ARE CUSTOM BASSES A SCAM? (and 5 must know buying tips) 

Spend $11,000 on a bass, only to see all your friends listening to their music on their phone speakers.

A very good instrument doesn't change your playing DIRECTLY, but it did to me indirectly: I realised some of the flaws I could hear came from me and not from the instrument, which motivated me to practise. Thanks for the advice. :)

Yay the Mooolon is back! So happy for you scott

"Fretted, fretless... everything in between" Half-frets?

I have learned to buy a bass in the following order: 1) with your fingers 2) with your ears 3) with your wallet 4) with your eyes

I was lucky enough to be able to build my own basses... With some friends of mine. All from scratch. Great experience and my instruments are "the best" in my mind. And I did some huge gigs with them, the ones you can't afford to fake. (to fail) The one on my profile picture is our own design. Fretless.

Great video! There are a few things important about custom basses/instruments. One, do not buy it because you want to sound like an artist. Cause you won't unless you play exactly how they play which is near impossible. Two, beyond a certain point you are paying for aesthetics and getting to provide input on what you want (woods, finish, pickups, etc). That in and of itself to me is worth it. I can bring my idea to life. Be warned, it's very addicting once you get one! There is something to be said about the craftsmanship and it way exceeds any production model out there (I imagine that depends on the builder). Three, exactly what Scott says about an instrument "inspiring you" to play. That's likely because the craftsmanship whether it be the neck construction, body contour, resonance, or whatever just clicks with you. That is a very REAL thing and you have to experience it for yourself! I will say $11k is insane though. I own a few $5k-$6k instruments and they have things about them that certainly put them in that category because of the sheer amount of hours it took to build them. With Fodera, you are paying for the name IMO. I've played one and while it's a fantastic instrument... it didn't even have anything aesthetically going for it in terms of some crazy mastergrade top or have anything that really set it apart from competition. Same would go for any custom builder unless you are getting actual gold/platinum/diamonds inlaid or if they are truly making you a custom body shape or overall design from scratch.

Can you do a video on Bass VI type basses, from the point of view of a bassist? Nearly all online reviews of them are by guitarists who play them like guitars.

Excellent tips! I just got my custom Wal Bass after almost a 2 year wait. Since I am a lefty, I couldn’t play one beforehand so it was a huge gamble. But, since Wals are so unique I knew mostly what I was getting before I received it. My only other tip would be to buy something that is worth it to you! I had a hard time justifying buying a custom bass with great woods but off the shelf hardware, pickups, and other specs. For me, the value came in custom pickups and handmade hardware.

Glad the Moollon is back. Appreciate the post, good advice. P.S. That F-bass is gorgeous. I personal like having a PJ configuration in the arsenal. It's an all purpose bass.

That is so awesome you got your bass back. It’s nice to know there still some decent people out there willing to help.

Eddie is the MAN

i got a $150 Squire PJ bass and upgraded the machine heads bridge and pickups then learned how to do a full setup on youtube and it plays pretty good.

If I had the oppertunity to have my custom guitar, my choices would be: Manufacturer: Strandberg Base model: Boden Woods: swamp ash body, flame maple top, roasted maple neck and ebony fretboard Sizes: 7 strings, 25.5"-26.5" multiscale scale length, 16"-20" compound radius Pickups: Fishman Fluence Moderns Electronics: volume knob, 3 way pickup selector switch, 2 way mini switch for changing the voicing (because of the Fishmans), 2 way mini switch to be used as a kill switch, 2 3 way mini switches to control the coil splits with the ability to select the coil that I wanna be on, one for each pickup. Finish: either something like a bright blue burst, purple to turquise burst or blue to green burst, all of which are satin and transperent

Kool video. Much props to you for this. Scott, you hit it on the head with this one. I too have done this custom bass thing and many times got rid of it with in a year. Just wasn't what I was looking for in tone. I even went as far as changing out pickups and preamps. No dice. So over all ladies and gents. Don't get hooked on the look of a bass or guitar before doing a little work in checking if it will do what you are looking for it to do. Use the old ears. They won't fool you as the old eyes will.

