Michael Hartery opened his bass repair shop last month in the Fort Point area of Boston. With a BM from MSM and a Masters’ from UNT, he is a well-schooled player. He plays both French and German bows, well. As an excellent, working player, he knows how a bass should behave. Happily for the rest of us, he also knows how to work on them.
As a luthier, he is everything I could have hoped for – attentiveness, creativity, pragmatism, technical knowledge, manual skill, experience, and prudence. During his time at UNT, he ended up running their repair shop…catering to the needs and emergencies of the 60 or so bassists in that program.
I took my recently purchased bass to him, needing at least a new bridge, soundpost adjustment, and some fingerboard tuneup. The bass didn’t play or sound well.
He played and diagnosed the instrument's myriad issues, commenting on potential solutions as we went along. While I expressed some willingness to do “whatever was needed,” he (thankfully) took a much more considered approach. His plan was to begin with items that would yield the biggest result vs. effort.
With minimal fuss, he neatly corrected my bridge notch issues, then cut and fitted a new soundpost. He then talked me through more options to get more sound out of the bass – ranging from the easiest to the hardest. I am returning now for a new bridge; next the fingerboard.
The bass plays and sounds remarkably better already with the small amount he’s done. He knew how to do just the right thing. Strategic effort with high results.
I am a tough customer. I am a pro woodworker with a relentless eye. I am a former pro bassist (now amateur) who has been lucky enough to be around some great players and amazing instruments. I am familiar with what high quality looks like, and what it sounds like, both in music and in woodworking.
I recommend Michael unconditionally. He has been wonderfully professional, attentive, and knowledgeable. Truly, a great new option for any N.E. bassist who wants their instrument repaired or improved. We are blessed with some wonderful local luthiers!
Contact info:
Michael Hartery
15 Channel Center Street
Studio 502
Boston MA 02210
Mhartery@aol.com
978.500.8848
his new website:
http://web.mac.com/mhartery
