bobbass4k Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Looks like I might be coming in to some money soon, and seen as I haven't bought a bass in 5 years I've been considering indulging myself with a lovely high end bass, but as I'm very very picky about my basses (2 pickups, no exposed poles, 24 frets, the list goes on) there's only a select few production ones I've seen I actually like, so I've been thinking about a custom. My question is how much do custom's usually run for? Had a look round the shuker website and there's no pricing information but I love the look of his stuff and I know he's very well regarded round these parts, Ideally I'd be looking to spend £1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greene-Mann Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Some other guys will probably disagree; but if im honest i dont think £1k is going to go far for a custom build...i dont know Shukers prices either, but overwaters are just shy of 2k usually, a Status S-2 is about 1500...If theres custom work for less around im interested aswell. Saying that all 3 companies there i do beleive have 24 frets, dual unexposed pickups as standard on most models. So you may be able to find exactly what you want without fiddling too much with the origional designs, and just leave wood choices as the expensive bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) Thats pretty much what I figured, I only really thougt of a custom because I haven't seen a lot of production models I like, like I said I'm rather picky, ive never really found the exact combination of looks, sound and features I want, and for that kind of money compromise really isn't an option. It's not like I want it carved from the wood of the yggrdasil and the pickups handwound by blind tibetan monks using magnets salvaged from the wreck of the titanic, I just want a specific spec in a specific style, any chance of getting that for a grand? Edited July 7, 2009 by bobbass4k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercullenbassist Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 hey mate, you might want to spend more then a 1000 but then agian, i only looked at it once and the bodys were $4200 alown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Just a tip check with alan at acg! My bass just over a grand and thats with a couple of extras! Thats for a 4stringer tho. You may be surprised, i was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidmpires Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 There's loads of basses with no exposed poles, 24 frets etc... for around that kind of money. What do you mean by being picky? You don't like green? You don't like alder? Needs to have an ebony fretboard? You want an audere preamp? That's being picky. Of the top of my head. I can list a couple brands that do stuff on your price range Spector Warwick Yamaha Ibanez There's loads more but this is just a start. Let us know what specs do you want and what kind of sound are you looking for and that may be easier. When going custom you will soon realise that the price adds up very quickly and for that kind of money you are probably better off going for a production run. Is used out of the question? David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='bobbass4k' post='534365' date='Jul 7 2009, 03:59 AM']Thats pretty much what I figured, I only really thougt of a custom because I haven't seen a lot of production models I like, like I said I'm rather picky, ive never really found the exact combination of looks, sound and features I want, and for that kind of money compromise really isn't an option. It's not like I want it carved from the wood of the yggrdasil and the pickups handwound by blind tibetan monks using magnets salvaged from the wreck of the titanic, I just want a specific spec in a specific style, any chance of getting that for a grand?[/quote] It really depends what that spec and style is exactly! But it's unlikely for a grand, a grand isn't much for a custom bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 There's a price list on the Overwater website entry level perception bolt on starts at £1395 inc VAT Unless they put it up in the last month... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) [quote name='bobbass4k' post='534359' date='Jul 7 2009, 01:47 AM']I'm very very picky about my basses (2 pickups, no exposed poles, 24 frets, the list goes on.[/quote] No exposed poles! I thought I was the only one who can't stand the things For your budget, I'd suggest ACG as well. In addition to the bespoke stuff, Alan's also building another range of basses but with limited options. Have a look at [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk"]www.acguitars.co.uk[/url] where you'll find all the info. Edited July 7, 2009 by 7string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 Oh well, I spose I can still get a really nice stock bass, I figured a grand probably wouldn't cover it, so I spose my question becomes what's available at that price point nowadays? second hand isn't a probelm, to be honest I'd prefer it as I could get far more mileage out my expenditure. Specs wise, here's the full OCD list (just remember, someone asked for this): Hardware: 4 string 34" scale Active with a good preamp (not sure what's available) and active/passive switch 2 Pickups, preferably humbuckers (not sure if they exist withoutu exposed poles though) single coils are fine too, a decent distance apart, the bridge pickup can't be too close to the bridge. That's one of my biggest beefs with my spector. Absolutely no exposed poles. I think they're the single ugliest thing on the planet and completely ruin many a great bass. May seem a tad OTT, It's purely an aesthetic thing, but I just hate them. Preferably a thru-neck but I'm not married to it, a deep scooped heel is important though, I play a lot of high register stuff and need unbridled access to the whole board Ebony fretboard 24 Frets, another non-negotiable point, otherwise I'd have given in and got a fender already Fret markers, but not too fussed Brass nut A bridge whose intonation can be adjusted while playing. Not sure if it means a loss in quality, but that's another pet hate of my spector, I need the