Whether they're scam or not, I don't have enough money to afford any of them. Moreover, I could afford only an "okay, playable" bass.

Yeah, but with a custom bass you don't have to send it to college or bail it out of jail. Plus, if you don't like your custom bass, you can sell it. Can't do that with your kids....I've tried. "Bwhahahahahaha......"

I plan to buy a blank body without any finish, so I can paint on the body, and later coat it with finish. Install the passive pickups etc. Biggest DIY ever for me. Might need some professional help tho :D So much for custom basses. I encourage you to do the same. Creativity rules !

If you're lefty (like me), top-brand instruments are so much more expensive (if offered at all) that you might as well buy a custom. Bad part is, you can't usually play a similar model beforehand; a righty won't give you the feel you need to judge, altho' you can judge the build-quality overall. I'm glad there are custom-makers out there; if not for me, for folks like me. (PS- A lefty custom holds its value for resale a lot better than a righty custom; bc we have fewer options and can and will adapt when we need to to upgrade).

Have had a Carl Thompson on order for about 2 and a half years now and I just got the call last week that it’s done and will be shipped by the end of this week. It’s currently 4 A.M. because my excitement will not allow me to sleep, so here I am!

Glad to know that your Moullon is back. Agree that custom basses are mostly personal taste and serve as inspiration. What comes out, whatever bass you play, is your musicality.

This is extremely accurate. As soon as I get a guitar - used or new - I like to unscrew everything, take it apart, clean up or sand the neck joining surfaces, exchange/upgrade a few parts, make all the bridge & intonation adjustments, and let it ‘marinade’ with a new set of strings: DAddario XL for guitar & Rotosound for bass. After a couple of weeks the guitar I wanted starts to emerge. Patience, grasshopper...

AWESOME!!! You got your Moolon back. You are a lucky boy Scott, very lucky. Cheers! So somebody named Eddie bought your bass on eBay and just sent it to you? I guess his nickname is "Deep Pockets Eddie", eh?

I bought a Modulus Flea 4 string with Lane Poor pickup from my bass teacher in high school. I quickly learned that the graphite neck and low action made me a better player than on other basses, including Fenders. Now, I commissioned a 5 string bass from Joe Zon that will have two double coils with a switch to go single, pickup mix, and the graphite neck but with satin finish not sticky gloss. It will be the most versatile and fastest playing bass I've ever held, and it will be worth every penny.

For me, I bought a Warmouth P-bass body. Maple body, flame maple top, dyed blow. Neck, pickups, pickguard, all from a Steve Harris signature model but active tone control. That is a 13 lb beast. I love that there really isn't anything else exactly like it.

Scott, I absolutely loved your last comment. When I started playing bass, 15 years ago, I was unsure if it would work out. I'd already tried other instruments, but they never felt like my vibe. So I got a $100 bass (here in Brazil). It was the cheapest playable bass (I brought a professional bassist friend to evaluate it) I could find. I adjusted it myself and got good strings. This was my main bass for 8 years. After I was confident, I changed the pickups and the sound improved, but only because that was already my instrument. Later I went and bought a $700 Cort A5, which is great. So great I almost don't play my older bass anymore... But my $100 still sounds great and I am not ashamed at all of it! Its action is as low as I love, the Fender Pickups I added have a nice punch... Still best purchase I've ever did! (or maybe the second, because I also love my A5)

So did the eBay seller get caught?!! More details!

The Moollon is back!, Congrats!

That F bass looks and sounds incredible. Bit of an aria pro vibe, and totally agree about the need for a passive switch and tone roll off. Love it.

I sort of had that "it's okay..." moment when I got my Lakland Skyline. Not a custom by any stretch but it is probably the most high-end bass I've ever owned. I got it for a song on Amazon and I was so stoked to get it... Until I played it. I was just kinda, meh. I couldn't believe people paid nearly $1500 for this thing! But the more I played it, the more I saw how versatile it is. I now have Rotosound tapes on it and it is a dub style monster, fun to play Motown tunes with as well. I'm kind of glad I ordered it online too because I might have been tempted to take it back to a brick and mortar. I saw someone mention diminishing returns and I definitely think it applies to custom instruments. The first few hundred pays for the wood and hardware, the last few thousands pay for all the time to make it a true work of art.

