custom bass suggestions?

[martymoroney3]

for the past 6 months or so ive been looking into getting a custom bass made.  I have a $2000 max budget.  I really like what i see from dave pushic.  anyone have any other reasonable custom makers they could recommend?....a lot of these companies call themselves "custom", but im sure they are just warmoth parts and a lot wont do a 6 string......id really love a 6 that looks like a fender jazz.....like the steve bailey looking bass.

[Redbutton]

I'd say for that budget, you can get a lot of bass for the buck with Carvin.
Not sure who else would do a totally custom instrument for 2K.

<==============================================================>
** Dave at MySpace ** Dave at Facebook **

** WT1205 ** WT400  ** MesaBoogie Powerhouse 610 ** Hartke 4.5XL**
<===============================================================>

[martymoroney3]

ive explored the carvin option....havent totally impressed me though...i played one years back and wasnt impressed by it.....but that was 5 years ago, things may have changed for me

[Redbutton]

I had a custom 5-string from them back in '04, which was a really great value for the price.
The only thing that didn't impress me were the electronics.
But the waiting time was very reasonable and the price was pretty amazing.

Who else are you considering?

<==============================================================>
** Dave at MySpace ** Dave at Facebook **

** WT1205 ** WT400  ** MesaBoogie Powerhouse 610 ** Hartke 4.5XL**
<===============================================================>

[Tim Bishop]

For $2k, it will be tough locating a true quality "Custom" bass. For a true quality "Custom" bass, like you are wanting dollar-wise, you'd be looking somewhere closer to $4k and up.  

I'm not suggesting you won't find what you are seeking within your budget, but what is considered a "quality custom" instrument to some doesn't make the cut with others.  Who knows, maybe you will come across something on the used market.  

At $2k, not sure how many of these do 6's, but check out Lakland Skylines, Ibanez, Yamaha, Washburn, Dean, among a myriad of others.  I would suggest you sit down with whatever you decide to go with, play it and make sure you are getting the $2k instrument you'll be happy with.

Good luck!

[coop]

You might try Warwick, but they don't have any Fender knock-offs.  For under 2k, you'd probably be looking at a Corvette, but it would be a good quality instrument with some great options.  My custom Thumb was well over 2k but it's an awesome bass.

Coop

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench.  A long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
- Hunter S. Thompson

WT400/WT550/212XLT/2x112xlt/210XLT
'07 custom Warwick Thumb fretless, '99 KYDD Carry-on 4 EUB, '76 MusicMan StingRay

[Sonic-umph]

+1 Carvin gives you outragious wood and feel.. $1500  and a few 100 for top pickups and possibly a top notch fret job and you got a bass thats is almost as good as a MTD, an Alembic or Fodera.  2000 or 8000

Warmoth is great..I just got done building one...a bit on the expensive side with tons of options and you must think and state everything out...dont think the will catch a fitment mstake, if you dont tell them they will F it up. Tell them the density of wood you want too .

Also dont forget the third option...Ken smith design basses are nice Fender style basses and they offer a 6 string...you would save a grand right there.

[tfcreative]

I don't know his current pricing, but you might want to check out Wilser Ramirez:

http://ramirezbass.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

[JBassJohn]

Valenti? I think Vinny D has a couple.

WT550 with NSP410, NA320 with D112XLT,
MIJ Squier Jazz, Aerodyne Pbass

[Tim Bishop]

Here's the link for KSD (Ken Smith Design) basses.  They do make a 6 in a Jazz Bass style body.

http://www.ksdbasses.com/

NOTE:

As of around October of 2010, a company named D'Andrea has taken over the KSD line from former dealer, Broklyn Gear.  The following will explain further (from Ken Smith):

"Do not confuse KSD with Ken Smith Basses.  KSD means Ken Smith Design. Ken Smith is not making any of these or assigning anything, period. The former Brooklyn Gear came up with the idea about 6 years ago and contacted Ken for design help (hence the name 'KSD'). Sleek Elite who also happens to be the Ken Smith distributor for Japan and all of Asia wanted to make a higher end KSD model and with Ken's input and some supplies from Ken's shop here in the USA. They have 'rented' as well the name 'KSD'. So, anything out there KSD is someone else hiring Ken for a fee for design and name use.

D'Andrea made an agreement with Brooklyn Gear to take over the product that THEY (BG) were selling for the last 5 years. In the first 3-4 years the product was made in Korea. In the last year or so they have been coming from a shop in China which from what Ken has seen to date is doing a better job overall. Ken had nothing to do with assigning of anything to anyone. It's not his product and never was."

I personally have not played any of the KSD line of basses, however, for the dollars, I would suspect a very nice bass for your budget.  Might be worth exploring.

Here's one of the KSD dealers that may be close enough for you to make a road trip. They also show a KSD Burner 6-String (check it out here-looks nice):

http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter.com/BassMultiString.html


Here's another link. This distributor shows a Jazz Style KSD 6:

http://www.adirondackguitar.com

http://www.adirondackguitar.com/electricbass/ksd/70_6string.htm

[Bass Mayhem]

Check this one out:
http://mpguitars.com/Site/Basses.html
I got one myself, a very good bass, light as a feather, perfectly balanced, top notch parts and electronics etc...


This is my MPG Level6 at Audio Dog's HQ, testing some preamps before a show. www.audiodog.se Also my super light rack with my S-Max 12.0 and my FMR Audio PBC-6A "baby distressor" compressor (the ugly yellow one)and the turbo charger Avalon U5 on top. I use this setup with one, two or four D112XLT's...

Anyway, a really good bass, not just a bang for the buck, but a working man's tool of trade...

Roger - the Bass Mayhem



MPG, NS, Fender and Warwick basses, Eden WT-1205, D410XST, Genz Benz ShuttleMax 12.0, 4 x D112XLT, Markbass Mini CMD 121P, Avalon Design U5, Boss effects and Vovox cables

[martymoroney3]

thanks for all the info guys, i really appreciate it.  i know the 2k range is not much.....but there are some out there.  roger , i will check out the mpg.  tim, believe it or not, i was planning on getting a KSD regardless as a strong backup

[firebass]

http://www.pratbasses.com/  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QiAOhPxtBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Hu7hxk4vk
http://www.notreble.com/buzz/tag/prat-basses/

talk to Oscar Prat, he will make what ever you like, very reasonable

[carvinbassplyr]

Not sure on their price range but Pavel makes some AMAZING looking/feeling/sounding basses...could check them out. Otherwise I'll agree with the Carvin suggestion. I personally own one that has a Bartolini HR5.4 preamp upgrade and Bartolini pickups. Even after the price of upgrades, you've got a whole lot of bass for alot less then a full on boutique bass!

The Boy
http://www.myspace.com/carvinbassplyr
SWR SM-900, 2 GIII 4x10's(
Carvin LB75: custom Bartolini 18V preamp and pickup upgrade.
Tobias Classic V
Yamaha BB5 fretless: custom Seymour Duncan fretless circut preamp
Original Leo Fender StingRay MusicMan

[bostonrecording]

For that price check out www.certainbass.com.  Custom Fender style basses and it seems like you get a lot for your money.