| Memorable Bass Places--Nick Lloyd's Shop
In Cincinnati (my hometown), Nick Lloyd's shop is on Hamilton Avenue in Northside. The street is almost comically busy, and it is a real neighborhood--independently owned restaurants, bookstores, tattoo parlors, hair styling places and various non-chain retail stores. The shop itself is on the second floor, up a very long flight of stairs, to a higher than usual second floor.
The shop features two large benches, set up near big, old time windows overlooking the street scene. It is occupied by Nick, his assistant, and one very friendly old dog.
There is a small gaggle of new basses in the anteroom, but this shop is obviously about building and repair. Near the benches are some basses that have been damaged near the point of no return. There are the usual tools, and an air of purposeful dedication to the work that is very reassuring. One of Nick's own handmade basses is available to try, and everything about it announces real artistry. I took my bass for repairs and setup work, and learned a lot about the process while I was there. Nick took his time explaining the process to me, even though this was not going to be a big ticket transaction. The whole visit was memorable to me, not only for the chance to get the work done, but the chance to see real artisans in a non-corporate setting, pursuing their profession the way we can all imagine it was done centuries ago. I'm looking forward to going back. | 
