rogo Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 I always see these ludicrously expensive (albeit lovely) custom shop basses, be it fender or someone else, and I assume that someone must’ve ordered them at one point, but just out of interest, has anyone here ordered a custom shop bass? What was it like? What’s the process? Can you have whatever you want or are there set options? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 Have been looking at the G&L custom shop basses. I haven't ordered from them so don't have experience of that but out if interest they do have a list of the custom options available which are quite extensive; neck radius, nut widths, frets, lacquer finish, neck woods, body woods, binding, pickup windings etc. Quite fancy their version of a jazz with a vintage neck radius. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 7 hours ago, rogo said: I always see these ludicrously expensive (albeit lovely) custom shop basses, be it fender or someone else, and I assume that someone must’ve ordered them at one point, but just out of interest, has anyone here ordered a custom shop bass? What was it like? What’s the process? Can you have whatever you want or are there set options? cheers I think there's loads of variance, from the big production brands like Fender who run a custom shop to the bespoke builders who only make to order. Not all Fender custom shop instruments are made to order, I've heard some retailers have to buy and stock X amount of "custom shop" instruments.... The only Fender custom shop bass I've ever held in my hands and played was ordered by an ex band mate who spent £2000ish and waited a year or two for it. They now cost around double that for those available in shops and the wait is probably longer if you want one built to your spec. It looked great it played.......... Ok. It wasn't for me, aside from the false ageing which looked good I couldn't really see where the money had gone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 There’s a document linked off the Fender Custom Shop site that covers their process. That’s about all I know! http://www.fmicassets.com/sites/fender.com/themes/img/customshop/2021/2021_Custom_Shop_Design_Guide.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 6 hours ago, Boodang said: Have been looking at the G&L custom shop basses. I haven't ordered from them so don't have experience of that but out if interest they do have a list of the custom options available The vast majority of the G&L options are available on the standard built-to-order "Option Order" instruments, so they're no more expensive than the ready-built ones they supply to retailers. You just have to wait a while: waiting time is creeping up towards six months. Their "Custom Shop" costs quite a bit more, adds a few more exotic options, and allows for proper customisation, eg fitting L-2000 humbuckers onto a Jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 I ordered a custom sandberg, you use the configurator and any further modifications you can discuss with them and if they can do it they will 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 Personally I think that if you're ordering a custom instrument, the best thing to do is find a builder who makes what you want and let them do their thing without being too picky. When I ordered my F Bass I knew that they made the instrument that I wanted, so all I had to do was spec my wood combination, string spacing, and finish. I could no doubt have gone in to more detail, but I just wanted them to do what they do. If I wanted something different, I would have gone to a different luthier. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 I played a CS Pino Precision once. It was an exceptionally nice bass to play. Custom made basses aren't for me. I wouldn't know what options to order and by the time the bass turned up I would have probably changed my mind. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford13 Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 I have had a Fender Custom shop P bass. It was a lovely bass and probably the best P bass I have played. However I have 2 Alpher custom basses and even though the guys can do pretty much anything you could want, I agree with @Doddyfind the luither you trust and let them make many of the decisions as they know what will work a lot better than I do. Bottom line, I would highly recommend a custom bass that is exactly what you want, but play one of the builders instruments first to make sure you like what they make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 From my experience you could probably have a genuine custom bass built by one of the many fine luthiers here for less than you'd pay for a CS from most "name" builders. Check the Build Diaries thread for inspiration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 4 hours ago, chris_b said: I played a CS Pino Precision once. It was an exceptionally nice bass to play. Same for me, the one I played was a great bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skin Lewis Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 (edited) I bought my Fender CS stackpot Jazz off the shelf from a 'box seller', which, while ludicrously expensive, is pretty much exactly what I would order as a custom build. But that's just luck - the whole point of a custom build is to get exactly what you want, and any luthier worth the name should be able to deliver. Long wait though. Edited October 20, 2021 by Skin Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 When John Entwistle commisioned a bass, did he have one bass delivered? No, he had four made and decided which one was the one. I think this is the level to which we should aspire. Order 4 identical Custom Shop basses, pick the one your hands and ears like best and make a wincingly painful loss on the other three 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 7 hours ago, chris_b said: I played a CS Pino Precision once. It was an exceptionally nice bass to play. Agreed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 12 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said: When John Entwistle commisioned a bass, did he have one bass delivered? No, he had four made and decided which one was the one. I think this is the level to which we should aspire. Order 4 identical Custom Shop basses, pick the one your hands and ears like best and make a wincingly painful loss on the other three I like it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I had a Fender Custom shop 62 Precision...it was nice, sold it as my standard Mexican made 50's classic was nicer! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I have a guitar which has an Epiphone Custom Shop stamp on it. But it's still made in Korea. Great guitar though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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