TomRichards Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 For you Brits there is Alpher. Quickly becoming a premier builder. Quote
CamdenRob Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) After looking at the options a could of years back I went with Wal... That's not to say I don't GAS for others but I'm happy with Wal Edited June 30, 2015 by CamdenRob Quote
Vinny Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 If money really were no object, then I'd embark on learning all the spells, potions and other witchery involved to build it myself, at least then I could hold it up and do my best impression of the kid at the end of the X-Files. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V89scc7PRgI Quote
TheGreek Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Since I already have an ACG, a Ritter and a GB Goodfellows and all are perfect in their own ways I know that there is no definitive answer... Quote
Muzz Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 I'd either go back to Jon Shuker for a third, or Sheldon Dingwall for another. Both fantastic quality, but more importantly after lots and lots and lots of basses, I know what suits me, and theirs do. Quote
Merton Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 ACG Uber Finn of some description for me. Absolutely adore my Finn Custom Quote
PlungerModerno Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 I'd love an ACG, Wal, Sei or Rim - But I'd really like a Status graphite. Alembic would be something I'd love to try too. Number one however, would be a Chris Larkin Semi-Acoustic Bass, like a coss between . . . and Quote
fretmeister Posted June 30, 2015 Posted June 30, 2015 Marleaux. Amazing instruments. I'd get a Betra with a few tweaks to the standard design. Quote
gingerfish Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 A custom dingwall would be high on my list. Though Jon Shuker is doing some work on a bass for me at the moment so I will wait to see his work. A bass I would love is a Warwick P-Nut II but with some chambers in the body to just take the edge off of the weight. Though that might make it a bit neck heavy, hmmm. Quote
cytania Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 [b]Status Graphite[/b] (haven't got one, can't afford one but we're in dream mode here aren't we?). Quote
CamdenRob Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 The thing I like about all these master luthiers is that once you strip the marketing, brand heritage and glossy website pics away it essentially boils down to a bloke in a shed... Jens Ritter?... bloke in a shed, Paul Herman?... bloke in a shed, Fodera?... a few blokes in a slightly bigger shed. Quote
tom5string Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 Some time ago, I ordered a custom Wal: good choice. For now, I`m having a beautiful piece of an oldold cherry tree that has been drying now for 5 years - once I have enough money, I will take that wood to Gerald Marleaux. That should end up in a perfect fretless 5-string :-) Quote
Bradwell Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 Rick Toone, have a look around his website http://www.ricktoone.com/2013/03/orchid-vintage-jazz.html Mostly builds electric guitars but there's some beautifully engineered components and wonderfully original carved shapes. Having said that, got some pieces of mahogany that would be excellent for a neck through headless bass that I've been thinking about... bloke in a shed and all. Quote
JTUK Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1435825732' post='2812676'] The thing I like about all these master luthiers is that once you strip the marketing, brand heritage and glossy website pics away it essentially boils down to a bloke in a shed... Jens Ritter?... bloke in a shed, Paul Herman?... bloke in a shed, Fodera?... a few blokes in a slightly bigger shed. [/quote] It is not so much the bloke in a shed that is the issue, for me..as long as the kit doesn't look like it was knocked up by any old bloke in the shed. And even some of these two man operations are very capable of excellent work. You wont be a luthier with any sort of name without having some very decent furniture making skills... IMO. Quote
ead Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 Fairly sure that Mr ACG had no previous wood-working experience. Could be wrong though; according to Mrs ead I usually am. Quote
Noisyjon Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 I would go for either a Fender Masterbuilt bass or a Wal but would have to flip a coin to decide! Quote
Kiwi Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 [quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1435688729' post='2811521'] If money really were no object, then I'd embark on learning all the spells, potions and other witchery involved to build it myself [/quote] If I wasn't already doing this, then this is what I'd do. I've got all the basses I've ever lusted after and then some. Although sometimes I weaken when watching Jimmy Johnston play his graphite necked Alembic 5 string for Lee Ritenour. So maybe I'd commission Thomas Leiber to build a graphite necked version of JJ's bass given Alembic won't do graphite necks any more. Doesn't mean that I think Thomas Leiber is the best luthier in the world though. Quote
CamdenRob Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1435840301' post='2812905'] It is not so much the bloke in a shed that is the issue, for me..as long as the kit doesn't look like it was knocked up by any old bloke in the shed. And even some of these two man operations are very capable of excellent work. [/quote] oh yes of course... I just find it interesting when you see these guys workshops they are often simple affairs. A few tools and an immense amount of skill seems to be the way it's done. ... could also be said of bass playing I guess. Edited July 2, 2015 by CamdenRob Quote
sei24bass Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 +1 for SEi basses. Tried every other luithier I can get my hands, but these basses remain the best for me. Quote
Jazzjames Posted July 9, 2015 Posted July 9, 2015 I'd be going to Mike Lull, or to Moollon in Korea.. But i guess you can guess what type of basses I like...! However if I wanted something a bit more out there I'd be going with my friend Alex Bishop in Deptford. He mainly makes gypsy jazz and folk guitars, but his work is top notch. Search Alex Bishop guitars if you need repairs etc. he's a good guy. Quote
Mattmit Posted July 12, 2015 Posted July 12, 2015 I think Joe White, since there are no presets and he'd make me up anything I could imagine. Quote
BigRedX Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 [quote name='Mattmit' timestamp='1436705888' post='2820045'] I think Joe White, since there are no presets and he'd make me up anything I could imagine. [/quote] IME that's someone I'd steer clear of. For me the best results have always come from finding someone who is already building something very close to what I want and getting them to make me an instrument. That way they will most likely already know any potential pitfalls to any modifications I want to their basic design and end up building something that is actually right for me. Quote
.jpg.518c69c2d9e1581799f3c11301dc2da5.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.