Making a custom bass guitar. Suggestions on parts

[Ethan Block]

I am making a custom bass guitar. It will be a fretless 5 string solid body. I need some advise on parts, style, and direction.

I was thinking of having two MM style magnetic pickups and a piezo bridge.
Any suggestions for the pickup make/model, bridge make/model?
Any suggestion for the tuning machines?
Any suggestion on pre-amps make/model/whether I should even have one?
Any other advice?

 

[erigod23]

Try the Luthier's Forum.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I always thought when someone wants a "custom" instrument it's because they know exactly what they want, and usually can't find it in an off the rack instrument. Going "custom", then asking everyone else for suggestions for components seems to defeat the purpose.

 

[TuneSalad666]

I always thought when someone wants a "custom" instrument it's because they know exactly what they want, and usually can't find it in an off the rack instrument. Going "custom", then asking everyone else for suggestions for components seems to defeat the purpose.

Well, while you certainly got a valid point, but in this case it does actually seem like OP does have a pretty clear idea of what he wants, he is just asking for advise for which brands/models might get him there really.

Also even if you don't have all details clearly planed out a custom instrument can still make sense in case for example that what you want is a bass with a specific unusual scale length or an uncommon pickup configuration that you can't seem to find elsewhere.

 

[gln1955]

Well, while you certainly got a valid point, it is kind of uncalled for in this case as it does actually seem like OP do have a pretty clear idea of what he wants, he is just asking for advise for which brands/models might get him there really.

Also even if you don't have all details clearly planed out a custom instrument can still make sense in case for example that what you want is a bass with a specific unusual scale length or an uncommon pickup configuration that you can't seem to find elsewhere.

If he's asking whether it should be active or not, then he dosen't have a good idea of where he's going with this.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I always thought when someone wants a "custom" instrument it's because they know exactly what they want, and usually can't find it in an off the rack instrument. Going "custom", then asking everyone else for suggestions for components seems to defeat the purpose.

Without knowing details on what you are looking for (what you don't like about a stock MM pup, WHY you want a piezo pup, etc.), we can't give an informed opinion.

 

[erigod23]

Can you guys just stop now?

 

[Ethan Block]

Without knowing details on what you are looking for (what you don't like about a stock MM pup, WHY you want a piezo pup, etc.), we can't give an informed opinion.

Some clarification. I am making a custom bass for multiple reasons.

• One is for the experience. I want to learn and enjoy, but I also want an instrument I am happy with at the end of the day.
• Second is for versatility. I play music varying from Jazz to Metal and want one bass to rule them all. This is why I want both piezo and magnetic. (And yes, I play metal on a fretless, its awesome)
• Third is availability. The musicman stingray 5 has a fretless that is almost everything I asked for. It is also a custom order and $2,000.
• Fourth is cool-factor. I want an instrument that cannot be bought, cannot be picked up off the shelf.

For you naysayers, I have other ideas for what I want that I didn't share. I know I want at least 2 octave fingerboard made from ebony.

My budget for parts is $1,000. If I am asking for opinions it is either because I have an idea and want independent validation, or I am on the fence about something. I do not think that is insincere or unreasonable.

 

[somebrains]

If it's your first fretless, 5str, etc build then don't get too attached benchracing your parts.
Best thing is when you dry fit everything together and play it before you rout control cavity and pickups and it kinda tells you what it wants to be.

Worst thing is working in a store and just knowing the shoebox full of some dude's gf's dance tips aren't ever going to amount to anything better than a MIM Fender.

 

[WardEarth]

I got a set of black paddle style tuners off ebay for $25 shipped, and they're working excellent. May be able to get you the seller if you're interested.
I have an audere preamp on one of my basses and like it.
But I like my straight wired knobless P-bass better. And I think when I build a multi-pickup bass I'll probably go passive as well. maybe just volume/tone for each pickup. not sure.

Also I just bought a cnc router if you want a little decal or something carved. I'd just hook you up if you covered all the shipping.

 

[JRA]

Can you guys just stop now?

 

[jackn1202]

I am making a custom bass guitar. It will be a fretless 5 string solid body. I need some advise on parts, style, and direction.

I was thinking of having two MM style magnetic pickups and a piezo bridge.
Any suggestions for the pickup make/model, bridge make/model?
Any suggestion for the tuning machines?
Any suggestion on pre-amps make/model/whether I should even have one?
Any other advice?

I'm putting an All Parts string-through bridge on my fretless build. It seems pretty solid so far.

Pickups and preamp, I've seen Artec stuff and am looking into it for myself. They have preamps, pickups, and all sorts of electrical... tronics for not a whole lot of dollars. Might be good to look into for inexpensive stuff if you're not exactly sure what you want. You can put a few different styles on a list, get one, and if you like it you either keep it or sell it off and upgrade. If you don't like it, you sell it and get the next one, and you haven't wasted a ton of money. I know they have Music Man style pickups, and probably have a few different piezo style pickups too.

I'd love to see a fretless Gibson Ripper style bass, if you're not sure what body style to use. It would allow room for all those pickups, and you don't see them so often anymore unfortunately. It'd certainly stand out, too.

 

[2tonic]

Can't go wrong with Hipshot hardware.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Are you dead set on two pickups? I have a bunch of basses with buckers in them. I was really gravitating towards dual humbuckers for a while, but am now finding that running dual pickups seems to cancel out more frequencies than they add. My EBMM 4HH doesn't sound half as good with both buckers on than it does with just the single "sweet spot" pickup selected. I paid more for that pickup that I never use... I also have an Ibanez SRX400 with a single sweet spot bucker and an Audere 4 band that, to me, is the absolute holy grail in bass tone - so even and responsive throughout the frequency spectrum that it often sounds "fake", like a midi synth (strung with DR Sunbeams).

