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Sage Instruments

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drums_n_bass

Jun 28, 2006
83
0
#1
I got a friend request on MySpace from this luthier in Connecticut. His company is Sage Guitars, and I think they make some very nice looking instruments.

I'm no spokesman for them, but their gallery interests me. They seem to be up there with the big boys, with excellent craftsmanship, use of great electronics, and a nice, clean design. Their pricing is very similar if not exact to Keith Roscoe's.

Thoughts??? First impressions???

Bolt On 4-String
Swamp Ash Body, Flame Maple Top, Northern Ash/Maple Neck, Ziracote Fretboard, Bartolini Pickups, Active Aguilar OBP-2 Preamp

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Set Neck 5-String
Swamp Ash Body, Crotch Walnut Top, Flamed Maple Neck/Fretboard, Bolivian Rosewood Bartolini Pickups, Passive Electronics

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Set Neck 4-String
Quartersawn Sycamore Body, Figured Bubinga Top, Flamed Maple Neck, Bolivian Rosewood Fretboard, Aero Pickups (with matched Bubinga covers), Passive Electronics, Droptuners on all strings

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Bolt On 5-String
Bookmatched Mahogany Body, Beeswing Bubinga Top, Flamed Maple Neck (w/ Mineral Streaked Maple center and Black Accent Lines), African Blackwood Fretboard, Aero Pickups, Bartolini Active Preamp, Circle Inlay (standard option)

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Bolt On 4-String Fretless
Swamp Ash Body, Imbuia Top, Flamed/Rock Maple Neck, Gaboon Ebony Fingerboard, Bartolini Pickups, Aguilar Active OBP-2 Preamp

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Singlecut 6-String Design (In Progress)

Link Removed

http://sageguitars.com
 
#4
I played a Sage 5-String (I think it was a Bolt-On) at my local GC. It was pretty nice, good tone with a nice thin neck. I'm pretty sure it's the second one that you posted.

It was a nice bass, but I didn't have a spare $2k around at the time.
 
#5
I actually bought his first custom bass, about 5-6 years ago.

At the time, the people I was playing with thought it was the best sounding bass they'd ever heard.

If I remember right it was an ash body with a flame ash top maple set-neck. The finish was excellent.

Construction was top notch but it weighed a TON! So much so that I couldn't play it, ended up selling it on Ebay.

I saw it for sale here on TB last year, if I'd had the cash I would have bought it back.

After 5-6 years of continued building I'm sure the basses he's building now are top notch instruments.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Found it! It might still be available!
 
#8
Actually, not really; compared to more expensive brands like MTD, Fodera and F Bass...

Bolt-On (BO) Series:

- 4-String- $2799
- 5-String- $3099
- 6-String- $3399
- 7-String- $3699

Set-Neck (SN) Series:

- 4-String- $2999
- 5-String- $3299
- 6-String- $3599
- 7-String- $3899
 
#9
I dig their basses, but at that price point, what really do you get that's different than any other bass? I'd rather use that money into something that's going to give me something back on my investment...especially at the 3K level! There's nothing that seperates them from anyhing else being built...no special designs, no unique electronics, I really don't see why they cost so much?
 
#12
Halftooth said:
I dig their basses, but at that price point, what really do you get that's different than any other bass? I'd rather use that money into something that's going to give me something back on my investment...especially at the 3K level! There's nothing that seperates them from anyhing else being built...no special designs, no unique electronics, I really don't see why they cost so much?
Click to expand...

Well, I could ask that question to every company really.
What makes the company different though? Appearance is a thing. Some people don't like the way maybe MTD's are designed. There are some Fodera models that really don't light my fire. I'm not really fond of Roscoe LG bodies either. They look unproportional to me.

It's also nice to see some new companies now a days. If you were to buy a new instrument and you liked Sage's, why not? It's something different. Variety is the spice of life, I guess. They are considerably less money than many boutique basses, but you do have to pay for quality, craftsmanship, woods and electronics. Plus, there are only 2 guys working on these instruments.

Also is the amount of customer service these guys have. Ryan (the owner) told me the sky is the limit on things to build. He was working on a 10 string for one client, and he is open to using different pickup companies and pre-amps and woods and what not...

If I can get my hands on one I would definitely consider it. They do look heavy though. But you'd be suprised. Linc Luthier bodies are 3" think... but they're all semi-hollow, so they're not that bad.
 
#14
drums_n_bass said:
They are considerably less money than many boutique basses, but you do have to pay for quality, craftsmanship, woods and electronics. Plus, there are only 2 guys working on these instruments.
Click to expand...

Less in price is relative...they are cheaper than a Fodera, but they aren't in the same class either.

Compared to Cliff Bordwell or Stambaugh, Sage is higher priced, and comparatively, these basses are more along the lines of the level that Sage is offerring.

Like I said, I like their basses, but at nearly half the price, I can have the same level bass built with the same choices of electronics and carefully selected woods. I bet they'd draw more interest at a lower price point.
 
#15
The average weight of a Sage these days is between 7 to 8 pounds. I remember the first bass. Yes, it was heavy, very heavy. All prices on the website are “list” prices. I appreciate all forms of interest. Feel free to email or call with any questions. We’re always happy to talk. Halftooth, visit us at NAMM next year, my goal will be to impress you.
 
#16
I learned of Sage in a recent thread about bass shopping in Connecticut, and was inspired to check out the site. I'm not usually a fan of boutique basses with fancy tops and such, but I think the Sage basses are gorgeous. I dig the body shapes, and the low key, classy aesthetic. Plus I bet they rock hard with Aero pickups. If I were in the market for a boutique bass of that ilk, I'd certainly give them a close look.
 
#20
That bass belongs to a customer by the name of Bill Daniels. Quite a fun build. It started with him wanting me to modify an old Alder Jazz bass body and build a new neck. After looking at the bass I told him it would be cheaper to build a new bass, and we could use better wood. That was the start, then he started going nuts, better pickups, 4 d-tuners, etc. The hardest part was a headstock that worked with the d-tuners (you need a bit of real estate). Passive Aeros with matching wooden covers. The sound, total butter! Bill loved the bass, says it's his favorite, and I might add he has plenty of other high dollar basses (I don't mean to toot my horn, oh well). We made good choices together and both came out equally satisfied. It's a one-off bass, not a production piece.
 

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