Which Custom Japense Bass Company?

[Bassguy87]

Looking into Japanese custom builds.

It seems Bacchus are best bang for buck and wondered if other brands like Atelier, Dragonfly, Momose are superior as prices are quite a jump.

Thanks

 

[80jazz]

While I do not doubt that Bacchus makes an excellent product, if you want a custom build and have the money, I would go Atelier.

 

[Bassguy87]

While I do not doubt that Bacchus makes an excellent product, if you want a custom build and have the money, I would go Atelier.

Thanks for the reply. What makes you choose Atelier out of interest? Do you have experience with the others?

 

[songwriter21]

Looking into Japanese custom builds.

It seems Bacchus are best bang for buck and wondered if other brands like Atelier, Dragonfly, Momose are superior as prices are quite a jump.

Thanks

If you wanna just go for it, STR is probably top of the heap, along with said Dragonfly. STR is considered the Fodera of Japan.

 

[jd56hawk]

Looking into Japanese custom builds.

It seems Bacchus are best bang for buck and wondered if other brands like Atelier, Dragonfly, Momose are superior as prices are quite a jump.

Thanks

Bacchus makes excellent basses. My Woodline is far nicer than any Fender Jazz I've ever played.
I really regret not buying this one, though.

Momose basses are made by same company, Diviser, and this one just might be the nicest looking Jazz I've ever seen.

Atelier Z is another fine bass, but...

 

[claudel]

Atlansia... H Noble.

Product Information Basses and Guitars (16) - Atlansia Guitars

 

[user362432]

Tune (Phoenix)

 

[songwriter21]

Tune (Phoenix)

Yes, these basses look badass.

Phoenix Official Web Site - TUNE Guitar Maniac

 

[jd56hawk]

One more thing, no one has more finish options than Bacchus...No One!

 

[bararan]

This is probably not going to help the OP, but it would be criminal to not consider moon.

 

[Mechanical]

One more thing, no one has more finish options than Bacchus...No One!
View attachment 4449050

Kiesel.

 

[Adam Wright]

I’ve had a bass from each of the builders you mentioned and my pick would be Dragonfly. I’ve had a few of Harry’s basses and they’re amazing. I’ve also heard great things about Sugi and Freedom Guitar Research.

 

[India_Sierra]

Sugi are also worth looking at. Their builds look absolutely incredible. If I were the one spending the money a Japanese Tune would do me, because I am a huge fan of Yoshihiro Naruse.

 

[80jazz]

Thanks for the reply. What makes you choose Atelier out of interest? Do you have experience with the others?

Aesthetics.

Yes, I am one of those guys.

 

[BobKos]

Not sure what the OP is looking for. I am a Jazz Bass fanboy. I like my MIJ FGN Neo Classic as much as any of my other Jazz Basses. REALLY great bass. It is a more classic setup. For modern tone I have other configurations of Jazz Bass.

 

[BassHappy]

Ridiculously cool stuff from Jersey Girl:

https://jerseygirlhg.com/composition/wlts/

 

[JW56789]

AtelierZ — AtelierZ guitar works

Bacchus（バッカス）ベース・ギター専門店　バッカス堂 / SOAR MUSIC (bacchusdo.com)
. . . . . includes links to sister brands Momose and STR in the left column

MOON GUITARS｜ムーンギターズ (moon-guitar.co.jp)
. . . . . long-time builders of Larry Graham's white Jazz Basses

Hard to go wrong with any of these.

 

[sonic 7]

I have an Atelier Z m245, they cost a little more than a Fender Ultra series bass and I think it far surpasses the Fender fit finish and Quality. Probably one of the best J basses at any price point.

 

[Joeykun]

Japense Bass Company?

 

[taconeko]

It depends on what you are looking for and how much you’re willing to spend

If you have specific questions about any of the brands mentioned above, ask away.

Deviser makes great instruments from production to hand made (Bacchus, Momose, STR). I have owned all 3, still own a Momose and STR.

Atelier Z basses sound wonderful but are incredibly heavy.

FGN makes high performance yet affordable production instruments. They also tend to be a bit heavy.

Sugi makes what I feel are some of the finest instruments you will find. Exceptional by all measures. I own a 33” Sugi 5 string and I love it. I had also owned a used 35” 5 string that had a huge sound. I will probably pick up another one someday.

Harry’s Engineering (Dragonfly) are great and have gotten way better over the years. I had a 4-string Dragonfly single cut bass that was a ton of fun to play. Excellent balance, fantastic fretwork.

For the past couple of years Xotic has been very popular here. I own an Xotic 5 and had owned an Xotic 6. Outstanding basses with an incredibly friendly team here that has a boutique shop in Tokyo that is worth visiting.

Other brands that I have seen but not had as much experience with: Provision, Saito Guitars, Crews