Best Set-up guy in Phila. area?

swingfingers · #1 07-27-2007, 01:28 PM

I'm looking for a top notch set-up/repairman guy in the Phila. area for set-up, possible refretting, maybe even some pre-amp work. Who would folks recommend? I have a bunch of names but I'm hoping that some of you may have direct experience with someone who you think is truly excellent. If there is not an excellent pro in the area I may be wiling to travel to NJ or NYC if need be but I am hoping to stay more local.

Thanks in advance to any responses.

swingfingers · #2 07-31-2007, 12:46 PM

Is there no one to recommend? With all the talk of bass luthiers I thought for sure that folks would have opinions on some good set-up repairmen. I do have some names but it would be great to get some real recommendations.

Thanks.....

bkief1 · #3 07-31-2007, 12:57 PM

Jack Romano over in Conshy. PM me for his phone number

savinggrace · #4 07-31-2007, 01:02 PM

You can try Peter Brown in Haddon Heights, South Jersey. He did a wonderful job on my bass installing new pickups and adjusting the neck and leveling it as well. He even gave a loaner bass for a week while I waited for it to come back. I have seen his fretwork on a bass there which was well done.

www.southjerseyguitarrepair.com/

Larry99 · #5 07-31-2007, 01:24 PM

Ron Ruggierro hands down... He was the guitar tech for the band Renaissance in the 70s. I believe he has done work for Joe Pass, Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton amongst others. Has been in buisness for well over 30 yrs.

He did a fret job on my '76 Rickenbacker 4001 (with the Rick neck binding is not an easy task). Also expertly set up a JO5 that I was having trouble doing myself. I couldn't believe what he was able to do with it.

anyway, Ron's your man.

9mmMike · #6 03-26-2010, 12:57 PM

Thread resurrection.

Just dropped a bass off at Jack's for setup. Fret polish, level & crown. This will be the first "pro-setup" I've ever had done. Already looking forward to getting it back.

9mmMike · #7 03-30-2010, 12:24 PM

Bass is done. Feels great. The frets were leveled and dressed, electronics cleaned and the relief re-adjusted for the TI flats. Picked it up at lunch and only got a little teaser-time to play it at the shop. Can't wait to get home....

Febs · #8 03-30-2010, 12:25 PM

Could you send me Jack's contact info and let me know what the fret level cost?

Febs · #9 05-17-2010, 10:00 AM

I just wanted to bump this thread to follow up on my experience with Jack Romano, which was exceptional.

I had Jack do a complete set-up on my G&L Comanche and my MIM Jazz. He spent nearly an hour with me when I dropped the instruments off, discussing the problems that he identified with each one and showing me exactly what he proposed to do to fix them. He leveled and crowned the frets on each instrument, and did some additional work on the Comanche. When I picked the instruments up, he spent at least half an hour with me, so that I could play each instrument and have him make further adjustments and ensure that the set-up was exactly to my taste.

The price was reasonable, the turnaround time was fantastic, and I was extremely impressed with the personalized service that he provided.

savinggrace · #10 05-17-2010, 01:27 PM

This sounds wonderful! Do you want to post his contact information?

Febs · #11 05-17-2010, 01:29 PM

You can PM me for it or find it via Google. I'd prefer not to post someone else's contact information in a public forum.

savinggrace · #12 05-17-2010, 02:54 PM

Understood. PM'ed.