Nashville and Chattanooga and everywhere in between bass stores

PRUNEFACE · #1 03-29-2010, 01:58 PM

Are there any stringed instruments stores/shops in the Chatt. or Nashv. or anywhere in between that have a good number of basses? In town for spring break and wondered if any of you had any bass-related recommendations.

Thanks

lesclaypoolsob · #2 03-29-2010, 02:01 PM

You would do well to check out the Low End in Murfreesboro, outside of Nashville.

Steve Killingsworth · #3 03-29-2010, 02:40 PM

To begin your search:

Dustin Williams probably has the largest selection of basses in the area. Nashville Violins has several basses listed on their website. Gruhn Guitars also usually carries a few on consignment. Jim Ferguson often has a bass or two as well.

There are some other music stores that carry CBOs but I would try them as a last resort.

funkadelickbass · #4 03-29-2010, 03:02 PM

check out www.holmesbassviol.com

nice guy...passed a few emails with him...has a lot that isn't on the site

pedulla-2007 · #5 03-29-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesclaypoolsob

You would do well to check out the Low End in Murfreesboro, outside of Nashville.

+1

Steve Killingsworth · #6 03-29-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkadelickbass

check out www.holmesbassviol.com

Wayne is approximately 130 miles west of Nashville (the wrong side if coming from Chattanooga).

PRUNEFACE · #7 03-30-2010, 03:25 PM

Went by lowend (for my second time) and Williams... At williams I found many wonderful basses -near where I live there are NO basses! I LOVED a Rumano Solano (the owner said it was the best built he had ever seen...) and a mid-1800s 5/8ths german... Great basses. Only electric stuff at LowEnd but it was like a candy store with all of the instruments they had!

Steve Killingsworth · #8 03-30-2010, 08:21 PM

I spent a little time with that Solano myself a while back. It wasn't my favorite but it was pretty potent.

Dustin's shop is an evil place that leads me into lust every time I stop by.

Paul Warburton · #9 03-30-2010, 08:39 PM

I wouldn't hesitate one second to contact Jim Ferguson, as Steve mentioned, in Nashville...great bassist, singer and top notch bass luthier. He knows his ****. He may not have many basses for sale but does have that important hook-up in the area and may be able to help in your search.

On the other hand I wouldn't go anywhere near Wayne Holmes on a bet.
IME, IMO.

Will Yager · #10 03-31-2010, 07:02 AM

I just had a lesson with Jim a week or two ago and can testify to his greatness.

Paul Warburton · #11 03-31-2010, 09:22 AM

Say hi next time for me would you please, Will?
Just met him here at a recent concert. Wonderful player and great cat. Some guy named Edgar Meyer seems fond of his luthier work too.

Steve Killingsworth · #12 03-31-2010, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Yager

I just had a lesson with Jim a week or two again and can testify to his greatness.

That's pretty much identical to my experience with Jim. I haven't had a lesson with him in two years but what he taught me opened my eyes and ears to what the big fiddle is capable of. On rare occasions, I actually hear a little glimpse of those possibilities in my playing.

chaseabner · #13 04-01-2010, 07:09 AM

Not everyone agrees around here regarding Wayne Holmes' opinions, but he really is a nice guy in person. I've done business with him twice and both times he treated me like family and was patient with a beginner like me.

I keep seeing comments against him and just wonder how many of those people have actually bothered to talk to him or visit his shop. I'm not trying to start a battle here, I just wish this place were a little more civil.

fmooney · #14 04-01-2010, 10:56 AM

Try Wayne Holmes at holmesbassviol.com He is in Tennessee but can ship anywhere. He has a big inventory between 45 to 50 basses, more than I have ever seen in one place, at many price ranges including yours. I highly recommend him as I have been there 4 or 5 times. I bought an Englehardt and love it, it is really set up nicely. My friend went with me and bought a Shen, I bought a cello for my wife also. He is a luthier and a master craftsman. His set up is the main reason to use him; he has always done a great job for me and my friends. You can view some of his inventory at his site. Good luck.

FM Tennessee

LouisF · #15 04-01-2010, 11:54 AM

Paul,

Can you be more specific about your complaints with Wayne (privately or publicly)? I feel a bit responsible as I was one of the first to talk about him here when I bought my Swanson bass from him last summer.

He is a bit of a character and his email skills aren't always the best (some kinds of humor just don't translate) but I found him honest, welcoming and patient in person. The quality of his work was good and his prices were fair.

If there have been negative experiences etc, I'd like to know.

