Looking to spend < $2500 on a custom 35" 5 string which ive decided means a midrange custom. I'm not really looking for a p or j bass clone, but something different. Who do you recommend??
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"Midrange" custom bass advice?
- Thread starter Jason42
- Start date
Further proof that “midrange” is a very relative term. 
I'll vote "Other". Devon basses are pretty badass and you'd be getting some insanely nice woods and craftsmanship for the $2500-$3500 range. I played a few of them at NAMM last month and was very impressed on their workmanship and feel. Unfortunately my GAS fund is severely depleted and doesn't show any signs of refilling anytime soon, or I'd hit them up for one of their modern-styled 5-strings. Go to Devon's website and have some fun with their bass configurator!
Yeah, I hear you. My thought was custom market. Fedora is like 6k plus. No name guy is about 1k. Thus midrange at 2.5k?? Made sense to me about 30 mins agoFurther proof that “midrange” is a very relative term.
Maruszczyk.
Not truly custom if you just use the configurator, but a well made personalised bass for US Fender money is a good deal in my book.
Not truly custom if you just use the configurator, but a well made personalised bass for US Fender money is a good deal in my book.
They are both respectable instruments.
For the sake of cost, you should also consider location, currency & shipping. You haven't disclosed your location, so I don't know if you're in North America/Europe, etc.
Kiesel (USA) will be in USD. Maruszczyk (Germany) will be in Euros of which the currency exchange is a little higher.
Again, I don't know where you are located so the farthest builder will cost you more in shipping.
If you're already within the country of one of the companies, you won't have to worry about international CITES issues if you choose certain woods, such as Rosewood and Bubinga.
For the sake of cost, you should also consider location, currency & shipping. You haven't disclosed your location, so I don't know if you're in North America/Europe, etc.
Kiesel (USA) will be in USD. Maruszczyk (Germany) will be in Euros of which the currency exchange is a little higher.
Again, I don't know where you are located so the farthest builder will cost you more in shipping.
If you're already within the country of one of the companies, you won't have to worry about international CITES issues if you choose certain woods, such as Rosewood and Bubinga.
What is it exactly that you are looking for? Why have you decided that it should or needs to be "custom"?
Always wanted a bass where I picked out every part. And I finally think I know what I want from a spec side after playing for 30 years.
Unless you’re dead set on a custom build, for $2500 I’d buy a used Roscoe or Modulus Quantum 5. You can definitely find some great higher end basses in the used market in that price range.
I voted Kiesel but I don't have any experience with any other custom builders.
To present a few more options to you, there are some really nice customs starting up to or below $2500 from other builders, such as Cliff Bordwell or Tom Clement. I'm sure other TB'ers are aware of more alternate suggestions for you.
For something not quite a P or J clone, consider Skjold Design Guitars. I have two, both are exquisite. The two on the left.
Pete is higher than $2500, but I can't recommend the work highly enough.
Skjold Design Guitars
The one on the right, by the way, is a Valenti. Obviously more of a boutique Fender-type, but also outstanding if you should consider that direction and somewhat closer to your price target. I actually gig that one the most in my current situation.
Valenti Basses
Pete is higher than $2500, but I can't recommend the work highly enough.
Skjold Design Guitars
The one on the right, by the way, is a Valenti. Obviously more of a boutique Fender-type, but also outstanding if you should consider that direction and somewhat closer to your price target. I actually gig that one the most in my current situation.
Valenti Basses
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I can think of one Fedora I'd pay six large for!Yeah, I hear you. My thought was custom market. Fedora is like 6k plus. No name guy is about 1k. Thus midrange at 2.5k?? Made sense to me about 30 mins ago
For a little bit more there's the Mike Lull 'Bryan Beller' model. More choices than you can imagine.
if you are looking for something that balances modern tech and style with a nod to tradition, you might want to check out Jake Serek at https://www.serekbasses.com/
i bet he would make a 35" for you.
i bet he would make a 35" for you.
This is my recommendation too. The whole idea of paying for a custom bass is you know EXACTLY what you want and then get someone to build it for you. If you don't know what you want, then why custom? It's like going on line saying I want to buy a new vehicle tell me what to buy without saying if you want it to haul gravel or pick up chicks. Which leads us to the used custom market. Things such as an Alembic, Modulus Q5, Dingwall, Ken Smith and other wonderful "bass lessons" can be had used right in your price range. I know because I have some! Each in their own way are killer basses. But they are not the same and what I think of each may not be what someone else thinks. Point is if you are interested in the custom thang, first you need to get clear in your mind just what you want built and no better way to do that than to own a few high end basses and live with them for a while. My Modulus Q6 is an amazing bass. Hard to go wrong with one of those. Other high enders each have their own special appeal. If you must go new and semi-custom, I'd go Kiesel (I did when it was still Carvin) if you know what options you want or want to try. That worked out very nicely for me. I still own and love it, though after living with it for a while there were a couple of choices I made back then that I would do differently on the next round.
I believe the only Kiesel’s you can get that are not 34” scale or shorter are their multiscale basses.
I second the Devon recommendation. I have 3 which I bought in as new condition from fellow TB'er @campbems. We both believe that you get more for your money from Devon Smullen than from any other builder.
Here are mine:
Here are mine:
