So There's this Luthier in town...

[TheJerk]

I've been gassing for a backup bass, or something to complement my other bass (which is a Fender Deluxe Active Jazz 4 string), checking out a ton of options. There's too much nice stuff out there.

However, there's a guy in town that makes guitars and basses, his stuff looks pretty nice, and I was thinking maybe I should look into getting something made. It might be out of my price range, but how cool would it be to have a bass that's made just for you? Pretty awesome I think. Problem is that I only have a general idea of what I want.

My general idea is
Passive pickup(s), Probably a jazz neck, but a more precision type of sound and body,

weight isn't a huge issue, I'm flexible there, as long as it isn't more then like 12 lb or something

In terms of the type of wood, I just don't know enough to know what's best for the sound I'm looking, same goes for pick-ups, bridge (Badass 2?), tuners, pots etc.

In terms of comparables I've been looking to a Schecter Model T, and various P-basses like a 1950s Fender Precision.

and just to clarify, I'm looking for a workingman's P-Bass, not something that is Super high end or anything. It must have a really good pickups, but the emphasis is on the sound and being economical.

So what should I be asking for in terms of specifications and parts?

 

[nalapit13]

i had my elrick made for me. i love it. if the bank account will let you i say go for it!

 

[TheJerk]

I'd still have to get a general price, but it doesn't hurt to enquire

 

[Herrlster]

No disrespect to Leo Quan bridges, I have one on my P-bass. But when you got Schaller and Hipshot bridges that have adjustable string spacing and such, the Badass just doesn't compete.

 

[quadrogong]

sounds to me like u want something simple,no frills..not to take work away from these wonderful luthiers,but perhaps u should just peice together your dream bass at Warmoth or something, but as far as prices,look at the price list at 10-20 luthiers,they all have sites,
These guys will all build you a bass,all have custom shops..and they all will give you a quote, I suggest putting,"bass makers" into google,and a link will come up with 100's of builders.

If u plan on spending over $3k, you can go to most builders,excluding a few exotic ones.
for $2k, you will have a few nice choices..
for $1500,you have alot less to choose from.. or you can get Musicman,or Fender USA
for $1k,you can go to Warmoth, buy something used or imported.

Dolan,Lakland,Fender,Nordstrand,Stambaugh,CB,FBB,Benevente,Valente,Sadowsky,LeCompte,Bee are a few that come to mind,and remember,the more popular ones have waiting lists..but if they have long waits,it usually means they make good stuff.

These days Korean and Japanese stuff go for $1500-2500..so if you want handmade,expect a decent bill..
cruise some sites,get an idea of what they charge,if u can afford it,and you love to play..do it.

 

[TheJerk]

sounds to me like u want something simple,no frills..not to take work away from these wonderful luthiers,but perhaps u should just peice together your dream bass at Warmoth or something, but as far as prices,look at the price list at 10-20 luthiers,they all have sites,
These guys will all build you a bass,all have custom shops..and they all will give you a quote, I suggest putting,"bass makers" into google,and a link will come up with 100's of builders.

If u plan on spending over $3k, you can go to most builders,excluding a few exotic ones.
for $2k, you will have a few nice choices..
for $1500,you have alot less to choose from.. or you can get Musicman,or Fender USA
for $1k,you can go to Warmoth, buy something used or imported.

Dolan,Lakland,Fender,Nordstrand,Stambaugh,CB,FBB,Benevente,Valente,Sadowsky,LeCompte,Bee are a few that come to mind,and remember,the more popular ones have waiting lists..but if they have long waits,it usually means they make good stuff.

These days Korean and Japanese stuff go for $1500-2500..so if you want handmade,expect a decent bill..
cruise some sites,get an idea of what they charge,if u can afford it,and you love to play..do it.

You're right, I am going for simple, no frills, but most of all, it would be original.

Eventually I could afford the lower end of the scale, but I'm hoping to find a luthier that is putting out stuff that is a bit cheaper, maybe because they are new to it and don't have a lot of name recognition. Of course this can be risky, but I would try their stuff before I buy.

As for Warmoth, do they actually assemble instruments? Or do you just mean that I should buy the stuff from them and make it myself?

I don't really see myself making a bass at this point in time. I work full time, and in my spare time I'd rather be playing bass then making one, and being a luthier is a real craft, and I wouldn't want to make something that was subpar just because I don't have the time to learn how to do things right.

I'm looking at the P-Basses on the Warmoth website, and that's exactly the type of thing I'm looking for. As you suggested I'll shop around to see what's out there.

If anybody else has specific suggestions in terms of the pickups, wood etc be sure to chime in.

