Production or custom? Where do you draw the line?

[Fernando Costa]

Marleaux Consat Signature.

Or any other. You can visit Gerald, you are near the factory, you can customize your bass. Think about it.

Marleaux BassGuitars, Bass, Consat, Consat Signature, Signature, Instrument, perfekte Bespielbarkeit, Basshersteller, Manufactor, Custom made Bässe, Edelbass, Klassiker, 4-Saiter, 5-Saiter, 6-Saiter

 

[A Bass And Its Boy]

If you can find a local luthier whose work you actually like, that can be the best option. My luthier has built two basses for me (three necks, though; the J-style he built me has a 36” fretless neck and a 34” fretted neck that I swap) — and throughout the process he had me over to his workshop multiple times to feel how the basses sat against my body and how the necks felt in my hand so that he could adjust them where I wanted. I chose and sourced the woods and the electronics and hardware so that there wasn’t a markup on those and so that everything sounded the way I wanted. And with his customers he’s even willing to reshape necks after months of playing if they’re not satisfactory (as long as it’s subtractive shaping, naturally).

Can’t get better that that as far as finding one that fits you more.

 

[equill]

Thing is, I'm not really sure which way to go - should I stick to the production line models or go custom at this point?

...

Thing is, almost none of them fit me in some way.

That's where I draw the line: I go custom to get the one that's exactly what I want.

If I can get it in a production model, so much the better (and more convenient) but I'm a fussy git.

 

[el murdoque]

With basses it's a process, because the player usually evolves throughout the journey.
A custom bass that is 100% tailored to your wants and needs is a 100% fit. . . for the moment.
I've had that experience twice so far. The one that I had made in 2013 is perfect in every regard - for 2013 me.
Back then, I was playing mostly metal and hard rock and in these genres, that axe delivers big time.
This bass is a keeper for me, even though I have not played it in more than a year (apart from taking it off the wall and noodling around for a bit). Other musical genres have opened up for me since then and my technique has evolved, making factors more or less important than they were back then.

My current 100% fit is a Le Fay 6 string. I cannot recommend these enough. What the Dobbratz brothers do is close to magic. When I got it, I had a short honeymoon period after which I discovered a few points where I considered having it changed, but I decided to wait on that because gigging season had just started and I did not want to give it away. With the gigging season over, I had 'learned' that every aspect served a purpose and all the changes I thought would be improvements would actually have turned out the opposite.

When you shell out 5+ grand on a bass, the process should be that you have a lengthy conversation with the people who will make it for you - and in that process, everything you want should be included and everything you do not want should be eliminated.
A very important factor here is that very often, there is a difference between what you think you want and what you really want - so make sure you're certain.

If I remember your (not so) recent acquisition thread, you went to a store and came home with a beautiful high quality 4 string bass (Spector?) after playing 6ers before. So you know the feeling of going somewhere, seeing a finished product, falling in love with it and leaving the store together.
Getting YOUR bass built is even stronger than that.


Two more builders to look at:
Torillo Basses from Germany
Unicorn Basses from Skåne.

 

[BlueTalon]

If you can find exactly all the details you want on a production bass, then buy that. If not, then buy a bass from someone who can offer you exactly what you want. And forget what anyone else thinks about it. (If you want something fancy, and you can afford it, then there is no such thing as "too fancy.")

 

[Katoosie]

Wait, what about your Spector?

Truly custom is a task order and not something every Luthier is going to be interested in.

My last 3 basses were custom for me and though I was able to pick woods, scale, pickups and their locations, some body/contour mods and all my neck specs, all 3 were body shapes and headstocks that the luthier had done before.

I recommend keep looking until you find a builder that suits you and tweak around the edges. They know what works.

As for starting the line with price, that's entirely up to you. My 3 best basses cost $1.5k-2.1k and I when you consider the time and skill involved, that's a real bargain. If I had more disposable income, I'd have had no problem spending 3k or more.

What about my Spector, exactly.

So far out of all the basses I have tried, the Spector that I own is literally perfect for me, despite having 2 "choice" spots in the upper register on the G string.

It plays like butter, sounds killer, looks great, feels even better - had a guy play on it some time ago who plays rsys and he said it was really, really comfy to play on my spector.

It's a 4 though, which kinda... Irks me.
I'm considering a custom USA shop 5 string in place of this one and my fretless, I think it is a decent idea.

To all the others who have replied so far - thank you, it was nice to get some more thoughts on this and some feedback. One thing I wanted to mention - I want a 5 string that is as much "me" as possible, not an instrument that will magicslly make me better. So far the spector euro that I own has been that instrument, so maybe getting a custom 5er from them is the right move. Possibly

 

[truand85]

I draw the line at $2500. Custom, production, for me it doesn't matter if it plays good looks good sounds good.

