European basses

[SteveXFR]

  On 03/04/2025 at 00:01, tauzero said:

 

That eliminates most Warwicks, Seis, Overwaters, ACGs, and Shukers. Who in their right minds wants paint covering up lovely wood?

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I just don't dig natural finishes. 

[Leonard Smalls]

  On 03/04/2025 at 15:41, SteveXFR said:

I just don't dig natural finishes. 

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What about this? None more black! (At least the black bits are) Loving my ACG ...

 

[Terry M.]

  On 02/04/2025 at 18:38, SteveXFR said:

I'm thinking of buying a second bass and thought it would be nice to get something British or at least European.

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Mind me asking why the geographic stipulation? I know it's your choice but if you bond with a bass and it's within your budget does it really matter? Where out of interest is your first bass made?

[fretmeister]

  On 03/04/2025 at 16:11, Terry M. said:

Mind me asking why the geographic stipulation? I know it's your choice but if you bond with a bass and it's within your budget does it really matter? Where out of interest is your first bass made?

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Obviously I don't know about the OP, but for me it would be concerns about workers rights, conditions, equal treatment, pay that doesn't mean needing more than one job. So that really rules out a lot of the USA!

[uncle psychosis]

Wal
Jaydee
Status Graphite
Overwater
Sei Basses
Shuker
Enfield
Ruach
BassLab
Warwick
Sandberg
Höfner
Mayones
Maruszczyk
Jerzy Drozd
Le Fay
Ritter
Gus Guitars

ACG

 

Pretty sure all of the above are European, many Brits too
 

[SteveXFR]

  On 03/04/2025 at 16:11, Terry M. said:

Mind me asking why the geographic stipulation? I know it's your choice but if you bond with a bass and it's within your budget does it really matter? Where out of interest is your first bass made?

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I have a Mexican p bass. Most of the basses I've owned have been from either the America or Asia. I fancy something different 

[tegs07]

Sandberg make very nice basses. Compared to my Fender P the Sandberg is nicer in every aspect other than how it sounds!

It’s lighter, better made, better in terms of ergonomics, the finish is better, it’s nicer to play 

… but when I plug the Fender in I just prefer it.

[Boodang]

Well, if you want British have you considered a custom. Now, if Andy hasn't retired, and his web site is still up and running, you should check him out. There's lots of good luthiers but Andy seems particularly good value. 

 

https://www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk/custom-bass-guitars.php

 

 

An example of Andy's work. 

[Terry M.]

  On 03/04/2025 at 17:11, tegs07 said:

Sandberg make very nice basses. Compared to my Fender P the Sandberg is nicer in every aspect other than how it sounds!

It’s lighter, better made, better in terms of ergonomics, the finish is better, it’s nicer to play 

… but when I plug the Fender in I just prefer it.

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Do you mean this when the Sandberg was played at home as opposed to out in a live mix? I found them a bit sterile sounding on their own but in a live mix was a different story. 

[police squad]

  On 02/04/2025 at 19:19, Sean said:

 

Spector Euro Series instruments are made in Czech Republic to very high standards. Such high standards, in fact, that Spector describe them as "production versions" of the custom shop basses.

 

US brand, Euro manufacture.

 

There's more than a few members here that will stand by the quality of Euro Spectors.

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Yep. Mine was fabulous in every way

[tegs07]

  On 03/04/2025 at 17:52, Terry M. said:

Do you mean this when the Sandberg was played at home as opposed to out in a live mix? I found them a bit sterile sounding on their own but in a live mix was a different story. 

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I haven’t played live since I was a teenager so yes at home. 

 

[Terry M.]

  On 03/04/2025 at 17:56, tegs07 said:

I haven’t played live since I was a teenager so yes at home. 

 

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Out live in a mix is the real test I think. I once had a ceramic pickup era Stingray 5 that sounded weird (to me) on its own but when I took it out it was like a different machine completely (for the better). The principle can work in reverse also.

[KingPrawn]

  On 02/04/2025 at 19:16, bigthumb said:

Sandberg might be worth looking at. 

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Second, third and fourth this. Incredible build quality and versatility 

[Hellzero]

  On 03/04/2025 at 16:58, SteveXFR said:

 

I have a Mexican p bass. Most of the basses I've owned have been from either the America or Asia. I fancy something different 

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Try this, it's German: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/miller-instruments-headless-bass-fabfive-carbon-5-saiter.60383/

[Hellzero]

And different.

[Hellzero]

Or this, German too and different: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/bogart-sport-iv.60360/

[Hellzero]

Another German brand: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/marleaux-votan-5.60303/

[Hellzero]

And another German bass: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/franzbass-merak-5-pg-black.60201/

[Hellzero]

A quite classic Swiss design: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/blade-levinson-jazz-bass-aktiv-mij-trans-purple.60191/

[Hellzero]

A Knut Reiter bass, handmade in Germany: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/k-bass-jv-4.57513/

[Hellzero]

An Italian Wood & Tronics bass: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/wood-tronics-custom-5-string-bass-mit-neuen-fodera-saiten-33.58451/

[Hellzero]

An amazing Le Fay Herr Schwarz: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/herr-schwarz-5-zu-verkaufen.59759/

[Hellzero]

Handmade in Germany.

[Hellzero]

Like this Torillo: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/torillo-fargo-4-zu-verkaufen-geg-tausch-gegen-marleaux-votan-4-deluxe.59756/

[Terry M.]

  On 03/04/2025 at 20:07, Hellzero said:

An Italian Wood & Tronics bass: https://www.bassic.de/kleinanzeigen/wood-tronics-custom-5-string-bass-mit-neuen-fodera-saiten-33.58451/

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Lovely but I believe the OP is after 4 strings only.