"Midrange" custom bass advice?

[chris_b]

Get a US Lakland 55-94 from the classifieds.

 

[burgerdj]

Stambaugh

 

[Silky Johnson]

I like Kiesel stuff but do consider that most things "custom" you have made will be worth roughly half what you paid should you end up selling later on. There are exceptions too that, but if you find a bada$$ USED 5er, which I'm seeing tons of high end ones in that price range, you'd probably not lose a dime should you decide to sell it later on. I'm a big fan of letting some other shmuck take the depreciation hit with basses. And I lost my ass on my Carvin 4 stringer I once had when I sold it.

 

[Koog]

Drake Custom. Andrew's basses are very big sounding with focus in the mids. Great punch and just drive the mix.

See the link below for a bass we designed together a couple of years ago. It is exceptional in every way.

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Two disclosures:

• It's a 34" scale, but the B has great tension and is "piano like".
• It's about $1,000 above your price point, but certainly worth the stretch.

Hope this helps you have a comparison.

 

[Maynjo]

I voted other, but its a little bit above your price range. For a 35" scale 5 string, Roscoe cant be beat. Truly amazing basses.

 

[gumbynotpokey]

Tom Clement. Check out his website. He did me right in EVERY respect. For real.

Dig it:

 

[hardtop]

I played several basses at NAMM this year, and I was pretty impressed with Sandberg in this price range. Easily as nicely built and playable as the US Lakland i used to own. The Keisel stuff is also nice but I definitely preferred the Sandberg to most of the basses I checked out that weekend. To the point where Im likely going to order one.

 

[fourstr00]

I’m in a very similar boat, and looking hard at Marusczyck, assuming I can ever spell it right.

I have three Carvin/Keisels as my main basses, and all three are currently out of commission for construction issues. Great first impressions but I’m done with the brand.

 

[BigAlBass69]

My vote is other and you cannot go wrong with all of the choices fronm Jake at SEREK BASSES....see my NBD Serek post

 

[jnuts1]

Cliff Bordwell makes some pretty amazing basses

 

[madbass6]

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??

to bad there's no carrot option ?

 

[ole Jason]

Devon or Skold would be at the top of my list

 

[DavetheDude]

I can think of one Fedora I'd pay six large for!

View attachment 3315476

Also, Fedora is pretty versatile in the right hands.

Also, +1 on Maruszczyk!

 

[tradernick]

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.

Where I grew up in rural Canada, we used the same vehicle for both.

OP, you’ll get great advice here but you’ll need to do a lot of homework. Ask lots of questions and make sure to scan the FS posts here nightly.

Always interesting how many people mention Maruszczyk in these threads. I’d better go have a look...

 

[okcrum]

Beardly Customs

 

[BergerHead]

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??

Find you an early Warwick Streamer 5, in the '90s they did wonder to conquer the 5er market; best 5th string* beside my Bergers and comfy 3,6kg to shoulder.
*having measured 5th string output signal on more than a dozen basses, it seems general that most put out -1 to -3db less (-3db is as half as loud). The big mass and the rather low tension of a low B scratch on the edge of physics, a part of the swing's energy gets lost in the co-swinging wood a.s.o.
... that also why i went to the Bergers = perfect density + maximum stiffness; 'nough said.

 

[magyk8ball]

Something different, not exactly a p or j, custom, and under $2500 id say kiesel. Definitely fits the requirements.
At least without further direction on your sound/style preference.

 

[MrLenny1]

Stambaugh.
I had Chris build a 5 string resonance(chambered) bass.
He will build anything you want. In my case he nailed it.
Happy hunting.

 

[madbass6]

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??

For that price you'll find something allot better Then all your choices listed in the used market!

 

[wraub]

Moonshine Custom Guitars
Drake
Cliff Bordwell
TB's own JIO
Christopher
Also, fresh from NAMM, those Padalkas look interesting.

all (but Padalka, unknown to me) have been shown to be super creative, deeply skilled, very professional builders. All would likely work with you to perfection, and most could (probably) hit that price point (or pretty close).

Fwiw, $2500 is more than the cost of all of my gear.
Enjoy your new bass.