High end copies

[Joe.shaffer]

Fit/finish/feel is what it came down to for me.

 

[jworrellbass]

Fit/finish/feel is what it came down to for me.

Thanks, thats all I'm looking for a simple answer.

 

[Jazz Ad]

It's amazing what you can learn by asking questions. Some of you must think I'm a total idiot for even thinking of what I asked. I learned how to build by trial and error, asking questions, reading, getting input from players. ect.. Thats all.

I'm not actually concerned by your question since I own 4 luthier made instruments, none of them being a copy from an "historic" model. I never owned a Fender in my life.

What surprises me is that being a pro you haven't yet understood why it is this way.
Musicians are a traditionalist bunch. For the most part they want their instruments to look like a bass, ie a Fender. This is why you don't see many pink violins or square shaped saxophons.

I remember the local luthier when he started. A very talented guy who built me 2 basses. He sweared he'd never assemble kits or make copies. This was 15 years ago. Now he still has crazy shapes and woods but most of his work resolves to building Les Pauls and Strats.

 

[john turner]

It's amazing what you can learn by asking questions. Some of you must think I'm a total idiot for even thinking of what I asked. I learned how to build by trial and error, asking questions, reading, getting input from players. ect.. Thats all.

i don't think anyone thinks you're an idiot, i think some folks might have (mistakenly) taken you for a troll. we get them a lot.

ultimately, chalk it up to preference. look at my basses (thanks for the compliment, btw ). my gear is pretty unique, and most guys wouldn't spend 1/10th the money i did on my instruments. that's ok, it's what i wanted.

i could have just as easily spent that dough on a bunch of custom basses made to look just like fenders if i wanted to. just preferences.

my advice, having dealt with custom builders for the past 16-ish years, is to find what you're good at building, what you like to build, and stick to it. it'll be better to turn away folks who want what you don't want to build, than to build it and not make it 100%. you know what i mean - that personal sense of ownership from building something that you have a passion for.

 

[RedLeg]

My LEJ looks like a fender and that is good for an army band.
When I am just trying to be part of the band I like my LEJ.
When I do combo work, where I embarrass myself with a solo, I do it on my boutique bass.

 

[jworrellbass]

Thanks John, it's starting to feel that if you ask a question you'd better put on the gloves..lol..

 

[john turner]

heh. yeah, it lightens up in time though .

 

[RedLeg]

Hey jworrellbass it could be worse you could have asked:

what bass is best for metal?
which is better rosewood or maple?
Tube watts vs. Solid State watts?

Didn't you know, on TB everyone is an expert.
I blame participation awards for everyone feeling that their opinions are to be taken as fact. Now cream and crap floats to the top!

 

[jworrellbass]

Man I hope so, I keep looking out the window to see if anybody is throwing rocks at my shop.

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

i don't think anyone thinks you're an idiot, i think some folks might have (mistakenly) taken you for a troll. we get them a lot.

+1
No judgment here. As a builder I'm sure you know a heck of a lot more about basses than I do. I think it's just how you phrased your question. It comes off more as if you're amazed that someone would spend the money on a high end Jazz bass rather than an inquiry or research.

Just to go a little more in depth on my own preferences.

I love quite a few different styles, but it's a Jazz bass that I find fits what I do. Two basses I have that get the most play time fit the "classic" body shape. One is a Sadowsky Jazz and the other is a Lakland 55-94. As far as looks go, they both can look very unique depending on what finish you put on it. What you wind up with is a classic body shape with modern finish. I also prefer the modern Jazz bass tone and electronics. For me it's a great combination.

Not to say that I don't love a lot of the different body styles that are out there. I totally GAS for a modern sounding bass with a single cut style. Something really unique. But, it's two totally different spectrums, to me. I find the jazz bass tone and looks more usable in my playing style.

 

[EagleMoon]

The only reason I can figure is that people like and are used to a particular body shape, but want something different than Fender offers. Different body woods, different neck radius, preamps in something that doesn't normally come with one..etc.

