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Favorite "boutique" bass
- Thread starter Bassmantd
- Start date
Silvertone Model 1444 "Dolphin Nose" by Danelectro...the original boutique bass.
Sadowsky because they’ve elegantly and flawlessly delivered the sound in my head for nearly 25 years. In that time I’ve only ever needed Roger’s CS help once when a drunk bachelorette knocked over my bass and broke a tuning key.
I owned a Fodera years ago. Didn’t really work for me but they were and still remain profoundly beautiful instruments. Some of the stuff out of that shop simply floors me.
I owned a Fodera years ago. Didn’t really work for me but they were and still remain profoundly beautiful instruments. Some of the stuff out of that shop simply floors me.
I love my pre-Gibson Tobias 6, but you’re going to get a lot of replies like this from boutique bass owners who recommend their bass, despite never owning any other to compare to.
I really love my Gamma Alpha. The pups are truly loud with no faults in my opinion. The Gamma was solid electrical, hardware etc. I had someone trade me straight across for an Urge 2 and I only traded because I had an extra Gamma Alpha. I sold the Urge and bought a Gamma Jazz. I am sold on the Gamma product. Customer service next to none.I do know he had made upgrades to the neck and Pups...I don't know how he upgraded the pups. As for the neck I've always played a PJ and a P neck seemed wide at the headstock. But once I got used it, Wouldn't change a thing even if offered a free upgrade. This bass has been played every day and gigged 4 to 8 times a month for the last 4 years. It doesn't look new but still sounds new. Solid builds from NJ.
Mike Lull. His P4 is my favorite P bass ever - feel, tone, balance, and weight.
Alembic nuff said!
Jason Newsted style is my favourite
Jason Newsted style is my favourite
I love my Pedulla. Only “boutique” Bass I’ve ever owned so I may be a bit biased. I hope to own a Fodera sometime down the road though.
When I bought my Sadowsky J it retired all my other basses.
I had a Mike Lull J and P, a US Lakland and a Fender J. All amazing and top quality instruments but IMO against the Sadowsky there's no contest.
I had a Mike Lull J and P, a US Lakland and a Fender J. All amazing and top quality instruments but IMO against the Sadowsky there's no contest.
Devon basses are by far the best boutique basses for the money you can buy. For what he gives you no one else can touch.
Carlo. A Lakland with a bit of magic spice.
I also love my wendler. Not nearly as refined as the others in this thread but a truly unique instrument and shockingly affordable. The best acoustic/upright tone I've ever heard from a solid body electric bass and the fact that you can get one made to your own neck specs for 1200 is amazing.
I also love my wendler. Not nearly as refined as the others in this thread but a truly unique instrument and shockingly affordable. The best acoustic/upright tone I've ever heard from a solid body electric bass and the fact that you can get one made to your own neck specs for 1200 is amazing.
My birdsong! Spanish cedar body/maple neck. Its soooooooo sweeeeet!
Well, I can't say what's best, since I haven't tried all the boutique brands. Though I would be willing if someone wanted to set that up for me 
That said, I have owned a Ken Smith and it was perfection to me. Beautiful, well made, great tone and playability, great fit and finish. But it was a gigantic six string coffee table, so I eventually ditched it because I didn't like wearing a large wooden door around my neck.
A boutique maybe overlooked is Muckelroy. I just got one, and freaking love it, so obviously I'm biased. Details on why I like the one he made for me: It balances better than any bass I've ever played. It's super lightweight. It's freaking gorgeous combination of woods (in general, he uses some woods that I don't often see, such as Redwood, Flamed Cherry, Texas Mesquite, Pecan). And I've never played an instrument that was set up so fine. But again, it's not like I have a closet full of Foderas to compare it to.
That said, I have owned a Ken Smith and it was perfection to me. Beautiful, well made, great tone and playability, great fit and finish. But it was a gigantic six string coffee table, so I eventually ditched it because I didn't like wearing a large wooden door around my neck.
A boutique maybe overlooked is Muckelroy. I just got one, and freaking love it, so obviously I'm biased. Details on why I like the one he made for me: It balances better than any bass I've ever played. It's super lightweight. It's freaking gorgeous combination of woods (in general, he uses some woods that I don't often see, such as Redwood, Flamed Cherry, Texas Mesquite, Pecan). And I've never played an instrument that was set up so fine. But again, it's not like I have a closet full of Foderas to compare it to.
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There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like an Alembic. They are not for everyone, but IF you 'get it', there is no substitute. Very few builders build their own hardware (save for the keys) or pickups and electronics, so they are one of a handful that don't have the same rotating menu of Barts or EMG's and off-the-shelf Gotoh or Schaller or Hipshot fittings. And the woodwork and finish is top shelf. Certainly not cheap, but there's nothing cheap incorporated in them.
And the Wickershams and the Alembic crew are just the best people in the world when it comes to support, I can't say enough good things about them or the help they were to me when I was an owner.
And the Wickershams and the Alembic crew are just the best people in the world when it comes to support, I can't say enough good things about them or the help they were to me when I was an owner.
In no particular order (but sort of). Fodera, Skjold, Ken Lawrence, Fodera, Rob Allen.
Also Fodera.
Also Fodera.
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My bucket list--last bass I'd ever buy--would be an Elrick.
