i want to get an upright to learn on. I am taking some classes at school and i think upright is where id like to focus my attention.
Does anyone know of a place in La with Uprights and other ''orchestral'' instruments that i could actually get my hands on?

thanks

I know someone will say it, so I'll beat them to the punch :D
How about Lemur Music (www.lemurmusic.com)? I know, it's in San Juan Capistrano, but that really isn't that far a drive (of course, with LA traffic, it could take a day). They're a great store, and will make appointments to meet on Saturdays so that you can try out their basses...

Best of luck!

I know someone will say it, so I'll beat them to the punch :D
How about Lemur Music (www.lemurmusic.com)? I know, it's in San Juan Capistrano, but that really isn't that far a drive (of course, with LA traffic, it could take a day). They're a great store, and will make appointments to meet on Saturdays so that you can try out their basses...

Best of luck!

I will second that with Lemur. They have a large selection of double basses and bows. And, the people there are terrific to deal with.

World of Strings in Long Beach is another great shop.

I'd check with Lisa Gause, shes a very reputable luthier in LA and she may know of a bass for sale. Also, check with the musicians institute. Puter Smith teaches there and he mentioned something about upright basses the school refers to students for purchase. Good Luck

+3
The people at Lemur music at great to deal with. I purchased a bass from them (my first upright) last summer and I could not be happier. I spend about 6 hours there playing every bass in the store till the one I own talked to me.
They are truly world class.

I haven't lived in LA for more than 15 years, so I don't know if they're still there . . .
"Stein on Vine" across the street from the Musician's Union (near Vine and Melrose)
"Studio City Music" on Ventura Blvd. west(?) of Colfax in Studio City. Paul Tonegues (spelling?)-luthier

Good Luck

yes i would have to say LEMUR in capistrano and WORLD OF STRINGS in long beach.. both just great in stuff and service!!!! lemur has more nice new basses and world of strings has more used but nice basses.. cant go wrong with either..

+1 on the World of Strings reference. John (the owner) is a very cool guy and always has time to talk to you, even while setting a sound post.
As previously mentioned, they have a selection of used, but very nice basses. Last time I visited, there was a one that dated to the late 1800s. Very nice!

I haven't lived in LA for more than 15 years, so I don't know if they're still there . . .
"Stein on Vine" across the street from the Musician's Union (near Vine and Melrose)
"Studio City Music" on Ventura Blvd. west(?) of Colfax in Studio City. Paul Tonegues (spelling?)-luthier

Good Luck

Studio City is still around, but Paul Toenniges died a number of years ago.

I'd check with Lisa Gause, shes a very reputable luthier in LA and she may know of a bass for sale. Also, check with the musicians institute. Puter Smith teaches there and he mentioned something about upright basses the school refers to students for purchase. Good Luck

Back when I lived in L.A., she worked in a fiddle shop in Glendale that usually had a nice selection of basses. Sorry to say I can't recall the name of the place.

+1 for Lemur.

+1 On the World of Strings in Long Beach. They also can hook you up with a good deal on a beginner instrument, and let you
check out the different actions and setups for the style of music you want to play.

You will also get to see,feel,and hear the difference between a budget bass, and a professional bass.

The last time I was in, they were setting up a bass for Larry Carter!!

I got to play it, and really felt unworthy. Good luck.

+1 World of strings. That is where I get my work done . John and Ralph are way cool.
B

+3
The people at Lemur music at great to deal with. I purchased a bass from them (my first upright) last summer and I could not be happier. I spend about 6 hours there playing every bass in the store till the one I own talked to me.
They are truly world class.

just don't have them rehair your bow

ok cool thanks everyone. Im heading to san fransisco tomorrow and hopefully get to make some stops or at least check out Lemur while im out and about.

Studio City music isn't too far i'll probably check them out today if i have time.

Does anyone know if any of these places have Rent-To-Own programs/deals n such?


thanks

If you're heading to San Francisco, then there's quite a few more options as well...

Back when I lived in L.A., she worked in a fiddle shop in Glendale that usually had a nice selection of basses. Sorry to say I can't recall the name of the place.

+1 for Lemur.
I think you mean Metzlers Violin shop in Glendale.
Has anyone here had any experience with LA Bass Works? I'm going to check them out this weekend.

LA Bassworks is Lisa Gass' shop and it is wonderful. I was just in the four days ago--full disclosure, she has taken back my Eastman hybrid to sell for me because I've bought a LaScala hybrid--and it is full of instruments. Lisa sold me the Eastman and she did a fantastic setup job on it for me. I like the other shops mentioned as well, but you can't go wrong with Lisa. She is honest, reputable and does excellent repair and set-up work.

Lisa is the best of the best - and consequently is extremely busy.

Her shop is not really a 'sales' type place (one of the reasons I like it) - she will let you try the basses she has while she continues to work in the back, and is very low key and low-pressure.

