/ Register

How Long a Wait for a Custom Bass..?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Delton, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Jul 21, 2009 #1
    Delton

    Delton

    Apr 13, 2008
    Pittsford, NY
    Hello All,
    I have a question as to when you order a custom bass from a Luthler, how long does it take before it is built? Here is the specs.
    P-bass style natural ash body, with white pick guard. Maple neck with white block inlays and white side neck binding.
    Schallers bridge and the Duncan SPB-3 pick ups, GHS flatwounds 45 to 105. Looking for a timeline on building this bass.
    Thanks for your help.

    Delton
     
  2. Jul 21, 2009 #2
    OHSPyro89

    OHSPyro89

    Jun 21, 2009
    It really depends. There are luthiers that have up to a year wait if not longer.

    But a bass like that wouldn't take very long to be built, but it may be a long waiting list.
     
  3. Jul 21, 2009 #3
    lindseyp

    lindseyp

    Jun 19, 2003
    Home-STL; location-Hesse.
    As long as it takes. I shop around, so if I truly want a custom bass I will have to factor in the wait, that is, I'm going to assume the time as part of the purchase. Of course, I'm talking about luthiers who have a history of delivering the goods, whoever they may be.
     
  4. Jul 21, 2009 #4
    Taylor Livingston

    Taylor Livingston Supporting Member Commercial User

    Dec 25, 2002
    Oregon, US
    Owner, Iron Ether Electronics
    You'd be better off asking the people you'll actually be buying from. Some guys have about a 4-6 month turnaround, others a year or 2, or 10, in the case of a builder whose name rhymes with Bluhbensee (name censored because this Bluhbensee guy searches for his name and complains when people are talking bad about him).

    It's not that it takes that long to build your bass, it's that it takes that long to get to your order, and to get supplies, etc. When you decide on a builder or a few that you're interested in, ask them what their current build time is.
     
  5. Jul 21, 2009 #5
    MrLenny1

    MrLenny1

    Jan 17, 2009
    New England
    9 months for a new Stambaugh, but it does vary from builder to builder.
     
  6. Jul 21, 2009 #6
    Adam Wright

    Adam Wright Inactive

    Jun 6, 2002
    Arlington,Tx
    Mike Lull Artist
  7. Jul 21, 2009 #7
    Dan Knowlton

    Dan Knowlton Sometimes you're the dog, sometimes the tree Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 3, 2000
    Palm Coast, FL
    Apparently, it can be up to 10+ years... That being said - my Alleva Coppolo KPB-5 was 7 months - one month longer than Jimmy estimated but the painter was undergoing chemo, so it was NOT Jimmy's fault. The interesting thing is, the chemo messed with his eyes and the color of my bass is a lot darker than the ice blue metallic I originally wanted. Jimmy offered to build me a new bass with the "right" color but I decided to keep the "Dan K. Blue" bass - it is just amazing.

    The painter Jimmy was using was the same guy that did a lot of the basses and guitars for Fender in the late 50's and 60's - kind of a cool thing with the connection to the past.

    Dan K.