Top 5 Boutique Bass Brands to Play Before You Die

[@devinebass]

PLEASE READ - It's come to our attention that there are some commenters on our videos who are trying to scam our subscribers in relation to the bass giveaway. None of these comments are official or from us. We will never reach out to contest winners via the comments of a social media channel. We're doing our best to remove the comments and flag the accounts in question. If you would like to enter the giveaway - just follow the link in the video description :) Team SBL

[@mistyburden5459]

I hope I get picked for a bass guitar I have watch almost every video you have done

[@diegoyonamine8943]

Nah Seriously AfiliateLink + Discount is WAY better . but like real discount for 33% minimum right. not the common 15% 😂 Just the risk of scammers using your channel footage to make phishing scams.. it's really not worthed. But about boutique Instruments content why not send / scan / dissect them ? ( That's SEXY right there 😂 )

[@santosdominguez154]

I'm game for anyone of those bases.

[@albertoampatin9069]

I like the the fodera..

[@ratrodfox]

One boutique maker of ultra high end basses I thought might be on the list is Jens Ritter. He doesn't just build instruments, more like playable works of art!

[@Zontar-xt6ql]

Hard to mention all the NewYork builders without including Spector. A truly innovative bass and the custom instruments made in the New York shop deserve a shout out. 🤘all mentioned are great builders though.

[@Kraz3e987]

I think the only reason people don’t really go to Spector all that much is the options aren’t really too various. But I’ve become a big Spector guy in the last year. No body sits just right like a Spector though they tend to be kinda heavy, I’m a huge fan of the signature combo of EMG pickups and HazLab Pre amp even though it’s a just a 2 band, and Korg has a done a good job of bringing a lot more pickup and pre amp options to the Spector USA shop. I find nothing wrong with the EMGs and Haz, and I feel you can really get any sound you want out of that combo, but if Spector is to survive as a brand they really needed this update with more options.

[@lf170]

@@Kraz3e987 They've got as many options as any other builder. Tons of choices for wood, finishes, inlays, you name it. For pickups they've got Aguilar, Bartolini, EMGs, Fishman Fluence, or you can provide your own pickups. Same with preamps: HAZ, Aguilar, Darkglass, or your own.

[@bassclef1962]

Can’t believe you didn’t talk more about Alembic!! They are pretty much the ones who started the whole “boutique” thing. Before them there was no one building basses like that. No less one of the most influential player Stanley Clarke exclusively uses Alembics. I have owned Sadowsky, Ken Smith, Roscoe, Fodera (my current bass) and Alembic. There is nothing like the attention to details that go into an Alembic.

[@RamaNatan]

Agree with you! I've owned & tried all the basses in the video and now owning an Alembic Rogue 5, you're missing something when skipping an Alembic in boutique world!

[@skeptic_individual]

Men smith helped the creation of alembic but i agree otherwise

[@bassclef1962]

@@skeptic_individual Ken Smith had nothing to do with Alembic. Ken was strictly a east coast guy where Alembic is west coast. Rick Tuner helped Alembic get its start. Ken Smith on the other hand mentored guys like Vinny Fodera and Ned Steinberger.

[@madhatter7862]

For years I thought Alembic was the gold standard of boutique.

[@m.m.4058]

@@madhatter7862 yes, for years it WAS. Maybe SBL missed the innovation here

[@adamulias2315]

In my opinion, Carl Thompson basses should have been in the top 5 list, not an honourable mention. His neck joint system was ahead of it’s time and his use of multiple exotic woods is both beautiful and tonally unique.

[@FunkadelicPancho]

Carl Thompson, Ken Smith and Surine make the most beautiful basses I've seen

[@timburge8667]

Devon!

[@RyvenProductions]

One of my favorite Carl Thompson basses is Les Claypool's Antimatter. I think it was the 5th Carl Thompson bass Les received. An incredible looking bass.

