oggiesnr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Ani Macneice up in Otley will basically make what you want to order. She's recently made a bass for Ashley Hutchings and very nice it is too. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1374586598' post='2150514'] ..... in fact, about £5K plus by the look of it. Really? [/quote] I reckon you could get 3 of these for the price of a Gus: [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/forum%20stuff/AllGraphite.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/forum%20stuff/AllGraphite.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/forum%20stuff/AllGraphitecloseup.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/forum%20stuff/AllGraphitecloseup.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/forum%20stuff/AllGraphiteHeadstock.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/forum%20stuff/AllGraphiteHeadstock.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s751.photobucket.com/user/richardmatthews_photos/media/forum%20stuff/AllGraphiteback.jpg.html][IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/richardmatthews_photos/forum%20stuff/AllGraphiteback.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Just a thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 If you find a British builder that offers something you fall in love with , you are usually getting much more for your money with a British - made bass . , no doubt about that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1374596066' post='2150698'] If you find a British builder that offers something you fall in love with , you are usually getting much more for your money with a British - made bass . , no doubt about that . [/quote] With some you can tell them what you'd love and they'll make it for you. Just done that with Ruach, £1320, will be ready at the end of August. I'm adding to the 'what I'd love' so it might go up a bit, but so far the price has gone down as the spiffing pieces of wood that were selected at my specification were a bit less than expected and the saving was passed on to me. It will be a less money than a brand new Stingray, for example, and will be a lot more for that money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1374591971' post='2150620'] I reckon you could get 3 of these for the price of a Gus: Just a thought! [/quote] Maybe, but it's not a Gus though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1374322571' post='2147541'] There is a lingering worry in my mind about delays. I have seen some interesting reports on here from the customers of one-man-band builders who have been delayed by months ...... and some times even [i]years[/i] with poor communication coming back form the builders. That aside, there have been some interesting things that have come up on this thread. You may have seen before that I really don't like people making basses based (sometimes wholesale) on other people's designs. There is even the odd person who will go as far as sticking a Fender logo on them. I can't get my head around that. I really quite like the look of the Gus basses that you champion. I listened to their sound samples on their website - and a the G3 looks a possibility. It may be a little "out there" design-wise, which fits your image in your band well. I mean, how showy can you be standing next to a bloke with only his pants on? Not 100% sure it would fit with my "did you spill my pint?" persona while playing. A full matt black one might be different though. There appears to be a conscious decision not to mention prices anywhere. That means a substantial amount of wedge being required I guess? [/quote] Unfortunately the Gus basses are not cheap. Last time I got some prices off Simon (back in 2010) a 4-string model started at about £4500. There's over 150 hours of work in a standard Gus instrument, and everything except the machine heads, strap locks and fret-wire is bespoke. What you also get however, is a realistic build time. All of my instruments bar one were completed within the time I'd been originally quoted. The all-black Gus G3 5-string took longer, but that was because Simon was experimenting with the black finish on the metal work and trying to find a supplier who could produce the required quality in the small quantities needed for a single bass. I'll be the first to admit that they are not for everyone, but if you get the opportunity, then you should try one. I was originally drawn to the instruments because of the looks, but they've been my first choice for both guitar and bass over 10 years now due to the sound and playability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1374618415' post='2151098'] Maybe, but it's not a Gus though... [/quote] I played a Gus and didn't like it. Plus it kept sliding off my leg, needed to wear it on a strap all the time. Sounded good but surprisingly conservative given it's looks. Just not for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1374619667' post='2151117'] I played a Gus and didn't like it. Plus it kept sliding off my leg, needed to wear it on a strap all the time. Sounded good but surprisingly conservative given it's looks. Just not for me. [/quote] Fair enough. What I was trying to get at as that IMO once you are out of the sub £150 Fender copy market, basses are no longer substitutes for each other. If you just want something with strings that produces low notes you might as well buy a Sue Ryder, SX or whatever the current budget flavour of the month is. Beyond that everything is subject to individual taste and budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Bit of an old thread this, but I'd like to add Williamscott and Haynes to the list. I don't know much about either, despite living very close to both. I think Williamscott are a sideline for a double bass building / restoring workshop, I'm sure some of you will be familiar with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Who cares where it's made or how much it costs? Tone and playability over everything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 No shortage of quality basses available from British builders some great stuff available from Europe too at the moment. Spoilt for choicewe are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 [quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1452975271' post='2955316'] Who cares where it's made or how much it costs? Tone and playability over everything else. [/quote] I agree completely with the second statement. I suspect the first one is the opinion of many people on here, and many bass purchasers. But when it comes to custom bespoke instruments - and the associated costs (Largely huge costs in time - compared to mass produced instruments) - I think it makes a lot of sense to keep it relatively local. You avoid import charges, major shipping costs, It's simpler to consult over more complex builds with the same time zone etc, etc. For a lot of people it may simply come down to good old fashioned patriotism/nationalism. Nothing wrong with having pride in your society's artistic output and wanting to nurture it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 [quote name='Myke' timestamp='1374121364' post='2145473'] That's my surname! I want one! [/quote] My surname is Gibson. I've never wanted one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I also have a desire to support my fellow countryman wherever possible. Why commission someone thousands of miles away when we have such incredible talent here? When I picked up my Alpher Mako bass last year, I enjoyed the moment of being handed the bass and shaking the builders hand, as well as an afternoon of bass chat. You don't get that from the UPS guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1453036426' post='2955754'] My surname is Gibson. I've never wanted one. [/quote] Good for you I have since changed my mind, the looks don't do it for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Anaconda Basses are another alternative. http://www.anacondabasses.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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