I love the looks of your new F-Bass! For me, it has that late '70's Bernard Edwards BC Rich vibe. Great sound as well. But that's no surprise, for a F-Bass. I own some custom made (P) basses and (too much) production built basses myself, and I think you're totally right about all of them species in your video. Kind regards, Admar

I'm a luthier, i build instruments and i will say custom basses aare not a scam IF you are buying one because you wnat the feeling that no holds were barred on the craftsmanship of your instrument... on the concept of getting a gig worthy playable instrument most of the time you can find it in a MUCH lower priced production model EXCEPT when you're like me... and looking for something no one does. i have two basses (well 1 3/4 the second will be done in about 2 weeks) #1 is a bowable fretted 6 string electric upright in sapele and maple, the 2nd is an 8 string (octave) bass with a 12 string super terble harp attached to the side.

Seen so many players buy a certain name bass because they want to appear “cool” and have to adapt their playing style to play it versus playing the right bass . Example… I have always played Warwicks , I love the neck thru feel and tone. Picked up. ESP 4 string and it just felt and sounded perfect , then I saw the price tag . $250 and took it home . Tried several other ESP’s and never found another that remotely came close. Somehow the manufacturer made the one and only perfect custom bass that fit me and my playing style

Here is another thing I have learned over the years. No matter the bass, no matter the amp, the speaker combination I use or even the EQ settings it still basically sounds like me. I can sit down and concentrate at picking or fingering and get my tone to change but when the lights come up and the drummer counts it down. It’s back to my sound.

Have you ever had Carl Thompson or Jen's Ritter build you a bass? If not play a Carl Thompson or look into what this man can do with wood. These basses are pure works of art.

Great video Scott! I love the in depth points and discussion of choosing a custom bass and also many of these points can be used when choosing a stock bass as well.

you are so right about geeking out and investigating the tone that you want, i was going to buy a fender high mass for my american special p-bass because of the sustain, but i saw several videos and it looses the tone we all p-bass lovers love, it makes it sharper an brighter, so i prefer now leaving the vintage bent metal bridge

The bass master. So full of bass wisdom. You inspire me to be better dude and very educational video as always. Take it easy and keep em comming. Peace brother

You're the reason why I started playing bass, love the videos!

I know Scott probably won't read this, but I just had a bass made by Chris McIntyre in Edinburgh, can't recommend him highly enough. A J-bass with 18mm spacing and 44mm nut, the preamp is the John East J-sound, passive tone is great and the capacitors are easy to change. Worth a look.

I JUST finished building my first custom bass :) Funny I run into this video. Hoping to market them eventually, so far so good. And there is something special about knowing your instrument was made by hand. I don't know how 'scam' would be the right word, I mean, they might not get you the sound you want, but unless they are claiming to create a specific sound, it is more like caveat emptor. And while different woods will surely sound different, the fretboard is the last thing to worry about, the pickups do a lot more of the work :)

good video should apply to every instrument you get whether custom or not

I had my customshop in 2006. I was very precise about size specs, woods and electronics (18v active with swipe med filter and piezo bridge). Still considering it my favorite ❤️.

Custom basses are absolutely worth it, provided you do your research. I think before ordering one it is important to have played a lot of different instruments and understand why certain basses sound the way they do. Pickups, tonewoods, etc. Do this so you can learn what you like and what you don't. For example, I just had the chance to play an NYC Sadowsky yesterday. The workmanship was top notch, the playability was phenomenal, and the bass was a beast tonally. It was used and was going to be sold for around 4k. I probably would not purchase that particular instrument though because I am not the biggest fan of Sadowsky preamps. I also believe custom is a good option when production basses won't meet your needs. I ordered a bass from a builder in Europe, 32in 5 string. Not really available on the mass produced side of the market so the purchase made sense. Again, custom basses are worth it, just do your research, educate yourself and don't make impulse decisions on these. Many of the builders I have dealt with are usually more than happy to answer questions and work with you through the process.

YAY you got the Moolon back, great news...........to be able to afford fancy ads bass would be a fine thing.

