Anyone know any good builders under this spec?

Pi_Husky

Pi_Husky

Apr 18, 2022
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Califorina
#1
Hi all!

So, for the past year or two I’ve been in an extensive search of a maker or brand that fits my needs and also doesn’t break the bank. Im starting to pick up some gigs again and would love an instrument(s) that fits my needs a bit more than what I have been using. I have been playing Sire basses. (M2 & V7). They have been great, don't get me wrong! But There is a lot about them that I have been wanting to change. Wood, profile, electronics, etc. At the time they were the closest thing that I could afford to what I want. Which basically is a custom instrument.

Now sadly a lot of the basses and/or manufacturers that I loved have been discontinued or way out of my price range. I have looked around tons and cant find much for $900-$1700.

The Ibanez BTB series would be absolutely perfect! But the only dealbreaker is that they have discontinued the 4string models. Which is what I mainly play. And I have tried the SR stuff but I just cant stand the super thin, small bodies and necks.

Im looking for something along the lines of this:

- 4 and 5 string options
-Modern, double cut slab body
-Modern C, 24 fret neck,
-Neck thru
-Active EQ, soapbar humbuckers (Ideally Bartolini pups and Aguilar preamp)

And Im flexible with woods but Ideally I would want:

5 piece Wenge/paddok neck
Ebony fretboard
Ash body
Eye poplar top


If anyone has any suggestions please let me know! Would be of huge help!

Thanks!
 
#2
Kiesel/Carvin basses would fit your specs and I believe you could get one for $1,600 - $2000, which is at the very upper limit of your budget.

They're very high quality, semi-custom instruments, but their resale value is very low. If you buy one, you'd better be prepared to keep it forever or you'll end up taking a bath.

On the other hand, if you don't mind buying used, you can get a real bargain.


Kiesel Guitars
 
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#3
Have you looked at Maruszczyk? Their Frog model can get you all the features you want, but all of those features are gonna cost you (especially the neck-thru and 5 piece neck) and put you over your budget. Bartolini pickups aren't offered standard, but they can sometimes do some off-menu options (stock options include Aguilar, Delano, and Nordstrand). Probably looking at $2500+ for everything you mentioned.

Basses | Public Peace Customshop

Their configurator is very fun to play around with.
 
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#5
RickDeckardCain said:
Have you looked at Maruszczyk? Their Frog model can get you all the features you want, but all of those features are gonna cost you (especially the neck-thru and 5 piece neck) and put you over your budget. Bartolini pickups aren't offered standard, but they can sometimes do some off-menu options (stock options include Aguilar, Delano, and Nordstrand). Probably looking at $2500+ for everything you mentioned.

Basses | Public Peace Customshop

Their configurator is very fun to play around with.
Click to expand...
Marusczcyk is actually one of my favorites! I love the frog and Pi Bass models but just too pricey for me right now. I dream of owning one someday!
 
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#6
Killing Floor said:
+1 Kiesel. Made in US and comparatively quick turnaround for about the cost of a MiA stick bass.
And they’ve been in operation since 1946.
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I have looked into the Kiesels, sound like great instruments but the body and neck profiling is a little too ‘Jazz bassy’ for me. Something along the lines of the Maruszczyks is more what Im going for. Angled headstock, 2+2, tuners, etc
 
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#7
Other than the two mentioned above they’re a very few custom builders who can make you a bass for under 2000$. Only the ones who assemble and not build from scratch.

But the specs you mention are pretty standard so there must be a lot of production basses that meet your requirements. What’s so special about your specs that you can’t find in a production bass?

Maybe a second hand cheaper line Warwick or Spector. Something from Yamaha? Another Ibanez?
 
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#9
Pi_Husky said:
Marusczcyk is actually one of my favorites! I love the frog and Pi Bass models but just too pricey for me right now. I dream of owning one someday!
Click to expand...
Save a while longer, and/or pay it off in increments during the construction. If this is really what you want and meets your spec, then getting something else isn't ultimately going to satisfy you. Buy once, cry once.
 
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#10
Pi_Husky said:
Hi all!

So, for the past year or two I’ve been in an extensive search of a maker or brand that fits my needs and also doesn’t break the bank. Im starting to pick up some gigs again and would love an instrument(s) that fits my needs a bit more than what I have been using. I have been playing Sire basses. (M2 & V7). They have been great, don't get me wrong! But There is a lot about them that I have been wanting to change. Wood, profile, electronics, etc. At the time they were the closest thing that I could afford to what I want. Which basically is a custom instrument.