 

[Beej]

A custom built instrument crafted by a luthier is going to be considerably more expensive than a mid-range factory produced instrument. Nearly everything is a one-off for a luthier, and none of us can compete with factory produced basses - they have so much volume they can cut costs everywhere. In my view, unless you find a guy with five thumbs, any custom bass will cost you more.

When you're ready to order/afford a custom bass, then go for it. If you just want a really nice very playable instrument and don't want to build it, then go the Warmoth route and you'll only have to assemble it. Keep in mind though, it won't have the value in the future of either a factory model or a custom bass...

 

[tjclem]

If you want to deal with the local guy just go to him and tell him what you are looking for and see what he has to say..Give it a go mate! What do you have to lose by asking ....t

 

[erikbojerik]

What Tom said - just ring the guy up and have a chat.

But be aware, unless you get a hack you won't get a quote on a custom bass that is anywhere near the price of an off-the-shelf factory bass. If that's your price point, it sounds to me like you should just purchase a decent P-bass and just upgrade the pickups & electronics and maybe the bridge.

 

[TheJerk]

What Tom said - just ring the guy up and have a chat.

But be aware, unless you get a hack you won't get a quote on a custom bass that is anywhere near the price of an off-the-shelf factory bass. If that's your price point, it sounds to me like you should just purchase a decent P-bass and just upgrade the pickups & electronics and maybe the bridge.

I dunno, luthiers are like any other service, they don't all sell guitars for the same amount. there's also a wide variety in what they do as well. Some make everything themselves, others will use premade bridges, pickups, necks, bodies and so on and only do certain things.

Of course a bass that is completely hand made will be way more expensive then one that is made with parts from Warmoth or something, but I'd be fine with a Frankenbass, or even a Fender or Squire with new P/U's, tuners, bridge and a paint job.

I appreciate that the cheapest way to get that is to make it yourself, but I don't really want to do this, because at the end of the day, if you pay somebody else to do the work, the labor itself is only going to be a couple hundred of bucks, and for that you get a much better job then a non-expert could do.

Here's a bass made by the guy I'm looking at:
Link Removed

 

[Beej]

That bass appears to be assembled, not made by him. If he just does assembly, then check out his work to ensure he's not assembling offshore parts for a profit...

 

[TheJerk]

That bass appears to be assembled, not made by him. If he just does assembly, then check out his work to ensure he's not assembling offshore parts for a profit...

I'm already in contact and hope to get a broken down quote that lists the cost of everything and the total. I have no issues with an assembled bass though, provided that the parts are high quality and they're put together well. I almost certainly couldn't expect to get a bass with a handmade neck and body for my price range.

 

[mcrracer]

DP Custom. Very affordable, flawless quality. This is my dream bass, short scale 4 string totally speced out by me. It is exactly what I wanted. I could not be happier. This was my third custom built bass and by far the best. I have owned and played old Fenders, Gibsons Rickys, Alembics, Lakland and various others. This one fits me perfect. Just another satisfied customer.

 

[TheJerk]

DP Custom. Very affordable, flawless quality. This is my dream bass, short scale 4 string totally speced out by me. It is exactly what I wanted. I could not be happier. This was my third custom built bass and by far the best. I have owned and played old Fenders, Gibsons Rickys, Alembics, Lakland and various others. This one fits me perfect. Just another satisfied customer.

Man, that things just sparkles. If it plays as good it it looks, then you're a lucky man.

 

[mcrracer]

Man, that things just sparkles. If it plays as good it it looks, then you're a lucky man.

Thanks...It does and I am!. I struggled with long scale basses for over 35 years. Just stretch everyone said so I did. I did not realize how comfortable I could be playing bass until I got this one. It IS my dream bass in every sense of the word. Check out Dave's website...Invalid Link Removed

 

[Beej]

So, TheJerk, looking again at that ad more closely and googling other related items brings up some flags for me. First off, his ad copy has some problematic things like the "all access neck join" (standard neck join with a tiny bit of an angle carved on the heel and insert screws), how he makes a big deal about the veneer strip dividing the top and the back, but doesn't use the term "veneer", the fact that it has a factory P neck (if he's good, why not build a neck) and his ideas about the badass being the best there is? Who would say that other than a strong seller? Badass aren't the best of the best by any stretch, they're just common. Lastly, looking at the pics, he's got EMG selects in there. For an $1800 bass, he's got some odd standard stuff in there. $1800 will buy you a US Fender, a G&L or a EB MM, why bother with this 'custom' bass that will practically have no resale value? Too many things seems fishy. I'd want to check out other examples of his work and maybe some build photos or a tour of his workshop (if he has one)...

