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Hey
A thread on talkbass got me thinking. It's about custom bass builds - do [i:3n87obxz]you[/i:3n87obxz] choose the wood/pickups/construction etc and make Sheldon "obey" or explain what sound/feel you want and just let Sheldon decide the specs on your behalf?
Of course, in the end, there's discussion until both sides agree. The specific question is: if you were to order a high-end Dingwall, would you, the reader, dare to let Sheldon choose everything after you explain the sound/feel, or would you choose the woods etc. and ask Sheldon for confirmation.
This question goes for Primas and Z-s more than any other DWs, of course.
EDIT:
Here's the article discussed in the TalkBass thread. It's not bass related, but is [i:3n87obxz]custom[/i:3n87obxz] related.
[url=http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/whats-new/silence-kit.339.html:3n87obxz]http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/whats-new/silence-kit.339.html[/url:3n87obxz]
[quote="BurningSkies":20hlao33]IIRC, I came to him and said 'this is what I like, what would you suggest?' and it proceeded from there. Things progressed along the way and as Sheldon thought about things he presented some great ideas.
As a reggae player, what I like wouldn't necessarily be what you'd expect though. I prefer a lively feeling bass that wears round wounds and has plenty of punch. I prefer to EQ my way to my sound and my fingers mean I always sound the way way I do, but I want my bass to feel alive and reactive. 
[/quote:20hlao33]
I really like your description of what did you want in your bass. It's not my thing, but it's a goal a luthier might enjoy pursuing. It puts constraints on the goal, but none on the design. I have no idea how would I explain my goals with any less than a sentence or a dozen
[/quote:20hlao33]
I really like your description of what did you want in your bass. It's not my thing, but it's a goal a luthier might enjoy pursuing. It puts constraints on the goal, but none on the design. I have no idea how would I explain my goals with any less than a sentence or a dozen 
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IIRC, I came to him and said 'this is what I like, what would you suggest?' and it proceeded from there. Things progressed along the way and as Sheldon thought about things he presented some great ideas.
As a reggae player, what I like wouldn't necessarily be what you'd expect though. I prefer a lively feeling bass that wears round wounds and has plenty of punch. I prefer to EQ my way to my sound and my fingers mean I always sound the way way I do, but I want my bass to feel alive and reactive.
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It will be the builder's name on it, so they should have some say in the matter. If they know that some specs just will not work well, then they have the right not to build it.
Just the answers I expected.
People on TB seem to be much more demanding in the follow-my-specs way, leaving nothing to be designed by the luthier. Some even bragged about having pages of specs sent to the luthier, to be followed to the smallest detail! I think that approach is very bad in many ways, both for the luthier and for the customer, for plenty of obvious reasons.
Though, to be frank, I guess only the smallest of luthiers accept deals like that.
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Absolutely!!!
Although someone ordering a bass like this ought to have a pretty good idea what works.
If you feel like you have to tell a skilled craftsman what material(s) to use than you've chosen the wrong one. The top wood(s) and little bits of trim you see on many instruments probably has more of an influence visually that audibly in many cases.
Lastly, I wouldn't doubt if this aspect of custom bass building was the most challenging in some ways.
[b:amaciaxx] ****I do not own a true Prima or Z****[/b:amaciaxx]
hummmmmm
since Sheldon and I put together the SuperJ and it started out as a custom one-off build. So in a word- to address your question--yes.
He is the expert, he understands wood and how it all comes together. He understands the nuances, and the technical execution.
Pretty much i had a 30,000 ft view- I knew what I wanted and how it was too look- everything else was a collaboration w/ sheldon taking lead and making recommendation.
He is a scholar in this world- not me.
my opinion of course
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