Thanks,

Louis

PS - I also know Jim pretty well, and as has been stated, he is a great guy. I don't mean to imply otherwise by my support of Holmes.

laklandplayer · #16 04-01-2010, 12:33 PM

I've been viewing this thread. I'm personal friends with Jim Ferguson and Brian Barrett, both are fine and talented individuals whom I respect.

And, based on my personal experience, Wayne Holmes has been great to me.

I bought a new Shen from him and the neck developed a hairline crack after about 3 months. Not only did Wayne immediately replace it, he drove 100 miles and delivered it to me. He didn't give me any crap or push back over it. Wayne stepped up and took ownership of the problem.

He did a fantastic setup on my bass and at my request, reshaped the neck exactly to my liking. This bass plays and sounds great, to a point that it actually inspires me to practice in a way no other acoustic bass, I've owned, ever did.

I've made all of my money and built my reputation on electric and I owe a lot of gratitude to Wayne for encouraging me to get back on acoustic after laying off of it for several years. If it weren't for his knowledge and guidance I would not have done it.

Wayne is a fine luthier, in a day where they are very hard to find, and a compassionate person who puts his customers' interest and well being ahead of dollar signs.

This has been my experience and I would have no qualms recommending him to any bassist be it a student, amateur or professional.

Marta P. · #17 04-01-2010, 01:57 PM

Wayne Holmes is a wonderful person to work with. I'm not sure where he is in relation to Chattanooga (I'm not from that part of the country), but he is easy to work with and very helpful. He sells some fine instruments and his prices are very reasonable. I live in Wyoming and even with the distance he was able to help me get the perfect bass, my first solid wood bass in fact, and get it safely to my door. The old German bass I ended up with was a restoration project of Wayne's and it's a beauty. Wayne expended a tremendous amount of time and effort helping me choose an instrument and treated me like family throughout the process and since. I would recommend him to anyone.

Paul Warburton · #18 04-02-2010, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

Paul,
Can you be more specific about your complaints with Wayne (privately or publicly)?
Louis

Louis, I wasn't originally going to respond your question but at this point I have decided to. The fact that you are a member here who has established some credibility at TBDB is one reason, but the biggest reason is that I feel that this site is endangered, especially apparent in the Basses forum heading. Trolls abound more than usual and schills are becoming obvious. Only one that I can prove in this thread....fmooney. Look at his post. The same copy he sent to me in a PM with some additional offer to play cupid between Wayne Holmes and myself. Look at mooney's Profile....4 posts, all touting Wayne. Hello?
There are more from other happy customers spread out over the last few months although with the exception of mooney, at least in this thread, I don't see much except from people who are happy with his business.
Mooney came in here.....fmooney We reported that and Damon did his job and closed it down.
As I mention in that thread, I received two PM's over at Ken's site from Wayne himself, trying to make it sound like I had some misunderstanding in not liking him and asked that I come into this thread and publicly apologize to him. Right, me apologize publicly to a banned member of TB who didn't have a clue how to conduct himself in a public forum. What's more, as I mention in that other thread, Wayne asked if he could call me on the phone. My reply: No. And if you do that I will consider it harrasment.

drurb · #19 04-02-2010, 08:43 AM

I only know of Wayne through my experience here. I certainly took the time to try and get to know him and "bothered to talk to him" via theses threads. He conducted himself in a manner that was argumentative, rude, insulting, condescending, unreceptive, devoid of cordiality, accusatory, and "troll-like." As PW mentioned, he got himself banned. That speaks volumes.

Now, I am willing to take at face value the comments made by those here who say they've received fine service from Wayne and that he has treated them well and been a helpful and caring resource. Maybe he's just fine so long as no one is questioning his opinions. We're left then with what appears to be a disconnect but I will say that there remains an objective written record here that anyone can explore for himself/herself.

As for fmooney, he does Wayne Holmes more harm than good. He doesn't even pass the laugh test. He has not contributed anything of substance here. All four of his posts were shameless promotions of Wayne Holmes.

LouisF · #20 04-02-2010, 09:28 AM

Paul - and drub - I appreciate the responses. I can only speak from my own experience. And you from yours. I think this thread has aired both sides (unfortunately more info than the poor OP probably wanted) and if people choose to do business with Wayne, they know he has his pluses and minuses, and that, assuming the three of us have some experience worth listening to, then people should take both sides of the equation to bear and proceed accordingly.

I think that's all I have to say, other than, again, appreciating your responses.

Thanks

Louis

PS: I take your points on the shills and trolls issue - I think it has gotten out of hand in this thread and in others and has soured the nature of this forum significantly.