• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Having a bass made by a luthier

P

Paul Fairall

Oct 7, 2022
3
0
#1
So after a fruitless search for a short scale fretless bass, for example a fender/squire Jaguar fretless, rare as rocking horse poop I reckon, I decided I would get one made. Thinking about a compound radius fingerboard that will overhang the neck at the join to the body. I have a gretsch at the moment, seems very flat. After all these years I’m actually looking at various aspects of a bass rather than just playing and either liking or not liking them. I noticed the fretboards of all my 6 string guitars are wider at the nut and narrower at the bridge end than my bass. 19mm string spacing seems normal at the bridge end of the fretboard but I’m thinking I would like the strings closer together.
Any thoughts appreciated
 
#3
I mentioned the Jaguar fretless as an example. What I don’t want are lines on the fretboard. I had a quote to remove the fretboard and replace with a plain one, the cost of that and buying a Jaguar was such I would prefer something a custom made bass to my own spec. Just asking about string spacing and if there is a reason why 19mm seems common
 
#4
There is no money to save in custom instruments. The goal is to get the instrument where you want it and it most often implies several errors and corrections.
The process can take time and money. If you change you mind and sell the instrument, it will be at a severe loss.
You must mostly know what you want and why you want it, then find somebody to share your vision and make it real.
Choosing the right luthier is mostly that, finding somebody who can see where you want to go. I always suggest consulting with local people rather than looking for the most hyped builder.
It's important to listen to the luthier and be open to his suggestions. He knows what works and whatnot.
Heavily modifying existing instruments so they fit your vision is fine.

Regarding price again :
A Fender Jaguar bass is about us$ 850. Replacing the fretboard with a blank one including finish and all should be about us$ 400. Say you change a few parts along the way and you're at us$ 1500 tops.
The bottom price for Fender style custom instruments is around 2000, for something very basic. For a Jaguar style with preamp, multiple holes and rather complicated electronics, likely more.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bdgotoh, Bass4Brkfast and Paul Fairall
#5
Jazz Ad said:
There is no money to save in custom instruments. The goal is to get the instrument where you want it and it most often implies several errors and corrections.
The process can take time and money. If you change you mind and sell the instrument, it will be at a severe loss.
You must mostly know what you want and why you want it, then find somebody to share your vision and make it real.
Choosing the right luthier is mostly that, finding somebody who can see where you want to go. I always suggest consulting with local people rather than looking for the most hyped builder.
It's important to listen to the luthier and be open to his suggestions. He knows what works and whatnot.
Heavily modifying existing instruments so they fit your vision is fine.

Regarding price again :
A Fender Jaguar bass is about us$ 850. Replacing the fretboard with a blank one including finish and all should be about us$ 400. Say you change a few parts along the way and you're at us$ 1500 tops.
The bottom price for Fender style custom instruments is around 2000, for something very basic. For a Jaguar style with preamp, multiple holes and rather complicated electronics, likely more.
Click to expand...
I have been in discussions with a luthier but he’s not local by any means but we seem to be on the same page with the design and features. He can’t do anything until next year so I’m just asking questions. I thought someone here would have an answer about the string spacing. I don’t want to disturb the luthier while he’s working on other projects
 
#6
19mm is the Fender standard, it's also one of the widdest spacings available. I prefer 16-17mm myself. It's a personal choice. Less than 16 is not recommended unless you play stricly with a pick.

All it takes is replacing the bridge and you get a new spacing. Some bridges allow width adjustments. The most famous is the Schaller 3D but there are many others in all shapes.
 
#7
Try a bass with a narrower string spacing, or instal a narrower bridge on your bass and see how it feels to you.

Guitar and bass are very different instruments, transpolating features from one to the other doesn't always make sense. I can see a compound fb radius being a big feature in a guitar. On bass... Fb radius is not that decisive. Can you really feel a difference in yor playing or comfort with flatter or rounder radii on bass?
 
  • Like
Reactions: MobileHolmes
#8
The reason basses have wider spacing by the bridge is so you can get your fingers between them. Some folks get away with somewhat closer spacing, but I don’t know of anyone who plays basses where the strings are as close together as a guitar. If you only play with a pick, you might get away with that kind of spacing, but fingerstyle will require wider spacing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: J-Bass RMR
#9
If you're planning on a four-string, check Warmoth. They have 32" and 30" scale Fender style necks and compatible Precision and Jazz style bodies. You'll be looking at between $300-500 for the neck, $400 and up for the body, and you can take a couple hundred off those numbers if you're willing to paint or finish them yourself.