[@FunkadelicPancho]

@@RyvenProductions his rainbow bass is my dream bass

[@AnthonyCucch]

I have a 5 string Sukop with Bartolini pickups. 7. Piece neck with a spalted maple top. I've had this guitar for over 20 years. It has never failed me. Just a beautiful looking instrument wiith tremendous versatility and play ability. Thank you Steven Sukop for making Bass guitars That are simply out of this world!

[@noelcameron7856]

Glad to hear that a Mtd has been added for a lucky winner. I bought my Mtd 5 string in 1999, and am fortunate to have had this bass for 21 years now. My one and only bass...no collections, no hoarding and no chasing after another bass sound. As they say...Mtd4life!

[@bikergeekgd]

I would have included Modulus in the top 5. Although the company has gone through some turmoil and a split, their graphite (carbon fiber) neck has stood the test of time and is still innovative.

[@jasonharris2291]

I'm always impressed by the sounds that the wizard Charles Berthoud gets from his LeFay.

[@madhatter7862]

He made me look up Lefay.

[@kevinkwmiller]

Another vote for Brady. Muckleroy basses are so easy to play and have such versatile sound. He’s also a fantastic player, so he knows what bassists love.

[@bryceb8331]

Really glad to see MTD featured. Absolutely amazing basses. I owned an American 4 and it was just ridiculous. Built my own 5 string from scratch which was heavily influenced by the MTD. Gotta say it turned out beautifully as well :).

[@christopherkowalski9971]

I've yet to see Scott play a Warwick on this channel! I don't get it, they are awesome basses with a unique sound. Warwick Thumb NT bubinga 5 string FTW!!

[@Docchucklilchuck]

I have a Warwick Streamer. 20 years old. It was literally run over by a car in high grass and all I had to do was have to truss rod adjusted. Deep, dark tone…

[@jodyhendrix5876]

I have a 5 string Double Buck, I love it

[@chrisggoodwin777]

He briefly played a Thumb in a video a few years back, but to my knowledge, he hasn't featured one in its own video. I've got a Corvette $$ that is an absolute monster

[@adamulias2315]

That’s a great point. I think the Corvette double buck is a BEAUTY, but I never see it being played for funk tunes. I’ve landed on the conclusion that the Warwicks are geared more towards a “Rock sound”. Am I correct?

[@chrisggoodwin777]

@@adamulias2315 they're definitely suited for rock, but they can be highly versatile, especially the $$, which has 3 way toggle switches for each pickup as well as a pickup blend knob instead of a selector switch. Look for videos of Bootsy Collins playing his Space Bass 2, and Robert Trujillo playing some funky riffs on his Streamer-based signature model

[@lunacy_bass]

Muckelroy basses are amazing. Brady is a good dude and is great to work with.

[@iamthemoneyj]

I love those f basses with the painted pickups 😍

[@merdashuta4891]

Tobias actually made some basses a part from the mtd with his own name which also used bartolini pick ups, and i own one of them, the Tobias Growller. They are absloutely amazing.

[@lunacy_bass]

I used to lust for those so bad back in the day. Staring at the Growler and the Killer B in the musicians friend catalog.

[@lanniehilboldt69]

I have 2 Muckelroy basses made by Brady Muckelroy here In Texas...beautiful instruments and my main players....

[@lunacy_bass]

Getting a bass from Brady was one of the best things I ever did for my music.

[@mlc6952]

Warwick! Warwick thumb, Warwick streamer, Warwick infinity! They are all amazing instruments with unique sound.

[@Cap683]

The Warwick bass that I liked is a passive Corvette. To me it had the best of being passive but had more focus than say a Fender Jazz. I think that the choice of woods and the Warwick hardware are responsible for the sound.

[@PeteCarlton]

Surprised not to hear Mayones (Poland) or Maruszczyk (Germany) mentioned: both fantastic instruments

[@Belabor92]

I'm very happy with my Maruszczyk Mr Tee with Bassculture single coil. No noticeable neck dive, great quality and above all: very well priced for a custom made bass!

[@robertp457]

Played a Mayones at MusicStore in Koeln and it was amazing. I'm saving up for one now.