She mostly caters to the top-end pros and working musicians, and a complete novice might do well to take a knowledgeable friend or teacher to try out basses, but one of the things I like best about visiting L.A. Bassworks is that no matter who you are Lisa genuinely treats you like you are her very best customer. That doesn't happen at many places.

Oh, and she's a pretty good player too :bassist:

Andy

+1 World of strings. That is where I get my work done . John and Ralph are way cool.
B


+1 here. They do great work, and I must say, the prices are great. Just don't ask for wheel adjusters.

+1 here. They do great work, and I must say, the prices are great. Just don't ask for wheel adjusters.

Does John not like adjustable bridges?

i just got back from her shop where she reset the sound post on my upton ply medio fino. i had an appointment with her today thinking that i was going to leave my bass there, but when i got to her shop she put my bass right on the bench and started working on it immediately as her shop was so packed with basses that another one would make it impossible to walk around. anyway, she was done in less than thirty minutes, was very personable and made time to chitchat. as a beginner she made me feel very comfortable and explained everything she did as i watched and even engaged in a short talk about adjustable vs. fixed bridge. all and all a very good experience so this newbie recommends her :)

i just got back from her shop where she reset the sound post on my upton ply medio fino. i had an appointment with her today thinking that i was going to leave my bass there, but when i got to her shop she put my bass right on the bench and started working on it immediately as her shop was so packed with basses that another one would make it impossible to walk around. anyway, she was done in less than thirty minutes, was very personable and made time to chitchat. as a beginner she made me feel very comfortable and explained everything she did as i watched and even engaged in a short talk about adjustable vs. fixed bridge. all and all a very good experience so this newbie recommends her :)
Well that's good to know. I called and spoke with Lisa about bringing my bass in on Saturday. I expect I'll have to leave it for a few days depending on how backed up she is.
Do they have bows for sale there? I'm looking for one.

yes she does have bows. not sure exactly the price range though. btw it's not "they" but her. i think lisa runs the shop on her own :)

Well that's good to know. I called and spoke with Lisa about bringing my bass in on Saturday. I expect I'll have to leave it for a few days depending on how backed up she is.
Do they have bows for sale there? I'm looking for one.

Darn-it! I should have kept my mouth shut - now the secret's out Lisa's going to be busier than ever :eyebrow: :D

Actually we are very spoiled for great luthiers in the So-Cal area; you almost want to go just hang out at these places 'cause they treat you so well.

I had a gig last Saturday in Long Beach and dropped in on John at World of Strings on my way there. He gave me great info and insight on some work I'd like done on my bass - starting with a Labourie end-pin. He's the local Labourie expert, so I'll have him do that sometime soon, and maybe some of the other stuff we talked about if I can bear to leave my bass.

My dealings with Lemur have been great, Gary at Stein on Vine is always fun to talk to, and there's a very good Violin luthier, Nick Roubas, in the Valley near where I live that has done some great Bass repair/restoration work.

Ahhh...so many Luthiers, so little time (and money) :help:

Andy

Stein On Vine has a good selection of basses for you to try, from entry level basses to pro quality. They are on Vine Street right across the street from Local 47. There's no telling who you might find hanging out there. All the great players in town know Stein On Vine. Jon and Lisa are also very cool and masters at what they do, but if you want to try out a bunch of nice basses and at the same time see a part of Los Angeles jazz history you must visit Stein On Vine. It's holy ground!

I haven't lived in LA for more than 15 years, so I don't know if they're still there . . .
"Stein on Vine" across the street from the Musician's Union (near Vine and Melrose)...

Stein On Vine has a good selection of basses for you to try, from entry level basses to pro quality. They are on Vine Street right across the street from Local 47. There's no telling who you might find hanging out there. All the great players in town know Stein On Vine. Jon and Lisa are also very cool and masters at what they do, but if you want to try out a bunch of nice basses and at the same time see a part of Los Angeles jazz history you must visit Stein On Vine. It's holy ground!

Thanks for letting me know that it's STILL there . . .

Stein On Vine has a good selection of basses for you to try, from entry level basses to pro quality. They are on Vine Street right across the street from Local 47. There's no telling who you might find hanging out there. All the great players in town know Stein On Vine. Jon and Lisa are also very cool and masters at what they do, but if you want to try out a bunch of nice basses and at the same time see a part of Los Angeles jazz history you must visit Stein On Vine. It's holy ground!

I was in LA for business and made it a point to stop by the Stein shop.

They had quite a varied selection of basses. And, best of all, they had a lefty bass that I could actually try out. It was an old German flatback that had a nice sound even though it had old Corelli strings on it. If I could have packed it into my suitcase for the flight home, I might of bought it.

There was no pressure to buy. He just let me play away while he talked with other customers.


With my travels to the LA area, I have made it to Lemur, World of Strings, and now Stein. All three are worth the trip!