Higher end production bass vs 'entry' level custom.

[sikamikanico]

My rule of thumb is: if I have to ask, then the answer is no.

Now while this is not what you’re asking (at least not explicitly), my answer would be no to a custom bass. In other words, unless you’re sure you need a custom bass (no other will do), don’t get one. You don’t seem to be sure that you need a custom bass, so...

 

[alembicbones]

Interesting thread. I guess I look at the comparison, high end factory vs. entry level boutique. I own two entry level boutique basses, a Korean Lakland 55-02 and a Dingwall NG-3 5 string. Neither is custom by any means but they do a great job of representing the builders work and attention to detail. Both are definitely in the OP's price range.

Bones

 

[McTred]

My .02... This sounds like a purchase that should be made out of love.

You can easily spend 2k or more on a bass, but will it be the one you love?

I already knew what I was going to buy (more or less) when I made my final bass purchase. I was completely smitten by a Brubaker 20+ years earlier. Finally had the means to buy one, so it was just a matter of finding the right seller and used bass.

When it all comes together, it's a beautiful thing. I wish you nothing but the best with your search.

*My vote is in favor of a custom/unique bass in this range.

 

[Lunatique]

The only reason to go custom is if you absolutely cannot find the combination of features/design/materials you really want and youare unwilling to settle for less. Otherwise, you get far more bang for the buck if you bought a used high-quality production bass.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I think a $2000 or so factory bass will typically be a better instrument than a custom build at the same price. The basic facts about labor cost and unit price and such will dictate that, I would surely think. For example, my Music Man basses are better finished and thought out than any entry-level ($2000 and under) custom/semi-custom I've ever played, as was my old Warwick Thumb and my old US Lakland Jazz (although, to be fair, I'm pretty sure US Laklands were well over two grand even in 2008-ish, I'm pretty sure I got a screamin-ass deal at 1250).

At the smaller scale at which custom builders operate, it simply costs more to accomplish the same level of refinement in my experience. Of course, all this goes a-whooshin' right out yon winderr if you know exactly what you want and those particulars can't be had in a factory instrument.

 

[jd56hawk]

Seriously, how much better can a boutique bass be than a good USA-made G&L or Music Man bass for someone who wants something that feels good and sounds good, something you want to play and don't have to worry about, something that doesn't have to be hand-made by magical elves out of Bois de Rose, Ancient Kauri, or Ambrosia Maple.
I'm not saying anything's wrong with boutique basses, other than it sounds like they should come with free perfume samples, but give me a custom SB-2 any day.

 

[Bass V]

for 2K+ I'd call Jerome for a Torzal Twist Torzal Guitars | Custom Ergonomic Electric Bass Guitars

 

[Nashrakh]

Six-string P-basses. How hard could it be? Now let's see how many off the rack options we have...

 

[steelbed45]

for 2K+ I'd call Jerome for a Torzal Twist Torzal Guitars | Custom Ergonomic Electric Bass Guitars

He makes excellent straight necks as well. I call my 32" scale jazz a "non-torzal" torzal.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

All,

I am finally getting to the position where I am ready to put a serious (for me) amount of money into a bass. My budget is ~ $2k. This is an interesting space because it puts you at the high end of production basses, but also the lower end of custom basses. I have a number of options on my list, which I won't go into.

But my question is - what are peoples experiences in this price point? Does this price point in production basses 'punch above it's weight'? Or is getting your own custom specs worth it, even if the overall options on the bass aren't as extensive?

Thanks!

In my experience, the more you pay, the benefits get logarithmic quickly. There's a huge difference between a 100 bass and a 500 bass, a smaller difference between 500 and 1000, smaller still the higher you go.

Once you're at the point of a comfortably playing, good sounding instrument, improvement becomes a matter of fine points, not gross changes in sound.

 

[Old Blastard]

I have 4 custom basses from @Drake Custom two of which were built specifically for me, and I play the snot out of them...well, up until March when Corona came to town.

I paid a little more than $2k for each and find that they just feel and sound and make me play better than my expensive factory basses and years beyond my cheapies.

On the other hand, I play my Fender Starcaster, Epiphone Jack Cassidy or Embassy, or Fender Jag Deluxe (MIJ) and am very happy.

I would hold on until you can get out and play some. There are many magic basses out there that play above their weight that may suit you.

Read, dream and enjoy the gas, but try to play before you buy. I owned several basses before I approached Andrew Drake about a build and knew what I wanted.

my bass gas is settled. Now, about Amps....

