Looking for a high end bass

[GrammeFriday]

A used USA MTD would be well within your budget, and would be a fabulous choice. This one, for example, is a total bargain:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/260009-mtd-535-24-ashwalnut-as-new-pricedrop-l-2000/

I had a go on this bass at Bass Direct before Elguedd bought it, and can say it is one of the best basses I have ever played in my life. Sound, playability, build quality, ergonomics and aesthetics - this bass has it all.

[skej21]

This is hard to advise but having played existing ACGs, they're top quality basses and this has led to me putting an order in for one of my own. Alan's customer service has been absolutely world class but the only snag is that (like its already been said), you'd need to know exactly what you're after and have some idea of the spec you'd like otherwise it'd be quite a gamble. I'm lucky that I've had plenty of basses go through my hands and knew exactly what I'd like when ordering mine!

Good luck :-)

[joshua.harris1234]

Hi,

I'm very grateful for all the replies and advice all of you have given me and I've come to a point where I've decided to try a few before I buy.

I've looked at Bass Direct, they are absolutely awesome, I've been on their website a few times recently and would love to pay a visit! who knows I may see something I really like!

Cheers,

Josh

[joshua.harris1234]

Also, bit of a dumb question but since I can't fly to Germany or New York to visit Warwick or Fodera would it be possible for them to send me the bass that I'm looking for to try it out for a week/month or so?

[Sibob]

[quote name='joshua.harris1234' timestamp='1438556020' post='2835461']
Also, bit of a dumb question but since I can't fly to Germany or New York to visit Warwick or Fodera would it be possible for them to send me the bass that I'm looking for to try it out for a week/month or so?
[/quote]

Highly highly unlikely, unless you're a lot more famous than we realise .
Check Bass Gear in Twyford to try Foderas

Si

[Lw.]

If I had 4k burning a hole in my pocket I'd find it very hard to look past a custom-shop Warwick Streamer Stage-1 (with a few personalised bits, hence custom) or a Wal.

I'm not saying that those are the only options for you but I know I love Warwicks and a custom shop number with my wood choices would be a bass I'd never put down. And Wal is the only other bass brand where I have played one & been blown away with the quality - everything about it was incredible, to the point I was too scared to play it for more than 5 minutes.

Saying that I've never played, heard or even seen a Fodera so can't comment on them.

[karlfer]

Perhaps I've missed it but I can see no reference to Martin Petersen or SEI ?

I have had 3 SEI's, one made for me (sold when skint, still cry about it now)and 2 used.
I have gone down the classic route of simple passive basses now, as after all these years I now know what works for me.
However, Martin's SEI's are, IMO, world class.

Good luck regardless,
Karl.

[Sibob]

Basically, most 'well known' luthiers will make you a world class bass. There's an abundance in the UK:
Sei, Wal, Shuker, ACG, GB, Status.
That's before you look further afield, the amount of luthiers worldwide making stunning basses for cheaper than you can buy a Fender or Warwick custom shop is staggering.

The trick is knowing exactly the spec you want, perhaps it's a spec that you've lived with in another bass for a while, but want to up the quality. With custom basses it's often difficult to 'try before you buy', but you can usually get fairly close.
It's also about finding a builder who gets your vision and is excited about your build.

Si

[Silvia Bluejay]

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1438587909' post='2835533']
Highly highly unlikely, unless you're a lot more famous than we realise .
Check Bass Gear in Twyford to try Foderas

Si
[/quote]

Bass Gear are also Warwick authorised resellers and have a range in their shop.

[BigRedX]

As others have said, spend a few days visiting the main specialist bass retailers. That means London for The Gallery and Bass Gear and Warwick for Bass Direct. I'd also have a word with Mansons in Exeter if you are interested in Pedulla or Zon and Promonade Music in Morecambe for Marleaux basses.

If you want to get something made especially for you then these days there is a massive selection of capable luthiers out there. My interest is in the less conventional designs, but I have the sites of over 250 luthiers bookmarked of which almost 50 are based in the UK. There shouldn't be any problem finding a couple of luthiers out there who share you vision of what you want from a bass and who can build it for you. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be able to specify exactly every feature you want in your bass - a good luthier can build you the right instrument just from your descriptions of how you want it to look, feel and sound, so there's no need to get bigger down in wood, electronics and hardware choices if you don't want to.

As for trying before you buy. IME it's somewhat over-rated. I can't tell whether any instrument is going to be right for me until I've been using it in the band for a month or two. The last bass I spent any time with in the shop before buying was replaced within 3 months of getting it. Of the 4 basses I use regularly these days; the black Gus G3 and my fretless Sei flamboyant were made especially for me so I didn't get to play them until they had been finished and paid for. My Warwick Starbass was bought new on-line. My red Gus G3 is the only bass I had spent any time playing before buying it, since it used to be the demonstration model that was that starting point for the specification my custom version, but I wasn't aware of that when I bought it second hand several years later!

[Kiwi]

[quote name='odysseus' timestamp='1438511152' post='2834991']
Have you considered having one built to your own spec? For the money you're willing to lay out, I'd imagine you could get something pretty special made?
[/quote]
Someone would need to know that what they wanted was what they needed. If they don't, it can be a very expensive way to get a bass that sort-of-does-the-job.

[odysseus]

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1438604297' post='2835689']

Someone would need to know that what they wanted was what they needed. If they don't, it can be a very expensive way to get a bass that sort-of-does-the-job.
[/quote]

Fair call. Thinking about it might focus him a bit more perhaps?..

[JTUK]

My choice is either a nice S/H AC or a new Sei... as I've never seen MP make what I want..but I know he makes great basses with such good vision
on aesthetics.

I'd want RW with blocks etc... and I'd want a P-bass neck on a Jazz body in J5 config.
str space would be 19mm.

Pickups would be 2 single routs and the rest TBC.

[TrevorR]

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1438598128' post='2835620']
Basically, most 'well known' luthiers will make you a world class bass. There's an abundance in the UK:
Sei, Wal, Shuker, ACG, GB, Status.

[/quote]

Of course I'm biased towards Wals but to the list above I'd also add Overwater and Enfield. Both making fine basses in the price range you've listed.

[bubinga5]

i would go for an Encore.

[LayDownThaFunk]

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1439076778' post='2839861']
i would go for an Encore.
[/quote]
[url]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/49147-4-grandwhat-bass/[/url]