luthier for acoustic bass in NYC

[rkgtech]

Who would you recommend?

Also, where can I buy acoustic bass/guitar parts in NYC? I need to try a slimmer saddle to see if I can get the action lower on my new acoustic bass.

Thanks peeps

[Pilgrim]

If the saddle is removable, you can buy saddle blank material at StewMac.com and fabricate a replacement yourself.

I did this - bought Micarta material in the same thickness as the original saddle, traced the original saddle onto paper, used that tracing to sand down the replacement, keeping the original saddle pristine (a VERY good idea). It takes a while to shape the replacement but it's a very inexpensive way to experiment with saddle heights. The goal would be to reproduce the original saddle's contours, but at a lower height.

Note: reducing the height of a saddle can be done by taking a smooth piece of material such as plate glass or a marble slab, gluing sandpaper onto it, then rubbing the base of the saddle material back and forth across the sandpaper. Sit a block with a square edge next to the saddle while rubbing it back and forth to keep the material at 90 degrees to the sandpaper.

Here's a link - either Tusq or Micarta can be worked easily enough to do what you want.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_sa...e_saddles.html

[rkgtech]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If the saddle is removable, you can buy saddle blank material at StewMac.com and fabricate a replacement yourself.

I did this - bought Micarta material in the same thickness as the original saddle, traced the original saddle onto paper, used that tracing to sand down the replacement, keeping the original saddle pristine (a VERY good idea). It takes a while to shape the replacement but it's a very inexpensive way to experiment with saddle heights. The goal would be to reproduce the original saddle's contours, but at a lower height.

Note: reducing the height of a saddle can be done by taking a smooth piece of material such as plate glass or a marble slab, gluing sandpaper onto it, then rubbing the base of the saddle material back and forth across the sandpaper. Sit a block with a square edge next to the saddle while rubbing it back and forth to keep the material at 90 degrees to the sandpaper.

Here's a link - either Tusq or Micarta can be worked easily enough to do what you want.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_sa...e_saddles.html

Thanks man. Yeah, I looked at their website, but was wondering if there was anything like their store in NYC.

So, I guess no recos for acoustic bass luthiers in nyc?

Thanks again man.

[tkozal]

I had Matt at 30th st refresh my old Guild B4. The bridge had pullled off the top, plus other issues.

He turned back into a wonderful machine.....

[rkgtech]

Originally Posted by tkozal

I had Matt at 30th st refresh my old Guild B4. The bridge had pullled off the top, plus other issues.

He turned back into a wonderful machine.....

ah kewl thanks.. i will call and find out the rates.. i dont think i want to do the setup on an acoustic myself anymore ;-P

[richnota]

Amazing techs at mandolin brothers in staten island. theyre focus is exclusively on acoustic instruments

They've been described as some of the best in the world (supposedly redid sir mac's Beatles era violin bass)

They did a bid of fancy electronics work on my tacoma. very nice work.

The repair guys at Matt Umanov on bleeker street are top notch acoustic guitars guys as well.

[rkgtech]

thanks guys. i did get it setup at 30th street. the action is not as low as i would want, but.. i dont know how many of you tap on acoustic deans, but that's what i was hoping to do better on 12+ frets :-( oh well.. overall Matt is SUCH a nice guy.. he listened to me even though I am a novice.
thanks!