 

[jworrellbass]

+1
No judgment here. As a builder I'm sure you know a heck of a lot more about basses than I do. I think it's just how you phrased your question. It comes off more as if you're amazed that someone would spend the money on a high end Jazz bass rather than an inquiry or research.

Phrasing is a good way to put it. When you ask a question face to face people can really see what a confussed person I really am..lol..

Like I said before I wasn't knocking anything or anybody. Just wondering. As far as the guy who was amazed "that a builder didn't understand how players are creatures of habit", I'll be the first to admit I don't know all the answers. or what each and every player wants. I just hope a few of you guys would take a deep breath, count to 10....haha.

 

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Like I said before I wasn't knocking anything or anybody. Just wondering. As far as the guy who was amazed "that a builder didn't understand how players are creatures of habit", I'll be the first to admit I don't know all the answers. or what each and every player wants. I just hope a few of you guys would take a deep breath, count to 10....haha.

Well put. I'll do that. The boutique jazz bass is a high on the FAQ list for the trolling bassist. We all should be more careful.

 

[jworrellbass]

Cool. I'm glad we are all such good friends now. I'm all warm and fuzy inside.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Musicians are a traditionalist bunch. For the most part they want their instruments to look like a bass, ie a Fender. This is why you don't see many pink violins or square shaped saxophons.

Actually I saw a zebra striped violin in a music shop a few weeks ago. That being said, musicians are a traditional bunch, and luthiers have to build what sells if they really want to make a name for themselves. As many builders as there are copying fender, look at the small time guys who are starting to rip off Carl Thompson and Ritter designs because people are willing to pay for something that cops that kind of feel.

For what it's worth, try considering your options in mass produced instruments. There are a million companies making low-low end copies of Jazz and P basses, but people are going to pick what they want based on what they can get for their money. Do you need an SX-quality jazz or an American Standard?

Now move up to higher end spectrum, you can get even better quality, better attention to detail, etc by going with a luthier who copies these designs but has different and or better options.

 

[Kwesi]

shape =/= tone

/thread

 

[RAM]

I've always wondered why would you spend the money on a high end bass that looks like a jazz bass or any other off the wall of a guitar store. If you spend the cash why not get something that looks unique? I know this will open a can of worms, can we please stick to the topic.

It depends on why someone is interested in the bass...are they interested in the "look" of the bass or something else? Keep in mind when Fender basses ruled the bass guitar world back in the 50s and 60s, there were actually categories on union cards for "bass" and "Fender bass", so that look became a standard. Now there are obviously basses built on this basic shape, but many are nothing like their Fender-inspired counterparts. Others take advantage of what Fender was able to do well and make improvements on the design. There's still a category of "wannabe" that you should also consider.

So, what's the basis of your question? Are you wanting to know why someone would buy a "wannabe", an improvement on the original design, or for some other reason?

 

[jworrellbass]

So, what's the basis of your question? Are you wanting to know why someone would buy a "wannabe", an improvement on the original design, or for some other reason?[/QUOTE]

It goes back to the days when all I could afford was Fenders and Gibsons. I always wanted a high end, it took a long time to get an Alembic. So I always wondered why don't more of the big names play high end stuff. I never really had a chance to ask that question until I joined TB. The wide range of basses is a vast reservoir of input and experiance. I spend most of my time on TB on the luthiers corner. I've seen basses that are amazing, being built by these guys. Then I look over here and read about guys showing off there new basses, every once in awhile a cool bass shows up. But for the most part they all look alike. So I thought I would ask. It's really that simple.

 

[Spencer!]

So I always wondered why don't more of the big names play high end stuff.

I refer you to my previous post...

 

[jworrellbass]

So far the only thing you've added "because they are ugly on stage". I really don't take that as any type of answer. Most of the custom work I've seen is very beautiful, natural woods, the finish work of artist. To each his own applies here.