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Help me spend a lot of money

Bridgehouse

By Bridgehouse,
in Bass Guitars

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Sibob Grand Master

Sibob

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[quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1487889312' post='3244019']
Crikey - this thread is turning into some proper expensive instrument porn now! (not that I'm complaining!)

Choices, choices..
[/quote]

We're not at 'expensive' until you start looking at a Fodera Anthony Jackson Hybrid........or a 17th Century Orchestral double-bass ;)

Si

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Burns-bass Grand Master

Burns-bass

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[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1487944924' post='3244419']
If you really want to spend a lot of money have a look at Jens Ritter's Royal Collection.

I'm pretty sure the [url=https://ritter-instruments.com/item_info.php?i=295]Flora Aurum[/url] was originally for sale at $100,000.
[/quote]

That is so tacky.

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Musicman20 Veteran

Musicman20

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60's style Jazz options -

Fender Custom Shop
Sadowsky (modern take - stunning quality)
Xotic (modern take - awesome)
Flea 60's Roadworn Jazz Bass - 60's styling, great colour, amazing pickups (You'd save a fortune)

I wouldn't go all out. Most expensive does not mean better. I personally wouldn't go with a custom builder, apart from Fender.

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Bridgehouse Grand Master

Bridgehouse

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1487945761' post='3244436']
60's style Jazz options -

Fender Custom Shop
Sadowsky (modern take - stunning quality)
Xotic (modern take - awesome)
Flea 60's Roadworn Jazz Bass - 60's styling, great colour, amazing pickups (You'd save a fortune)

I wouldn't go all out. Most expensive does not mean better. I personally wouldn't go with a custom builder, apart from Fender.
[/quote]

More good choices, and more to try out... hmmmm

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Dazed Mentor

Dazed

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While perusing CallowHill Basses site, looking into a bass I came across a rather relevant statement regarding custom orders. The whole site is interesting and the builder is very matter of fact. Here he's explaining how a custom order from Tim Lefevbre happened. It's worthy of a complete read IMO.

It's here http://www.callowhillbass.com/lafave

" [i] The initial request was that it be a vintage ’51 that cuts more, and maybe fiesta red or something. That was it. That’s all that was asked for.

On its own, that request doesn’t really warrant any attention and it certainly doesn’t require a new model. Buy a cheap ’51 reissue and stick a pickup in it that has a little extra midrange character. Problem solved.

I should point out that THAT is actually how all of the top level professional’s order stuff from me. “Uh, I want a five string and uh – I don’t know, maybe blue? Just make it cool.” There are no laundry lists of garbage with agonizing details about nut material and exact pickup placements and magnets. I swear half the guys who order like that just want content to cut and paste for when they sell it at a loss on TB a few days after they get it. [/i] "

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Bridgehouse Grand Master

Bridgehouse

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[quote name='Dazed' timestamp='1487968816' post='3244754']
While perusing CallowHill Basses site, looking into a bass I came across a rather relevant statement regarding custom orders. The whole site is interesting and the builder is very matter of fact. Here he's explaining how a custom order from Tim Lefevbre happened. It's worthy of a complete read IMO.

It's here http://www.callowhillbass.com/lafave

" [i] The initial request was that it be a vintage ’51 that cuts more, and maybe fiesta red or something. That was it. That’s all that was asked for.

On its own, that request doesn’t really warrant any attention and it certainly doesn’t require a new model. Buy a cheap ’51 reissue and stick a pickup in it that has a little extra midrange character. Problem solved.

I should point out that THAT is actually how all of the top level professional’s order stuff from me. “Uh, I want a five string and uh – I don’t know, maybe blue? Just make it cool.” There are no laundry lists of garbage with agonizing details about nut material and exact pickup placements and magnets. I swear half the guys who order like that just want content to cut and paste for when they sell it at a loss on TB a few days after they get it. [/i] "
[/quote]

Yep, that's how I feel about the custom thing a bit, actually...

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largo Rising Star

largo

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I've owned a fair few high end basses & gone through a few custom build too. I'll be completely honest, none of the custom builds were dogs & if you go for a "named" luthier (mine were Sei & Shuker builds) they've built enough basses to know what works. I chose woods, pickups, finishes & a few other details, always guided by the builder. There's a certain thrill in the building process too!

However, my advice for what it's worth.

Either buy the vintage Jazz you're really after & keep your fingers crossed OR buy a decent used bass for a decent price, if you like it great, if not sell it on & try another... I did this for a while & reckon I broke even over 7 or 8 basses, losing a few quid on some & making some on others. Great fun & you might find a wee gem in there. You've got the cash sitting to buy that first bass at anything from £500 to a couple of grand if you like. I'd go with the Fender Flea bass suggested earlier, pickup one used & see how it feels. Punt it on if you don't like it or you might just have found a 60's jazz you like.

