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Need help finding a P-bass builder.

#21
dedpool1052 said:
ok. so what you're saying is....you want a bass built. try JohnK here on the forums. he does some pretty good work and has been working on fenders for years and knows them inside out. http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/
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:smug:LOL.! Ya, thats what I'm saying!! Trust me.....I've got some Lull GAS. That last post with the link to the Lull is sick!! But, I am really trying to recreate something special here. Just trying to find the right builder who is willing to do what I am looking for.
 
#22
g4string said:
Not a negative thing. Just trying to find a builder who can build me a Fender CS replica with the sparkle finish I would like....is competent in doing some slight relic work, and is capable of providing me a neck built to my taste. You know, kinda trying to piece together a dream bass. So far, it seems as though a good number of replies have been based on what the respondent would do and not on what the OP (me)is really after. Im not interested in a G&L. As I stated in my 1st post, I am interested in having a specific bass built. Nor am I interested in buying parts and having it assembled. If I wanted a Lakland I would buy a Lakland. If I wanted a Lull, I would buy a Lull. If I wanted a G&L, I would buy a G&L.....
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So get a masterbilt Fender CS and give them your specs... Unless you don't want to pay the price.
 
#23
g4string said:
:smug:LOL.! Ya, thats what I'm saying!! Trust me.....I've got some Lull GAS. That last post with the link to the Lull is sick!! But, I am really trying to recreate something special here. Just trying to find the right builder who is willing to do what I am looking for.
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totally get where you're coming from. you want what you want and you want it done right. glad you got my sarcasm and didnt take it personally.
 
#26
The problem is that nobody can really build you a bass with a fender headstock or logo. For your dream bass, and what I would suggest would make you the most happy, is to wait a little longer for that dream bass and save up for the fender custom shop. If a P bass built to your specifications is what you want, that is the only place you will get it. The 4500 is a lot, but it is less expenaive than buying something you don't love, and having to sell it and then buying the custom shop. If you are willing to have a custom P bass-like instrument that sounds and plays exactly how you want, but doesn't look 100% the part, then there many builders on this site that could build you something (in my opinion) even better than the custom shop. I honestly could not help you choose a builder, other people would be bettwr for that.
 
#29
He won't consider a Lull, and I won't even bother suggesting a Lakland. He doesn't want to build a true Fender bass from parts. He wants a Fender that is made exactly to his specs, but not for the Fender CS price. He'd even try to get the builder to put a Fender decal on the bass, which no one but Fender would do.

This is an exercise in pointlessness. He could have any P bass body refinished by the CS, slap on a J or P bass special neck, and this would be over. Goodbye.
 
#32
I had a guy build me a custom bass and I loved it and it played and sounded killer....
You can check him out at: http://certainbass.com/
if you are interested....jut another thought....If you were doing a J bass I would have said "Suhr Basses" but have fun...
 
#33
You might drop an email to Pat Wilkins. In addition to doing the paint work on US Laklands, Sadowsky's and other high-end boutique basses makers, he has a couple of lines of basses that they make themselves (not parts basses). Chances are, he might end up doing the paint on whatever you buy anyway...:hiding:

I have one of his Roadtested basses made of ancient wood and it's incredible.

wilkinsguitars.com
 
#34
smcd said:
No reputable builder is going to replace their logo with a couterfeit Fender logo. Buy Warmouth parts and have someone assemble them for you. :rollno:
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This.

There is no way I would ever give Fender credit for my work. I wouldn't imagine anyone putting in the time, and effort to build a full custom just to have anyone who sees it think its a Fender. Not to mention that it is illegal and totally unethical. I wouldn't even consider using Fenders headstock shape.

I also wouldn't be interested in doing a relic finish on anything. It takes a lot of time and effort, especially on a sparkle finish to get it perfect. There is no way I would spend that much time, just to purposely ruin it.
 
#35
I just went through this search myself (P with a J neck). I wanted bound and blocked though, and to add to the fun I wanted nibs in the binding on the fret ends like a Les Paul. It's purely cosmetic but its what I wanted. I know RS Guitarworks does it because that's how they made my Tractor replica bass, though as far as I know Fender never did it on the b&b jazz necks.

I was going to call John K, or maybe RSGW but ended up buying a Duck Dunn instead.
 
#36
Codger said:
I just went through this search myself (P with a J neck). I wanted bound and blocked though, and to add to the fun I wanted nibs in the binding on the fret ends like a Les Paul. It's purely cosmetic but its what I wanted. I know RS Guitarworks does it because that's how they made my Tractor replica bass, though as far as I know Fender never did it on the b&b jazz necks.

I was going to call John K, or maybe RSGW but ended up buying a Duck Dunn instead.
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Yah....we'll see how close I can get. I need to give Carl Pedigo a call too. If Carl were to build me a bass, it wouldn't be a Fender clone....but it would be pretty b.a.
 
#37
I don't get it. Just have Benavente make you that bass with a J neck and the color / fitments you want. Unfortunately, even that is no guarantee to meet what you found so awesome in the first Benavente.

Unless of course you're hung up on the headstock shape and name on it. Then I would suggest just getting an A- necked Fender P.
 
#38
You already know (from several past basses) the Lakland quality.

Have them build you one OR email [email protected] and see what he can come up with for you. Carl Pedigo is a master luthier and (as you may know) was Lakland's first employee....he now works 50% for Lakland and 50% for himself building and repairing guitars and basses.

he built me 2 custom basses and I love them both!
 
#40
basspraiser said:
You already know (from several past basses) the Lakland quality.

Have them build you one OR email [email protected] and see what he can come up with for you. Carl Pedigo is a master luthier and (as you may know) was Lakland's first employee....he now works 50% for Lakland and 50% for himself building and repairing guitars and basses.

he built me 2 custom basses and I love them both!
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Ya....I have owned Lakland in the past. Actually, my 55-94 was with me for 12+ years. I had to get rid of her due to hand cramps issues. Strictly 4 bangers these days. I used to live in IL...so I have been to visit Lakland quite a few times. Carl has done quite a few small repairs/mods for me in the past. Up until I saw this red sparkly CS Fender, I was pretty much set on him building me a P. However, re-creating this CS P has me completely love struck. You see blondes, naturals, fiestas, blacks, whites, and plenty of bursts....but seldom do you see many flake/sparkle jobs.
 

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