Who's Your Favorite Custom Builder???

[PortraitOfJames]

Then I guess I will mention him. I am a relative newbie to all of this, but I picked up one of his 5 string single cut basses off of ebay recently. Very light weight, excellent playability, perfectly balanced standing or sitting, very organic sound with notes that jump off the fretboard and sustain for days.
I have picked up many much more expensive basses that could only dream of sounding like this..

I just checked out his site and I really like what I see. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

My vote goes to Rob Green of Status-Graphite. I've been playing his basses for 20 years & the quality never fails to be excellent.

First up, my no.1 bass. 2007 Status S2-Classic in walnut & mahogany.

1990 Status Series II in cocobolo & cherry. Now with it's original 2-band preamp reinstalled.

2008 Status KingBass Artist in walnut & mahogany.

2008 Status S2-Classic bolt-on 5-string in cocobolo/mahogany with phenowood maple board.

 

[RPIcka]

Vadim Rubstov
Mike Kinal
Michael Tobias

 

[Solarmist]

Bud LeCompte - maybe someday

 

[Bassworm]

My current favourite builder is Martin Peterseon of Sei, but that's mainly because I own this;

Although, having played Scoop's ACG Recurve recently, I can see myself checking out Alan Cringean some time in the future.

 

[Scoopbass]

My current favourite builder is Martin Peterseon of Sei, but that's mainly because I own this;

And a stunner it is too. The only six string neck I ever felt really comfortable playing, (tho to be fair I really haven't tried that many). Build quality was stupendous and while I don't think I'd have them on the front of the 'board, personally, I finally saw the sense of having LED side dots. Bloody useful, although I'm still not convinced they justify the expense. A really really great bass. All in all you have a stunner there, Mike. A fabulous bass and I loved playing it.

Although, having played Scoop's ACG Recurve recently, I can see myself checking out Alan Cringean some time in the future.

I'm just awestruck by it tbh. The fact that Alan is such an unassuming, witty and nice guy too makes the whole process of having him build you a bass a real pleasure. Do it, Mike! G'wan. Ah ya will, ya will, ya will.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Brian Ristola is tops in my book.
I've also had really good experiences with the following builers/companies:
Mike Lull
Spector
Pedulla
Alembic

 

[Bassworm]

And a stunner it is too. The only six string neck I ever felt really comfortable playing, (tho to be fair I really haven't tried that many). Build quality was stupendous and while I don't think I'd have them on the front of the 'board, personally, I finally saw the sense of having LED side dots. Bloody useful, although I'm still not convinced they justify the expense. A really really great bass. All in all you have a stunner there, Mike. A fabulous bass and I loved playing it.

To be honest, I wouldn't normally go for LEDs myself Dave, they just happened to be there already. Although I take your point about the usefulness of side lights on a dark stage.

I'm just awestruck by it tbh. The fact that Alan is such an unassuming, witty and nice guy too makes the whole process of having him build you a bass a real pleasure. Do it, Mike! G'wan. Ah ya will, ya will, ya will.

Who knows, it'll be a long while before I can treat myself to another bass. I've got to earn it first, both the money and the right to buy . But if/when I do, I reckon Alan will one of the first people I phone.

 

[Shy Guy]

My vote goes to Rob Green of Status-Graphite. I've been playing his basses for 20 years & the quality never fails to be excellent.

For some reason all your basses look extremely comfortable to play.

 

[Brim]

Sheldon Dingwall by far.

SuperJ5 Custom Exotic, Flamed Spalted Maple top, fretless, veneered headstock.

ABII-6, Burl Walnut top, Flamed Maple contrast layer, Glockenklang 2-band preamp.

SJ5 Custom Exotic, Madrone top in Burlburst, alder body, walnut neck, morado board, B string Hipshot extender key.

 

[Brim]

Latest batch of AfterburnerII's, Limited Edition run for GuitarX.

ABII-5 Buckeye top, Glockenklang 2-band preamp (now standard on ABII's).

ABII-5 Quilted Maple top, Glockenklang 2-band preamp.

ABII-6 Tiger Eye Quilted Maple top, fretless, Glockenklang 2-band preamp.

 

[Basdyret]

SJ5 Custom Exotic, Madrone top in Burlburst, alder body, walnut neck, morado board, B string Hipshot extender key.

WOW!! I like everything and more about that bass...!!!

I take it it's a one-off...? Do you know what a street price for such a beast would be?

I'm heading down for a handful of lottery tickets RIGHT now...!

 

[James Hart]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Between Chris @ Benavente Guitars and Fred @ Bee Basses I never need another bass again.

None better for my needs

 

[flipper_gv]

People will laugh at me but my vote goes for:

Warwick

Tons of options for a mass produced company and I love those god damned things!!

 

[Shy Guy]

Actually a lot of their CS models are on par with many other custom brands IMO.

 

[rollcall]

sukop

 

[BigRedX]

Gus Guitars

 

[Angus]

I've come to the realization that I will probably never buy anything but a Zon until the day I die.

There are others I'd put up there for sure (any Tobias/MTD, Benavente, Roscoe), but at the moment the Zons do everything I need.

 

[monkeyhaiku]

Jared Carpenter (www.jcbasses.com). He's doing amazing work, and he's just getting started.

Here's mine:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

A few years from now, people will be talking about his basses the way they talk about Carl Thompson's.

 

[johhn smith]

george furlanetto and his f basses