 

[TheLowDown33]

It depends on what you're looking for, as other posters have stated. If you can get most of the way there with a production bass, do that. If you can get the "rest of the way there" with a few mods, definitely do that! For me personally, no off the rack instrument had most things I wanted/needed and modding wasn't an option (you cant change scale length, etc.)
If you know, make a list of your must-have features and your nice-to-have features. Find instruments that have the most of each and try to play those. If you dont know...well once this pandemic subsides, go play every style bass you can get your hands on, making note of the features you enjoyed.

 

[Keith Guitars]

If $2k is your limit, I'd suggest finding a used "boutique" bass that suits your specs.
That budget is on the low side for a new custom, and from my perspective you very much get what you pay for with handmade instruments.
There are certainly people out there making good stuff in the 2k range, but not everything "custom" in this price point will be solid, reliable, or likely to hold its value in the long term.

I've seen used instruments by brands like Roscoe, Elrick and others sell for around $2k. Those have long and well-established track records, they retain their value pretty well, and the companies are likely to stay around and be there for service/support in the next 4-5 years. Many small shops don't make it that long...I've seen a lot of them close up.

You can get an excellent production bass for that much money (or less). G&L, EB/MM, etc. Mostly all in the bolt-on/Fender style.
If that works for you, they are excellent choices. (Heck, you can get a USA Fender for that matter, which is "the one" for many players.)

Cheers,
Martin

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

The only time I spent that much on a bass was in 2015. I bought a Fender AV 63 P bass in faded sonic blue. I ended up selling my other basses. The AV line has been replaced with the American Original line. Those are right at the $2000 price point and I think they are very close to a NOS custom shop. CS usually have a rift sawn or quarter sawn neck and handwound pickups, I think that is the main difference. So I would recommend an American Original P bass. In seafoam green.

 

[Dincrest]

I get the dilemma.

Speaking purely for myself, if I had $2000 to blow on a brand spanking new instrument, I'd either want a Kiesel Icon option-ized to my specs or a Japanese-made ESP E-II BTL-5. It's almost a coin flip. The only reasons I would pick one over the other are those seemingly silly gut feeling "the heart wants what the heart wants" reasons and what does my heart want more?

But eventually my brain would take over and I'd snag a killer preowned boutique bass from the TalkBass classifieds that satisfies my head, my heart, and my loins while perhaps helping out someone in our community.

 

[nonohmic]

The only reason to go custom is if you absolutely cannot find the combination of features/design/materials you really want and youare unwilling to settle for less. Otherwise, you get far more bang for the buck if you bought a used high-quality production bass.

I guess that's my point. The features I really want are not available on production lines, namely 32" and possibly headless. BUT if I'm getting much more bang-for-my-buck by going for a higher end production bass, is it worth it to live with 34", for example?

 

[nonohmic]

But eventually my brain would take over and I'd snag a killer preowned boutique bass from the TalkBass classifieds that satisfies my head, my heart, and my loins while perhaps helping out someone in our community.

This is probably the smartest route, but in my experience patience and the brain often lose out!

 

[Nedmundo]

G&L's USA "option order" basses straddle the line between production and custom, and even with a few options the OTD prices of some models can easily be kept under $2k. Some say their quality control has slipped recently, but they're generally excellent. Other than weight, my 2010 JB is boutique level IMO. If one of their models has your desired specs, it could be a good way to go.

Sandberg also offers some customization, and some models come in under $2k. I priced out a VS five-string and it was well under that point. I've played a few, and they are excellent quality.

 

[nonohmic]

G&L's USA "option order" basses straddle the line between production and custom, and even with a few options the OTD prices of some models can easily be kept under $2k. Some say their quality control has slipped recently, but they're generally excellent. Other than weight, my 2010 JB is boutique level IMO. If one of their models has your desired specs, it could be a good way to go.

I've heard amazing things about G&L over the years, but don't think I could look at that bridge the rest of my life. Unfortunately.

 

[Hounddog409]

All,

I am finally getting to the position where I am ready to put a serious (for me) amount of money into a bass. My budget is ~ $2k. This is an interesting space because it puts you at the high end of production basses, but also the lower end of custom basses. I have a number of options on my list, which I won't go into.

But my question is - what are peoples experiences in this price point? Does this price point in production basses 'punch above it's weight'? Or is getting your own custom specs worth it, even if the overall options on the bass aren't as extensive?

Thanks!

you are still talking about a mass produced product vs. a hand built product.
I go hand built everytime.