Has anyone here had a custom bass built for them?

[Evil Undead]

This is something I'm considering at the moment - a luthier in the USA has offered to make me a bass with my specs for a very reasonable price.

He specialises in building lightweight basses for people with back problems as he's had a lot of back problems himself. I know of around 10 basses that he's built, but I've never tried one.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I've never had a bass built for me before and it's very exciting! But I'd like to hear about other peoples experiences with custom instruments.

Thanks in advance

[obbm]

I had a bass built to my specification by Alan at ACG. There are several excellent UK luthiers so I would recommend that you talk to them before going overseas. You might even save some money.

[Mykesbass]

Don't know what your idea of reasonable is, but I'd agree with OBBM, look around in the UK first, as once you add in freight and taxes you will be looking at a significant bump in price. I've just ordered from Jon Shuker, and thought his price was great.

[Paul S]

If you are looking for a lightweight bass there are several you can buy 'off the peg' in a broad range of price ranges and styles - you don't have to have a lightweight bass made. For example I have an SGC Nanyo Bass Collection that weighs a shade [i]under [/i]7lbs, cost me under £200 and plays like an absolute dream - sooo comfy to wear.

if you want a custom bass that so happens to be lightweight, then that's a whole different ballgame of course.

[Evil Undead]

I don't really want to give the price I've been quoted on the forum for obvious reasons, but would anyone be able to give me a rough idea of how much UK luthiers charge for a 5 string lightweight NT?

[Big_Stu]

I had a custom EB3 built by John Birch, but he died soon after (almost) finishing it. JayDee finished it off & I wish I'd gone to him in the first place. Last I heard he starts at around £1400 & has an 18 month waiting list.

+1 on sticking to the UK; you could well be hammered by extra duty when it's shipped in.

[4000]

I've had 2 custom built Seis, a custom-built Alembic, and am in the process of having a Rim bass made (nearly finished - see Affiliates Market Rim thread here on BC).

The most important thing is to have a very good idea of what you want when you go in. My first was a 6-er and at that point I'd only played 3 6s (2 of them Seis) so that was a bit of a stab in the dark. The Alembic was the one I had pinned down the most before going in and that came out the closest to what I expected (the neck and electronics were bog standard so that was easier to gauge). I'd still have it if not for the weight; even though I had it built with hollow wings it was still around 11lbs.

Feel free to PM me if necessary.

[simon1964]

I had a four string singlecut built for me by Jon Shuker three years ago and its a fantastic bass. I would advise speaking to a few of the custom builders and talk through your requirements with them. Jon will certainly come up with some good ideas, and his prices are pretty competitive. I would also give Jim Fleeting in Harrogate a call.

[BigRedX]

I've had several basses made for me by Gus and Sei (and also some guitars from various UK luthiers). IMO the trick to getting what you want from a custom instrument is to pick a luthier who's already making something similar to what you want and the tweak the design to fit your specific requirements.

As has been said there are plenty of UK based luthiers turning out excellent work, but if what you want is already being produced by someone abroad then maybe need to weigh up the financial and control options (it's great if you can go in person to see your bass as it progresses) before making your final decision.

When it comes to the specifications, don't get bogged down on the details. Some things like the weight are obviously important to you, but don't feel that you need to dictate every detail in advance - a lot of that is where the experience and skill of your chosen luthier comes in to guide you into getting the right bass built for you. For example when I specified my Sei I knew which shape I wanted and for the bass to be 5-string fretless but as far as the other details went I just wanted an orange and grey colour scheme and to able to get as close to Mick Karn's classic Japan sound. Martin at Sei chose all the woods and pickups and the result was exactly what I wanted.

Also be brave. You may get some people on here talking about resale value. IMO if you spend to much time worrying about this you will probably compromise too many design details and may well end up with an instrument that isn't quite what you need and you will probably end up selling it...

[TheGreek]

Is the company Wishbass?? If so, I also looked at a bass from him but his expertise seems to be in the fretless bass with quite simple electronics - the instruments he is selling (mostly on eBay) do look enticing and good VFM though...A UK company which looks as enticing is RIM but they be just to me as, being based in Luton, they're only 20 miles from where I live, making visits, etc really easy..

[urb]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1347466' date='Aug 21 2011, 08:26 PM']I've had several basses made for me by Gus and Sei (and also some guitars from various UK luthiers). IMO the trick to getting what you want from a custom instrument is to pick a luthier who's already making something similar to what you want and the tweak the design to fit your specific requirements.

As has been said there are plenty of UK based luthiers turning out excellent work, but if what you want is already being produced by someone abroad then maybe need to weigh up the financial and control options (it's great if you can go in person to see your bass as it progresses) before making your final decision.

When it comes to the specifications, don't get bogged down on the details. Some things like the weight are obviously important to you, but don't feel that you need to dictate every detail in advance - a lot of that is where the experience and skill of your chosen luthier comes in to guide you into getting the right bass built for you. For example when I specified my Sei I knew which shape I wanted and for the bass to be 5-string fretless but as far as the other details went I just wanted an orange and grey colour scheme and to able to get as close to Mick Karn's classic Japan sound. Martin at Sei chose all the woods and pickups and the result was exactly what I wanted.