[@michaelparke2009]

Shout out to Bernie Goodfellow, GB Guitars from Brighton. Diamond bloke, makes superb instruments.

[@ilb9387]

His shop is just down the road from me and is a hidden gem for everything bassy and expensive

[@denfinch5694]

I have 10 basses, the majority of which fit into the 'Boutique' category but years ago, when SIRE Marcus Millers first came out, l got a V7 identical to Marcus's Fender which is very good. Three months ago, l got a P7 2nd Generation, white with tortoiseshell scratch plate and two pickups. A really fine bass and better than any of my previously owned Fenders! Having an 18 volt preamp with 7 controls gives you oodles of tonal variation, more so than many other basses, no matter the value!

[@Gerry926]

Not surprised my faves weren't mentioned here. The MIJ basses like Dragonfly and Atelier Z are severely under rated over here.

[@devinebass]

Thanks for the recommendation - Will be sure to check these out!

[@boerboelmummy5075]

I have a black, Wal Mk1, I bought it from the Bass Center in London, mid 1990 so it was probably made in 1989. It's a beautiful bass and it's only got better over the years.

[@MJTbreww]

Whilst I'd absolutely love a boutique bass, mastering your craft will make your current bass sound a lot more expensive than it may be. My main basses are a Warwick Star Bass and a Musicman Sterlong

[@ericclinton7399]

Very very true, the single greatest tone shaping tools are your fingers. Certain basses have a particular sound to them, for me Ken Smiths and Warwick Thumbs are two that i can identify the second I hear them. Ive noticed Scott seems to have an affinity for what i call Gospel basses, Smiths, Foderas, those basses that have a super focused low end , that stay tight and punchy. Gospel music more than any other genre I can think of has really pushed manufacturers into developing that focused low end….

[@Alembic298]

You forgot to mention that Alembic started the whole boutique industry (1969) also they developed the active electronics!

[@ericclinton7399]

Active electronics came before them, they were the first to use low impedence pick ups requiring an active preamp to boost the signal. They also chose to use filters instead of eqs on their basses, the filters coming from Pluto Filters by George Mundy, a type of state variable filter. These filters are in their Sf-2 superfilter rack units. Their pre-amps are based on Fender Dual Showman’s with the Tone stack eq style

[@Cap683]

My wife gifted me an Alembic Essence Bass. for Christmas back in the 1990s. I did love it for quite a long time for it sustain, clarity, and evenness of notes top to bottom. It had only the low pass filter and a pan pot for tone. I think that the more expensive models offer more control of the sound. I still have the Essence but no longer use it and have gone back to passive basses for the most part because the Essence was incapable of mid bass warmth and the E string although very clear does not have the tonal weight that conventional basses do. I think that Alembic is for players that are much more advanced than me.

[@BornAgainDude]

Lefay, Franz, Human Base, Ritter, Waja, Kai Wahlbrink

[@erikkutzler2405]

Sugi makes the most beautiful basses I've ever seen. Maruszczyk and Swan also make some great ones.

[@GaminWarlord]

Dingwall Custom Shop should be here as well.

[@roguecheddar]

I would've thought Michael Pedulla basses would be in the top 5. To me, they were stunning. I even had Michael defret my 76 Fender Jazz way back in the early days when he had his shop on Tick Tock Lane in Weymouth Massachusetts. I was sorry to hear he retired Pedulla Basses in 2019. I would think they may increase even more in value.

[@meljantorresbass2655]

Oh yea MTD! I got 2 basses from MTD. Kingston and his Pre Gibson Tobias 5s! Love you Scott!

[@FrowinIckler]

Le Fay basses from Germany are missing in your list. You definitely have to check them out !!

[@keltoibard]

Carvin / Kiesel? They've been making instruments for 75 years and their basses play beautifully.

[@nirio13]

Dingwall basses Scott!!! C’mon man!

[@tutubeos]

Yep you missed Spector Basses, where the Fodera guy worked and learned everything. Also Laurus basses are incredible.

