California Bass shops and Luthiers

jcaf4242 · #1 09-01-2009, 08:39 AM

Hello everybody,

My name is Jesse and I'm planning on moving to San Francisco in a few weeks from Boston.

I'm in the market for a new bass and I figured I'd ask around and find out where the good bass shops are in California, I'm willing to drive a bit to check out that special bass.

Also if any of the people on this forum are from the bay area, I'd love to hear your opinion and recommendations of luthiers around town, I'd like to get out west with a running start.

Thanks!

WalterBush · #2 09-01-2009, 09:04 AM

Guitar Showcase in San Jose. Great selection, the sales staff will let you play literally any bass there and they're extremely helpful. Anything from Squier to Gibson to Alembic to Fender CS in stock. They've got a good consignment store, too. I go there every time I'm in the Bay Area, and practically lived there when I had work in San Jose.

Gelb Music in San Mateo. The staff aren't as free with letting you plug in and play $x,xxx instruments, but still a great store with a large selection of production-line, high-end, and boutique instruments.

There's others, like Thin Man in Alameda, but they cater to a more specialized market. Gary Bauer in San Francisco is a great luthier, and the music store his workshop is attatched to has crazy oddball used stuff I have yet to see elsewhere. I'm sure someone here knows the name of the shop, I don't remember it.

Richard Stone · #3 09-01-2009, 09:06 AM

You will want to check out Steve Swan in Burlingame. His website is www.steveswanguitars. He carries a large selection of basses and is one of the nicest people you will deal with in finding a bass. He will let you take basses to try and will do everything he can to make sure you are happy with your bass and that it works for you.

hdiddy · #4 09-01-2009, 05:35 PM

Considering that a poster has certainly gotten lost on the wrong side of the forums here, what kind of bass are you looking for, and how much are you willing to spend?

eucalyptus · #5 09-01-2009, 05:58 PM

hi, i go to a place in oakland called 'best instrument repair' and the bass guy there is named Greg Smithson. they've got a constantly rotating line-up of new and used basses and bows, fair prices and good turnaround time on repair work. not a huge selection, though. they'll let you hang out and try any bass(es) you're interested in for as long as you want without bugging you, yet they're happy to answer any questions and give straightforward answers. i got my bass there and am happy with it.

hdiddy · #6 09-01-2009, 07:13 PM

BTW: Beyond a few that Steve Swan can carry in his small shop, the selection in California generally sucks ass, unless you drive drown to LA. Even then it's still limited to only a few shops. If you're looking for a pedigree bass, I would rather buy it around where you are now and bring it with you.

Bryan Caldwell · #7 09-01-2009, 07:26 PM

You'll find that Steve Swan has 30-40 basses in stock. Well worth a visit. Check out his website and contact him for an appointment.

Jsn · #8 09-01-2009, 08:03 PM

Greg Smithson at Best Instrument Repair is one of the best things going for Bay Area bassists. Instrument sales are more of a side thing in his shop, though--as the name of the business implies, the emphasis is on repair.

I haven't visited Steve Swan's showroom yet (too much temptation!), but that'll be one of my first stops when I get serious about buying my next bass. He has a sterling reputation out here, and the biggest selection of basses between Portland and L.A.

Another good visit would be to Bruce Sexauer up in Petaluma. He's one of the best guitar luthiers in the world, but he also fixes up and sells basses. Not a huge selection, but given his background and skills you can count on encountering some impressive instruments. His site is www.thestringbass.com.

I agree with the assessment that the West Coast in general doesn't hold a candle to the East Coast. Sure you don't wanna swing by Gage, Upton, Arnold, etc on your way out?

Square Bear · #9 09-01-2009, 09:25 PM

i don't know your price range, but you should contact bruce moyer down in san jose. bought a bow from him a little over a year ago. he always has very nice basses and bows.

SLivinghouse · #10 09-01-2009, 10:05 PM

+1 on Steve Swan
Bought my Wulter bass from him. Even though his shops name is Steve Swan Guitars, he's a bassist and keeps many basses around to choose from. I tried several basses while selecting the one I got and he was very knowledable. Good guy to deal with. Jeff Sahs in Sacramento is an excellent luthier - Has a violin shop, but primarily is a bassist as well.
Hope this helps.
Steve

jcaf4242 · #11 09-01-2009, 11:04 PM

wow, thanks everyone for the info, I'll do some research. I actually may be getting a double bass before my trip out there, but it's still great to know the resources out there and know the luthiers nearby.

Jsn · #12 09-02-2009, 09:53 AM

Welcome to the Bay Area, by the way. While there's not a glut of bass shops here, there's also not a glut of players. What kind of music are you looking to play?

jcaf4242 · #13 09-02-2009, 10:30 AM

I play a lot of styles, but if I had to put it in order of what I work on the most it would be jazz, funk, rock/blues and classical. I play upright and electric bass.

It'll be interesting to move to a new area, coming from Boston I think I'll quickly notice the smaller amount of players in the bay area.

LyleRyan · #14 09-02-2009, 10:31 AM

+1 for Steve Swan.

I believe Steve has the largest selection of Basses in the Bay Area. I bought my Paesold from him and am very happy with it.
A fellow Bassplayer, and a great guy to boot.

...Lyle

Gary Lynch · #15 09-04-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Stone

You will want to check out Steve Swan in Burlingame. His website is www.steveswanguitars. He carries a large selection of basses and is one of the nicest people you will deal with in finding a bass. He will let you take basses to try and will do everything he can to make sure you are happy with your bass and that it works for you.

A+

Gornick · #16 09-04-2009, 10:27 PM

Don't forget Alex Friedman in South SF. He does excellent work, and has a small showroom to boot.

http://www.acousticbassshop.com/

kwd · #17 09-04-2009, 11:06 PM

You might want to check out Kamimoto Strings in San Jose. While they are concentrated on supplying student instruments -mostly violin, viola and cello- they carry a nice line of Chinese fully carved basses. It's a small place and I doubt they'd have more than 3 basses in the store but it's worth considering the trip south -about 45 miles mostly freeway.

I played a gamba instrument in the store for about $3000 that smoked my Christopher hybrid. For set up work I prefer the Bass Doctor in Felton (over the hill near the coast) but Kamimoto is good for buying a bass. When I'm at a point where I can afford a new bass I will be looking there first.

chanson · #18 09-04-2009, 11:12 PM

I don't know about his policy about playing the basses, but when I stopped in once, he was a really great guy

http://www.bassandbeyond.net/

Jsn · #19 09-05-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chanson

I don't know about his policy about playing the basses, but when I stopped in once, he was a really great guy

http://www.bassandbeyond.net/

Hmmmm....don't really see any double basses on that website.

Gary Lynch · #20 09-05-2009, 03:12 PM

If you want a good bass luthier, and a great person to deal with in the Bay area;

http://www.thebassdoc.com/