LukeFRC Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 depends entirely what you want doesn't it? There are some makers designs I just don't like (even if the makers are on here and great people who I would love to buy a bass from) or others who I love their work but have different ideas on the aesthetics than them (I'm an artist/designer) or some which will do a certain sound and not another.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelf Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks for the kind words. It is not me who is ill but I need to see how the current situation pans out before committing to further order both for my sake and the customer. I hope to have a better idea of when new orders will be on the cards again by the end of July. However as stated on the website I am more than happy to talk about new builds and put together quotes. Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd played a few Sei basses (6 I think, all second hand) and a few Shukers when I was looking at a custom build and went with Shuker. Of the Seis I'd played there was only 1 I would have considered spending the second hand price for, let alone the new price and 12 month+ wait. Jon may be harder to deal with than Martin in some folks eyes (thinking of the optimistic build time quotes specifically), and there's no doubt that Martin produces some beautiful basses, they just didn't speak to me the same way. Top bloke Martin though, and I REALLY wanted to like his stuff (the flamboyant especially was my porn bass of choice as a younger lad). Having said all that I'd be tempted by an ACG nowadays. Alan makes some very nice looking basses (although I've yet to lay hands on one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sk8 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Iceni Zoot bass guitars - Mike Walsh could be another option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 It depends what you want... both are awesome build quality but a standard ACG will sound rather different to a Shuker. It also depends on build times and prices. I daresay Alan will almost certainly win on comms though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 [quote name='skelf' timestamp='1339537501' post='1690333'] Thanks for the kind words. It is not me who is ill but I need to see how the current situation pans out before committing to further order both for my sake and the customer. I hope to have a better idea of when new orders will be on the cards again by the end of July. However as stated on the website I am more than happy to talk about new builds and put together quotes. Alan. [/quote] Alan, Hope all gets sorted very soon for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelf Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks very much,appreciated. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulflan0151 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 May aswell throw my name in the hat! Check out my build thread on here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160998-13-guitar-co-basses-for-sale-and-build-diary/page__pid__1668448__st__100#entry1668448"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160998-13-guitar-co-basses-for-sale-and-build-diary/page__pid__1668448__st__100#entry1668448[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 [quote name='eude' timestamp='1339515888' post='1689680'] ACG all the way mate, go with your gut! I've got 2 ACGs (so far) and they are the best basses I've ever owned, amoung the finest I've ever played in every respect and represent amazing value for money. I've had a few custom basses built now and ACG win hands down for all your key things listed above, and one thing they do better than anyone else by far is communication, knowing that your phone call, text or email will actually be read and that you will get a reply within a reasonable time frame if not immediately is key when you're spending "custom bass amounts of money", you'll know what's going on all along the way and get pics proving that something's actually happening I've said this many times now, I seriously can't imagine owning a bass from another builder now. If you've got any questions feel free to shoot me a PM, and if you're ever in the London area, you're welcome to come try mine out. Order with confidence Eude [/quote] +1 to all of that. I'm a very average player, very fortunate to be able to afford a custom build after saving up etc for a couple of years so the working relationship thing was very important to me. I went up to Moffat where after I'd sampled a number of his basses Alan spent a good deal of time with me providing his expert guidance on wood choices, EQ etc. Plenty of e-mails on progress and e-mails answered right away. Very happy camper here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I'm a Sei guy (currently own 2, and have previously owned 2 others) and I love Martin's work and attention to detail. My singlecut 5-string has been my go-to bass for the past 9 years and hasn't missed a beat. It's actually got better with age too - the neck has settled, and the tone has, if anything, become growlier. Love it. I've also got to give mad props to Alan at ACG, Paul at Wal and Bernie at GB - they all make astonishingly good instruments and you won't go too far wrong with any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 [quote name='Russ' timestamp='1339696587' post='1692969'] I've also got to give mad props to Alan at ACG, Paul at Wal and Bernie at GB - they all make astonishingly good instruments and you won't go too far wrong with any of them. [/quote] I'm a GB guy... I love the playability and electronics in them. To add though, as said, Sei, ACG, Wal... all great builders. You just need to find what suits you and what your budget is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Andy, just to add to the discussion, you're in Sheffield? You're practically in throwing distance of Shuker. Not that you should base your decision solely on that, but it may help! I think generally everyone will have their personal preference and for me, other luthiers may or may not have put me off a custom with them in the past for one reason or another . I'm delighted with my basses and would recommend them way over and above basses twice the price, that are mere pretenders to the throne. ;0) ;0) Anyway, I hope you get a chance to play as many basses by different luthiers as possible as well as going to see the companies in person to meet and discuss your dream bass. Most luthiers should be able to show you examples of their work and give you an opportunity to test some. If i were nearer, i'd be happy to let you take a look at my customs. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1339705252' post='1693186'] Andy, just to add to the discussion, you're in Sheffield? You're practically in throwing distance of Shuker. Not that you should base your decision solely on that, but it may help! I think generally everyone will have their personal preference and for me, other luthiers may or may not have put me off a custom with them in the past for one reason or another . I'm delighted with my basses and would recommend them way over and above basses twice the price, that are mere pretenders to the throne. ;0) ;0) Anyway, I hope you get a chance to play as many basses by different luthiers as possible as well as going to see the companies in person to meet and discuss your dream bass. Most luthiers should be able to show you examples of their work and give you an opportunity to test some. If i were nearer, i'd be happy to let you take a look at my customs. Good luck! [/quote] Thanks matey, I know I'm really near John, his body shapes don't quite tickle me the way ACG do, doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer them to play over an ACG as have never met either! He's even a friend of a friend so I really should pop over for a chat! I reckon your basses would scare me as I can't get on with more than 5 strings (neck too wide or strings too close together!), I would be interested in trying any through neck Shuker 5's that are local? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Of course, as with any Luthier, you don't *have* to have their body shapes no more than having to have a Jazz body for example. You could have Jon make you a flying V if that floated your boat ;0) He he! They look scary, but I spent a lot of time with Jon getting them as easy to play as possible. Scale length/ Neck carve / Fret size and profile etc etc etc. Those who have played 'em (at 'bass bash' get togethers) are usually happy to find nothing mystical about the extra strings at all. No different from sitting at a grand piano! All the same notes, just more of them he he! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Having met an ACG in the flesh and really liking the filter preamp concept along with the craftsmanship and feel of the thing I'm going to set off into further exploring an ACG Recurve 5 [i]and[/i] a Letts singlecut fretless 5! I think it's superb how many quality small builders we have in the UK and amazing to see the quality of their work!! Well done guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted November 5, 2012 Author Share Posted November 5, 2012 To finally sort of conclude this thread... I visited Alan at ACGuitars last week whilst on holiday in Galloway (thanks Wife and boys for letting me run off for a day to play some beautiful instruments!) and bought [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/19/"]http://www.acguitars.co.uk/Available/19/[/url] so it's a 6 string which I wasn't expecting but it's just beautiful! Consequently virtually every other bass I own is now for sale to claw back some cash but it's superb! I'm then going to save up for a Shuker uberhorn because as Dood alluded, I'm in Sheffield and so is Shuker so it'd be rude not to have one wouldn't it? I'm also on a 'buy British' trip just now, support our domestic builders, there's some amazing quality on these shores so no need to go across the pond folks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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