phsycoandy Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Just watched the Jon Shuker link to the TV programme and just wondered who is the best UK custom bass builder, im obviously biased the GB way, but there are several out there Overwater, Shuker, Status et al.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) It all depends what you want from your bass and your builder, but if their work ticks your boxes you can't got far wrong with any of the following: [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/index.php"]ACG[/url] [url="http://www.gusguitars.com/"]Gus[/url] [url="http://www.overwaterbasses.com/"]Overwater[/url] [url="http://www.seibass.com/"]Sei[/url] Edited to make clickies for those not in the know Edited June 27, 2008 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='phsycoandy' post='228238' date='Jun 27 2008, 07:28 PM']Just watched the Jon Shuker link to the TV programme and just wondered who is the best UK custom bass builder, im obviously biased the GB way, but there are several out there Overwater, Shuker, Status et al..........[/quote] Purely a matter of personal opinion. Of which mine is Mike and his Zoot basses, and Jon and his Shukers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I can tell you who the best is, but I may look biased ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phsycoandy Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='dood' post='228246' date='Jun 27 2008, 07:37 PM']I can tell you who the best is, but I may look biased ;o)[/quote] Ah well there rest the question Dood, is it because Shuker is the only custom builder uve had time to try? I am as guilty btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) A strange question perhaps Andy, who is the 'best'. What I mean is it's very subjective. I've had a doodle with many custom basses and I'd have to say that non come up to the standard of my ACG Harlot in my own opinion. But, the ACG basses have distinctive styles and if you ask Alan to build you a J or a P he'll probably say no through gritted teeth Alan will happily give you over 3 hours of his time personally going through all the options and he finishes his basses himself unlike most custom builders. His pre-amp is also fairly unique, if not generically then certainly specifically. There are many beautiful looking and playing custom instruments out there and some are 'dogs' too. Sometimes I suspect even a good luthier can make an instrument that has problems or doesn't quite work out. No-one can really give the answer unless thay have real deep knowledge and experience of ALL the products. There will be a lot of biased opinion though. Peter Edited June 27, 2008 by GreeneKing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Hmm. I've just realised that I can't of think any that I like the look of without reservations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 there is no best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='phsycoandy' post='228249' date='Jun 27 2008, 07:39 PM']Ah well there rest the question Dood, is it because Shuker is the only custom builder uve had time to try? I am as guilty btw[/quote] Yes, my reply, although humourous, does spark such a debate. Here's my take on it and one of the reasons I say so. I am in no doubt that all the builders mentioned on this thread and countless others are amazing creators of the finest of products. Most Luthiers will build absolutely anything.. so you aren't really restricted at all when it comes to your designs. I researched quite heavily before I even started contacting a shortlist of those who I felt were in the general ball park when it came to what I was looking for. I would say that my tastes in instrument choice played a large part in my decisions also. I wasn't *just* looking for someone who could build a bass. It was also about who was closest to my ideals to start with and then could understand where I was coming from in my requests . I will say that one or two that I contacted 'fell by the wayside' as they tried to impress their own ideals on what they felt I should have. I needed someone I could work with and get on with as such a project is no doubt a time consuming one, so I suppose it's about building a relationship with a luthier which for me was also important. It did take a very long while to play a lot of basses by many of our respected luthiers as well as part of my research. I don't mind admitting that I am a very proud Shuker player. I love the fact that I have finally been able to get the bass I *really* wanted and not just what was on offer 'off the peg' as it were. I also regard Jon as a good friend and someone I can trust when it comes to creating.. well.. a bit of a masterpiece really! Thats why I have gone back to him again. So, Shuker was the best *for me* and therefore, in my view.. the best. ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Martin Petersen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Brian Eastwood of Bender Collision fame, obviously :-) He doesn't make many basses, but Andrew Guyton makes the best 6-strings I've ever seen. When he's not too busy being Brian May's guitar technician that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='pete.young' post='228284' date='Jun 27 2008, 08:50 PM']Brian Eastwood of Bender Collision fame, obviously :-) He doesn't make many basses, but Andrew Guyton makes the best 6-strings I've ever seen. When he's not too busy being Brian May's guitar technician that is.[/quote] I'm being pedantic ;o) -Pete Malandrone is Bri's tech. Andy Guyton does make Brian's replica red specials though.(at about 7 grand a pop to the average punter apparently) I know Andy and have to say his attention to detail is stunning, especially with reference to Brian's unwavering need for perfection on his guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 (edited) Blimey, not another one of these questions.... This is all down to personal taste. How would you measure best?? Lightest, loudest, smoothest or perhaps the most colourful. Weight could be a good one as then you'll know how much bass you're getting for your money In that case, my 14lb of Conklin GT7 wins and the Korean factory who produced Groove Tools stuff gets the prize It's a bit like asking "what's the best bass"...... Edited June 27, 2008 by 7string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='dood' post='228289' date='Jun 27 2008, 09:01 PM']I'm being pedantic ;o) -Pete Malandrone is Bri's tech. Andy Guyton does make Brian's replica red specials though.(at about 7 grand a pop to the average punter apparently) I know Andy and have to say his attention to detail is stunning, especially with reference to Brian's unwavering need for perfection on his guitars.[/quote] Thanks for putting me straight. Yes, it's attention to detail that really sets his work apart. I spent 25 minutes examining one of his set-neck instruments and I couldn't find the join. Craftsmanship of the very highest order. Next time you see Andrew, tell him I have a Fylde Electric which needs setting up properly. That should get his attention! Ben from Crimson Guitars probably deserves a mention in this thread too. There's something really compelling about his Workshop Diary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumbo Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I really admire the work of all the UK luthiers that I've looked into, it's inspiring how many top-notch luthiers there are in the UK at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Andy Crocket is amazing, again it's all personal taste but he does the work i need doing on my bass and when i go to his workshop the stuff he is building always amazes me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 The French are better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor_of_the_bass Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Oooo la la! I agree that the term `best' cannot be measured, perhaps `favourite' would be a better way of looking at it. The build quality at the top end of the market is comparable however, certain makers appeal to certain players. My favourite UK makers are (in no order): Jaydee Status E Basses Sei GB Shuker Overwater Iceni Zoot Organic Wal But I too lurve les Vigiers n'est ce pas! hehe! Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 [quote name='ped' post='228353' date='Jun 27 2008, 11:01 PM']The French are better[/quote] ....How very dare you....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I'm only qualified to answer Status-Graphite at the moment, but as soon as I can afford it, I'll take a look at GB & Overwater. May be a while, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doctor_of_the_bass Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 ...forgot to mention Pangborn! Currently, I've got 4 Statii and 4 Pangs so it may be that they are my faves after all, closely followed by the 3 Vigiers. Hang on, I've got 7 Arias...! Doh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I used to think I'd do pretty much anything for an Overwater, but the reviews I've found have never been too hot. Has anyone here got one/owned one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 In alphabetical order; ACG, Keith Bennion. I'd like to say Jaydee but I must have had a tempremental neck on my M.K. These are all from my own experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I own an Overwater, although it's one of the 80s "Original" models rather than from the current range. It was my first really good bass and my main instrument from when I bought it in the early 90s until I got my first Gus 5 years ago. Having been able to also play the newer basses they are more refined and versatile instruments, but for me they don't have the 'vibe' that the Originals do. It doesn't get too much use at the moment partly because of the Gus basses and partly because I play more fretless than fretted, but I doubt I could ever sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 For me, the best is Status. I loved my Stealth 6 string, it was an awesome bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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