London bass resources

[eh_train]

Hi all,

I am going to be visiting London the third week in July, and wanted to ask TBers in the area if there are string shops that are worth visiting. Also, if there are any particularly good musical events occurring (especially jazz), or other music-related stuff worth knowing about.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Paul (Eh_train)

[jackduran]

i don't know london too well, so i can't help you as much is i'd like to, though i do know of one excellent bass shop. it's called the bass gallery and i think it's on royal college street near camden. they have some great stuff in sometimes. you can see some of their stock online. i believe they do strings too.

http://www.thebassgallery.com

[cnltb]

Bridgewood and neitzert sell acoustic basses and I'm quite sure they do strings also.- http://www.londonviolins.com/
For electric basses there's this place- http://www.thebassgallery.com/

As to jazz in London-I'd check the websites for teh following venues..
The Barbican- http://www.barbican.org.uk/
The royal festival hall- http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
The Vorrtex- http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/
Charlie wrights- http://www.charliewrights.com/
Pizza express dean street- http://www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzList.aspx
Jazz cafe-Not much jazz there...but
http://www.jazzcafelive.com/

There's ronnie scott's also but it's not what it used to be by a very,very long way-and I don't go any more.
http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/schedule/2010/july

Where in London will you be staying-that may make it easier to point you in a more specific direction

[Paul Warburton]

If you miss this, you crazy. 35 minutes from London on the train. One of the highest regarded DB shops on the planet.

http://www.contrabass.co.uk/contact.htm

[pearcey]

http://www.contrabass.co.uk/contact.htm

That's one of the best double bass websites I've seen!

[eh_train]

Thanks all, now I can plan some activities! Cnltb, I am in Kensington (but don't mind taking walk, tubes, trains - any sort of conveyance).

Cheers,

Paul (Eh_train)

[cnltb]

I forgot one... http://www.606club.co.uk/

Kensington has the tube and plenty busses.
Not a bad starting location :-)

[LouisF]

Tony at the Contrabass Shoppe is a great guy. Brace yourself for his prices though. For a real thrill play the Hawkes, Cole and Brock "maggini" basses there. I still have dreams about them!!
Louis

PS: Also Geoffrey Sheppard in Surrey is an excellent bass maker and has made a fine cornerless bass. His prices are very reasonable. Let me know if you want to meet him. I have his contact info.