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Custom P bass

#44
I'm not a P-bass kind of guy and I kind of don't know what to do with a bass that only has 4 strings, but the P that Dave Seuferling built for me some years ago will always be mine. Ancient piece of alder for the body with a 1-pc maple neck, Fralins, '60s carve, stainless frets, light relic. Sounds amazing.

I know it isn't rosewood, but it's too bad that Dave isn't still making guitars (he's a coatings engineer) because he'd be the guy that I would tell you to call.

i-8R6MTMz-X3.jpg
 
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#45
31HZ said:
I'm not a P-bass kind of guy and I kind of don't know what to do with a bass that only has 4 strings, but the P that Dave Seuferling built for me some years ago will always be mine. Ancient piece of alder for the body with a 1-pc maple neck, Fralins, '60s carve, stainless frets, light relic. Sounds amazing.

I know it isn't rosewood, but it's too bad that Dave isn't still making guitars (he's a coatings engineer) because he'd be the guy that I would tell you to call.

i-8R6MTMz-X3.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a beauty :)
 
#47
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...
Try a NASH PB-63. Checks all your boxes for a bit over 2 grand. I just love mine!
And it'll have some residual value if you ever decide to sell it down the road.
 
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#48
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...

I recommend GuitarMill / Mario Martin Guitars out of TN for your neck although they do bodies also. Due to the supply chain issues in 2020 my custom neck took a while but it is the PERFECT shape for me. They will do any spec and shape with any materials and it fits in any Fender Licensed pockets. I got a Chunky Soft V Precision neck with a 1 & 7/8" nut as well as compound radius. It feels absolutely perfect and I didn't have to spend $4k + on a Fender Custom.
 
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#52
31HZ said:
I'm not a P-bass kind of guy and I kind of don't know what to do with a bass that only has 4 strings, but the P that Dave Seuferling built for me some years ago will always be mine. Ancient piece of alder for the body with a 1-pc maple neck, Fralins, '60s carve, stainless frets, light relic. Sounds amazing.

I know it isn't rosewood, but it's too bad that Dave isn't still making guitars (he's a coatings engineer) because he'd be the guy that I would tell you to call.

i-8R6MTMz-X3.jpg
Click to expand...
Dave himself has retired from instrument building but passed his company, Seuf Guitars, on to his apprentices.

For custom work I can also suggest Joe Riggio. He refinished a vintage p in fiesta red for me and it was top notch work. The color was spot on and the broken in style neck felt great.
 
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#54
A custome P is a great idea, me thinks
Erik Stokley said:
Another option if you're not set on the fender shape would be an elrick icon or fodera monarch. Pretty sure all neck specs are fully customizable
View attachment 4666723View attachment 4666724
Click to expand...
I REALLY like the elrick.
When speaking with him about this bass he also seemed super open to 'custom' versions.
Specifically, I mentioned, no top and wider neck. Very cool and it seemed to come at a reasonable price - depending on spec.
 

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