Looking for luthier in SE Wisconsin

billengelman · #1 07-08-2005, 05:32 AM

Anyone know of a good luthier in Southeast WI? I have an old K. Meyer bass that is in serious need of a setup. I'm a newbie and have been wrestling with this bass for several months. I had the opportunity to play a beautiful old Kay with an awesome setup and it was a world apart from what I've been dealing with. I'm also considering a new (old) bass, but have no idea where to find one around here. Any suggestions?

olivier · #2 07-08-2005, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billengelman

Anyone know of a good luthier in Southeast WI? I have an old K. Meyer bass that is in serious need of a setup. I'm a newbie and have been wrestling with this bass for several months. I had the opportunity to play a beautiful old Kay with an awesome setup and it was a world apart from what I've been dealing with. I'm also considering a new (old) bass, but have no idea where to find one around here. Any suggestions?

Take an apointment with Henry Boehm, nice guy, specialized in DB work - just moved his shop to a new location. Say hi to him on my behalf, I was very well received by him when I visited Madison, WI.

link to Henry Boehm's DB workshop

& try to check out his salsa band, I never saw them, but they're really rockin' on the demo CD.

sejarus · #3 07-08-2005, 11:35 AM

I'll second the recommendation for Henry Boehm. Very nice guy, and from what I can tell, just about everybody in this area goes to him.

Here's a second suggestion: Michelle Fiore, dba Classic Contrabass, Inc. She's in Wheeling, Illinois, just a few miles past the I 94/294 split, far northwest of Chicago. Depending on where you are in SE Wisconsin, she might be pretty close to you. Here' a link to her website: http://www.allthingsbass.com/

Mike Goodbar · #4 07-08-2005, 11:52 AM

I've also heard great comments about Henry and Michelle (glad to see she's joining in the discussions here).

If you're in Milwaukee, you might want to give Don Linke a call. He's pricipally a guitarist, but he's taken up bass and bass repair lately, and I've heard he does a good job for things like setup and minor repairs. You can get in touch with him through the Conservatory or UWM.

Also, I have to put in a plug for the local guy here in Racine, Dean Murphy. He's done some nice work for me over the years. He's in the book.

billengelman · #5 08-09-2005, 06:12 AM

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I bought a barely playable old plywood and had Henry (The Doublebass Workshop, Madison, WI) do a setup. It's magic, what a good luthier can do . When I got it back (on time) it was a different instrument. I had 2 gigs to play just a few days later and it sounded awesome and played like a dream Thank you, Henry!