Oh yeah, good luck & have fun...

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therealting Mentor

therealting

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1487945761' post='3244436']
60's style Jazz options -

Fender Custom Shop
Sadowsky (modern take - stunning quality)
Xotic (modern take - awesome)
Flea 60's Roadworn Jazz Bass - 60's styling, great colour, amazing pickups (You'd save a fortune)

I wouldn't go all out. Most expensive does not mean better. I personally wouldn't go with a custom builder, apart from Fender.
[/quote]

But Sadowsky is a custom builder...?

Personally, I'd prefer almost any decent option other than Fender if I wanted a custom build. I think they're terrible value for what you get from them.

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Sibob Grand Master

Sibob

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[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1488073121' post='3245667']


But Sadowsky is a custom builder...?

Personally, I'd prefer almost any decent option other than Fender if I wanted a custom build. I think they're terrible value for what you get from them.
[/quote]

Fender are only really a 'custom builder' when you get into the master-built stuff, which is usually £4K-£5k.....not sure I'd bother when you could get some great vintage stuff for the same price

Si

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Mykesbass Grand Master

Mykesbass

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[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1488073121' post='3245667']


But Sadowsky is a custom builder...?

Personally, I'd prefer almost any decent option other than Fender if I wanted a custom build. I think they're terrible value for what you get from them.
[/quote]
One thing that Fender isn't is terrible value for money. Unlike custom builds, Warwick, Yamaha, Cort and Ibanez, they hold their price brilliantly. 15 year old US standard models sell for around £700, about the same they were new.

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Sibob Grand Master

Sibob

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[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1488100074' post='3245726']

One thing that Fender isn't is terrible value for money. Unlike custom builds, Warwick, Yamaha, Cort and Ibanez, they hold their price brilliantly. 15 year old US standard models sell for around £700, about the same they were new.
[/quote]

I'd agree if you're buying second hand and selling on, but anything you buy new will instantly lose a fair bit of value when you leave the shop.
Think of them like cars lol

Si

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therealting Mentor

therealting

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Posted (edited)

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1488100074' post='3245726']

One thing that Fender isn't is terrible value for money. Unlike custom builds, Warwick, Yamaha, Cort and Ibanez, they hold their price brilliantly. 15 year old US standard models sell for around £700, about the same they were new.
[/quote]

They're great value secondhand, you can almost certainly sell them on for what you paid for them... but the same is true for the others.

The American Standards might be the same price as they were 15 years ago, but they're production made and not custom built, and that's partly due to the fact that Fender has raised their new prices so dramatically. Pretty much all custom built stuff drops dramatically in value. Secondhand Masterbuilts are typically half the new price. Secondhand Fender Custom Shops are 1/2 - 2/3 of their new price.

Personally, the sweet spot for me is buying premium secondhand custom built stuff (as I have done with my Dingwalls, Sadowskys, etc), then spending a couple hundred to customise to my own preferred spec. A customised instrument just for me, at about half the price.

Edited by therealting
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BigRedX Grand Master

BigRedX

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[quote name='largo' timestamp='1488052846' post='3245486']
Either buy the vintage Jazz you're really after & keep your fingers crossed OR buy a decent used bass for a decent price, if you like it great, if not sell it on & try another... I did this for a while & reckon I broke even over 7 or 8 basses, losing a few quid on some & making some on others. Great fun & you might find a wee gem in there. You've got the cash sitting to buy that first bass at anything from £500 to a couple of grand if you like. I'd go with the Fender Flea bass suggested earlier, pickup one used & see how it feels. Punt it on if you don't like it or you might just have found a 60's jazz you like.

Oh yeah, good luck & have fun...
[/quote]

Since you seem to have the money, I'd go further and suggest that you buy 2 or 3 used basses and spend some time getting used to them. Then sell the one you like the least and buy something else. Repeat until either you've found a bass that you really like enough for it to be a permanent keeper, or you know enough about what you want that you can get it made for you.

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Bridgehouse Grand Master

Bridgehouse

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Cat. Pigeons. Lots of feathers.

Played about 15 Jazz's today.

Couple of old ones. A few 70s ones. A number of new ones and some alternates (Sandberg, Lakland etc..)

Didn't like the thin neck on any of them. Sigh. Just didn't feel right.

Played a '58 Precision briefly and a '64 Precision. Felt like home and they were both bloody beautiful to play.

Ugh. Talk about a let down

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Bridgehouse Grand Master

Bridgehouse

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[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1488126150' post='3246069']


Better to know now than after you drop six grand on an oldie!
[/quote]

Very true. I love the Jazz tone - so maybe I do need to find a J body with a P neck - but it drops the vintage thing out tho.

And now I've tried some pre-CBS precisions... groan..

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