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Im Just No Gettin The Boutique Thing
- Thread starter thirtyhz
- Start date
The only boutique bass I would ever get would be a Carl Thompson. Considering the outrageous cost of one I probably never will.
If I saved long enough I could get a super fancy "botique" bass. But right now I'm pretty happy buying EBMMs and building out fenders. I will say that the joy in that is running thin. But the next logical step is get a few really really nice amp rigs going. Maybe a nice orange and a nice Aguilar rig. I can't hate on what anyone enjoys playing. Most of us do this for fun, so whatever makes you happy.
I haven’t seen anything over $2000 where a big increase in price produced some commensurate audible improvement in tone, more about cosmetics. That’s cool, you can pay $50 or $5000 for a chair that fulfills the same function. I have huge admiration for boutique builders, in most cases they are making minimum wage or less, very few people are willing and able to pay what a hand made bass is really worth in hours expended. If you want value for dollar, buy a Squire.
Pedulla MVP5 is the only thing on my want list that I can't bolt together myself a close approximation.
I play what appeals to me.
Warwick Dolphin Pro 1 V
Squier VMP5.
G&L L2500.
Chinese Dano Dead on 58.
BSX Half Note EUB.
70's Goya double P.
Price is an obstacle not a deciding factor.
Warwick Dolphin Pro 1 V
Squier VMP5.
G&L L2500.
Chinese Dano Dead on 58.
BSX Half Note EUB.
70's Goya double P.
Price is an obstacle not a deciding factor.
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There is a very talented luthier near me who advertises he was a final assemblyman at PRS (Paul Reed Smith, a near boutique brand in its own right), who did a beautiful job refreshing my 30-yr-old Carvin. So I can verify his skill, if not the pedigree.
I brought my Pedulla to him, as he had never seen one in person. He played it for a few minutes and said “Wow, it practically plays itself!” He was genuinely impressed.
It’s the best feeling bass I’ve ever held. YMMV...
I brought my Pedulla to him, as he had never seen one in person. He played it for a few minutes and said “Wow, it practically plays itself!” He was genuinely impressed.
It’s the best feeling bass I’ve ever held. YMMV...
Some tools are so refined and fit so well they make utilizing them less of a hassle (physically).
A slab body is just awkward to play after using a Spector NS's curved body. Fatigue is worth combating (weight, action, placement etc). By how much and what the value is, each of us must decide on our own.
A slab body is just awkward to play after using a Spector NS's curved body. Fatigue is worth combating (weight, action, placement etc). By how much and what the value is, each of us must decide on our own.
I probably wouldn't own one because I prefer something a little more appropriate to my skill level. And my regular bass is far above that.
If you want a boutique bass buy it. I did and didn't look back. doesn't mean Other basses won't get the job done. But some people have to say boutique isn't worth it. Depends on which builder you buy from. I can guarantee you any bass you buy will not sound like my Alembic. But in the band context playing out does anybody notice? Probably not, but frankly I don't care. And yes I have 4 Fenders so I don't consider myself a gear snob and I do play my boutique bass out.. If it gets dinged oh well lol..
I have a boutique bass and getting ready to pull the trigger on another.
My Ken Lawrence plays and sounds better than any other bass I've played - doesn't mean it would be same for anybody else but the years of enjoyment I've gotten from playing it are worth far more than the dollars spent. And it goes to every gig - it has a couple of dings but nothing I care about.
I've had a bunch of standard built basses over the years - been there done that and I'm over it.
My Ken Lawrence plays and sounds better than any other bass I've played - doesn't mean it would be same for anybody else but the years of enjoyment I've gotten from playing it are worth far more than the dollars spent. And it goes to every gig - it has a couple of dings but nothing I care about.
I've had a bunch of standard built basses over the years - been there done that and I'm over it.
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Never played one. With my myopic sense of what constitutes the best bang for the buck I’d probably take my favorite bass to a luthier and have it set up to my specs.
Boutique instruments are nice. There are also plenty of nice more affordable instruments out there. I own various instruments that fall in those categories. Play what you want to play. I love my Wal bass and also love my MIM P bass.
There are people who would chastise the OP for playing an AmDeluxe fender when all you "need" is a squire. It's all relative.
There are people who would chastise the OP for playing an AmDeluxe fender when all you "need" is a squire. It's all relative.
Not a fan of coffee table basses. Not a fan of active basses. Puts me out of the market for most boutique basses. I don't mind.
If that was all there was to owning boutique gear you might have a point. Unfortunately it isn't.
Let me know when you are ready to ditch that Dolphin! Sold mine and really regret it
That's a pretty weak foundation.
Use what you like, leave the rest for others. Simple.
While a price doesn't guarantee anything besides a price, the idea that a price point determines what you'll get is easily as suspect. Another wrongly held idea is that the woods are the major cost on an upscale instrument. I have no idea why people think that, other than they've never shopped for wood and/or don't understand how a business works, particularly luthiery.
