Setup Recommendation in LA

[Gideon]

So whenever I go in to Stein on Vine Gary is always hassling me to bring in my bass. He's a great guy but I don't know if their setup work is any good. My bass hasn't been touched by a luthier since I bought it (7 or so years ago) and I want to treat my baby right by giving it some love. Probably long overdue. Anyone have personal experience with either Lisa Gass or whoever does the setup work at Stein on Vine.

Unless someone says my bass will sound like the hand of god I'm not traveling down to Long Beach or O.C.

[hdiddy]

Look up Lisa Gass @ LA Bassworks. http://www.losangelesbassworks.com/contact.html

[jacochops]

You're in Chatsworth, and you won't travel to Long Beach?

John at World of Strings is among the finest in LA. He truly is the guy to go to. I've seen more than a few basses set up by Lisa G, and she is scary good, but John is primo when it comes to getting the most out of your bass, especially for pizz work. Really a fine cat who knows his craft intimately, and I have first hand, multiple experiences with him. He's top class.
Try living in Oregon, where the best setup guy in the area is 6 hours away...Long Beach is an hour in light traffic. That is, fortunately, one of the ONLY things I miss about living in So Cal.

[Gideon]

I might be moving back to Oregon in the next six months, that's one of my motivations for getting the setup done down here. Long Beach isn't terrible but Bass Works and Stein on Vine are closer. So if it's not a big win to go down there, I'll choose not getting on the 405.

So no one users Stein on Vine for setups?

[LouisF]

I've used both - and both are good. Lisa is probably better with high end orchestra instruments and Gary does really with bread and butter stuff - but that may be an over simplification. I've also used Nick Roubas (who is now in the Valley; used to be on Sunset). If you have a relationship with Gary and he knows what kind of music you make, it's probably going to be ok.

Is that vague enough? They're both good.

(I almost bought a bass from Jon at World of Strings and he's a very good guy - but Gary and Lisa are both ten minutes from my house - in opposite directions - I've just never brought anything down to him)

Louis