[@Csartreweghhgf]

His voice has full tone and light overdrive, love his podcast!

[@darlinguniverse56]

Great video. Was expecting to also see Le Fay :)

[@TheEnderBand]

I've wanted an F bass for 20 years, the first time I saw an AC6 I was in love

[@devinebass]

Killer basses dude! 🇨🇦🔥

[@refonbass]

Great video. I'm really surprised that Ritter basses wasn't included (or even mentioned here?!) I've owned (multiple) basses from all the brands in the video, and my Ritters are the only ones I still own.

[@brendanerskine4158]

Love the bass played by Aram Bedrosian

[@keaurban]

Awesome to see the Fbass get some love. Bought a custom BN5 15 years ago and it's the best bass I've played. Sounds exactly as you described it.

[@czarpaul01]

No mention of Warwick is kind of crazy. Adamovic is amazing too

[@ileutur6863]

If I had the means to buy a top of the line boutique bass, I would just go with Wal. Those sound unique, all of these sound like generic active basses

[@antoninshejbal6903]

Exactly! ;-)

[@JohnFoxBass]

Nothing else sounds like a Ken Smith, and nothing else sounds like a Dingwall, and nothing else sounds like an Alembic. (I agree that Wals are great too.)

[@ileutur6863]

@@JohnFoxBass what would you day is the defining feature of a ken smith? I'm just not hearing it honestly

[@JohnFoxBass]

Missing: Adamovic, Alleva-Coppolo, Dingwall, LeFay, MBass, NY Bass Works, Stambaugh, Zon

[@joshbeer414]

New video wooo! You’re still my favorite for learning and fun videos ty Scott.

[@xerogh1821]

Glad to hear Roscoe getting a mention in this. Great bass's and great people, Keith Roscoe is a class act.

[@aminhuque4822]

Thanks I am glad that you mentioned the most amazing basses which should not be missed, If I may some of my favourite bases are missed out like, Zon bass, Mayones bass, le fay bass, Mattisson bass, Warrior bass, which you may well be aware.

[@basswars7060]

I used to hang around the Guitar Clinic in Hamilton in the 80s and 90s. This is where George Furlanetto created his F Bass. After seeing them being built, and having the good fortune to play a few, I can honestly say that the F Bass is a work of art.

[@RBoring1]

The very first of the boutiques basses Alembic should have been the top five. I have owned two of them and they are second to none.

[@sachalevesque]

Maurizio Über Basses! Custom like No other :)

[@jackburtonmusic]

Yeah man, love the shout out to Muckelroy Basses! My boy could make a killer sounding bass out of ikea cabinets, hahah!

[@jackburtonmusic]

👆looks like someone is fishing on your channel Scott??

[@melissaerliech9148]

Absolutely love my Ernie Ball Music Man Bombshell short scale bass. At about 3k, it's the most expensive bass I own. Absolutely love the tone, feel and look of this bass.

[@markblackstad8705]

Ian's (from SBL) Vuorensaku looks and sounds amazing! I would also nominate Serek as well.

[@603Brett_]

G. Gould makes beautiful basses that sound absolutely incredible. I’d love to see some of his work grace this channel.

[@jbass8420]

STRADi basses. Best FEEL & craftsmanship on planet Ken Smith a pioneer. amazing build & addictive tone

[@NBMusicServices]

Shuker basses from Sheffield UK. I have a 2009 Jazz Bass and its killer!

[@21DaHoagie12]

Vigier, Maruszczyk, Ritter ... especially Ritter, jens makes masterpieces

[@rodshop5897]

I would add Joe Zon to this list. His instruments have been aspirational for me for many years.

[@zonsonus]

I've been scrolling and hoping for a Zon fan to give Joe a shout-out. Kudos!

[@rodshop5897]

@@zonsonus Yeah, I have been dreaming of getting a Sonus 8 for about 20 years now.

[@zonsonus]

Badass. I’ve had my Sonus Special 5 for 26 years and counting…been my only bass this whole time!