intonation to be perfect all the time, and it's impossible to adjust on my spector's bridge let alone while playing Nice simple, small, closed tuners, I hate the ornamental fireplaces that stick out of the top of fenders Looks: Body shape wise, warwicks are probably my favourite, the horns shouldn't protude too far, and the maximum protusion of the curves should be very near the bridge end, and it should be quite curvy (if that makes sense) Neck wise, i like wide but shallow No black, white, green, yellow, purple, gold, silver......I'll save some time and say blue, red or orange, or natural wood (as long as it's dark) are the only finishes I'd go for, prbably prefer natural wood Pickguards aren't out of the question, but only black Sound: Sound's a difficult one, all I can say is I don't like the sound of warwicks (as all my other requirements are met by a warwick you might hav realised) It needs to be versatile though, most of my sounds come from my pedals but a lot of s them are very transparent so the tone stll shines through. To be honest I've never heard a bass that can do all the tone I want, I want the spector growl, the j bass twang and the p bass boom, I know something will probably have to give somewhere Wow that's a lot of fussiness, any help would be appreciated, what's out there that fits that very specific bill for a grand (or possibly a little more)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 The exposed polepiece issue should be easy to circumvent. MEC, Bartolini and EMG (to name but three) all do [i]most[/i] pick-up styles without exposed poles J, JJ/TJ, P, MM, Soapbars etc. SD do soapbars without polepieces, too! This opens another avenue; Purchase a bass whose design you like and which meets your other criteria, then swap the pick-ups out. For example, Imagine a Bongo H/S 4 with pole-less barts! Mmm. Tasty. A nice, smooth, uninterupted look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='bobbass4k' post='534501' date='Jul 7 2009, 11:01 AM']A bridge whose intonation can be adjusted while playing.[/quote] I don't know if it's just me, but, what? Play with one hand, and screwdriver in the other or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 (edited) [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='534521' date='Jul 7 2009, 11:14 AM']I don't know if it's just me, but, what? Play with one hand, and screwdriver in the other or something?[/quote] Probably should have been clearer on that, yea, on my fretless the saddles are on screws, same on my guitar so you can hit a 12'th fret note then adjust it with the screwdriver till the tuner says it odesnt suck anymore On my spector, the saddles are just free blocks, kept in place by their neighbours, so I have to chekc what the intonation is, completely slacken the string, then move the saddle (which isn't easy, usually involves pliers) at a guess, then retune, and check the intonation again, lather rinse repeat Edited July 7, 2009 by bobbass4k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='534520' date='Jul 7 2009, 11:13 AM']The exposed polepiece issue should be easy to circumvent. MEC, Bartolini and EMG (to name but three) all do [i]most[/i] pick-up styles without exposed poles J, JJ/TJ, P, MM, Soapbars etc. SD do soapbars without polepieces, too! This opens another avenue; Purchase a bass whose design you like and which meets your other criteria, then swap the pick-ups out. For example, Imagine a Bongo H/S 4 with pole-less barts! Mmm. Tasty. A nice, smooth, uninterupted look.[/quote] I have actually looked into this before, I was gonna get some quarter pounders for my fretless, but I couldn't find them anywhere poleless, same with some other pups I looked at, could just have been looking in the wrong place, any specific UK sellers you know that have a good range of poleless pickups? I syill need some for my fretless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Keep an eye out for a used Shuker on here I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Read your post above and I'll try again! Second-hand Warwick Corvette $$. Has: Curvy Body 24 Frets Regular tuners There IS a through-neck, but for £1K, you're going to be VERY lucky to score one of those... It has a passive mode (pull up the Volume knob) It has Series/ Parallel/ Single coil switching for each Humbucker The other requirements can be addressed by Swapping the Just a Nut for the brass version (can't remember if it's a II or not!) Get a luthier to put an Ebony 'board on it Get it grain filled/ primed/ sprayed to a colour of your choice Change the pick-ups. Change the EQ if necessary. Only issues this doesn't solve? Neck profile may be too "round" for you. You might be able to get it reshaped, though. I don't understand the intonation issue. Once set correctly, the intonation should simply be "right" irrespective of the pitch to which the string is tuned... Can this be done for £1k? Probably. £500 for a good $$ £150 (?) for an Ebony board £100 for a spray job if you strip the bass of hardware yourself (and reassemble it) £150 for pick-ups The nuts can be had relatively cheaply, and may well be a DIY job, as they're adjustable.. That's about £900... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='bobbass4k' post='534528' date='Jul 7 2009, 11:25 AM']I have actually looked into this before, I was gonna get some quarter pounders for my fretless, but I couldn't find them anywhere poleless, same with some other pups I looked at, could just have been looking in the wrong place, any specific UK sellers you know that have a good range of poleless pickups? I syill need some for my fretless[/quote] Had a quick whizz around the 'net, and found this.... [url="http://www.theguitarsherpa.com/categories/uk-effect-and-pickup-dealers.html"]http://www.theguitarsherpa.com/categories/...up-dealers.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 Maybe keep an eye out for a second hand custom job? <<<< This one cost me around £750 (new price now is about £1800) I'm letting it go though to get another Warwick, would fit your requirements apart from the pups! It has 25 frets too....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1967 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='534530' date='Jul 7 2009, 11:27 AM']Keep an eye out for a used Shuker on here I would say.