 

[TheJerk]

So, TheJerk, looking again at that ad more closely and googling other related items brings up some flags for me. First off, his ad copy has some problematic things like the "all access neck join" (standard neck join with a tiny bit of an angle carved on the heel and insert screws), how he makes a big deal about the veneer strip dividing the top and the back, but doesn't use the term "veneer", the fact that it has a factory P neck (if he's good, why not build a neck) and his ideas about the badass being the best there is? Who would say that other than a strong seller? Badass aren't the best of the best by any stretch, they're just common. Lastly, looking at the pics, he's got EMG selects in there. For an $1800 bass, he's got some odd standard stuff in there. $1800 will buy you a US Fender, a G&L or a EB MM, why bother with this 'custom' bass that will practically have no resale value? Too many things seems fishy. I'd want to check out other examples of his work and maybe some build photos or a tour of his workshop (if he has one)...

I noticed the pickups as well. Once he replies to my e-mail for the quote, I'll let you know if I plan on going forward. Like I said though, I probably couldn't afford a custom made neck. From the pictures in the ad, and his others he has on kijiji, the workmanship looks pretty good though, nothing jumps out as looking "off". Of course, pictures are picture, so if I go forward with this I will meet up with him and look at his stuff in person.

 

[quadrogong]

I agree with Beej..EMG select in an $1800 bass???
You can buy the Warmoth parts like he did and have a local guy peice it together,cut out the middle man, But I also agree with the other fellow who said that a peiced together bass won't get you anything in the re-sale, you'll have to take a real loss if u sell.
there was nothing modern or "top shelf" on his list,it's top dollar and very common parts.
A custom bass is AMAZING. but even at $2k for a moderately priced handmade bass, you'll be surprised what all those parts cost if u just add them up.

pick out a fancy wood body from warmoth,a fancy neck,then add in Hipshot bridge & tuners,Bartolini pickups and preamp,frets,strings,wiring,etc..
and just add them together..it costs about what a custom bass costs!
I realized that one day..these things look expensive,but when u add up all the parts, they make next to nothing on a bass.
These guys are covered in sweat and sawdust for hours on end,emailing each customer back and forth up to 5-10 times every day..To me,$2k for a custom made instrument is a steal.
If u spend a couple of hours playing basses at Guitar Center, u will know which pu configuration u like. Copy the one that feels like what u want.

I don't buy Warmoth because I trust guys like Sadowsky,MusicMan and even FBB Custom
I know that they've built truckloads of basses for years and years..They have years in the business and know what works,and what people like.
If u want a custom bass that looks like money,and feels,plays and sounds beautiful?
Cruise TB's ads for USED handmade Luthier built basses..try them out,if it ain't perfect,flip it and try again!.. you'll find "the one" go used.

 

[Taylor Livingston]

Man, that things just sparkles. If it plays as good it it looks, then you're a lucky man.

Just do some searching on the name "Pushic" around here before you go that way. He has a number of angry buyers.

I agree with the above posters who say this guy looks a little wonky. For $1800 you could get an actual custom bass from guys like Stambaugh, or some of the luthiers that hang out around this forum. If you're expecting to get a nice custom bass for $1k or less, it's not going to happen. A $1k factory bass is going to be much better than a $1k handmade bass. Unless you get it from somewhere outside the US, like Eastern Europe or some parts of South America, where a dollar stretches a little farther.

 

[mcrracer]

Just do some searching on the name "Pushic" around here before you go that way. He has a number of angry buyers.

I agree with the above posters who say this guy looks a little wonky. For $1800 you could get an actual custom bass from guys like Stambaugh, or some of the luthiers that hang out around this forum. If you're expecting to get a nice custom bass for $1k or less, it's not going to happen. A $1k factory bass is going to be much better than a $1k handmade bass. Unless you get it from somewhere outside the US, like Eastern Europe or some parts of South America, where a dollar stretches a little farther.

I have been buying basses from Dave Pushic for a long time now...a total of four. Three of which were spec ed by me. I have watched his quality steadily improve. My latest bass a short scale 4 stringer with all Alembic electronics and pickups is flawless. I for one am kind of tired of people bad mouthing Dave's work WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN OR PLAYED ONE!!! I am in Chicago and I invite no I challenge any of you nay sayers to come by and play one of the best basses you will ever play at any price. I don't normally just let any one handle this bass as this is my dream bass, but to prove my point I will. I don't work for Dave or get any thing for supporting him. Nothing but the satisfaction of supporting a fine craftsman and a damn good guy. Many of you respect Jauqo III-X, He has seen and played my bass...ask him his opinion. For the price Dave charges ( IMHO is way too low) you can't beat them. I speced my bass out on Alembic's site at over $15,000. Due to my failing health I chose not to spend my kids inheritance like that. I got my bass from Dave for Far less than that. Check out some of his current basses and then make your decision.