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Did a custom built luthier instrument end your GAS?

#41
I sounds like the general consensus is that I probably shouldn't get a custom for the time being. I change basses about once a year because my tastes change. I think I'm settled now though and I think I'm quite thoughtful about the current basses I have...

Fender Passive P, flats
MTD Active 5 strung E-C. Ultra modern.

Now to keep looking for a jazz to cover the low B territory as well. There's currently a mint Sadowsky RV5 for $1800 in my local area...worth jumping on?
 
#43
Ken J said:
For that particular itch?
Yes
But I got other itches.
Click to expand...


EXACTLY!

Had an itch for a fretted 5 51p style custom 12 years ago... still have it, GAS cured for that itch.
that spurred an itch for a fretless 6 51p style custom 11 years ago... still have it, GAS cured for that itch.
then 9 years ago I fell into a great opportunity to have a dream 7 string built... still have it, GAS completely cured for that itch.

I have since bought 3 different 1983 Ibanez instruments for a nostalgia itch... and currently have an itch that will take a 2015 model Gibson SG bass to scratch.
 
#44
Yes. ^. if you have the dough to spend.
I own a few high end basses, Elrick, Jerzy Drozd, Minnieweather, Ken Smith, Tobias, but I will have to say that as much as I play them I also play my Hot Rod Shell Pink Fender Precision w /a "real "62" Fender P-body with a Jazz neck and Audere 4 band EQ" also a Fender Roadworn P Bass, and a MIJ Precision Lyte w/Fodera Preamp just as much as the highenders.
In or around 1989 I went to Doug Rummian in SF for a custom "Jazz" build, it was cheap back then about $1200 haha. While he was building that bass a fellow he built a custom Frettless PJ with EMGs a Jazz neck w/ Ebony board and a solid Koa body defaulted and bailed on the build. I used to play that bass every time I went to check on my build. Guess what ....fell in love with the Frettless the fretboard radius was like a Cello (really like a Cello). So I bought BOTH! I still have that bass and would still have the "Jazz" too if it hadn't been stolen! They were just perfect for "ME"
I know I really got pretty lucky for the first time with a custom build. But in my defense I had been playing over 20 years then and had a very good idea exactly what I wanted. Plus it wasn't as expensive as it is now. I like what someone said about seeking out an up and coming Luthier.
As to GAS I still have it and will probably never lose the curiosity to try and own other basses. I played a RobAllen and loved it and want one as it doesn't compete directly with my Rummian Frettless I played an F-Bass and found the neck way too wide for my comfort and I thought I would love it!
I was a judge on the very first Bass Player Magazine 5-String Bass shootout and voted for the Roscoe fiver which did not win. I loved that bass! I still want to get both a 5 string fretted and fretless from Elrick cause I have discovered his basses are near perfect for ME!
It's not so much the grass is always greener as it is who wants to eat a PB and J sandwich for lunch every day for the rest of their life? OK someone will but you get the idea.
Go out and play every bass you can get your hands on and you start to find out what you REALLY want. Take the time and if necessary the money to go to a high end bass store and play everything. You may find something off the rack you love. You may figure out what it is you are really looking for. Without a solid knowledge base you won't be qualified to even spec a truly custom one off bass. Ymmv etc.
 
#45
I went through all the major brands and a custom luthier. Ended up I loved my plain old american jazz. Because I noticed at most large venues a bass sounds like a bass. No effects needed, just a jazz bass through an Ampeg. Why fix something that is not broken. I now only own a fender jazz and bass for backup. No need to have any more than that.
 
#48
If I could get my MIA jazz plek'd I would not need another. I think gas never goes away but at the en of the day if you like your tone for the most part your doing good. I had a Warwick neck thru thumb, bolt on thumb. And a US Masters ep series and I was never really scared of buckle rash of a few dingle, they are like badgers of honor too me. Now with this jazz bass I'm really worried about hurting it in anyway, even fret wear. I play my backup fifty percent of the time to help with the fret wear. I have done my own fret level and dress with very good results but I'm too afraid of do this to my jazz. And the point is I'm too afraid because this is basically the perfect bass for me. Hope you cure or at least put your gas into remission.
 
#51
I've only bought 3 basses in my life that I would NEVER turn loose of - My Ampeg AMUB fretless bass, my 1975 Fender Jazz, and my 1980 Guild B-50. I've had plenty of basses I THOUGHT I'd never turn loose of, but you never know. Don't expect any bass you buy to be THE ONE - be patient, and the bass itself will tell you when it IS the one!
 
#54
3 Pedulla MVP-5's (all different colors). My GAS is temporarily quiet, unless he comes out with a new great color. Great basses, and 1 would be plenty. Except that you need a back in case the battery goes dead. And what if it's a Saturday, and that color doesn't fit your mood? So you need another backup in a different color.

GAS will end when the sun goes red giant and wipes out the planet. Prior to that, I don't see much hope.
 
#55
jon maghini (mbass)did and it was totally by accident..i was at gguitars in connecticut at least a decade ago when it was still around and the high end place in connecticut...they had fodera, alembic, roscoe, elrick and the list goes on and there was this fretless bass from a "local guy". It was the most amazing feeling instrument ive ever played and i can remember that moment like it was yesterday. I immediately found him and made him custom build me what i wanted and it is by far the best feeling and sounding bass ive owned (and i have been through at least 100 high end basses over the years) . Do i get the talkbass G.A.S, well f.u.ck ya i do, (does a bear sh1t in the woods) but i cannot walk by that bass without picking it up and fingering it.
 
#58
Custom guitars are really cool. Not my personal preference. If I had my druthers I'd have a wall of Aria basses, Various Js and Ps, Stingrays, a couple more Rics, blah blah.

For me, I find more satisfaction in fixing up cheap basses, finding the mid range instruments that sound neat, and the simple joy of GAS.
 
#59
I've always had GAS....but my current instruments meet my needs. A custom build is wonderful if you know exactly what you want. I miss some of the instruments I've traded or sold, but my Alembic, Gretsch and custom Pushic cover all my needs
 

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#60
I had a Lull jazz bass built to my specifications - that is, I chose the woods, finish, pickups etc. Not sure that qualifies as a custom build or not. But no, it did not cure my gas. What cured my gas was recognizing and accepting that it's an irrational compulsion and that I already have all that I need (and more, to the point of extravagance.) But I'm getting old(er) and my perspective has admittedly changed a lot. if I'm going to spend the big bucks on non-necessities I'd rather take my wife on a trip to someplace cool we've never been before or setup a family get-together or something.
 
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