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Does Anyone Share My Sentiments???

T

Thingus995

May 30, 2008
505
0
www.myspace.com
#1
I was thinking about this (and have been for a while actually) and I figured id ask around here and see what the general consensus was regarding my thoughts on the matter...

Since ive become more actively involved in music (ie; "playing" daily, learning, more practice, talkbass time, etc) ive become far more aware of the wonders of a handcrafted instrument masterbuilt by a renowned luthier (your luthier of choice may vary, the two that come to mind for me, and the ones i lust after are in no order Alembic and MTD)

I realize that instruments made by these companies are made by cerytain individuals... i would most definitely like to place an order for one and or both of these instruments before they are no longer built by Michael Tobias and the current Alembic crew, not by someone who takes over at some point (though i very highly doubt that either of these marques would leave their namesake in less than perfectly capable hands nor do i wish any of the aforementioned parties to disappear from the bass world at any point in time!!)

As it stands, i currently do not have the funds nor the skill to justify either of these purchases (although the skill is being rectified daily... you get better when you actually practice? go figure) and i was wondering if anyone else out there, felt the same (as in worried about missing the boat on an opportunity to own an instrument crafted by a specific individual or marque) or has missed the boat and would like to share... sorry for the long winded post, lookin forward to hearin from you guys!!
 
#4
Very true to the practice comment, although I have found that the more I practice, the more I wnt to practice... And quite true regarding the used market, however the used market isn't quite the same as having something made to your own personal taste (at least IMHO) but I guess I'm a bit of a weirdo like that lol
 
#5
I'm definitely in the camp that appreciates my boutiques when playing for longer periods of time. The light weight alone in my CB and Rob Allens make the long jams and lots of boring practice about as comfortable as I can get.

Not to bash MTD or Alembic, but there are many amazing luthiers out there that can build great stuff at a pretty nice price. Many small luthiers don't quite have the established reputation yet and you can get 2 smokin' basses for less! Buying used definitely helps financially.

One thing to remember is NOT to put these basses on a pedistal. I remember growing up around dudes who'd get a PRS guitar when they were in highschool and basically quit because the best wasn't that great in their minds, although I suppose it's still possible later in life to have that same mentality.
 
#6
I definitely understand the pedestal issue, been there done that thankfully with a less expensive interest and I've seen some gorgeous basses on here comin out of many other luthiers (dingwall, particularly burningskies bass and that blue/green burst with the lotus inlay, skjold, etc) I just threw up two names that consistently blow me away with the craftsmanship and beauty of their instruements...

At this point in my life and playing career, I am perfectly happy being on the outside looking in on the boutique scene, I guess what I'm hoping, is that I get the opportunity, when the time is right, to try instruments crafted by the particular individuals that have my interest rather than an 'apprentice' of theirs ie: an original wal vs one crafted by the new luthier...

In this case though, to compare to my other love I'm happy being a tifosi driving a Toyota, I was just wondering if anyone felt the same as far as the 'when the time is right' feeling or if anyone had a story like 'I missed out cause the time was never right' kinda deal...

I really appreciate the responses and definitely value your thoughts and opinions guys, keep em comin!!
 
#8
Thingus995 said:
and i was wondering if anyone else out there, felt the same (as in worried about missing the boat on an opportunity to own an instrument crafted by a specific individual or marque) or has missed the boat and would like to share...
Click to expand...

Before you worry about missing the boat, have you played an MTD or Alembic? It's possible they may not even be the right fit for you. I've seen more than one thread on TB about people lusting for basses, only to be disappointed once they actually get to play them.

But dang, MTDs and Alembics are nice to look at!
 
#9
I generally think that the more you become involved in any activity, the more you are going to learn about different aspects/manufacturers/ideals! It still kills me when another bassist comes up to me and asks me what I'm playing and I tell them "It's an MTD." and then they ask "Who makes that?". :eyebrow: For some guys, if it ain't a Peavey/Washburn/Ibanez, they don't know anything about it!:rollno: (Not there's anything wrong with Peavey, Washburn, or Ibanez, just making a point. I've had a Peavey and an Ibanez, liked 'em both!)

Bottom line: As you learn more, you will be exposed to more...sounds like a good deal to me!
 
#11
I'm not concerned one bit about missing the boat. I mean there are great builders out there and awesome basses being built every day but basses and technology are constantly evolving. The basses that were awesome yesterday don't have the technology and research as the ones today have, and the ones today won't have the technology and research that ones tomorrow will have. I'm looking forward to what the next generation of builders will be building in the next 10-20 years. This isn't to say that the older basses aren't nice basses, especially since the Jazz Bass and the Precision Bass are the 2 main models that basses are still designed after, but basses and technology are continuing to get better every day.
 
#13
It's the player that makes a bass, not the other way around. The thing about the boutique basses is that they do sound really nice, and you basically plug them into an amp with any circuitry or EQ on them, and they'll still sound good. Low end basses don't, and they're not as physically comfortable to play. However, a really good player can pull some tone out of almost any bass they pick up after figuring out the specifics of the bass/amp combo.

At the same time, my first bass is a '69 P-bass with an early 70s Telecaster neck. It's a frankenstein bass that was never meant to be that I bought for $200 off the Recycler (L.A.'s version of craigslist before the Internet was around). I cleaned it up some, and the thing still has perfect intonation, and plays beautifully (but not as nicely as my Thumb Bolt-On), and sounds great.

The point is that cheap equipment can frequently really work for you (but you have to spend more time dialing it in), and good playing skills trump all, and are always worth way more then whatever equipment you're using.
 
#14
Thingus995,
I wouldn't worry a minute... I used to have the exact same thoughts 2 years ago and day dream about a Tobias bass.
It turned out that I was able to buy one of those pre-Gibson jewels.
Bass Viking comment is right on the money,
See if you can play any of those basses. I also bought a new MTD 535 and I can tell you that I have to practice for more than a year before playing it properly. The instrument so clear and defined to the point of being unforgiving, you must have pristine technique to play it properly -at least, that was my experience-
 

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