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Great basses no one is playing

I am Soma

I am Soma

Jan 2, 2013
2,614
2,505
MN
#1
howdy all,
so im always into researching boutique or mass production basses that people may not know about. ive owned tons of basses from fender to modulus to music man. im currently the owner of two sandberg basses that im extremely happy with.

just wanted to start a thread where people can post about little known bass manufacturers along with a link to their website :)
 
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#3
Not much of a botique bass lover, but if I had the money I would buy one of these.
They're so nice I might be afraid to play them, though...well, maybe in a padded cell!
28ilv.jpg

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#4
I'll mention Carrigan Designs. Stumbled across a used one here on TB, got it, developed a neck problem and talked to James (and his wife) about it - Sent the problem one back and got a replacement, for literally just the difference in the wood cost. Outstanding. It's a very nice bass to play, and with its 32" scale and the big scroll horn (Claypool ho!), it's pretty centered in playing position. This one doesn't have the uber-boutique "finish-perfection" that their other instruments do; it's literally burnt ash! The fretboard, control plate and truss cover are bloodwood, and the nut is also wood - though I can't tell what kind exactly, if it's more ash, or walnut, or something.

Here's a pic of mine, from the builder's site:
DSCF2523.jpg
 
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#5
Cliff Bordwell

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His basses are absolutely incredible in every way. I am baffled that more people don't play his wonderful instruments. Not only are his prices very fair but Cliff is amazing to work with. Very open to discuss all ideas no matter how silly. One of the best luthiers out there today.
 
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#10
They're not totally abandoned by the bass playing world and they're not unknown, but all those Yamaha BB basses from the 70s and 80s are AMAZING axes, both live and in the studio. Tyler makes a great bass as well but the reason nobody plays them is because Tyler doesn't really make them in any appreciable numbers, if at all anymore.
 
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#14
I love finding rare unplayed unknown basses. I prefer them. Quirky and unique. Everything about them draws my attention. I have 10 prototypes that are 1 of a kind. I have several basses that are kind of hard to find (2 year production only).. I only have a couple that are common. I would love to pick up more like the ones posted above. Fantastic looking basses
 
#15
Watchootognbout said:
Wolf basses.Made by KHL.Co.Here's mine.Invalid Link Removed
ILKO69 sells them on Ebayhttp://lklo69 | eBay
View attachment 589325 View attachment 589323
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Dude, for a brief moment, I thought you were me, because I took this picture yesterday.
2mc8xux.jpg


My bass is a "HK" (HeKe-Vertrieb), though, the only difference is the sticker on the headstock. There was a swedish brand selling these basses under their name, too, it was Woodo Guitars, I think.
 
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#16
#18
bholder said:
Why do they use so many different brand names? Confusing.
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Why do they choose to distribute their product under different brands instead of just the Wolf brand?I've wondered that myself.

Quoting KHL.Co.
"KHL Corporation, established in 1997, is a specialized manufacturer in electric guitars and classic guitars and acoustic guitars and musical instrument parts and accessories.We have been producing several world-famous branded guitars by OEM basis and also selling our brand "Wolf" guitars over the world."
 
#20
jamro217 said:
They're so little known that nobody has anything to say about them.
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Yep.That's about it.

Except for the fact that Woodo is very popular in Sweden.
People are biding on Raven West basses on Ebay.
HK are selling mostly in Germany.

But they ALL are basically OEM Wolf basses made in Korea by KHL.Co.
So it's not as if no one knows about them.
They're just uncommunicative or unavailable.

But I took a chance on a Wolf on Ebay and hit paydirt!
 
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