[@rodshop5897]

@@zonsonus I used to only have two basses for several years. I went on a splurge over the last 4 years, and I'm up to 11 now. "I get excitable as to choice."

[@zonsonus]

Sounds like you need one more for a nice, even dozen, eh? 🤣

[@CarSimping]

marleoux has crazy looking and sounding basses for sure

[@fxsoundcheck9620]

What a give away! I'm a long year Marleaux player and love my Votan! Obviously many great builders are missing, but the selection of luthiers is very nice!

[@g.s.9393]

Alpher instruments look and sound great!

[@omarharbmusic]

Adamovic is one of the best instruments that I have ever played. And I have owned mostly all of the basses in the video. The Adamovic is a winner for me

[@lusteen1135]

Not been long since i found the channel and i just wanna mention that your videos are amazing so far. Gonna have to pick up my bass again and try out ur trials man

[@deangordon2215]

Shout-out to a small builder on the east coast of Scotland called Eve Guitars. Played 1 in a shop nearly a decade ago and it is still the nicest thing I've ever touched. Absolute work of art. Unfortunately it looks like the pandemic wasn't kind to them - last Facebook post was nearly a year ago and several links now return errors. Real shame. Hope they're doing okay. :(

[@yeponde]

there are also the stradi basses which are superb

[@KevinFlatt]

If you’ve played on a Muckelroy, you know it will easily compete with all the five mentioned basses for half the price. Brady Muckelroy is a true luthier wizard and can really make a bass you will NOT want to put down and helps you get straight to business with music without having to work or think about it.

[@dckmusic]

Kept waiting for Dingwall to come up, but no dice. Lots of innovation, not the least of which is the fanned frets.

[@rawhead66]

Please dont die until you have tried the Le Fay basses , the MLPs , the Luthmans and the Marleauxs . These are the dukes of eurasia ...My self is really content with my Sire jazzbass ..sold all these mentioned above, even though they are hig end.....

[@satomitu1]

I love Louis Johnson's Sound trade Bass

[@expertmechify]

Looked for a Bass for a long time and a lot of these were way out of my price range - When COVID hit, I decided it was time, did my research and then found Muckelroy who also had cheaper option at the time - and the only thing cheaper was you didn't have as many choices - I got mine 33'' scale 5 String with Maple wings and Aguilar Pups - This thing is INSANE!!!!!!! and way better than anything I could ever afford, not sure how anyone can buy a rack bass at a store and not experience what I have at this price level. Every time I pick it up I smile and feel unworthy of this thing... Even got to experience the process, pics and video or it being played by a master.... This cured my itch for looking at or buying most any other bass. Would love to maybe get another one tho!!

[@frankcoklay3785]

Brady’s basses are awesome. And he is a great person as well.

[@manfredknappdrougge4559]

Sandberg is an amazing bass brand from Sweden, cheap but really good basses.

[@marvinswainradialsacrialis719]

I just bought an fbass bn and I’m no stranger to hi end axes but the preamp in this baby is the best I’ve heard.

[@My1Legacy]

Dingwall has to be on this list!!!

[@coolaxe-dw4840]

Washburn, Schecter, Samick. 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@musicman9901]

Jerzy Drozd, Ken Lawrence and Le Fay all deserve an honourable mention as well IMO.

[@NelsonSegura]

I definitely love FBasses! ❤️

[@lltoolbox]

Another Dingwall fan here.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

I'm still playing more affordable, entry-level basses, but did splurge a bit for a NS Design electric cello. Was considering their Omni Bass, which is an electric upright with the scale length of a bass guitar, but figured I'd go cello and have it be its own instrument yet still decently low in the bass range 🤣

[@edczarra6507]

MG Basses are also worth a look!

[@alessandrinho1966]

Germany Basses are good! Marleaux, Franzbass, Sanberrg, Human Base and more.

[@joelosacco]

Spector USA Woodstock builds are incredible and too bad you didn't honorable mention them.

[@TheMytherian]

I would love to see a marleaux or stradi bass featured on the channel

[@Belman5]

Interesting that most of these builders started in the late 70's early 80's. Great basses, each and every one of them.

