are supposed to be one of the best.
 
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#16
Great avatar @truand85 ! Many good suggestions already. Having gone down the parts pass route several times, I always get finished and ask myself "why the hell didn't I just buy a whole bass". I think I've come to the realization that making minor mods vs. assembling a whole bass are two entirely different things, and I just don't have the skill/experience/wherewithal to do it right myself. Only you can answer that question for yourself though.

In addition to Warmoth (done that before too), have you checked out Maruszczyk?

Public Peace - Maruszczyk Instruments (public-peace.de)

And here's the custom shop link: Home | Public Peace Customshop (public-peace-customshop.de)

There's a Configurator link towards the right of the page. You pick the general model as a starting point (e.g. maybe the "Jake C" in your case) and then you're off to the races with options. IMO you can get a really nice semi-custom bass for a very reasonable price from them. I've never owned one, but I've played one, and I was recently spec'ing out a P myself from them. I ended up getting lucky and landing something used though.

Good luck!
 
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#17
gscroggin said:
Great avatar @truand85 ! Many good suggestions already. Having gone down the parts pass route several times, I always get finished and ask myself "why the hell didn't I just buy a whole bass". I think I've come to the realization that making minor mods vs. assembling a whole bass are two entirely different things, and I just don't have the skill/experience/wherewithal to do it right myself. Only you can answer that question for yourself though.

In addition to Warmoth (done that before too), have you checked out Maruszczyk?

Public Peace - Maruszczyk Instruments (public-peace.de)

And here's the custom shop link: Home | Public Peace Customshop (public-peace-customshop.de)

There's a Configurator link towards the right of the page. You pick the general model as a starting point (e.g. maybe the "Jake C" in your case) and then you're off to the races with options. IMO you can get a really nice semi-custom bass for a very reasonable price from them. I've never owned one, but I've played one, and I was recently spec'ing out a P myself from them. I ended up getting lucky and landing something used though.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks I will try that also and see if they have a neck option that'll work
 
#19
I may have to disagree slightly with @deff . Warmoth does not offer 1"5/8's nut, so there he is correct. It is technically 1"11/16th. But...IMHO the Standard Profile neck is chunky. At least chunkyish. I prefer the Slim Taper Contour and have (2) of them, so maybe I am biased against the Standard Profile. I would not say that its Baseball Bat chunky...but certainly bigger. However...
truand85 said:
I'll have to rethink my Warmoth strategy...
Click to expand...
I wouldn't abandon Warmoth altogether. Then again, I adore Warmoth products and its all I play now because IMO everything from them is custom to your specs.

The most baseball bat neck I have ever played was actually on an Xotic brand bass, which shocked me. You have some great advice in this thread. Good luck!
 
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