 

[jd56hawk]

So far the spector euro that I own has been that instrument, so maybe getting a custom 5er from them is the right move. Possibly

Or buy one you can have in your hands in a week or so instead of buying a custom and having to wait until Christmas.
I'm guessing you've already checked the number one spot for basses, both new and used?

 

[chris_b]

I have been brainstorming and considering some changes to my bass arsenal, mainly selling my two and getting one that would fit me more and take less space. You know, downsizing.

I think downsizing and upgrading the quality is a great idea, but 2 basses would be my lower limit. I want 2 basses so that 1 can be in for repair, or whatever, and I can still gig.

I sold a couple of basses that were "hanging around" and not being played when I bought my Sadowsky Metro Jazz. You can get some good basses from the classifieds.

I like FSO's. Lakland, Lull and Sadowsky are at the top of my list. I'm also looking for a Sire 5 string but it has to be under 9lbs.

 

[lfmn16]

Space is so tight you don’t have room for two basses???

What you are paying for is getting the perfect bass for YOU.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Someone previously suggested Maruszczyk in the thread, and I'd second that as an option to consider. Semi-custom options at production prices.

I had a list of features I wanted in a bass, that I could just not satisfy with anything off the shelf (30" scale Jazz neck, offset body, P/MM pickups, Ultralite tuners, relatively lightweight). Every bass I've tried and researched had something I didn't like, so I went down the Maruszczyk route.

Received it this week, and so far I'm very happy. Went with Delano pickups and Hipshot hardware, so not cheap parts, and the total price (including all customs & shipping fees etc) was the same as an American Performer bass. It's a step above any MIA Fender I've personally owned as far as fit, finish and playability. Honestly, now I'm tempted to sell off a few other basses and order a second.

 

[TrevorG]

Perhaps you’re over thinking things. Sometimes you have to meet an instrument half way. Your hands and ears get used to one thing and you decide that’s who you are as a player but as you evolve you should keep your mind open. You won’t always get it right and the price of that lesson may be a little financial loss from resale. But you may also learn to appreciate other sounds and designs that have something different to offer be they custom or production line basses. Good luck.

 

[Durham52]

If the Spector works for you apart from the number of strings, maybe check out some Spector 5's?

As someone who used to make one off's and custom orders, I'd suggest looking for makers close to you, there's plenty of top class custom building outfits in Europe and if you're willing to put in some travel hours you can meet/speak too builders and see their work first hand. Lots of people seem to have custom builds work out fine without personal face to face contact and actually seeing, hearing and touching a custom builders work. But having a successful outcome can depend having a really, really, clear idea of exactly what you want and good communication back and forth, so there are no grey areas and misunderstandings.

You also need a clear contract stating exactly what will be delivered and when. Do check on a builders reputation and ask for contact details (maybe email address's?) of previous customers if possible.

Which ever way you go, I hope you end up with that "perfect" bass.

 

[Peter Hess]

I’ve seen lots of alembic epic fretless 5’s all over the place ranging from 2k-3k. Ive also seen some pretty wild custom jobs for that price point. I got my epic about 20 years ago and paid 1k for it used. IMO they are the best custom shop out there. Having a one of a kind instrument doesn’t do it for me. It’s the quality of it that makes me want one. My bass was 26 years old this past December and with each year has gotten more beautiful. It plays great, sounds great and in all the time I’ve had it all I’ve ever done to it was change the strings and tweaked the truss rods a couple of times.
Spending upwards of 5k for a bass, to me, is overkill. A fabulous bass from the Fender custom shop runs about 2k. So far as stock basses all the ones mentioned here are great basses, too. But most importantly, as mentioned here as well, an expensive custom job won’t make for a better player. Besides my alembic I have 2 squire basses-a CV Pbass and a paranormal Jbass. I set them up myself and they both play and sound great.

 

[Eilif]

What about my Spector, exactly.

So far out of all the basses I have tried, the Spector that I own is literally perfect for me, despite having 2 "choice" spots in the upper register on the G string.

It plays like butter, sounds killer, looks great, feels even better - had a guy play on it some time ago who plays rsys and he said it was really, really comfy to play on my spector.

It's a 4 though, which kinda... Irks me.
I'm considering a custom USA shop 5 string in place of this one and my fretless, I think it is a decent idea.

To all the others who have replied so far - thank you, it was nice to get some more thoughts on this and some feedback. One thing I wanted to mention - I want a 5 string that is as much "me" as possible, not an instrument that will magicslly make me better. So far the spector euro that I own has been that instrument, so maybe getting a custom 5er from them is the right move. Possibly

Sounds like you know what the path is for you. Despite what I wrote earlier, I would agree with those who suggest buying a used high end Spector instead of a new one. The cost difference is enormous, and it sounds like your preferences would be met by one, thereby negating the need for custom specs.