Also be brave. You may get some people on here talking about resale value. IMO if you spend to much time worrying about this you will probably compromise too many design details and may well end up with an instrument that isn't quite what you need and you will probably end up selling it...[/quote]


Excellent advice - re the OP I think you'll find UK prices very competitive especially when factor in import duty, as another Sei owner I would agree that if you want a lightweight bass Martin has made me two Seis and both are very light but still sound, play and look great - but hey look around there are loads of very talented outboard in the UK - chech out the Build Diaries forum here and you'll see loads of examples of myriad bass styles and specifications - realistically you are looking at about 2k to 3K for a nicely spec'd bass - again check price lists on the various luthier websites.

Hope that helps

Mike

PS it really helps if you know what you want the end result too look and sound like before you start the build process - as you may be aware there can be waiting times of up to a year to 18 months to finally get your base so think long and hard about it

[E sharp]

I have to agree with whats been said regarding keeping it 'in house' (in the UK) .

Some names have been bandied about , but will they build you what you really want ?

The quality will be comparable with anything overseas , from what I've seen and played , but the build will be within parameters (how narrow , depending on the builder) . You may not have an issue with this , but to get everthing you want in a bass (and that's assuming that it will all 'join up and work') , you may have to look at a small one man band . You then obviously run the risk that the quality may not be up to a 'SEI' or 'SHUKER' type tolerance of workmanship .

Good luck with the search mate .

Paul .

[steve]

I would happily recomend Alan at ACG in Moffat, he was very helpful in the design stage, and the standard of his work is nothing short of breathtaking

[woodyratm]

Rich in Aberdeen is a great guy. Ou7shined on here.
Prices are good too and will do whatever you want!

I'll be getting something built when my stingray sells!

[noelk27]

Jimmy Moon (Moon Guitars). He's a master in one-offs.

[Mr. Foxen]

I think Mo Clifton is about the lightweight ergonomic back friendly thing. I recall Bassbod mentioning he had a similar story to the OP's guy.

[charic]

Another reccomendation for ACG. I've also played some fantastic Shukers. Between the two I can't think of anything you can't get done.

As for price... the reason I went for an ACG was because at the time (I don't know current prices) it was cheaper than a stingray.

[JTUK]

I wouldn't buy blind..and would want to play some of the other examples he has made...for sure.
And I would want to go and see what progress they have made and talk over what minute changes they will make for you.

I wouldn't deviate too much from what he has already done though as you then become a guinea pig and you will need to commit
£1500 minimum to get something, I'd say.

I am talking in-house build here and not sourcing parts made elsewhere.

If you don't do the above..I can't see why you would want custom..

[AttitudeCastle]

[quote name='woodyratm' post='1347611' date='Aug 21 2011, 10:34 PM']Rich in Aberdeen is a great guy. Ou7shined on here.
Prices are good too and will do whatever you want!

I'll be getting something built when my stingray sells![/quote]

+1 for a lesser known hometown man!

I still need to ask him how many strings he'd be willing to put on an instrument...

But his stuff is great and his has great prices!

[muttley]

[quote name='Big_Stu' post='1347416' date='Aug 21 2011, 07:34 PM']+1 on sticking to the UK; you could well be hammered by extra duty when it's shipped in.[/quote]

Import duty will be 3.9% ([url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=139"]info here[/url]) of the total cost of the import (CIF), not just the price of the instrument. VAT at 20% will then be added to the total and you will have to pay the carrier a handling fee for the privilege of the item having been cleared through Customs for you. FedEx charges £12, Parcelforce around £8 for example.

So if your bass comes to US$1500 ex-works, then you will actually pay the equivalent of $1870.20 plus the handling fee. Don't ask the luthier to declare less as this fraudulent and will mean that the shipment cannot be insured for the full value. Don't think it will just sail through Customs either, HMRC now looks for any way it can to find additional sources of revenue!

[woodyratm]

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' post='1347786' date='Aug 22 2011, 09:39 AM']+1 for a lesser known hometown man!

I still need to ask him how many strings he'd be willing to put on an instrument...

But his stuff is great and his has great prices![/quote]

this interests me alot....

[dmccombe7]

[quote name='noelk27' post='1347638' date='Aug 21 2011, 11:05 PM']Jimmy Moon (Moon Guitars). He's a master in one-offs.[/quote]

Brilliant basses.
I thought Jimmy had moved back to acoustic instruments only.
Tried a few back in late 80's and they were unbelievable quality.

Some of the Overwater Customs are lightweight like the Perception styles.
My Progress doesn't feel too heavy in comparison with my Warwick.

Dave

Edited August 22, 2011 by dmccombe7

[AttitudeCastle]

[quote name='woodyratm' post='1347901' date='Aug 22 2011, 12:22 PM']this interests me alot....[/quote]

Haha what about it? I have terrible ERB GAS right now you see... (If Rich see's that he might give me a frown )

I saw a almost finished P-bass alike in his shed he was working on, and i was thinking of getting him to to a replacement neck for my P-bass with the knackered neck,

Being local to us though is the real clincher for me though!

[Evil Undead]

May I ask, what are the advantages of having a custom build?

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='Evil Undead' post='1348399' date='Aug 22 2011, 08:43 PM']May I ask, what are the advantages of having a custom build?[/quote]

For me it is quite simply that Fender don't make a five string fretless Tele Bass (and if they did it would probably be an awful lot more expensive and probably not as nice as the one Mr Shuker is making for me)