[@CharlesRobitaille514]

The F is gorgeous!!!!!!

[@CharlesRobitaille514]

Scott...is this reply for real....or is this a hack?

[@RodrickLodowica]

MTD is LIFE!

[@lf170]

How do you forget Spector in NY? (Vinny Fodera got his start there, FYI).

[@VincentDuxD]

Sandberg, the one and only tool for me xD

[@ushnicyuvnikof2748]

If I won any of those modern hipster basses, I'd trade it in for a vintage P bass immediately.

[@richardgudino7630]

Thanks Scott! Such a subjective topic of course, having played all these many times over the years: Ken Smith necks are shocking, possibly the best out of the box experience, but tone NOT for me, and he won't change the pups!; Fodera's, quite good, so many types, but over-all over-rated, especially at their absurd price points; FBass, amazing, runner up for best necks ever and likely my top choice among these 5; MTD's, gorgeous to behold, but bulky feel and no thanks Bart tones; and have never understood Sadowsky love, they're just OK. Former Alembic and 71 Precision owner here, now with a Roscoe and awaiting delivery of custom Dingwall!!

[@brendanerskine4158]

I think the Sadowsky love comes from a bass that sits very well in a mix. Not at all a bass for the solo artist. I have a 5string metroline and the low B is just OK, certainly bettered by longer scale basses like the Dingwall, and have a different bass for that job. That low B on the F bass in this clip sounded great.

[@AdventureDriver]

Stradi from Poland makes insane basses.

[@devinebass]

🇵🇱🔥

[@Bi_scotti_5]

If you like the look of more atypical vintage basses like Gibsons or Rickenbackers, check out Serek Basses! He specializes mostly in short scale, passive basses, but he still makes them in full scale and he dabbles in 5-6 strings. He's open to experiment and he's already got clout in the industry. Bobby Wooten, Satomi Matsuzaki, and Tim Lefebvre play their own Serek basses!

[@Cap683]

I have two Serek basses. Jake will make your bass with just about any configuration that you can think. I am pretty sure that all of his basses are passive. One of his KZbin videos shows a Sacramento Bass with Thunder Buck Ranch (Thunderbird Style Pickups) that the customer sent to Serek. He still makes short scale basses but also will do medium scale and makes his version of the P-Bass at 34" length. He even makes his own pickups that can be sold separately.

[@mikaelchristensen9249]

For custom shop basses I absolutely adore Sandberg ❤️

[@SHAKAtheG]

Anaconda based in the UK. Great basses

[@rothaarbiker]

Human Base (a German "one man army" company / Siggi Jäger) builds very fine and astonishingly affordable basses! I am glad to own a very beautiful Human Base Max 6string, maple neck through body, flamed maple top, ebony fretboard, red sunburst finish, Bartolini pickups and Glockenklang preamp. Great sounding and great to play! Would be great if you could test one of these outstanding instruments.

[@3cuber749]

One brand you missed is the finnish breath of Vuorensaku guitars. There is also GAS guitarworks but i'm not sure if they make basses

[@skeptic_individual]

jens ritter,mayones,warwick,le fay, human base,torillo,

[@erikboncoref.7020]

Hey! Amazing video! You should take a look at the Stradi basses, they're amazing!

[@GunnarLoeb]

To play the bass and follow Scotts Bass Lessons I first need to win one xD

[@bt1972]

Laurus Basses (from Italy) 🤩😍🤩

[@RamaNatan]

I've owned & tried all the basses in the video, amazing basses and now owning an Alembic Rogue 5, you're missing something when skipping an Alembic in a boutique world!

[@niclem03]

Also -> Alpher, Adamovic, Sandberg.

[@Snibborwocky]

I still lust after John Patitucci's Ken Smith 6-string that he used at the beginning of his career. I remember seeing it being sold on eBay many many years ago. I'd love to know what ever happened to it.

[@romansessler9574]

Check out the stunning art of Ritter basses