 

[Spidey2112]

I draw the line at the point where what I see with my mind's eye is so far out of reach, my hands will never touch it...

... or, the horizon.

 

[TTA]

Heya TB!

I have been brainstorming and considering some changes to my bass arsenal, mainly selling my two and getting one that would fit me more and take less space. You know, downsizing.
Changes. GAS.

Thing is, I'm not really sure which way to go - should I stick to the production line models or go custom at this point?

I've been considering the BFR FL Stingray, Le Fay Schwarz, Franz, F bass, Human Base and so many others... All of them around the 5k usd range, give or take.

Thing is, almost none of them fit me in some way - could be a headstock shape or the tuners or the knobs or just your "normal" choice of woods. I'm not in a rush but I have been looking around for a while and it seems like what I'm looking for would be probably more in the realms of a custom shop build rather than production.

- 5+ string
- fretless/fretted
- preamp with a lot of options, switches for modes of operation
-premium/interesting colours and woods
- lightweight tuners
- wooden knobs/custom knobs
- wooden/matched pus'
- good ergonomics

Plus, the prices are kind of all over the place. I saw basses with more interesting options for say 4000 than one for 8000 and at that point I was asking myself what is it exactly that I am paying for here?

I understand that it's the whole diminishing returns thing with high cost instruments, but where do you draw the line between "yeah I would buy that" to "that's too fancy for bass' sake!"?

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I am biased but dingwall will meet sll your custom needs if you are willing to go fan fret. But on the top end it will not be cheap… but it will be nice!

custom is so tough. Like you i am very particular in what i like. But one advantage i have is that for a very long time i have never looked for the one “perfect bass.” If fact, i would rather enjoy bases for their unique abilities, voice and flaws. If you try hard to get that “one bass” you will probably always fail on some level. It is kind of impossible. The closest i ever got was a fender stu hamm urge 2 bass: extended scale, jpj pickups, amazing balance… traded for a very flawed but loved ric 4003. Never for a moment regretted it.

My first jump into a custom is a dingwall ab1 (may go ab2). Six string. F# tuning. It is very much not a bass for every situation… but that it not what i want it for. I am goin in eyes wide open.

have thought about fender custom shop… mainly because i want a jazz with an darker ebony board and whiite inlays… but they only seem to do that combo in the mexican bases.

 

[cnltb]

Heya TB!

I have been brainstorming and considering some changes to my bass arsenal, mainly selling my two and getting one that would fit me more and take less space. You know, downsizing.
Changes. GAS.

Thing is, I'm not really sure which way to go - should I stick to the production line models or go custom at this point?

I've been considering the BFR FL Stingray, Le Fay Schwarz, Franz, F bass, Human Base and so many others... All of them around the 5k usd range, give or take.

Thing is, almost none of them fit me in some way - could be a headstock shape or the tuners or the knobs or just your "normal" choice of woods. I'm not in a rush but I have been looking around for a while and it seems like what I'm looking for would be probably more in the realms of a custom shop build rather than production.

- 5+ string
- fretless/fretted
- preamp with a lot of options, switches for modes of operation
-premium/interesting colours and woods
- lightweight tuners
- wooden knobs/custom knobs
- wooden/matched pus'
- good ergonomics

Plus, the prices are kind of all over the place. I saw basses with more interesting options for say 4000 than one for 8000 and at that point I was asking myself what is it exactly that I am paying for here?

I understand that it's the whole diminishing returns thing with high cost instruments, but where do you draw the line between "yeah I would buy that" to "that's too fancy for bass' sake!"?

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Reading this maybe going custom is the best way to go. You seem to have the money and to know quite well what you want.
I didn't know Herr Schwarz is that expensive used...
Whilst I keep saying that no one makes a bass better than Lefay, in terms of design and built quality I have seen good basses from all mentioned builders and must say that i have always liked humanbase, especially the Max shape. To me they tend to have a specific tone to them.

If you can, get exactly what you want. if you keep it long enough it'll pay for itself. More so, I'd say than a compromise-bass might.

 

[Leif Dering]

IMO if you're gonna spend that much money on a bass, just get something made for you. There's a lot of makers who charge super reasonable prices. Once you break about the $1200 mark, the only thing you pay for in a production bass beyond that is the name on the headstock/artist, and maybe some exotic wood, although it's arguable whether that will noticeably affect the tone.

 

[JRA]

you might get lucky but it’s very easy....to end up with something that, on paper, is perfect but in your hands just won’t cut it

finding that 'right' instrument is NOT price-dependent.

spend more time figuring out what you really like and dislike

I ended up finding that there's multiple aspects that I'm adaptable to, and I have a fluctuating set of parameters that determine a nice bass to me.

it's a process, because the player usually evolves throughout the journey.

all this!