The answer is no. A truly custom instrument is far more than just swapping out parts or applying paint.
Becoming a luthier is a long and arduous process of dedicated study and application, kinda like the basic steps of becoming a bassist — to whatever degree of proficiency…or lack thereof.
In contrast, being a master luthier is like being a James Jamerson or a Marcus Miller — not just a better-level player, but a true artist that transcends the mundane to create unique, truly artful expressions of the art form.
Much has been opined and written on this forum and elsewhere about the wisdom, or lack thereof, of buying a custom instrument. That’s fine, as far as it goes: “My [mass-produced brand/model here] has/does everything a fancy-wooded, overpriced [custom bass here] has/can do.”
Yeah, that’s kinda true. To a point.
After all, a Buick can roll down the same road as a bespoke Bugatti, and the difference in sticker shock between the two is legitimately as inconceivable to most drivers as it is astronomically high.
On the other hand, having a custom build created by a master luthier, along with its extremely long wait time and expense, yields something that didn’t exist before, and arguably will never exist again in the exact same way: it creates art.
It’s not just about beauty that inspires me to pick it up; it delivers playability far beyond what other basses can offer me. This is light-years beyond what parts modding could ever achieve: it is true ergonomics attuned to my left hand.
Personally, I couldn’t care less about resale — but there’s that pesky subjective perspective again. Your mileage may and, entirely possibly, could vary. And that’s as it should be. Buy what you want. Spend how you want. Mod if you must. It’s all good. In the meanwhile, I’ve got a bass made for me, and I love playing it. To me, it doesn’t get any more worthwhile than that.