[/quote] +1. A grand won't get you a new Bass from Jon (I've just ordered a fairly simple design for quite a lot more) but it'd probably get you a lovely 'pre-loved' one from what I've seen here. Jon's always happy to do setups and tweaks, PUP swapouts etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 A grand will definately buy you a heckuva bass. Just scan eBay and Gumtree and something will turn up. One lucky sod got a 6 string Sei for £750 !! My James Tyler bass (which is as rare as a set of gnashers on the proverbial domestic fowl) cost me a little over that. Take your time and there's no harm calling luthiers or specialist bass shops and getting idea of cost and stock. They'll also be able to give their opinions on what would suit your style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker83 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) It also might be worth looking into luthiers outside the UK. I'm getting a bass built,which is more or less a replica of a Fodera Imperial Elite 6 string, by a Finnish luthier (ok , yes i live in Finland), but the price is much cheaper than a Fodera, all in it's costing me around 1500€ , which is a great price. The guy is a great luthier too. There's a whole bunch of luthiers in Europe, who i'm sure would be willing to come close to meeting your requirements. Remember we're in a recession...work is slow these days in some parts Edited July 8, 2009 by Skywalker83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey R Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='Skywalker83' post='535796' date='Jul 8 2009, 04:13 PM']e bunch of luthiers in Europe, who i'm sure would be willing to come close to meeting your requirements. Remember we're in a recession...work is slow these days in some parts [/quote] The pound is a bit weak against the Euro at the moment tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobodysprefect Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 [quote name='Skywalker83' post='535796' date='Jul 8 2009, 06:13 PM']It also might be worth looking into luthiers outside the UK. I'm getting a bass built,which is more or less a replica of a Fodera Imperial Elite 6 string, by a Finnish luthier (ok , yes i live in Finland), but the price is much cheaper than a Fodera, all in it's costing me around 1500€ , which is a great price. The guy is a great luthier too. There's a whole bunch of luthiers in Europe, who i'm sure would be willing to come close to meeting your requirements. Remember we're in a recession...work is slow these days in some parts [/quote] Who would this be? I'm not sure I'd expect Fodera tone, because not all Finnish builders will have the highest quality woods available to them, which is a factor of some importance. The workmanship will not doubt be good. Will you get the Pope pre-amp for your bass? There is at least one luthier here in Turku who has a great reputation but who sure as f*** didn't give me my money's worth.* But I was young and gullible. Don't get a 'Musitec' by T.K. if you can avoid it! *the dude tried to persuade me into allowing him to use the neck he'd built and sanded through the wood to the graphite stiffening bars and lacquered over on the five-string, and placed the bridge of the 4-string so far back so that it couldn't be intonated properly. And his schedules never, not once, held. He'd be 4 weeks to 8 weeks late, a fortnight if the work was replacing one machine head. Had another luthier fix the 4-string, but I'm not taking my business to dude #1 any time soon. Guy #2 does small work while you wait and he is crazy good. Not cheap though! But Sale Custom Guitars is the place to go. How unfortunate that the name doesn't inspire associations of excellence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 This is a steal, half the price of new [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=54905"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=54905[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker83 Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 [quote]Who would this be? I'm not sure I'd expect Fodera tone, because not all Finnish builders will have the highest quality woods available to them, which is a factor of some importance. The workmanship will not doubt be good. Will you get the Pope pre-amp for your bass? There is at least one luthier here in Turku who has a great reputation but who sure as f*** didn't give me my money's worth.* But I was young and gullible. Don't get a 'Musitec' by T.K. if you can avoid it![/quote] The name of the luthier is Marko Ursin, he's not a full time luthier,it's more a hobby for him. But i've seen and heard two Fodera(ish) copies he's made and they look and sound very good. Unfortunatley i wont be betting the Pope preamp, due to the fact that they cost so much.(one came up on Talk Bass which i would have snapped up had i not already ordered the Aguilar) My bass is more Fodera by looks than sound, i've gone for a more MTD sounding bass, just because i like Bartolini pickups and Auguilar pre amps. here is the spec for my bass: [b]Design:[/b] 6 string ,Single Cut (Fodera Imperial Elite Shape) Thru Neck [b]Scale:[/b] 33 inch [b]String Spacing:[/b] 18 mm [b]Frets:[/b] 24 [b]Woods:[/b] Body – Figured Walnut top (bookmatched) with Alder body Neck – Wenge neck with Figured Walnut headstock veneer Fingerboard – Birdseye Maple with custom dot markers (black with brass rings) Initials Inlay on fret 12 Finish – Matt laquer [b]Hardware:[/b] Bridge – Schaller 2000 (black/gold) Tuners - Gotoh (Black and Gold)) Nut - Brass Nut Stap Locks – Dunlop flush mount strap locks Strings – Warwick Black Label M Gauge (0.25-0.135) [b]Electronics:[/b] Pickups – Bartolini G6 soapbars Preamp - Aguilar OBP-3 (18v, 2 x Batteries) (Stacked Bass & Treble, Mid, Mid Select Switch, Blend, Vol) [b] Other Design Aspects[/b] Wide pick-up spacing with curved top Wenge ramp Walnut truss rod cover (on body, like an MTD bass) Wooden electronics cavity covers (Alder and Wenge) Tuners angled like Warwick tuners Jack socket front mounted (like a Fodera) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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