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Favorite Hand Made Jazz Basses

#21
looks like you may be leaning to the AC direction already... I haven't had a chance to play one, would love the opportunity to try one out as well.

What are you looking for in a jazz bass:
60's, 70's vibe/tone?
neck shape you're most comfortable with?
fretwire preference? do you like thin/wide low/high profiles
no pre, w/ pre?
what kind of pre qualities do you like?
do you mind in cavity battery or separate battery compartment?
fender style bridge or heavier mass type bridge?
order turn around time expectations?

if you're going to spend 2-4k on a bass might as well make sure you dig most/all aspects of the instrument

I went with a nordstrand nordy vj4 handmade/machine, 3rd party pre - Audere.

I know i've seen the post but it would be nice to see a listing of all the J - boutique makers out there. that would be great reference material along with general turn around time on orders...
 
#24
KJung said:
I too dig Nino's basses, but they don't match the OP's requirement (valid or not) of a 'non parts' bass.
Click to expand...

yes, im really not into parts basses, if i wanted one id buy an All Parts body and neck and then get my local luthier to set it up for me for a few beers!
i prefer to have the uniqueness of a bass maker that builds most if not all the body and neck inhouse, just a personal thang, i dont want to get in a long debate why.
 
#25
renejaime said:
looks like you may be leaning to the AC direction already... I haven't had a chance to play one, would love the opportunity to try one out as well.

What are you looking for in a jazz bass:
60's, 70's vibe/tone?
neck shape you're most comfortable with?
fretwire preference? do you like thin/wide low/high profiles
no pre, w/ pre?
what kind of pre qualities do you like?
do you mind in cavity battery or separate battery compartment?
fender style bridge or heavier mass type bridge?
order turn around time expectations?

if you're going to spend 2-4k on a bass might as well make sure you dig most/all aspects of the instrument

I went with a nordstrand nordy vj4 handmade/machine, 3rd party pre - Audere.

I know i've seen the post but it would be nice to see a listing of all the J - boutique makers out there. that would be great reference material along with general turn around time on orders...
Click to expand...

yea, i really like the look of the AC s as they look more like the 60s fenders. im really into the Jaco thang, i love jazz, but i also love R&B and soul, funk etc. i think the 60s give a little of the darker sound thats imo nicer to solo in as well.
 
#27
Doctor J said:
I ordered a Hotwire 5 a couple of years ago. It was a bit of a disappointment, to be honest. The finishing was not all it should have been for a bass which cost that amount of money. I picked up a Bacchus 5 around the same time for a lot less money which blew it out of the water.
Click to expand...

id put the one i just sold up against anything else out there in terms of build quality. what finish did yours have?mine had a satin finish and the fit and finish/playabilty/feel was as good as the alleva/coppolo's i went and checked out after i sold it.
 
#29
So far the list of Handmade Jazz basses is :

Alleva Coppolos
Sei basses
Hotwire basses
Fender customshop Master Built
Celinder
Suhr
MTD
Status
Bacchus

My definition of 'hand made' bass: the body and neck must be built /crafted/made by the builder in his / the companies shop but machines CAN be used. also the pickups and hardware can be outsourced.
Definition of a parts made bass: the body and neck are completly built by another company and the parts builder just frets it up and gives it a set up job and stamps a logo on the headstock (or scribbles somethings on the back)
 
#31
Suprise Panda! said:
Have you tried the Universe series?
Click to expand...

I have a BJB-300/M (alder-bodied Jazz Bass with a maple fretboard) that I've had for about 10 months; I traded a MIJ fretless Fender J-Bass even up for it. I had the fret ends cleaned up last winter (it is cold and dry in Minnesota...fret sprout is common, especially on maple fretboards) and I recently shimmed the neck (10 minute job). It looks good and plays like a dream now. The bass has an Audere and DiMarzio Ultra J pickups which were installed by the previous owner, so I can't speak to the tone of the instrument in stock condition. I will say that it is a tone monster now and it is rapidly elbowing it's way into becoming my #1 gigging bass. I think the overall quality is somewhere between a good MIM Fender and a MIJ Fender. It is a very good, although not a great, bass and I am extremely pleased with it.
 

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