That 4 band Audere Pro Z preamp is really great. I've got a lot of active basses with different preamps in them, but that Audere is the only one that I've used in more than one of them. The high-mid freq is really nice to boost a little bit to cut through a mix. That high-mid is also nice to boost going into a drive pedal.

Back to pickups: if I were picking pickups I would either go active OR humbucker, but not active humbucker. Humbuckers are nice because they are dead quiet, but their large size "sees" more of the string, which makes them a little less focused sounding than their smaller single coil counterparts. Having active singles is nice cuz they are dead quiet as well, and also more defined and focused. You can also achieve this with split singles. As for brand, aftermarket pickups are all petty great these days, so take your pick. EMG and Duncan both make nice actives. For passive buckers, Delano is top notch. Also Nordstrand, Aguilar, DiMarzio, etc etc.

Tuning machines... I'm sure I'll get people that disagree with me, but even my cheap basses stay in tune. Bass guitars are way more stable than guitars as far as tuning, so I'd say try and save some money on tuners.

As far as a piezo bridge, this is where I've gotta tap out. I've never had one. Maybe one day...

 

[Fender_Bender]

Are you dead set on two pickups? I have a bunch of basses with buckers in them. I was really gravitating towards dual humbuckers for a while, but am now finding that running dual pickups seems to cancel out more frequencies than they add. My EBMM 4HH doesn't sound half as good with both buckers on than it does with just the single "sweet spot" pickup selected. I paid more for that pickup that I never use... I also have an Ibanez SRX400 with a single sweet spot bucker and an Audere 4 band that, to me, is the absolute holy grail in bass tone - so even and responsive throughout the frequency spectrum that it often sounds "fake", like a midi synth (strung with DR Sunbeams).

That 4 band Audere Pro Z preamp is really great. I've got a lot of active basses with different preamps in them, but that Audere is the only one that I've used in more than one of them. The high-mid freq is really nice to boost a little bit to cut through a mix. That high-mid is also nice to boost going into a drive pedal.

Back to pickups: if I were picking pickups I would either go active OR humbucker, but not active humbucker. Humbuckers are nice because they are dead quiet, but their large size "sees" more of the string, which makes them a little less focused sounding than their smaller single coil counterparts. Having active singles is nice cuz they are dead quiet as well, and also more defined and focused. You can also achieve this with split singles. As for brand, aftermarket pickups are all petty great these days, so take your pick. EMG and Duncan both make nice actives. For passive buckers, Delano is top notch. Also Nordstrand, Aguilar, DiMarzio, etc etc.

Tuning machines... I'm sure I'll get people that disagree with me, but even my cheap basses stay in tune. Bass guitars are way more stable than guitars as far as tuning, so I'd say try and save some money on tuners.

As far as a piezo bridge, this is where I've gotta tap out. I've never had one. Maybe one day...

Yep, I’d go with one high quality pickup rather than 2 budget pickups even just taking his budget into consideration.

 

[MobileHolmes]

I think it really depends on what you are going for sound wise and what your budget is. I really like the audere preamp, and they sell them prewired at a pretty reasonable price, which saves a ton of hassle

 

[somebrains]

Selecting old dark barts, new bright barts, EMGs of specific type, and various boutique pickups is going to be a problem with a fretless.

Some necks are zingy, some have a really growly bottom you have to tame, some have this weird just mid forward wonk thing.

It unbalances whatever you are trying to do with your electronics.

There's a reason why a lot of fretless guys like Zon or Modulus bc you get a more consistent fretless, which you may end up hating the sound of the neck bc composite necks don't vary as much as a grab bag of 12 Maple/ebony fretless Warmoth necks.

Sometimes it's just easier to go with faithful a Fender clone build, then adjust pickups and preamp with whatever you have once you are screwed together, soldered, and strung up.

 

[yodedude2]

Can't go wrong with Hipshot hardware.

whenever anyone asks about hardware, i let them know how much i like hipshot products and service.

 

[two fingers]

I am making a custom bass guitar. It will be a fretless 5 string solid body. I need some advise on parts, style, and direction.

I was thinking of having two MM style magnetic pickups and a piezo bridge.
Any suggestions for the pickup make/model, bridge make/model?
Any suggestion for the tuning machines?
Any suggestion on pre-amps make/model/whether I should even have one?
Any other advice?

Sounds like a fun project. I did a parts P bass a year ago or so amd had a blast! And I also wound up with a great instrument.

So what kind of "vibe" are you going for with this bass?

What kinds if stuff do you play?

What kinds of tones do you want available to you?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Some clarification. I am making a custom bass for multiple reasons.

• One is for the experience. I want to learn and enjoy, but I also want an instrument I am happy with at the end of the day.
• Second is for versatility. I play music varying from Jazz to Metal and want one bass to rule them all. This is why I want both piezo and magnetic. (And yes, I play metal on a fretless, its awesome)
• Third is availability. The musicman stingray 5 has a fretless that is almost everything I asked for. It is also a custom order and $2,000.
• Fourth is cool-factor. I want an instrument that cannot be bought, cannot be picked up off the shelf.

For you naysayers, I have other ideas for what I want that I didn't share. I know I want at least 2 octave fingerboard made from ebony.

My budget for parts is $1,000. If I am asking for opinions it is either because I have an idea and want independent validation, or I am on the fence about something. I do not think that is insincere or unreasonable.

The best option, in my opinion, would be to increase your budget slightly and find a used Stingray 5. I don't think you will be able to build a parts bass with your budget that competes with EBMM quality unless you already know how to do the luthier work required to finish the bass.