what CUSTOM BASS builder would you choose?.. budget=$1800

[quadrogong]

I'm starting to set funds aside for my next GAS attack..
I want a custom 4 string,Exotic topwood,custom string spacing and scale length..(I often feel like I'm Stretching,and need a shorter scale etc)

so far..
I Checked out Lecompte,
a guy named Dallas Seger(after reading a great review On bunnybass),who gave me a sweet offer,but he's virtually unknown,a gamble..
I've looked into FBB, who seems to be able to make me s nice neck through, I got amazing feedback from players..and I like their 'scroll" shape
(this fellow seems to have customers who also play foderas,ritters..and every single guy raved about their fbb,cheap too!)
I just purchased an alembic,Used..and love it so far.. but getting a custom bass has been a dream of mine forever..
so far.fbb is ahead,he has offered me coco top on korina body with any combo of pickups/preamp etc..
also,
NY bass workscalled me back, he is close enough for me to visit,where I could actually see,feel and play his stuff..a big plus,but less options as far as shape,wood..it would be more traditional.a hot-rodded jazz. I really wanted something unique.
so may luthiers..!

Any input/feedback?..what would you guys do?..

Buying an expensive instrument without playing it is always a gamble, I want to choose a bass builder where 99% of the players all say,"So-and-so is the best bass I ever played"

Who else should I ABSOLUTELY check out before I decide?..

 

[Planet Boulder]

Valenti

He's a stand-up dude who does great work for not a lot of bread.

 

[aesir6]

Valenti

He's a stand-up dude who does great work for not a lot of bread.

+1 for me indeed!

 

[Carver]

Stambaugh would probably be able to give you what you want at a decent price.

 

[mark beem]

What custom scale length? That's the only problem you might have with Nino's basses. He can do 34" and 35" only AFAIK... Plus you're pretty much limited to J and P body styles.

I agree with "Carver" though.. Chris (Stambaugh) would probably be your best bet.

 

[Marcus Willett]

Stambaugh would probably be able to give you what you want at a decent price.

Yup....Chris built me a custom Jazz 5 for a very reasonable price with no compromise in quality.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

How custom do you want your bass to be? Nino makes great looking stuff in the traditional Fender mold. If you really want a unique design, you will have to go to an unknown or near unknown luthier at the price you mentioned.

 

[quadrogong]

yeah, Valenti seems more of a Fenderish vibe..I have this JB that I've used forever.It's a real player,my main axe..
but I figure if I'm going custom, i may as well get something that looks it.

looking for more of a custom body shape,like a scroll or singlecut, something different,i dunno.. with that "virtuoso" type look..heh heh..

What I really want, is a neck with frets that are closer together, less "reach",so to speak.I guess my hands are smallish
.If I didn't have to stretch my fingers so widely, i could concentrate on technique a lot more..The Jazz is really long for me, but I've sort of adapted to it through the years..
but I'd like to try a few shorter scale basses and see exactly what feels perfect. Often string spacing feels wide to me, on the Alembic,I can feel it,it slows me down..but not the JB.
funny, one bass is a bit long,one a bit wide
.. like the 3 bears,I'm looking for something juuuust right.

 

[rob_the_bassist]

SKJOLD!!! i don't know if his basses fall into the 1800 mark but when i see custom luthier in one sentance i think skjold design. IMO, the pro 5 is one of the best basses out there (in that it is way versatile n fits any style of music, easy instrument to play, light as hell! great great!)

 

[Dirty Dave]

LeCompte would get my money.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Michael Dolan can build just about anything you could dream up www.dolanguitars.com

 

[jeff_bass28]

Might be a little bit out of your price range, but Chris Larkin of Ireland makes some pretty great stuff. Affordable, too as far as customs go. I had a Larkin 5 that I loved. I'm still kicking myself for ever getting rid of it!

http://www.chrislarkinguitars.com

bad pic, but that one was mine. Marbled Asian (NOT Macassar) ebony over Brazilian mahogany.

 

[AshenBassist]

Wish





just joking, though i have nothing against wishbasses, can't really pass judgement seeing as how i've never played em.

Never played a lecompte either, but thats proly where i'd spend my dough.

 

[quadrogong]

sounds like the voices inside my head, which decide on someone different once a week,
I'm leaning towards lecompte,FBB and perhaps a used gibson short scale.These are all within my price range,and I feel good about the brands..
even the resale value may not be too bad, thanks to places like TB..
looking into Stambaugh,Benevente,Conklin and Bee basses..want to drop a deposit on something before I piss it away.

 

[Rodent]

There are many excellent builders who frequent the Luthier's Corner here at TB. Might I suggest you take some time searching to see what's being done by those who frequent and support TB?

You will be quite amazed at what's being hand built by 'local talent'

all the best,

R

 

[Hollow Man]

Although I have no experience with any of the custom luthiers you're describing, based on what I've looked at, I'd get a Stambaugh.

Skjold makes great stuff, but I think it's out of your price range. Good luck, and be sure to post updates!

 

[bajistapromedio]

From the guys you have listed I would go with New York Bass Works. From people you have not listed I would say Nordstrand or Stambaugh.

 

[CosmoReverb]

Not meaning any disrespect at all, just offering my $.02, but saying "I want a custom bass and I have x amount of money, what should I get and who should I get to do it?" is a bit like the people who say "Man I really want to get a tattoo" and then walk into the studio and say "What can I get for x dollars?"

My advice would be to keep looking and keep saving until you find the design you really love, that just calls to you, made by the luthier you really trust and then get that. You're not playing the logo.

 

[Nedmundo]

Since you want short scale, check this: www.landingbass.com

 

[quadrogong]

the fellow from NYBW was really helpful and informative on the phone,and I'd have the option of coming there, he's in long island, I'm in NYC..being able to actually hold the neck,see wood samples,play some basses..seems really appealing to me .
I once spent $4500 on a custom Alembic guitar that I wound up selling, I was young and, well..stupid.I hadn't thought it through..
neck thru or set neck?
how will tonewoods affect the sound?
active or passive?
ebony, rosewood or maple?
I made all the wrong choices and wound up taking a real washing on 'er..
that was 20 years ago, I'm not really THAT stupid anymore, perhaps mildly, at worst. But long story short, I want to make the right choice with this beauty..
This one guy had a body/topwood combination of wild cocobolo over white korina,any FB wood,neck wood,PU's..with the scroll on the upper horn..