Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fave boutique bass
- Thread starter Ostinato
- Start date
My first "real" bass was a Carvin and I loved it. Then I got a US Spector NS-5XL (#053) which was an absolutely incredible bass. But since the day I first got my hands on a Zon it was all over. I got my first taste when I found a used Legacy Elite IV at Guitar Center here in Boston about 7 years ago, and since then I've been hooked. Joe Zon has built me two custom Legacy Elite Vs - one fretted & one fretless - and they're both incredible. Hopefully when my budget permits I'll have him build me a couple more, but at the moment I have a house and a wedding to pay for. 
How's the NYBW fretless been treating you? I ordered a Deep 6 from David about 6 months ago. I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces.slombovia said:
Not to get too philosophical about it, but it depends on how you look at it. If the playability and sound are on, the cost part of the equation can be easily forgotten...okay, maybe after you roll over several loans at the local payday lender?
- Jul 15, 2003
- 901
- 65
- Disclosures
- I am a determined follower of Jesus Christ and am a Mormon.
NYBW is the cat's freakin' pajamas. Dead serious. And David Segal is the most genuine builder I have ever worked with.
To answer your question, my fretless is treating me great. I have TI JFs on it and I'm lovin it. I don't have to fight it - it is like an extension of my most expressive self.
here is my fretless:
http://www.thegrooveshoppe.com/Basses_In_Stock/NYBW_Concert_6.html
here is my fretted - the title is wrong - it is a Deep Jazz 6 - not a Cremona 5:
Link Removed
See my reviews (and others) at Harmony Central.
As for the cost... you get what you pay for. With my G&L, Carvins, Elrick and Zon I always had regrets but not with these New York Bass Works basses. David has the touch. Here is why they are worth every penny:
David knows how to choose woods - great sounding woods and reliable pieces for the neck and almost no runout on the boards.
David knows how to put them together. I have compared the craftsmanship on mine to other boutique basses and he is a cut above even some names that would surprise you in this area. Also, these necks are very rigid. He has his own way of doing graphite reinforcement.
The bottom line: Phenomenal tone I have never had before and exceptional playability. Also, the tone stays great all over the neck. Some basses have a great open low B but lose it as you step up the B string. Not these.
And they sound great no matter what I plug them into.
They are also very ergonomic - my 6s are more comfortable to play than most 5s I have played. They are a joy.
Thanks again, David! Zero regrets here.
To answer your question, my fretless is treating me great. I have TI JFs on it and I'm lovin it. I don't have to fight it - it is like an extension of my most expressive self.
here is my fretless:
http://www.thegrooveshoppe.com/Basses_In_Stock/NYBW_Concert_6.html
here is my fretted - the title is wrong - it is a Deep Jazz 6 - not a Cremona 5:
Link Removed
See my reviews (and others) at Harmony Central.
As for the cost... you get what you pay for. With my G&L, Carvins, Elrick and Zon I always had regrets but not with these New York Bass Works basses. David has the touch. Here is why they are worth every penny:
David knows how to choose woods - great sounding woods and reliable pieces for the neck and almost no runout on the boards.
David knows how to put them together. I have compared the craftsmanship on mine to other boutique basses and he is a cut above even some names that would surprise you in this area. Also, these necks are very rigid. He has his own way of doing graphite reinforcement.
The bottom line: Phenomenal tone I have never had before and exceptional playability. Also, the tone stays great all over the neck. Some basses have a great open low B but lose it as you step up the B string. Not these.
And they sound great no matter what I plug them into.
They are also very ergonomic - my 6s are more comfortable to play than most 5s I have played. They are a joy.
Thanks again, David! Zero regrets here.
Thanks for the reply Slombovia. Like you, I have had regrets with many customs and lessons learned. At times you tell the builder what you "think" you want and without hesitation sometimes they do exactly that. Sometimes it works, sometimes its to your detriment. Obviously, I'm still shopping so I guess that says something. Cost wise...have paid more, have paid less. I'd pay quite a bit more if I thought it would be the last time. To cut to the chase, he was pretty up front about what works and what doesn't...even at the expense of possibly talking someone out of a purchase. Spend a little time talking with this gent and you'll figure out he is the real deal. Aside from the bass making side, he also has some cool working bassist types of stories...good book material. What I got on the way is the Deep Six, alder body, figured maple top, passive/fretless w/kingwood fretboard. Will get back to you on the results. Take care.
I'd say Marchlewski or Hanewinkel. Or maybe a Kinal.
And those JPs look sweet... AAAARGH
Too many hot basses out there.
And those JPs look sweet... AAAARGH
Too many hot basses out there.
The only boutique I own now is Sadowsky.
In the past I've owned Lull, Modulus, MTD, and Warwick (the Streamer Stage I 5 counts as boutique), and would recommend all of them. I didn't sell them because I didn't like them, I sold them simply because I was looking for different tone, look, or playability.
P.S. Interesting that the poll question is, "Who makes your dream bass?" My Sadowsky counts, but so does my Fender! I like my Fender Roscoe Beck 5 as much as any boutique bass I've played.
In the past I've owned Lull, Modulus, MTD, and Warwick (the Streamer Stage I 5 counts as boutique), and would recommend all of them. I didn't sell them because I didn't like them, I sold them simply because I was looking for different tone, look, or playability.
P.S. Interesting that the poll question is, "Who makes your dream bass?" My Sadowsky counts, but so does my Fender! I like my Fender Roscoe Beck 5 as much as any boutique bass I've played.
Like I am going to choose something other than Stambaugh?Would be nice if this list were expanded to include "write in" candidates. Like Stambaugh, Conklin, CB, the list goes on.
Mark
Mark
Yea Conklins are insane!! (my last two solid body basses will be conlikns for sure 
) All of the stammies and CBs i've seen have looked amazing as well!
) All of the stammies and CBs i've seen have looked amazing as well!
