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Inexpensive single-cut custom builder?

A

alexbassguy

May 1, 2011
14
0
Northern CO
#1
Hey TB, been a lurker for years, and had an account years ago but who knows what my login was lol. So I've had an obsession with single-cut models for a long time, they've always been the coolest design in my mind - however, as you all know, 99% of the time they go for $2k or more, period. I'm needing to be a bit more... frugal than that lol. There have been a few threads similar to this in the past on here, but they were all as of several years ago or more, so I thought maybe there'd be some new blood out there as far as companies/builders go...
Basically, I'm looking for a decently customized 5 fretted single-cut, kind of a crazy bastardization of a Fodera Imperial Elite and a Wishbass Lobe with a custom neck/pickup config (i can upload the design if ya'll want). After much deliberation and research, I feel I've narrowed my search down to five primary bass-creating entities:

Wishbass - know plenty about him and what to expect, emailed him and received a curt, almost rude response saying (basically) that he wouldn't have fun building it so he'd charge me over a grand. Semi-out but still a possibility.

Kevin Siebold of Krappy Guitars - harder to find stuff on him, but no matter where I looked, ALL of it was very positive, which is really cool. emailed him, heard back quickly initially, but haven't heard back since. He has a really cool model on his site's 'exoticustom' page called the Fjeld that's close to what I'm looking for.

Tom Martinson - apparently either makes an amazing bass or something totally unplayable that falls apart. Don't really know what to think - or how to contact him. Anyone have his email? Or a website?

"Li" of Maxetone - lists on eBay as maxetone-guitar, fanncyqueen, babyface212 or something. Lots of factory-style (but still unique!) guitars, apparently handmade by him and his "expert staff of 3 masters". Due to the lack of brand, reviews and feedback are hard to come by - what I have found says good instruments but AWFUL shipping times and poor communication. He quoted me just over $700 before shipping.

Antoniotsai - seems to be fairly reputable, but with some negativity attached. Very little info, basses seem very gaudy, hopefully something that isn't required. Has some really cool Ritter-esque 7's on eBay that got very solid reviews on Harmony Central. Not sure what to think here either - still waiting for a reply on whether they do totally custom work.

So what do ya'll think? I know I should realistically just save up the money to get a nice used Clement or Zebaoth or something, but I really want this bass to be a particular design and shape that I have very set in my mind. Does anyone know of any other builders in the same price range as these guys? Would it be worth it to get something partially finished and/or fretless, and have a "real" luthier finish it up? Are there any TB members that do this/have done this, and would be willing to help a brotha out? Any feedback would be appreciated, o great hive mind of lowend that is TB... :bassist:
 
#2
Please don't use the word "cheap" to describe someone's work.

Clement will probably make your dream a reality for a reasonable price.
I would avoid Antoniotsai...

There's a whole bunch of great builders right here at the luthier's corner. You should check them out...
 
#5
Hey everyone, thanks for the replies. @allexcosta, definitely not referring to the work as 'cheap', just the price, sorry. Maybe I didn't make myself too clear on this lol but I'm looking much more in the $400 - $900 range. Emailed Tom and got a very fast, friendly quote of $1750 for a pretty basic package, and Watson's site has a 4 listed as "Under $2500 - Best deal in the marketplace!" which tells me a custom 5 is going to be a lot more than that. These guys are definitely out of my range... definitely looking at the more inexpensive builders like Wish and Krappy. And allexcosta, why do you say avoid Antoniotsai? Have you bought/played one of his basses before?
 
#6
You most likely won't get very much choice in you're final options seeing as "cheap" and "custom" are basically opposite ends of the spectrum. I'd say save the money and either get a "standard" bass that you are happy with or wait until you can get builder of your choice.
 
#8
Well, I've emailed all five of these builders and they can all do it exactly to my specs for under a grand. I'm just trying to find the best and least expensive combo of luthier and possibly refinisher to get me a pretty cool, unique bass at a great price. It seems, looking over some Wishbass threads, that TB user Thunderritter does some pretty amazing refin work on Wishbasses, finishes them out and turns them into much nicer instruments, apparently. So what I'm thinking is either seeing if Steve of Wish can get it started with a customized 5-string Lobe body, then having Thunderritter fret/route for pups/install electronics/etc. (or another member here who does that kind of work) and generally finish it up. Would this - or a similar arrangement - be advisable?
 
#12
Thanks, Bolophonic. Appreciate the usefulness of your comment.
Stop embarrasing yourself with your attitude.

Yes, steps, I read your thread, sounded like quite a painful experience. I'm sorry lol. It sent Tom to the bottom of my list last night. Glad you've posted in here tho, thanks much - would you say his work would even be passable for a refin, like Wishes seem to be? Like,if I were to order just a fretless from him, or some basic body/neck work, would it even be doable to get a more proper builder to finish it?
 
#14
alexbassguy said:
Thanks, Bolophonic. Appreciate the usefulness of your comment.
Stop embarrasing yourself with your attitude.

Yes, steps, I read your thread, sounded like quite a painful experience. I'm sorry lol. It sent Tom to the bottom of my list last night. Glad you've posted in here tho, thanks much - would you say his work would even be passable for a refin, like Wishes seem to be? Like,if I were to order just a fretless from him, or some basic body/neck work, would it even be doable to get a more proper builder to finish it?
Click to expand...

A refin could happen. Mine's almost there, after $225 spent with a great tech and a luthier. The fringerboard still needs some sanding and the pup routes need to be deeper. It's heavy as all get out, the fingerboard is THICK, and there are some very visable glue lines. He's cheap for a reason.

Also, the whole thing needs sanded down and refinished. I want to reshape the headstock, replace the preamp, and try to do some heavy shaping/sanding on the rear to drop some of the weight.
 
#15
It is hard enough for a custom builder to satisfy the expectations of a client with a real budget. According to the Fodera price sheet, the bass you are using as a reference is almost $9000. You should really ask yourself why any luthier would even bother to email you back about building a custom bass to all of your specs with a budget that starts just above the Squier range.
 
#16
Who would bother? A luthier, such as anyone I've listed, who advertises that they will do a completely custom bass for btw $400 and $900. That's why I've posted this in the first place - there are several luthiers who do this. I'm trying to figure out who's the best one. Of course it's not going to be a Fodera, I know that and I'm not expecting that. I'm expecting something unique, funky, handmade and hopefully pretty playable. (although 9 Gs for ANY bass seems like complete overkill to me... I know they're flawless, immaculate pieces of art, but that's the downpayment on a new porsche, for christ's sake...) Just look at wishbass.com or krappyguitars.com or maxetone.com or antoniotsai.com or search eBay Stores for 'tommartinson'. All custom builders who have gladly emailed me back and are willing to build this axe for <$1k. I'm just trying to get feedback on anyone who has worked with these builders to see who might be the best, or if there are any lesser known alternatives... If you're offended or something by the fact that I'm poor but want a unique, cool bass, instead of insulting me just quit reading my thread, silly!
 
#19
Update - just received a reply from Kevin Siebold of Krappy. He was at the top of my list, simply because his work seems the most honest and reputable. He says he can do the bass for $500 if I ship him all the hardware. Thoughts? Has anyone worked with this guy before?
 

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