This is so true. I got a new bass recently and it took some real breaking in, in order for my tone to emerge

The only reason to get a custom made bass is simply so you basically have a one of a kind instrument. Meaning you want a LOOK that is all yours as an artist, and the sound is exactly how you like it, but a bit secondary in some ways.

While a more expensive bass does not make you a better player, I do think you need to find a bass that fits your style though as he said. I went to buy my first high end Bass and really wanted a fender jazz, But when I played them they just didn’t feel right. I ended up playing 12 different bases and it came down to the Music man basses. I bought a ray 34 for 800 bucks a lot less expensive than the fender I wanted and it gave me the sound and feel that I liked. As much as I would love a Getty Lee signature, the stingray just felt right to me. The stingray also made me play a little better because I liked it and it was comfortable it’s a bonus that it looks great!

My wife got me a custom-built Mike Lull PJ5-24 two years ago for my 40th Birthday. I had gotten fantastic deals on both their Modern 4 & Modern 5 numerous years before, and after trying just about every J-style bass I could get my hands on (stopping by every high-end and bass-only shops every time we were in town for concerts, road trips and vacations) I knew they were *the* Jazz Basses for me, but that the 90%+ they were in my book could hit 100% by some custom changes. Mainly the biggest change I wanted from most of their Basses was an Alder body and Maple fretboard, as opposed to the classic Alder/Rosewood or Swamp Ash/Maple combinations of woods. I prefer the evenness of Alder as opposed to the natural mid-scoop that Ash has, but prefer the brightness and snap of a Maple fretboard compared to the muted upper frequencies that Rosewood gives you. I would say the other major choice I picked was to get the new-at-the-time “PJ5-24” model as opposed to the “Modern 5” Jazz Bass. Basically it’s a P/J Bass top-routed with a pickguard and control plate, but I went further and had the neck pickup routed universally for both 5-string Precision and Jazz pickups and wired with an EMG-style quick-connect harness so that going from P/J to J/J only takes the removal of pickguards and gives me a ton of options for recording. Some other choices of mine were a Birdseye Maple fretboard with no face dots, aluminum Hipshot Type-A string-thru Bridge and HB6Y Ultralight Tuners, custom Mike Lull/Seymour Duncan Bassline Linear Humbucking Pickups and Bartolini NTMB (@18V) 3-band Active/Passive Preamp w/ push-pull Vintage Tone Control and wired Volume/Volume as opposed to Volume/Blend. And that says nothing about having a master luthier such as Mike Lull building a custom instrument: he spent a few weeks tapping on blanks of Alder to find one with even responsiveness and low-B support but light weight (total weight ended up at 8.4 lbs!) as well as his fantastic PLEKed and hand-finished fretwork! Are the above a HUGE difference compared to what he usually makes? I suppose that depends on the player. However, I’ve rarely picked up my Modern 5 J-Bass since my custom was delivered, and I’d love to replace both my Modern 4 & 5 with Alder-bodied versions and the same hardware and set my Candy Orange to permanent P/J status. 5-10% may not be a ton added to an “average” instrument, but the difference between a great Bass and one that’s *perfect* is an amazing change!

Scott always love the Baby Blue Fender Bass with the Tortoise shell pick guard. Such a cool look!!

So glad you got your bass back😊 I hope the ebay seller gets the full weight of justice

I got a sweet bass on Talkbass for $200! Squier Short Scale. Seller buys them, mods them (changes out the P pick up, changes the pots & capacitors, shaves down the head and puts on lighter tuners *to eliminate neck dive - and it does*, and puts on round wounds)...it made me a better player the first day I got it!

1st - EDDIE IS THE MAN! He bought the bass and returned it to you?! Huge props to you, Eddie. Concerning custom basses, I have owned one custom bass. It was a Carvin fretless kit that I put together with my dad about 15 years ago. I fell into the trap of "stuff", and I eventually sold the bass to someone who fixed our mistakes, and still plays the bass to this day. I feel custom is fine for those who choose to drop the cash on it. For me - I get everything I need from my collection of off the shelf Ibanez guys. To Scott's point, I just bought an Ibanez TMB105 Talman 5-strong for $250. It is a traditional style PJ guy, and this bass kicks ass! Tone monster! You don't have to drop thousands of dollars on an instrument to sound good. 😀 #sbl #goodquestion #basscommunity

So glad to hear that you got your bass back!

