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Which boutique shall I get?

tbone0813

tbone0813

The faithless say farewell when the road darkens.
Aug 6, 2005
1,799
40
Grand Prairie, TX.
#1
Let's get some opinions on boutique basses. I am very close to purchasing one, and I thought I would get some opinions on which ones you think are worthy to be called boutique? My budget allows for around $3300. With this said the MTD 535 is in the lead at the moment (probably only because I haven't looked for many more than that). So which one would you buy? :bassist:

p.s. Remember....This isn't an argument as to the validity of buying a boutique over a non-boutique. I am buying a boutique. I just need some opinion from owners/players as to what ones they like the best. Thanks.

Oh yea! My style is mostly Praise & Worship, but I am getting in to jazz, and am liking the slapping & popping. :)
 
#2
are you trying to get people to decide which bass is right for you, or just give thier general opinions of various boutique basses so you can have some options?

im not sure where grand prarie texas is but theres a guy in dallas (lewisville to be exact) named Pete Skjold that you should check out. his website is www.skjolddesign.com but i would for the most part ignore it has it has nothing about his John East designed preamp and SKold-spec mystery pickups. they're... delicious :D . do a search on the forum and you'll find more updated information.

and im sure Tombolus could do a great comparision of the MTD to a Skold, as he has both. as its boutique, you have so much control over the sound i dont know how much help it would be to have those sort of reviews, but every bass maker sort of has his stigma
 
#7
here's an opinion: that whatever you buy
for over 1,500.00, should be neck-through, or at least have the option.
for me personally, i believe neck-through/set neck to be a higher
quality level in instrument building (and sound,but that's subjective) especially when getting beyond pure functionality and going for art. seems the current trend is bolt-on,
but think a nice sexy smith neck heel, then think about a ritter bolt-on heel.
imo, the smith takes it hands-down. and that's what makes a boutique
instrument to me. imo, ime, add nauseam.
d
 
#9
Yup. The bolt on v. neck through debate doesn't really apply...it's a tonal/aethetic choice and I can't see that it has any signification for overall build quality. Besides, I'd rather a bolt on in case a neck issue does develop in the long run, and that could happen just as easily with a 12K Alembic as a 2K Sadowsky or a 3K MTD.
 
#11
Man....3300? That's a thing of beauty!
My pick? Nordstrand, Eshenbaugh, Benavente, Elrick, Stambaugh, Cliff Bordwell, Jacob Marchliewski (sp?), JP Basses, etc.
There's a million choices. If I were you, I'd invest 250 of that to fly down to Florida and visit Bass Central...that way, you can actually play many of the basses that you'd consider for purchase....
 
#13
I have played alot of high-end basses. My fav was an Alembic Series II (and I never began to scratch the surface of its tonal possibilities). You could probably pick one up used for that price. I have a Marchlewski on order that was very reasonably priced (I got a six string with ALOT of options and with your budget I could still buy one of the used Aguilar DB750's that have been popping up lately). Check him out Link Removed . With your budget, I would also check out Darrin Huff if you dig on his style, they are amazingly well made. www.dhuffguitars.com

It is all up to you in the end, no one else has your tonal taste.

Matt
 
#14
What kind of sound are you looking for? Are you looking for an excellent basic bass, or are you looking for a boutique hi-fi tone? Anyway, I recommend you to check out Sadowskys. My MS5 smokes.

Oh yea! My style is mostly Praise & Worship, but I am getting in to jazz, and am liking the slapping & popping.
Click to expand...

Then definitely check out Sadowskys! IMHO the best slap tone that I've heard on a bass. They are very versatile basses.
 
#17
tbone,
commissioning a custom is a great experience. You're going to have fun but you're gonna hate the wait. (don't let that stop you!)
I'm wondering, what special features are you looking for that have led you into the boutique market? For example, is it exotic woods and electronics or handmade quality; do you want the little things like a bone nut and wood knobs or are you looking for something with a specific sound? These things vary from one builder to another. Some builders add $100.00 for an ebony fingerboard some make it a standard option. Head stock overlay, wood pick up covers, multi laminate neck, etc....These preferences will help us to recommend a builder.

Of course, my two cents is get a Stambaugh! There are tons of killer builders out there and I think Chris is right up there with the best of them. Plus his prices are great and he was great to work with. Do a search here then give him a call. Tell him what you're looking for. You'll be suprised by how many of his options do not raise the price.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Chad

P.S. you were born two days before me! I'm 8-15-71 :)
 
#18
USA Spectors, Pedulla, Dingwall, Mike Lull... as others have said, at that price-point it's much more about finding the bass that suits you as a player the best, not about the "name" factor or bling... unless you desire the bling (which, if you're spending over 3K, is absolutely your right to going crazy SIMs-style ;) )

Hell, you could get two tricked-out Carvins at that level if that is what would work for you. You didn't say much about what you're looking for beyond that you play P&W, so it wouldn't do much good to recommend a Mike Lull Modern 5 if you're not a fan of the prototypical modern J-bass sound. However, based only on the P&W mention a MTD, Roscoe, or old-school Tobias would certainly work in that situation.
 

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