Custom(!?) Made 4 string Jazz Basses...

[Mikey D]

With a more modern sound...

Who's the best? Why? What do you think? What should I be looking to try?

I'm looking and am personally being swayed towards something with the nordstrand J's and Audure preamp combo going by what a lot of people are saying, but i obviously want to hear this myself...

A couple of options:
Nordstrand
[url="http://www.fender.com"]Fender? Crazy idea I know...[/url]
[url="http://www.pavelmi.com/basses_jazzpro.php"]Pavel Basses[/url]
Lakeland
Sadowsky

Or just buy the Nords and Audere and whack them in a jazz I like the feel of.

[Alpha-Dave]

Very tough call.

There are various UK makers that can do excellent jazzs: Overwater, ACG, GB etc. I'd always go for one of those first, but buying an instrument you like the feel of and then upgrading the parts you find weak 'by ear' is a great way of getting exactly what you want.

[kevbass]

Well, why not grab some quality parts off of the bay, body, pups, hardware, grab a graphite jazz neck from status, get your pre-amp and take it to a good guitar luthier or tech and you got yourself a sweet jazz to your specs

[velvetkevorkian]

The two best basses I've ever tried (although I only go for 5 strings these days) were undoubtedly a Sadowsky Metro UV and a Lakland Joe Osbourne. I'm sure their 4 string sisters would be equally appealing.

[bass_ferret]

If you want a Jazz with nordstrand J's and Audure preamp I am sure Bernie Goodfellow, Jon Shuker, Martin Peterson or Chris May will be happy to buld it for you.

[Hamster]

[quote name='Mikey D' post='18502' date='Jun 15 2007, 07:17 PM']With a more modern sound...

Who's the best? Why? What do you think? What should I be looking to try?[/quote]


Try this one - almost exactly what you're looking for, and a bargain. The seller lives near Birmingham too.

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=485"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=485[/url]

Hamster

[kevbass]

This one might be worth a look aswell, bargain price [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WARMOTH-CUSTOM-FRETLESS-BASS-incredible-tone-BARGAIN_W0QQitemZ170121436968QQihZ007QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WARMOTH-CUSTOM-FRETL...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

[krazy_olie]

Celinder jazz is the best bass I've ever played. Overwater wasn't too far behind. I love a good fender to be honest.

[Bigwan]

+1 on the celinder idea. I played the black 4 string that Flanker bought. Easily one of the best 4 string basses I've ever played.

I have a Skyline Joe Osborne myself which I love (although I'm preferring it passive!). If you're after something more custom then any ofthe guys already mentioned will build you one. Or you could always go to Nino and have a Valenti made up to your specs. I'm quite interested in one of those myself... and he's built nordy/audere combinations into a few of his basses. 5 string Jazz in vintage white with rosewood board, tort guard and Nordy big singles... Mmmmmmmm Good!

Edited June 17, 2007 by Bigwan