I wouldn't get too hung up in string spacing at the bridge on four-strings, they don't vary much. Five and six string basses have a lot more variety.
 
  • Like
Reactions: andruca, lidl e and BSatt
#10
If the cost is an issue, having just the custom neck made, or defretting an existing neck, will be hugely more cost effective. I think any reputable Luthier would tell you the same, even though its in their financial interest to do the whole build from scratch. I wholeheartedly support the profession of Luthiery, and if what you want either doesnt exist, or you just want a Bespoke instrument, and can afford it, by all means go for it. But do your homework up front. Too many Tales of Woe on TB about bad experiences with custom builds, usually due to bad communication or unreasonable expectations. The sad fact is that most Luthiers make what amounts to minimum wage unless they are cranking out a lot of standardised basses, so it tends to winnow out the hacks, but you dont want to be some guys Last Unfinished Build. Good luck with it, post some photos if it comes to be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdgotoh and KidAmnesia
#11
Play a Rickenbacker if you'd like an example of a bass that does not taper from nut to bridge, unlike Fender-like instruments which do.

I play a bass with ~15mm spacing and I've had others tell me they find it unplayable. I think it's awesome, but I'm not a slap player.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gilmourisgod
#12
Strongly recommend a Birdsong fretless. I currently have three. Had three more with frets. There is a Birdsong Club for more information

cb 1.jpg hy5 1.jpg mesquito1.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrperkolator, Silky Johnson and herndonbassist
#14
If You have the money and contacts and trust to real luthier (not the the "masters" between 30 years old, who just takes care of instrument problems sittiin in different shops) be calm and take Your and his time to discuss the nuansess about Your project. He will tell You all You need to know, including price. Go for it - the end will be pleasure.
 
#15
Paul Fairall said:
So after a fruitless search for a short scale fretless bass, for example a fender/squire Jaguar fretless, rare as rocking horse poop I reckon, I decided I would get one made. Thinking about a compound radius fingerboard that will overhang the neck at the join to the body. I have a gretsch at the moment, seems very flat. After all these years I’m actually looking at various aspects of a bass rather than just playing and either liking or not liking them. I noticed the fretboards of all my 6 string guitars are wider at the nut and narrower at the bridge end than my bass. 19mm string spacing seems normal at the bridge end of the fretboard but I’m thinking I would like the strings closer together.
Any thoughts appreciated
Click to expand...
19mm is fairly common for a Fender. Rickenbacker and Ibanez are closer, 17mm and 16.5mm respectively. Check out Overwater... a fretless Scott Devine signature seems pretty much up your alley: SD J Series - Overwater Basses
 
#18
String spacing is dependent on the bridge that you select (amongst other features) 19mm spacing is more standard on a four string 34” scale. I play 16.5-17mm on most of my 5s and have a couple 18mm. My 32” custom has 17mm spacing. Since you’re looking for short scale, check out the short scale club and the Maruszczyk owners club as there are several folks that have short scale fretless there as well.

You could also check out the Maruszczyk configurator to get some ideas as well on options to configure a custom short scale fretless with narrower string spacing. They offer several bodies that you can configure as a short scale.
 
#19
Before you spend the big bucks on a short scale bass, two items:

1) Mitchell short scale P/J: GC Schecter store brand; upgrade the pickups, and you're good. I have one for my travel bass.
2) Scott Whitley basses in the UK: SWB-1 Scott Whitley Signature | Chowny Bass ; these are boutique high end short scale basses that have good reviews if you are looking for a custom or custom style bass.

And strings: GHS Balanced Nickels are God's gift to short scale bass players: consistent string-to-string and up the neck; the solid nickel wrap on a round core has flexibility; they don't twang or go thud; they last a long time; reasonably priced; big, round tone.

There used to be a web site, Link Removed , that focused on all things short scale, but I can't get it to come up in my browser.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BSatt and M.R. Ogle
#20
I second iiipopes comment on Scott Whitley...
iiipopes said:
Scott Whitley basses in the UK: SWB-1 Scott Whitley Signature | Chowny Bass ; these are boutique high end short scale basses that have good reviews if you are looking for a custom or custom style bass.
Click to expand...

And I strongly agree with and second ardgedee comment on Warmoth...
ardgedee said:
If you're planning on a four-string, check Warmoth. They have 32" and 30" scale Fender style necks and compatible Precision and Jazz style bodies.
Click to expand...

My main bass is a Warmoth and I'm just starte building my second Warmoth project.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iiipopes

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back