Help in Bay Area

fulltimebassist · #1 10-09-2007, 01:31 AM

I need to find a respectable tech to set my intonation and action on my new Fender American Deluxe J. . .

Does anybody know where I can go?

Lobaw · #2 10-09-2007, 01:51 AM

Try this guy. Robert Sherman (Guitarist & Guitar Doctor!), Napa / # 251-1499. When I lived in the Bay Area, I had him work on all of my basses with great results. He's a great guy as well.

Jim Carr · #3 10-09-2007, 07:32 AM

You might contact Gelb Music in Redwood City. Ask for Ed Cagnacci. He will likely know where to find a very trusted bass tech. He's the bass person at Gelb and a serious Bassist. Ed isn't a tech--though he could be if he wished. He sent me to a couple of good techs over the years.

I have also had good luck with Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA. One of their guys did a bone nut replacement on my bass that was (and still is) perfect. The work was done by either Brian Michael or Wille Carter, I'm not sure which.

Let us know where you end up going and how it turns out!!!

Coreyk · #4 10-09-2007, 03:52 PM

Hm. Too bad he moved. Ralph Novak used to be quite close to you. I second the folks at Gryphon, or whoever they recommend at Gelb. If you're ever in the Santa Cruz area, I know a guy who could fix you right up...

Corey K

P.S. Willie Carter is a (so-far) very underrated guitar maker, too.)

bassguppy · #5 10-09-2007, 04:10 PM

I can 2nd Rob Sherman in Napa. He worked on a Fender Am Jazz FMT that needed some neck work. He did a swell job.

I would have thought there would be a number of threads on the subject but here's a few more suggestions. Nothing real close to Livermore though.

Bass Techs in So Bay Area, Santa Cruz, CA?

Good SF Bay Area Luthier?

Foamy · #6 10-09-2007, 04:31 PM

If you can make it over to Sac, I can help you and show you how to do it yourself. It'll cost you a sixer of St Pauli Girl though.

jnprather · #7 10-09-2007, 04:34 PM

I have no experience with anyone else in the area, but I get all of my work done by Greg Menacho at MSI Guitar Repair. He just got done doing an overhaul of my old P-Bass and did a great job at very reasonable prices as always. His setups are some of the best values i've ever seen, he often goes 'above and beyond' to really make sure the instrument is setup as well as possible. PM me if you would like his contact info. He is in San Jose.

newfuture · #8 10-09-2007, 06:20 PM

if you're in SF, Gary Brawer at Real Guitars on Lafayette can do it.

Wherever you go, try to sit in on the job. Intonation is insanely easy to do yourself, and should be one of your core tech abilities (and should be checked after every string change / before every recording session). Action is a bit trickier, but not by much, and really only when the truss rod is involved.

Enjoy the new bass!

123eraniod · #9 10-09-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fulltimebassist

I need to find a respectable tech to set my intonation and action on my new Fender American Deluxe J. . .

Does anybody know where I can go?

i can do that for free! im on mountain house before tracy

Foamy · #10 10-09-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123eraniod

i can do that for free! im on mountain house before tracy

There ya have it! Great community here!

Poon · #11 10-09-2007, 06:52 PM

I'm a luthier. I know what to look for in a good luthier. For the amount of money greg charges, it's worth the trip to San Jose.

Greg charges really really reasonable prices for what he does and he does great work. Tell him Steve Poon sent you.

gmenacho@earthlink.net

pfschim · #12 10-09-2007, 09:09 PM

hey there Fulltimebassist, greetings, I'm in Livermore as well.

If you have not considered it, before you run down to SJ, Santa Cruz or Sac just for a set-up, you might try Kevin at Fretted Friends on 1st Street. He is a good guy and can certainly do a basic set-up and intonation. He recently set up shop over there so you may not have known about him. FWIW, I think they are trying to get a decent amp tech set up there as well.

I can't vouch for him as far as any serious work goes because I have just not needed any recently, but I'm sure he could get a Fender Jazz in fighting shape. Mike Ferrucci, the owner, is a decent wrench too.

good luck

Poon · #13 10-10-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fulltimebassist

I need to find a respectable tech to set my intonation and action on my new Fender American Deluxe J. . .

Does anybody know where I can go?

Ya know, I'll actually be up north next week. If you want I can do it for you for a few $. I'll be in Castro Valley. Give me about an hour and I can probably do it.

Foxworthy925 · #14 10-10-2007, 01:50 AM

Hey I'm in the bay too (San Ramon), and was about to post almost the exact same question. Once you get the work done, I'd be interested to hear who you chose and how they were.

Foamy · #15 10-10-2007, 10:15 AM

Guys, guys.....this stuff is NOT rocket science. That's what we're trying to tell you.
Setting intonation and action is very very easy, and there are mini-guides and tips all over here at TB.
If you're talking about things like fret leveling, more involved electronics, and such, some people may not want to do this.
But the intonation and neck relief is easy to do.