I am happy that the Moollon is back! Great video as always!

So happy you your bass back... but details are required for the crowd!

That F bass your playing is gorgeous 🎸👍🏻😁

DUDE!!! SCOT!!! That F-Bass is basically my dream come true in a bass. Beautiful! PJ configuration all the way.

I had an Elio Martina 6string in the early 90's around 2k. Really superb instrument. Nowadays I play a Harley Benton 6string also neckthru and it's almost as good. Greetings and appreciation from Amsterdam.

Commenting on tonewoods was a bold choice.

The body wood, neck wood, and fingerboard are all factors in tone. This is why builders like MTD use the same electronics on most of there basses and shape the sound with wood selection.

A custom made bass, a well made one, can be thought of as a work of art in itself. There are infinite numbers of prints or pictures you could hang on your wall which will make your room look to suit your taste, but having a 'real' painting hand done be an artist, whoever it may be, is a more valuable item simply by the fact that a real person spent time and thought creating it. Its function may be secondary but if it may have some extra mojo that inspires the player.

You *can* make any bass better by setting it up correctly and it's not hard. There are plenty out there with rough fret ends, or frets out of level, or with deep wear grooves. Sorting these out is a bit harder, and I'd never recommend experimenting with fret work on your favourite instrument, but a little RU-vid research you can turn a cheap instrument with a good vibe into something that plays really well.

F basses are made in my hometown. George also used to make great guitars too. Great guys in the old days and still now.

really pleased you got your moulon back. the bass gods smile on you.

Totally agree with the need for passive tone control on active basses, I don't get how that ends up missing from almost every active bass.

To me, the big problem with those bass is the price, and not in the usual way. I used to own some high end instruments (bass and guitar) at a time, but it sterilise my playing, I was so concious of the price of those things that I cannot actually play right because I can not relax and let myself go. So I sold them and get the regular low to mid middle priced (400 to 600) instruments and I am happy now!

im really happy for you getting the mollon back! in my country i would never see it again

Great video, as usual, Scott! This particular subject is a sore spot for me. I would like to share my experience to help others be wary. Some companies will offer an artist sponsorship to very small artists, and give a minuscule discount. I had an experience in which I received an “artist discount” from a “sponsorship”. I had to hound the company down about listing me on the website. The instrument itself frequently has issues. I took it in for repairs to them three times, and it still doesn’t play like I want it to. I dropped a large sum of money on a custom bass, and it does NOT play or sound like the amount of money I dropped into it. I would advise people to please do your research, play a guitar from the maker you’re looking into (as you advised), and to be wary of any company that is frequently “sponsoring” small bands. Some companies are doing it to help out and for mutual exposure; others are using you as their main source of income. I saw the company regularly having sales for discounts greater than I received as one of their artists!

Thanks for the bass knowledge

I have a Gamma bass made by Joey Milstein from New Jersey USA. It's got a J neck and a P body. Pickups are AWESOME. I'd say it's way better than an American Fender but for less money. Very, very happy with it. It's right purty too!!

I know the feeling. Both with becoming a dad and just getting my C5 apocalypse (closest to a custom i'll ever have). I saw it and angels sang... But being my first five string, trying to play took the geek out of me quick.

You do not have any double $$ Warwick, and it's a shame :o

I love the way you explain things. I'm my self got the idea that if I get a expensive bass guitar I can play better and nop didn't happen!

Like with cheap ones, it is always about the marriage of the pieces of wood. Sometimes you get it lucky, sometimes not. Once I had a chanche to play on a Fender Customshop Strat and it was dreadful, while some other, cheaper ones was just fantastic. Yes, I do play guitar AND bass!

That fbass sounds amazing So many sounds

Hey you got it back! That's Awesome!