Now sadly a lot of the basses and/or manufacturers that I loved have been discontinued or way out of my price range. I have looked around tons and cant find much for $900-$1700.

The Ibanez BTB series would be absolutely perfect! But the only dealbreaker is that they have discontinued the 4string models. Which is what I mainly play. And I have tried the SR stuff but I just cant stand the super thin, small bodies and necks.

Im looking for something along the lines of this:

- 4 and 5 string options
-Modern, double cut slab body
-Modern C, 24 fret neck,
-Neck thru
-Active EQ, soapbar humbuckers (Ideally Bartolini pups and Aguilar preamp)

And Im flexible with woods but Ideally I would want:

5 piece Wenge/paddok neck
Ebony fretboard
Ash body
Eye poplar top


If anyone has any suggestions please let me know! Would be of huge help!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Maruszczyk for sure!
Checkout the owners club here…
 
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#13
No idea about current availability in the USA, but the Cole Clark LLB might be worth a look. They seem to sell here new for about $2500-$2800AUD, which I think converts to around $1600-$1800. If there's any secondhand it might fall more squarely into your budget.

They tick a bunch of your boxes: 4 string available, 24 frets, neck through, double cut body, Aguilar soapbars and preamp, good neck thickness and profile (I'd call it closer to a D than a C, but I'm no expert), and can be ordered with an Ebony board.

And there's a few misses; contoured body, 3 piece neck and, Ebony board aside, they make them from Australian woods. (There's some beautiful ones made from 'Victorian Mountain Ash', which I understand shares nothing with actual Ash other than the name.)
 
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#14
You’re definitely going to be in the used market with your budget. I don’t see anything production that meets that spec, you’ve pretty accurately described the BTB series or even maybe a Schecter. Both Maruszczyk and Mayones can build to these specs and you might find a used one but will likely be over your budget. You also didn’t mention weight, and most of the basses with that spec (Wenge, etc) are going to be heavier. I had a Mayones Patriot that was close to that spec with a flamed Maple top and it was 10 pounds. My Maruszczyk’s were closer to 8 1/2 and my Warwicks are around 10, but neck through will likely put you over budget, even used.

Not sure if you like the style, but you may want to check out the Spector legend NT 4s as well, pretty reasonable used.
IMG_6815.jpeg IMG_6816.jpeg
 
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#15
jfiver said:
No idea about current availability in the USA, but the Cole Clark LLB might be worth a look. They seem to sell here new for about $2500-$2800AUD, which I think converts to around $1600-$1800. If there's any secondhand it might fall more squarely into your budget.

They tick a bunch of your boxes: 4 string available, 24 frets, neck through, double cut body, Aguilar soapbars and preamp, good neck thickness and profile (I'd call it closer to a D than a C, but I'm no expert), and can be ordered with an Ebony board.

And there's a few misses; contoured body, 3 piece neck and, Ebony board aside, they make them from Australian woods. (There's some beautiful ones made from 'Victorian Mountain Ash', which I understand shares nothing with actual Ash other than the name.)
Click to expand...
Awesome, Ill check them out. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
#16
Barticus said:
You’re definitely going to be in the used market with your budget. I don’t see anything production that meets that spec, you’ve pretty accurately described the BTB series or even maybe a Schecter. Both Maruszczyk and Mayones can build to these specs and you might find a used one but will likely be over your budget. You also didn’t mention weight, and most of the basses with that spec (Wenge, etc) are going to be heavier. I had a Mayones Patriot that was close to that spec with a flamed Maple top and it was 10 pounds. My Maruszczyk’s were closer to 8 1/2 and my Warwicks are around 10, but neck through will likely put you over budget, even used.

Not sure if you like the style, but you may want to check out the Spector legend NT 4s as well, pretty reasonable used.
View attachment 5362025 View attachment 5362026
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Nice bass! Surprisingly, I actually don't mind the weight. If I were to order a custom Maruszczyk I reckon it would be about 11 pounds. Especially for a Pi bass model. But I like a heavy instrument, gives me a sense strength, quality, and all the nuances and sustain that comes with heavier wood.
 
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