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Undiscovered Bass Maker?

#22
Before you make your decision of who is going to build your custom, be sure to talk to the builder (or in a larger operation, someone who works in the shop).

When I was looking for a luthier, I got a wide variety of responses. Some were nice, some not so nice. In addition to liking the basses whoever you chooses makes, you are going to have to be comfortable in a sort of working relationship with the person. Things you should find out beforehand:

What their estimated completion time?
How do they handle changes in your original order?
Is there a return policy or a warranty?

Make sure you ask questions, send emails, and check on the reputation of anyone you seriously consider. Even if you go with someone less expensive than a Fodera or Ritter, you're not putting down chump change.

That said, I went with Stambaugh.
 
#24
shadowmac said:
If you like the look of a Skjold, then the tone is going to blow you away. I currently own a PSD '92 5-er, which I bought from a fellow TB-er, unseen (except photos), and it is fantastic - I purchased based on the look of the particular bass I own and on Pete's reputation - it is extremely well earned. If that's not enough of a testimonial, I liked my Skjold enough to have ordered one built to my specs: Pete is currently building me a Skjold Slayer 5.

Pete is a top-notch luthier and has the best customer service that I've ever come across.
Click to expand...

Skjold is the way to go. I got mine in 2008; and I owned 3 boutique at the time. My Skjold jumped to #1, and has remained in that position. Killer tone, weight and looks.
 
#27
I can get you the info today around 6. My bass lessons are in 2 1/2 hours and last from 4:00 to 4:30 and I should get home around 5:30. If you want I can get you all of his info and possibly a great deal. But only if you want to buy a bass from him after you see all his info like his prices.
 
#28
Dirk Diggler said:
Brooks,
You don't know where to look, seriously?
We have a wonderful forum right here for used boutiques, and there is always EBay.
Dirk
Click to expand...

Sorry Dirk, still learning about the different makers and custom options and all those sorts of things :P. I did check the TB first and I liked some of what I saw, but not everything is for everyone, you know? Some of the body shapes just didn't mesh with my likes. Regardless of beauty or not, I am glad that I was turned on to a luthier just on the other side of town. I'm going to give him a chance first because I love the way his stuff looks. (John Toon).


Thanks all!!!!

Brooks
 
#29
Hey for all who still read this, thanks hrodbert696, I actually spoke briefly with John Toon about the basses. I thought I'd give him a try because I like the style so much as I mentioned above. Once he gets off work I'm headin over there to play some basses! I'll probably start a thread with a review on them just so everyone hopefully can know more about them! So far, seems like a nice guy, just a hobby builder that is starting to make some money on the side making guitars / basses, but nonetheless, that doesn't make his instruments any less than what major companies can do!!


Best regards,

Brooks
 
#31
Hey Ledbelli Bass, love the design and I'm sure the sound is superb. Pricing for me as a 17-yr old is just a little tough =/. Maybe when I'm older and have more money to throw around I'd be honored to have you guys make a bass for me! Free of course? Just kidding :D

As promised guys, I made a new thread about the bass maker John Toon that I went and sat down with and tried out his basses today the thread is located at this URL:


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/undiscovered-bass-making-genius-john-toon-791403/
 
#32
See also CRESTON guitars

IMG_25021-9.jpg
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image_001930.jpg
 
#34
Fat.Mike said:
I just saw the article in FretBoard Journal on Creston. After reading his faq's on his website, I think this is the guy I want to build me a custom and Sarah Ryan to paint it. Her Artwork is awesome and I bet she could do a sick western motif.

Not to hijack, Lowbrow do you own one?
Click to expand...

No, please I'm not a thread nazi. If my OP sparks new interest in a subject along the same general area, by all means. I love the '51 p-bass vibe, with a better selection of colors than Fender :D.

Best regards,


Brooks
 
#35
Fat.Mike said:
I just saw the article in FretBoard Journal on Creston. After reading his faq's on his website, I think this is the guy I want to build me a custom and Sarah Ryan to paint it. Her Artwork is awesome and I bet she could do a sick western motif.

Not to hijack, Lowbrow do you own one?
Click to expand...

No, I do not, but the Seafoam Precision (middle) was built for a friend who raved about it. The story ends badly, though, as my friend left the bass in the trunk of a NYC cab after a late gig! Didn't note the hack license, bass not recovered.
 
#37
shadowmac said:
If you like the look of a Skjold, then the tone is going to blow you away. I currently own a PSD '92 5-er, which I bought from a fellow TB-er, unseen (except photos), and it is fantastic - I purchased based on the look of the particular bass I own and on Pete's reputation - it is extremely well earned. If that's not enough of a testimonial, I liked my Skjold enough to have ordered one built to my specs: Pete is currently building me a Skjold Slayer 5.

Pete is a top-notch luthier and has the best customer service that I've ever come across.
Click to expand...

I have a Skjold CS5, and I have to agree. The bass has a great variety of tonal options, and plays better than any other bass I've tried. They are also fairly light. Pete is a pleasure to deal with, and has a great way of translating what you tell him you want for sound then building it.
 
#38
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] -- Brian at the Low End makes some monsters. I've got an LEJ-5, and he's currently building me an LEP-5 to go with it. I've retired Alembics, Lakelands, Sadowsky's and others just to play the J he made - nothing comes close.

Pic of the LEJ in action:
Link Removed
 

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