What do you think the average is now these days? 18 months? 24 months?
I'm talking an average among the well known boutique builders
I'm talking an average among the well known boutique builders
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Wait times for custom basses now
- Thread starter zortation
- Start date
Order a ZON and maybe one of your children will have it 20 years later
As a rough guide I'd say 2 years but allow for 3.
Those folks are popular and popular means full order books. This is further complicated by aging, nobody is getting any younger and after the rash of builders passing on or retiring in recent years; folk want to get in before it's too late.
Is it a specific boutique brand you want or a design you want realised ? There's plenty of talented builders around, good chance some will be local.
@Turnaround is in your area, perhaps he can offer advice
I really want to order another Zon Legacy Elite VI but my concern is most likely I'll be dead before I receive it.
And I'm being serious!!!!
As far as a company like Dingwall for a Canadian build they are booked out 2 to 2 1/2 years now, INSANE!!!!
Wal basses are still booked out 4 years and they are still not taking orders.
Wal basses are still booked out 4 years and they are still not taking orders.
don't wait! 'build'/assemble some righteous parts. 
(it's an idea.) 
(it's an idea.) i get it. i'm a believer.
don't wait! 'build'/assemble some righteous parts.
I build my own, using Warmoth wood. From the time of conception to a finished bass it takes about 3 to 4 months.
Waiting a month or two or longer is too much time for me . I bought my Dingwall in a natural finish because the finish I wanted was on backorder .......I want what I want , when I want it .
It all depends on who the builder is, and how 'custom' you want it. You have to remember there's 'custom' with a little 'c' (this always takes less time), and then there's Custom with a capital 'C' (this will certainly take a lot longer). To explain . . . .
'Custom with a little C' is you go to a builder and you want a version of one of his regular models, but let's say a different wood recipe, or finish, pickups, etc. Chances are this is an instrument he's been building for quite a while, is known for, and his production methods for these are set. A different wood or finish or whatever is still the model he's been building, but we'll say you want something personalized, just a bit off the menu. Think of a process like the Fender Mod Shop, you're not re-inventing the wheel, only personalizing it.
These have a pretty good success rate, shouldn't be a big departure time wise, and he can work you into more or less his regular schedule.
Then.
'Custom with a Big C' is when you want Alembic to build you a Precision Bass, or the Fender Custom Shop to build you an Alembic. In other words, a complete and total one-off, nothing like their normal work. Most smart builders will pass on this immediately, as it's just not in their wheelhouse, it would tie up lots of time, it's often a recipe for disaster. There are some guys who will build you something completely off the wall and off the menu, but you better be damn sure about the money, refunds, recourse, you name it. You're on your own here.
You also want to be sure if you're after a custom from a small builder that you are dealing with someone with a known reliable track record, proper business controls and refund/return policies (admittedly most will not do this), and has been at this for years. Another consideration is most of the small builders have a small staff, or maybe it's a one man operation. People are often amazed that Alembic, a small family business, rarely has more than 8-10 builders for the entire process. Many have less.
Too many times here in TB, we get the 'woe is me' story of a train wreck of a deal/build, no bass, no completion date, money vanished into the ether, on and on, from guys that fell in love with some pretty pics on a website of really shady or at least very inconsistent businesses to be polite about it.
DON'T be the next one.
'Custom with a little C' is you go to a builder and you want a version of one of his regular models, but let's say a different wood recipe, or finish, pickups, etc. Chances are this is an instrument he's been building for quite a while, is known for, and his production methods for these are set. A different wood or finish or whatever is still the model he's been building, but we'll say you want something personalized, just a bit off the menu. Think of a process like the Fender Mod Shop, you're not re-inventing the wheel, only personalizing it.
These have a pretty good success rate, shouldn't be a big departure time wise, and he can work you into more or less his regular schedule.
Then.
'Custom with a Big C' is when you want Alembic to build you a Precision Bass, or the Fender Custom Shop to build you an Alembic. In other words, a complete and total one-off, nothing like their normal work. Most smart builders will pass on this immediately, as it's just not in their wheelhouse, it would tie up lots of time, it's often a recipe for disaster. There are some guys who will build you something completely off the wall and off the menu, but you better be damn sure about the money, refunds, recourse, you name it. You're on your own here.
You also want to be sure if you're after a custom from a small builder that you are dealing with someone with a known reliable track record, proper business controls and refund/return policies (admittedly most will not do this), and has been at this for years. Another consideration is most of the small builders have a small staff, or maybe it's a one man operation. People are often amazed that Alembic, a small family business, rarely has more than 8-10 builders for the entire process. Many have less.
Too many times here in TB, we get the 'woe is me' story of a train wreck of a deal/build, no bass, no completion date, money vanished into the ether, on and on, from guys that fell in love with some pretty pics on a website of really shady or at least very inconsistent businesses to be polite about it.
DON'T be the next one.
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Among "Boutique" builders? I have no idea. The only "boutique" bass I own, is a '95 Alembic Epic. Which I bought used, in 2006 or so. As for "Custom" basses? My Serek Sacramento bass was supposed to take 12 months. But, there was a bit of a glitch, and it wound up taking almost 16 months. My Birdsong Fusion fretless bass? That one took about 8 months. But, I wanted some very specific body wood, which took them a while to find. If it hadn't been for that? 5 or 6 months, I imagine...
As for other makers? I have no idea. To be perfectly honest, very few of them made anything I was interested in; and of the ones I was interested in? I heard "I/we don't make left handed basses" quite a bit. But, that's a moot point with me, now. The Birdsong Fusion filled the last empty spot in my herd, so... with 27 basses? I'm done buying the things, and they can all not make left handed ones to their heart's content...
Or " this year it's going to be different all basses will be completed trust me " Darrin Huff makes Zon look very professional in comparison.
You will be a skeleton in the ground and Darrin might have glued up the neck blank meanwhile telling your family " I'm so proud of this bass my best work ever any day now".
Calebmundy
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Nashville builders seem to be ahead of the curve. Last report I got on Alien Audio and Bluesman Vintage was about six months. I think LowEnd is running fairly quickly too.
I just ordered a short scale 5 from Bluesman, and I can’t wait to see it! The first couple hit the scene around here, and they are amazing. It might drive up demand and build times haha
I just ordered a short scale 5 from Bluesman, and I can’t wait to see it! The first couple hit the scene around here, and they are amazing. It might drive up demand and build times haha
I ordered a custom Sandberg more than a year ago. Was told by the dealership at the time it would be around 12 months, but later contacted Sandberg and was told that at the time of my order it was more like 18 months. The Sandberg rep with whom I was chatting also said that the neck on my build had been damaged somehow and had to be recreated. I have a friend who ordered a Status CW-2 a couple months ago and it has already shipped. was told by the dealer here (CME) that Sandberg gives them zero notice on the status of the build, that they only know when it arrives. Initially disappointed, but found that messaging Sandberg through their FB page got a quick response.
My last full custom was built by an Indoneisan builder in 4 months. He is currently at 6 months and the list keeps getting longer and longer. As he gets more popular, the wait get's longer. That just seems to be way it works.