Might have to get one of these cooostom basses

got a custom bass made to spec- they did not tell me the Bartolini pups were discontinued. I got the bass and it was gorgeous looking- then I played it. I was disappointed after 30 seconds of playing. it sat for 6 months. then it dawned on me, I harvested the Bartolinis from a low line bass I had lying around. I sent the bass and pups back and they installed no charge. I got it back and played for 10 seconds- BAM! that's the sound. as you say, it pays to know your sound and the materials/parts to make it happen. ♫ Ü

Warwick makes the best custom shop basses ! They use advanced technology for checking frets and in paintings as well they use high quality woods

I have an Alembic....it took forever to play cleanly on it. Every buzz, fret rub , tapping the pick up......just seemed amplified. Even in passive mode. However, it was beautiful, had a super fast comfortable neck, comfortable to hold, and as time went by, my playing and technique cleaned up out of necessity. I love my Alembic. But they aren't for everyone....

Hey Scott! Idea-- could you do a segment on comparing the same type of bass, with different woods? Play the same song with same settings. P to P, J to J, but only different woods. Could be interesting!

Hey Scott, I have a 20 year old Godin SD4 (not a very popular bass but for the money I think it's a pretty good bass...), active but only with a master tone control.

Nicely done and well explained Scott. Certainly the daddy part. LoL

A good guitar that is right for you, will almost certainly make you play better. If the size and shape suit your physical attributes better, and the tonal response and sensitivity match your personality etc, then all of this and more will add up to you playing and improving.

A friend of mine that was in a band called, Einstein's Car (before that, he was in Squonk Opera) got a Pedula. Ever hear of or use one of those? My brother used to have one of those old fancy Ampeg basses with the scrolled head and the F-holes cut through the body and the pick-ups were also the bridge. So far, I've got a 5-string Steinberger Spirit, a Steinberger copy by Kramer called, The Duke, an Ibanez Ergonomic 5-string and a Hofner Beatle bass. Maybe, some day, I'll be able to get my hands on a Rickenbacher 4000 and a 12-string Chapman Stick.

Regarding the playing on a $200 bass, my first bass was a $250 Fender Squire that I still use often. I now also have a bass worth about $600 that I love, but it will never completely replace my Fender. Sure, a lot of that is sentimental, but I do use it for practical reasons. My newer bass is great for contemporary styles with a lot of low-end, but doesn't have that poppy tone of a jazz bass. I'm not much of a jazz style player, but it is great having the option of that kind of tone. Also, my $250 jazz bass can put out enough low-end to get by as a decent contemporary bass. Honestly, if I had to get rid of one today, it would be a tough decision, but someday in the far future when I'm more of an established musician then I will invest in a high-end quality bass to completely replace my $600, but I don't think I'll ever replace my Fender. P.S. What idiot would steel a bass from one of the most known bass players online and try to sell it online? So the thief may not of known who you were, but probably anybody big enough into bass to be getting one of your basses would know you. I am curious for more info on the story though.

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea that there was an intermediate between fretted and fretless necks! Please, tell us more about this bizarre beastie!!

don't buy a custom bass from a big company. buy it from someone small but well-known like dan thompson.

Can't help it but I love your army jacket!

I'll stick with my '68 Jazz and when I think I'm doing it justice I'll be happy. Good enough for some incredible bass player, more than good enough for me ❤️

A good set up makes you learn easier in my opinion

I played an F bass once and it is worth it imo they're amazing people just don't realize how much better it is buying a higher end instrument. Everything about it was perfect and nothing I've ever played was like it.

Never understand paying more for relics. Just get creative and you can do it yourself for free. Even installing most hardware and electronics isn't that difficult.

Big shout out for Jon Shuker’s work👍👍

This Fbass is my new dream bass... Looks and sounds amazing

What pickups do you suggest for a pbass

Thanks for Your fantastic channel & SBL Scott! Have You tried a Dingwall fan fretted bass? Beautiful instrument & fantastic electronics! Alessandro Stellano plays one. Love to see You do a review. Keep up the good work & see You all in the shed :)

what website do you recommend?

Hi Scott, been playing for years, I am about to part with £1500 on a Messinger Custom bass? because I can, a lot of money to me, thanks for the video very helpful