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  • In Search of the Perfect Custom Bass - Part 6

    In Search of the Perfect Custom Bass

    By Lane Baldwin

    http://lanebaldwin.com

    Part 6: Putting it All Together

    Welcome to the final installment in this series of articles. This is the last lap, folks, and I thank you for sticking with me. If you haven't been with me since the beginning, here's what's been covered:

    Part 1 - Custom Is As Custom Does is an overview of the process of commissioning a custom bass.

    Part 2 - Exotic Bodies looks at the woods used in bass bodies.

    Part 3 - Stick Your Neck Out covers the neck in all its glory.

    Part 4 - Board Stiff provides an overview of the woods used for fingerboards and their characteristics.

    Part 5 - Hardware Made Easy investigates the hardware and electronics you'll need to consider.

    In each installment, I recommended that you do your own research and keep a notebook on your findings. Why, you ask? Because while I can tell you what I think makes a great custom bass, I'm not you! If you want a bass just like everyone else has, you wouldn't be considering a custom project, would you? And if you already knew what you wanted in a custom, you probably wouldn't be reading this series.

    For this project, research is your friend. If you haven't done any yet, go back and read the other articles and get busy! Don't worry, this article will be here when you're done, ok?

    So, now that you've done all your research, you should have a pretty good idea what you want in a bass. Just to make sure, here's a checklist to go over:

    Type of Custom
    As I said in the first article, there are three types of customs: a bass built from parts to your specifications, a custom modified instrument from a manufacturer, and a full-on, one-of-a-kind instrument. Your project should fit into one of these categories.

    The Shapes of Things
    What shape and size do you want the body? How about the neck? Before you start talking to builders, you need to have a clear idea of what you want. Because if you don't know, you're somewhat at the mercy of the builder - and it's the easiest way I know to NOT get what you want.

    Which Wood Would You Like?
    The selection of wood affects the weight and the tone of the instrument. This goes for the body and the neck.

    Electro Luxe
    The pickups and other electronics have a lot to do with the overall tone of a bass. Be prepared to discuss available options with your builder. If you're close enough to the shop to visit and test different models, I strongly advise you to do so.

    Finishing Touches
    These include hardware choices (and colors), exotic wood tops, and finish choices. The choice of woods and finish will significantly affect price as well as the look of your instrument.

    Each of these areas are important and you should already have a very clear idea of what you want before commissioning your bass. If not, continue to do research until you're sure. Certainly, this may involve talking with builders in addition to other players. Just don't let yourself be talked into placing an order until you're absolutely certain you're getting what you want.

    There's a good chance that, by the time you have a clear idea of what you want, you'll already have a builder in mind. But just in case you don't, here's a short list of some of the many builders who can help turn your dream into a reality:

    Sadowsky Guitars - Considered by many to be the king of "Super-Jazz" basses. Options include choice of neck, fretboard and body woods (including exotic tops), pickups and finishes. Roger and his crew have built basses for a long list of luminaries, including Marcus Miller, Will Lee and Jason Newsted.

    Lakland Basses - Dan Lakin and his crew build superior instruments that focus on Fender and Music Man style tone. They offer carious finish and exotic top options, as well as numerous options for pickups, including Bartolini, Lindy Frailin, Aero and Armstrong. Another builder to the stars, Lakland has built basses for Duck Dunn and Daryl Jones, among others.

    Spector Basses - Stuart is one of the grandfathers of boutique basses. Options include finish and hardware colors and a wide variety of exotic tops. After more than a decade, I'm still in love with my Spector custom.

    Renaissance Basses - Rick Turner is one of the great innovators in the music industry. His "amplicoustic" guitars and basses are meant to be amplified, but sound completely acoustic. Options include neck and body woods, including some outrageous exotics. I liked my fretless 5-string so much that I ordered a baritone guitar to match.

    David King Basses - For those who want something totally different, King may well be your man. In addition to some very non-standard body designs, you can pick your woods, electronics, finishes, and almost everything else.

    Ristolla Instruments - Like most of the builders in this list, Ristolla has his basic models, but you can choose from a variety of pickups, electronics, hardware and woods.

    LeCompte Basses - Bud LeCompte has several unique body designs, but you can also commission unique shapes and sizes. Almost all specifications are up for discussion.

    Cyr Guitars - While Steve Cyr has his basic models, he's always open to discussing options, including woods, pickups, hardware and more.

    Remember, this is just a short list of builders. There are literally hundreds out there. Many of the boutique builders, including Fodera, Alembic, Status, Dingwall, F Bass and Rob Allen are happy to entertain various levels of customization. And there are many builders who would tickled to death to build you a multi-stringed super bass shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Check out magazines and the web for more information.

    Let me repeat that the key to commissioning your dream bass is knowing exactly what you want. If you don't know for certain, take the time to make sure you do. Play more basses; talk to more people; take more notes. I know this is totally opposite of our "I want it now" world, but taking the time to be absolutely certain of your wants and needs will go a long way to guaranteeing that you invest your money in an instrument that you'll enjoy for many years to come.

    At the beginning of this series, I had two custom instruments: a Spector 6-string and a Renaissance fretless 5. I now also own a custom Baritone Guitar to match my fretless. (I feel it's important to mention that I now endorse both companies because I strongly believe in them and their instruments.) I chose each of these builders because I liked the sound, feel and look of their instruments. For me, commissioning a custom mean choosing very high-quality, exotic wood and having it finished in translucent black with black hardware. I was very fortunate that Stuart Spector was offering a fiber optic neck marker system when I ordered my bass. (Sadly, this option is no longer available.)

    I am very happy with all of my customs and I am sure I will continue to play them for the rest of my life. The reason I can say that is I took a lot of time before deciding what I wanted. I played hundreds of basses and talked to more than a thousand bassists. I investigated dozens of builders. I strongly recommend you do the same.

    So, grab your notebook and review your research. Write down every little thing about your dream bass. Keep this list handy when talking to builders. Tell them what you want. If they offer suggested changes, ask questions - lots of them. If you believe their way is better, fine. But, if not, find another builder.

    If you are willing to put the effort into your search, you have a much better chance of someday holding your dream instrument in your hands - one that will make you want to play it again and again. One that will whisper your name from across the room. One that will speak to you as no instrument ever has. And that, to me, is what owning a custom instrument is all about.

    And, no matter what, keep thumpin'!

    ©2004 - Lane Baldwin - reprinted by permission.
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