Please recommend top-notch luthier in Northern NJ and/or NYC

TheLarch · #1 11-11-2007, 11:32 AM

I have a 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 neck-through copy (univox) that I recently picked up. Unfortunately, I can't get the neck as flat as I need to make it comfortable to play. Being that it is a faithful copy of the Rick, it has the 2 trussrods that I have been adjusting as per the Rickenbacker forum instructions. Can anyone recommend a vintage Rickenbacker expert in Northern New Jersey (I live in Bergen County) or in New York City (I work in midtown East)?

I have done a search here but the names that come up have been more for "Set-up" rather than repair which I think this bass might need.

Thanks in advance!

Stephen

xshawnxearthx · #2 11-13-2007, 10:25 PM

jay monterose @ vintique.

www.vintique.com

or Joe's Guitar Shop - more info »
361 N Midland Ave, Saddle Brook, NJ
(201) 797-9377

both of those guys can work on anything you've got.

TheLarch · #3 11-14-2007, 02:09 PM

Thanks much - I'll definitely check them out!

Hoover · #4 11-14-2007, 04:18 PM

several people I've spoken to highly recommend Evan Gluck

http://www.newyorkguitarrepair.com/

(I haven't used him myself.)

BellBottomBlues · #5 11-14-2007, 05:02 PM

I know its a bit of a trek, but Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island. They're rated up there with Elderly and Ghrun Guitars in terms of vintage gear. They're open every day of the week except for Sunday. Usually till 5 or 6 I think. Give'm a ring.

Phantopeth · #6 11-15-2007, 11:25 AM

Allow me to also recommend the guys at 30th Street Guitar. I brought my 1980 Rickenbacker 4000 in to them to have the neck completely reset, and then have the usually new strings/complete setup work done. The guy who did the work (whose name, I'm fairly certain, is Matt) not only did a phenomenal job, but charged me a price I thought was ridiculously low. After he removed and reattached the neck, put the new strings on, and set it up and intonated it (not to mention that he then seemingly went over the bass with a fine tooth comb and cleaned / fixed any little issue it had without my asking him), he still charged me the price of $135 he quoted me (that includes the new strings).

I can with experience that he knows his way around Rickenbacker dual-trussrod necks quite well, so I'm sure that will extend to faithful Ric reproductions.

TheLarch · #7 11-15-2007, 05:09 PM

Matt at 30th Street is a great guy and I've also bought a couple of basses from him. My band practices right across the street from 30th Street Guitars so I may very well end up going to him, especially now that I know he did a good job on your Ric.

Thanks everyone for all of the great options!