Boutique Basses Explored: The Modern Age of Bass Innovation

While the bass guitar industry has been dominated by the obvious players – Fender, Music Man, Rickenbacker, and to a lesser extent Gibson, Ibanez, and Yamaha – countless other brands that have been delivering high-quality bass guitars for decades. 

Part of the challenge for any lesser-known brand is firstly to make the name known, and secondly to secure some market share. The quicker rate of depreciating value complicates things further, as many bassists know a Fender will retain its value pretty effectively as it ages – in some cases even growing. 

In the past decade or so, however, as the digital age has become a mainstay form of advertising and information gathering, the prevalence of boutique basses has grown massively. Bassists have access to more information and second-hand experience from influencers and like-minded individuals across the globe about specific products. There’s more choice than ever and some of the brands discussed here offer unparalleled quality. Let’s go through some you need to keep an eye out for when picking up a new bass. 

Sandberg

The first entry to our list is German-based manufacturer Sandberg. Founded in 1986, Sandberg is the second largest instrument builder in Germany, producing around 1,500 instruments a year – across guitars and basses – making only around 3 a day across the team of builders, with a 2-1 split of basses-guitars being built typically. 

Sandberg has a series of standard models that relate to pickup configurations and body shapes, but each bass ordered from Sandberg is customised specifically to your order. It’s part of the charm of a used Sandberg bass – the previous owner will have crafted it meticulously, making it nearly one-of-a-kind. All Sandberg basses ordered from their configurator are handmade by their masterbuild team. 

Mike Lull

Mike Lull is a well-known luthier and bass guitar manufacturer currently based in Seattle. Founded by Mike Lull himself in 1976, his name has become synonymous with masterbuilt basses played by the most discerning of musicians. 

Mike’s team has grown to a select roster of best-in-class luthiers working from the factory, offering a range of Jazz and Precision-inspired instruments as standard models, alongside a host of spectacular custom builds and artist signature models – the IMA4 is a personal favourite.

Mike unfortunately passed away in early 2020 from cancer, but his spirit endures in his incredible basses and the team that continues to build them.

Dingwall

We’ve covered Canadian manufacturer Dingwall in a previous post in great detail, but they still deserve a spot on our list nonetheless. Known for their unique futuristic design and standardised fanned fret construction, Dingwall has become a mainstay in the metal scene for their superb B-string sound and feel. That isn’t to say that they’re a one-trick pony, however, Le Sklar plays a Dingwall after all. Need we say more? 

They make 9 models total, 7 of which are made from their Saskatoon plant, and offer both factory standard models and a custom shop series for Dingwall enthusiasts. It’s well worth giving the fanned fret system a solid run before making a call though, so keep that in mind!

Winyard

Winyard began in 2019 with a single build and has since gone on to become a leading luthier and customer guitar builder in the United Kingdom. Based in Leamington Spa, the heavily distressed finishes and fresh takes on classic designs really caught our eye at BassBros – so much so that we stock them as new Winyard basses! 

Their reverse P-style ‘The Rev’ bass model is a particularly cool number you can come and try it at BassBros today. We’re big fans of Winyard’s work and highly recommend checking them out.

Warwick

Warwick isn’t quite in the same camp as other options here. They’re already incredibly well known and (as with the others) highly regarded, and many bassists have had a chance to play a Warwick bass. Even with the relatively large amount of awareness compared to others on this list, the quality is undeniable and Warwick deserves a spot on this list. 

Warwick has been operating for 43 years now and is yet another German-born instrument maker. They started specifically as a premium bass guitar manufacturer and that DNA remains today. John Entwistle famously played a Warwick bass during their very early inception. Hundreds of artists use Warwick as their go-to choice for a bass and for good reason. 

Warwick offers three main lines – their Custom Shop series from masterbuild luthiers, Pro series teambuild basses, and the RockBass series produced from their Chinese plant. 

Shuker

Shuker Guitars is a relatively local luthier based in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire. Jon Shuker has been crafting unique eye-catching basses and guitars independently since 1995 and has become a known and trusted brand in the bass world specifically. 

Shuker Guitars offers a number of models, as well as custom builds for individual needs. Keep in mind that even a standard model is still an individual build that will be discussed and agreed upon by you and Shuker. We’re big fans of the work from this luthier and have seen several Shuker basses come through our doors. We’re always sad to see them leave!

Sadowsky

Sadowsky is a USA brand based in New York and founded by Roger Sadowsky himself in 1979. Even as recently as 2011 Sadowsky only had 10 instrument builders on staff, making every Sadowsky bass a truly personal affair.

Interestingly, in 2019 Sadowsky entered into a manufacturing deal with our previous entry Warwick to support a larger output of instruments, adding the budget-conscious MetroLine models to the picture. Masterbuild basses do come from the German factory, but every US Sadowsky is specifically denoted with the NYC moniker to differentiate them. 

Every NYC Sadowsky is a top-notch instrument that stands against the quality of any other bass we can think of. They’re truly something special.

The Bottom Line

While we love a Fender or Music Man any day of the week (and we have some amazing ones in stock), we’d be remiss to ignore the world of boutique bass guitars available. So many incredible manufacturers and luthiers are redefining the world of bass with unique takes on classics, as well as completely fresh designs unique to the brand. 

We have a selection of basses from the brands discussed available at BassBros, so feel free to get in touch and arrange an appointment.