Hi fellow bassists. I was wondering what determines whether a bass falls into the boutique category. Is it the choice of different types of woods used, the electronics, pickups, brand, or maybe because it's handmade rather than created by using a CNC machine? I'm interested in your opinions and can't wait to read the responses.
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what do you consider a "boutique bass"?
- Thread starter henilk2007
- Start date
boutique basically means "specialty shop" so, anything not mass produced I guess would fall into that category.
a custom shop Fender would be boutique imo, a production line standard Fender wouldn't.
a custom shop Fender would be boutique imo, a production line standard Fender wouldn't.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
This. The term boutique is not restricted to instruments.
I wouldn't really call a Fender CS boutique though as their CS shop is available through all Canadian L&M's, I would assume it is available through all American GC's but I don't know.
Dingwall, Fodera, Alleva Coppola, F Bass, Elrick, Mike Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, Epifani, Bergantino, and Thunderfunk are all examples of boutique. Some brands MIGHT be found in big box stores, but they will be few and far between and not every store in the chain can even order them.
Mass produced vs not. Warwicks used to be boutique, and while they aren't anymore, this doesn't stop them from being outstanding.
I actually like to take it a little further, and say that boutique has a definite component of an instrument that is being made for a specific person and fulfilling special requests as opposed to general consumption.
Having said that though (along with my other comment) does raise questions that are interesting to me, such as whether or not Sadowsky is boutique (any more)?
I actually like to take it a little further, and say that boutique has a definite component of an instrument that is being made for a specific person and fulfilling special requests as opposed to general consumption.
Having said that though (along with my other comment) does raise questions that are interesting to me, such as whether or not Sadowsky is boutique (any more)?
+1. I agree here. I think its pretty much any bass you can't find at a chain music store that isn't regularly stocked or they'd have to special order it. If they can even do that. You may find them used in those stores but only because someone got it somewhere else and sold it to them.
Boutique means made to order, but for me a 'boutique bass' means one that is built without regard to good taste and decency.
So something with too many strings and/or a hideously figured top. Something so over-specified that it becomes notable more for its vulgarity than its musicality.
Very nouveau riche.
So something with too many strings and/or a hideously figured top. Something so over-specified that it becomes notable more for its vulgarity than its musicality.
Very nouveau riche.
I'm with you on this one. When I hear the term "boutique bass", I think coffetable body, 5 or 6 strings, too many knobs and switches, and an overall unattractive, uncool-looking appearance.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Sorry, but no. As another poster pointed out, boutique means specialty shop.
bou·tique
/bo͞oˈtēk/
Noun
A small store selling fashionable clothes or accessories.
A business that serves a sophisticated or specialized clientele: "a small investment boutique"; "a boutique film".
Boutique basses are not defined by features they are defined by availability. As I said above, this includes a select list of brands which cannot be found at major retailers. If one of said brands is found at a major retailer it is probably either used, or that particular location has access to the company, not the entire chain.
"Made to order", and "specialty shop" are one in the same regarding basses/guitars, and we're not talking about clothing stores. Lets stop the word games. Carvin is also a prime example, and of coarse boutique basses are defined by available options/features.
I make a distinction somewhere with boutique...for me, a boutique bass is something that involves non-traditional woods and/or techniques, or non-traditional specs, with a focus on aesthetics. So anything resembling a cookie cutter slab body made by a certain mass producer of iconic bass brands would be exempt.
But that's just me....or maybe others feel the same way?
But that's just me....or maybe others feel the same way?
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I personally wouldn't consider Carvin a boutique company, they are more mail-order/catalogue style than boutique shop quality.
I would suppose there is also a certain, high end quality factor that cannot be overlooked as well. Carvin is a great bang for your buck but the quality is nowhere near boutique, and this is coming from somebody who uses a Carvin for his #1.
Semantically you are of course correct. In terms of bass guitars though, who really produces so few basses as to make them so rare? Those who do typically make them to order, and sell them to people who have more money than taste.
I've owned and still own both boutique and non-boutique basses. I've found that the boutique basses offer more to what I am looking for both in playablility and how they sound musically. Oh, and I have plenty of taste, thank you very much.
Bones
Bones
I believe all German Warwick is "boutique". The quality is outstanding...and they're high priced.
What about the regular companies that have custom shops? The stuff I've seen from the upper-Ibanez is pretty amazing.
What about the neck thru MIJ Yamaha TRB6 basses? Boutique is getting harder to categorize.
What about the regular companies that have custom shops? The stuff I've seen from the upper-Ibanez is pretty amazing.
What about the neck thru MIJ Yamaha TRB6 basses? Boutique is getting harder to categorize.
You are correct that boutique is a noun that refers to a speciality store.
This gentelman is correct in that he is highlighting attributes that are often used by some people to describe basses that come from a boutique.
At least that's how I think it works.
Any instrument where
1) Not many of them are produced
2) they're quite expensive
3) the quality is good enough to justify the price to enough people to sell... not many of them (see point 1)
IMO 'boutique' doesn't really have a connotation of a custom build, though of course in practice if you're buying a 'boutique' bass new you probably want to Have It Your Way.
1) Not many of them are produced
2) they're quite expensive
3) the quality is good enough to justify the price to enough people to sell... not many of them (see point 1)
IMO 'boutique' doesn't really have a connotation of a custom build, though of course in practice if you're buying a 'boutique' bass new you probably want to Have It Your Way.
