Great luthiers with bargain prices?

[Haans]

Where would you recommend someone order a custom bass? We're looking for the up-and-coming luthiers, great builders with a keen sense of quality, yet their prices are still not ridiculous. Open to suggestions, know what they're doing. And pleasant to deal with, if possible. Not necessarily cheap, but quality should exceed what you expect at that price.

Let's talk two scenarios:

1) You want a well built fairly standard bass with some customisation. Say a Jazz with some extra features, in you favorite color, with a checkered pickguard. No, make that tort.

2) Going all custom. 3-string neck, etched body ornaments, and this body was designed by your three year old, so it's not really fowl nor fish. Looks slightly reminiscent of a Gibson Explorer that's been cut up and glued together all wrong - if you squint your eyes and tilt you head. Hand made pickups, built in tape echo and espresso maker. Tort pickguard, but painted blackest black. And a carrot.

I read about Crackercaster today, and that just blew my mind ever so slightly. They charge $813 (unless prices are up) for a completely hand built P of high quality (say their customers). That sounds like a bargain.

(I found a similar thread, but it was from 2003. Darrin Huff was mentioned - he no longer makes the list, I suppose.)

 

[Iridescentone]

Great luthiers + Bargain prices = Oxymoron?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Wishbass.

 

[kodiakblair]

@Haans
I don't know about folks as low as $800 but Skelf or Alan as he's sometimes known at ACG in Scotland does impressive work.
AC Guitars | The home of ACG

Then there's Adrian Maruszczyk,his start around £900.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Langowski in Poland do great work too. Only their FB page I'm afraid.

Langowski Guitars

 

[Haans]

$800 was simply an example. I'd like to hear about luthiers who do outstanding work, but might not be stars yet.

 

[kodiakblair]

Blasius in Hungary are pretty special.

Link Removed

Also there's a young guy in Germany,took over his dad's workshop. When I remember his name I'll get you a link.

 

[Zach Andrews]

Take a look at Moollon! Luthier Young Joon Park is doing amazing, under the radar work at great prices. Can get an amazing custom instrument for around 2k-2500. For such a high quality instrument, I'd consider it a bargain! Won't quite run you those Sadowsky, Mayones, Ken Smith, etc... prices, and IMO a much better instrument!

I own one of his J Classic V's and it's without a doubt one of the best sounding & playing basses I've ever played. Looking forward to picking up a Moollon P Classic soon!


Moollon Musical Instrument

 

[scubaduba]

Right now I think Maruszczyk takes the show for value to features to quality to variety to taking custom orders. Really really good stuff for the money.

 

[Watchootognbout]

You DID say:
"Going all custom. 3-string neck, etched body ornaments, and this body was designed by your three year old, so it's not really fowl nor fish. Looks slightly reminiscent of a Gibson Explorer that's been cut up and glued together all wrong - if you squint your eyes and tilt you head. Hand made pickups, built in tape echo and espresso maker. Tort pickguard, but painted blackest black. And a carrot."

Here ya go!
Krappyguitars
The Krappy Bassists Klub
Do a search on the word "Krappy"
Plenty of threads.

 

[matante]

From what I've seen of Cliff Bordwell's work, $1,800 looks like a bargain as his starting price.

 

[McThud]

I would strongly recommend my friend who runs Gamma Custom Basses. Most of his prices are between $800 and $1200. He'll do basic P or J style basses, or variants, all kinds of coll finishes, and top notch customer service. I own two and they are regulars for gigging. Joey Milstein is also a real standup dude.

 

[B-line]

Great luthiers + Bargain prices = Oxymoron?

Yeah, I have to agree. A custom-built doesn't have to approach the 5-figure mark, but:
Take into account the cost of components, the cost of the wood-body, neck, fret board
Finish, assembly, etc.

If you shave the price, you have to take a hit in quality somewhere, unless the builder chooses to work for little or nothing.
I would say that anything under 3K, maybe approaching 2 Grand, would be a very reasonable price for a bass built to your specs.
I have seen more or less "stock" P and J basses for under $1000, they had some options as to finish, I believe. I'm sorry but I can't recall the name of the one builder in particular I am referring to.
They seem like nice instruments, and the buyers reported happily, so...
Maybe someone will chime in with the name. Sorry!

 

[jharms80439]

Certain Bass.

Word is they are terrific basses at bargain prices.

John

 

[Frank77]

Ok, let me think, luthier with bargain prices...

...is the Mothman guy still in business?

 

[scuzzy]

Pricing – Prometeus Guitars

Most bargain custom I have seen recently (since pushic left the game). Never played one though, but can't say I'm not tempted...

 

[kodiakblair]

@Haans

Still can't remember the young German lad but I can't believe I forgot to mention Rick and Moonshine Custom Guitars.
He's a fellow TB'er and a great guy.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[mikewalker]

Here ya go, my old alma mater:

HAND-MADE CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS

 

[RickyT]

Great luthiers
Bargain prices

Pick one.
If you expect someone to put in 100+ hours into hand making a bass you can't expect a bargain price.

RJ's Custom Shop in Sydney Australia
Invalid Link Removed

Tom Konig from Canberra, Australia
www.konigbassworx.com.au

 

[Haans]

Great suggestions, people. I'll check them out!

Wonder why some people don't read before posting, but I'll repeat myself: I'm talking about luthiers who do outstanding work for the money, not for pocket change. Sadowsky and others are great, but not at all budget friendly prices. Crackercaster looks like unbelievable stuff for the money (Crackercaster use local wood, and as far as I know it's free. That shaves a chunk off the price.).

 

[Nev375]

Wishbass.