bass repair - san francisco??

robert.o · #1 08-08-2006, 10:16 PM

who do you have work on your instrument now that Michael Olivola is gone?

damonsmith · #2 08-09-2006, 12:20 AM

Best instrument repair in Oakland on 14th (not broadway).
http://www.parbuba.com

hdiddy · #3 08-09-2006, 02:37 AM

A great guy is Alex Friedman. He's just as good as Olivola. I've been to both. He should be able to cover your needs on this side of the bay. He just expanded his shop. He does nothing but bass sales, repair, and offers good advice. As far as I know, lots of players go to him, apprently some SJ and SF symphony players beyond the jazz cats in this area.

www.acousticbassshop.com

It's just a short hop over to south city. Give him a ring.

nicklloyd · #4 08-09-2006, 05:13 PM

Where is Michael?

hdiddy · #5 08-09-2006, 05:19 PM

Moved to Alberquerque, NM to raise his family. He has a daughter now if I'm not mistaken. I spoke with him just right before he left. He said he's out of the luthiery biz since he doesn't want to compete with Robertson's and is just gonna gig and support his wife's bassmaking efforts. Their website is still up I think. www.basshouse.com.

damonsmith · #6 06-17-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonsmith

Best instrument repair in Oakland on 14th (not broadway).
http://www.parbuba.com

I just had a couple repairs done there in the last month. Perfect work, crazy good prices. Greg is incredible.

bassphase · #7 07-02-2010, 08:56 AM

I just had Greg (thanks for the recommendation, Damon) dress the fingerboard on my bass. I had a couple of slight buzzes recently show up in thumb position which he easily fixed. He also reset the sound post and retuned the afterlengths. This was my second experience with Greg and I feel he is a top notch repair person. His prices are unfair to him. He doesn't charge enough, so much so I feel the need to tip him for his work!

bob

alavakian · #8 07-13-2010, 06:12 PM

Who is Greg and where is he located?

bassphase · #9 07-14-2010, 06:43 AM

Greg Smithson at Best Instrument Repair in Oakland at 564 14th street. 510 832 2452

damonsmith · #10 07-14-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassphase

Greg Smithson at Best Instrument Repair in Oakland at 564 14th street. 510 832 2452

You really can't say enough about the quality and price. The whole place has really old school business practices - going for the long term and not trying to gouge you on one repair.

hdiddy · #11 07-14-2010, 02:28 PM

Michael Olivola has been showing up back in the Bay Area thanks to Steve Swan. Check http://www.steveswanguitars.com/ for details. Its a little bit out of date but you can contact the info provided to see when he's coming back.

Worth the wait, IMO.

Steve Swan · #12 07-14-2010, 02:45 PM

Michael Olivola was here again last week for 5 days. He tries to line up enough work ahead of time to take up about 70% of his 5-7 day visits. That leaves enough time open for walk-ins. Michael's email is molivola@mindspring.com and his cell phone is (505) 227-3513. I don't make a dime from his work. I'm very pleased to provide that time and space for those that enjoy his work to have it done locally. I would expect that he'll be back some time in early August.