Favorite "boutique" bass

[bearhart74]

ive owned and played Pedulla, Roscoe, Lakland, Brubaker, Warwick and Modulus.
Modulus and Brubaker are my keepers.
Currently looking for another Roscoe and trying to resist purchasing of a second Brubaker that's available locally.
Alembic, Drozd, Marleaux, Mayones, and Le Fay are on my bucket "want to play" list.

 

[aaronious]

I've never owned a boutique bass. But I've played them all. Alembic, Ritter, Sadowsky, Fodera, the list goes on. I never really got it. My beat up Fenders have always been just fine.

Then, in the span of a fortnight I played 2 different MTD Saratogas and I've never wanted to spend a months wages so quick in my life. They were 5'ers even. I have never bonded with a 5 before. I'll get one some day.

 

[BassJuju]

F Bass, of course.

 

[T Bassman]

Although not on the list, I really like the basses Dave Reimer builds out of Vancouver BC, Canada.

I'm partial to vintage Fender, CS, Sadowsky, Lakland, Lull as far as look and feel, but there's something about a Reimer that captures the vintage vibe better for me than the others I've tried. It's like having a proper Vintage bass but with the right modern improvements. Even the 5'ers capture this better for me than other builders I've tried. Dave's craftsmanship is second to none from my experience as well.

 

[lz4005]

Which is your favorite "boutique" bass?
Sadowsky
MTD
Fodera
Warrior
Roscoe
Any other that you really love? Why?

Sadowsky for utility.
Marleaux for organic craftsmanship and beauty.
Ritter for over the top things like this:

 

[shortscalesrule]

Warmoth

 

[Volunteerk9]

I've owned Dingwall, Skjold, Roscoe and Status Graphite basses. All absolutely amazing and unique in their own way.

Dingwall. I am completely a fan boy on these now.

 

[40Hz]

I owned an Alembic. It was a truly amazing instrument.

I’d also add Wal to the list, although at the price they command plus a two year average wait I doubt I’ll ever own one.

Biggest mistake I ever made was to play a fretless Wal for a few songs when its owner courteously offered me the opportunity.

To play one is to want one. Really bad.

 

[Afc70]

Love my Ken Lawrence & Ken Smith.. A Jerzy Drozd is probably my next big purchase....

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Which is your favorite "boutique" bass?
Sadowsky
MTD
Fodera
Warrior
Roscoe
Any other that you really love? Why?

I like this Elrick Jazz bass....Invalid Link Removed

 

[Bagelish]

Valenti, just insane build quality. Sound, weight and feel are all perfect. Even when the basses have different components.
I'd love to have a Wal too, but if I were to start getting close to saving up to owning one, I'd just buy a couple Valenti's instead.

 

[jnuts1]

Ken Smith and MTD are the best playing basses on the market. I've played every boutique bass I could get my hands on in the last 15 years to upgrade from my Czech MTD and the only bass that comes close is Ken Smith. and ive been in love with Matt Garrison for a long time but those foderas just doesn't have it....

 

[soflbass]

Alembic. Just checks every box for me. Electronics are ultra sensitive and take a bit to get used to. Other than that, perfect for me.

 

[Tony G]

Mike Tobias has always been my favorite, from pre-gibson Tobias to today's MTD's. I loved my 635-24. Should have never sold it, and now can't justify another MTD these days.

My Nordy vJ5 does everything I need it to, so spending $3k on another bass just doesn't seem worth it to me any more. If money was no object, I'd have a couple MTD's, no doubt.

 

[Tanner5382]

Kudela

 

[desert_rain]

i don"t have any boutique bass(so sound wise no idea) but I really like Warwick custom shops with fancy finishes. Warwick sometimes puts some art to its paint work that I love...

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

Sadowsky is checking all of the boxes for me these days. The ones I have are phenomenal.

 

[Booty Shaman]

Rob Allen
Mike Lull

 

[Lee Moses]

Alembic

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Sadowsky

Edit: this thread needs a poll.