Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
SPECTOR vs, Ken Smith, Fodera, Mtd, Fende
- Thread starter njbass93
- Start date
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
turindev
Commercial User
- Jul 1, 2005
- 514
- 1,594
- Disclosures
- Builder, m7bassworks.com
vision
It's all about the groove!
- Feb 25, 2005
- 3,988
- 618
- 47
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
LilRay
Commercial User
- Dec 27, 2007
- 4,166
- 39
- Disclosures
- Owner: Cockeyed Cow Custom Leathercraft
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
I own two Foderas (both Monarch 4-strings) and although that may have made me a bit biassed, I own them because after trying MANY basses over the years (I have been playing since 1983), once I played a Fodera (about 6 years back) I couldn't get the feel and tone of it out of my mind. Simply put, they are the finest made and sounding instruments I have ever seen...
At those pricepoints (what I consider 3K+) it's going far past "good" and "bad" and into whatever floats your boat.
Boutique basses are a lot like Luxery Swiss watches. I think a lot of players like the idea of owning and playing a beautiful hand made instrument just like some folks like the idea of owning and wearing a Jagaer or Rolex or etc. A Timex or MIM Fender will do pretty much the same thing. With that said, I like Ken Smith basses but I can't efford them.
+1000
Honorable mentions include Ritter and Fodera
Really...This opens up an entire can of worms. I have owned or still own all the basses on the OP's list. Each one different for different reasons. All of them good, you have to play each one for yourself and decide from there. That said, my Fodera Emperor Deluxe is what I play most.
I, too, have owned and still own all, but one, of the brands mentioned in the OP and then some (I have played quite a few Smiths over the years for more than just few hours, but never owned one; did not make me lust for them). You can see my answer above
I do not agree with this. If you have said a Lakland Skyline or something like that, I would say you are right. But there's a whole lot more going on with more boutique basses then just luxury and looks.
I agree that a lot of money goes into things you don't really "need" (lamintes, fancy tops, fancy inlays etc). But saying that any mim fender will do pretty much the same thing as a boutique bass is not true. Allthough it will do a good job, you cannot compare it to boutique instruments. The inconsistancy in the Quality control alone is to big of a difference.
Greetz,
Cigi
- Apr 29, 2004
- 1,247
- 37
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses & Cort Basses
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Respectfully, I completely disagree with this statement. There is a massive difference in the way my Foderas play compared with the Fender Jazz Basses that I have owned and played for years. To start, with a boutique bass like a Fodera you get to choose everything -- woods, pickups, electronics, neck profile. There is no way I could get the playing feel and tone I get out of my custom built Fodera from an off the rack instrument, no way.
Through working with the guys at Fodera, I have discovered that my ideal set-up is a Walnut body, Ebony fretboard and Seymour Duncan dual coil pickups. That IS the sound I have heard in my head for years but just could never quite get. I am certain I cannot find that combination in an MIM Fender...
Now, that said, just as all watches can tell time, yes all basses can make music. However, unlike telling time, making music is a highly personal act / art and if you can financially stretch to afford a custom built bass, it provides you with a way of achieving YOUR tone...
From the list, I like Spector and Fodera, but what about Alembic, Status, Kubicki, Modulus etc etc...
Put it this way, if you're paying that much, you won't get a bad bass!
Put it this way, if you're paying that much, you won't get a bad bass!
The answer you will get here is simply responses to what people own and swear by. I have Conklin and could easily spew out "Conklin" with nothing to back it up. 
The best boutique bass on the market is the best boutique bass for YOU. Don't listen to any of these guys (or me). People swear by Smiths. I hate them. People swear by Ritters, I think they are hideous. I love Conklins. Others hate Conklins.... See what I mean?????
The best boutique bass on the market is the best boutique bass for YOU. Don't listen to any of these guys (or me). People swear by Smiths. I hate them. People swear by Ritters, I think they are hideous. I love Conklins. Others hate Conklins.... See what I mean?????
The answer you will get here is simply responses to what people own and swear by. I have Conklin and could easily spew out "Conklin" with nothing to back it up.
The best boutique bass on the market is the best boutique bass for YOU. Don't listen to any of these guys (or me). People swear by Smiths. I hate them. People swear by Ritters, I think they are hideous. I love Conklins. Others hate Conklins.... See what I mean?????
The best answer yet.........
