Luthier in Chicago?

Eilif · #1 10-25-2001, 05:40 PM

Does anyone know of a good luthier in Chicago?One where I could bring a bass I am considering purchasing to be appraised/inspected and then setup upon purchase. I want a good luthier, but I don't want to spend a fortune.
Also, do most luithers charge for inspection and appraisal of basses?
One more thing, is it pronounced "luther" or "lutheeur"?

**HeavyDuty** · #2 10-25-2001, 07:29 PM

Chicago's a big place. What area, and are you willing to drive?

Don Higdon · #3 10-25-2001, 07:45 PM

Expect to pay $125-150 for an appraisal.
I have a Chicago name at my office, does work for CSO and DSO. Tomorrow.

Eilif · #4 10-25-2001, 11:10 PM

Perhaps I should mention that it's only a '95 engelhardt that I am going to pick up for around $700. A real appraisal isn't necessary, just an assessment of what a setup will entail/cost.

I live downtown, and have access to a car if needed.

dhosek · #5 10-26-2001, 07:54 AM

I bought my Engelhardt at Kagan & Gaines out in Forest Park & was very happy with their setup work. I've had additional setup done on the bass at A440 in Roscoe Village (I had him install a realist pickup and sell me a wheel & quiver) & been happy with the work done there as well.

I was more than a little underwhelmed by the setup work done by the people at Evanston Band & Orchestra.

It appears that Abbey Strings/The Bass Place in the Music Mart is closed now.

-dh

Don Higdon · #6 10-26-2001, 08:03 AM

I got the name of Scott Henrie from members of the Chicago and Detroit Symphonies. I got him at ###-###-####. This number is different from the number listed in (All Hail) Bob Gollihur's directory of luthiers. Bob's list has 4 or 5 from Chicago, 1 from Des Plaines.
Since that was his home number, I'll post his shop #: 773-743-8738

AlexFeldman · #7 10-26-2001, 01:19 PM

That's Scott Henri's home number, btw, Don. I couldn't get a hold of him today so I decided to go with A440 - their number is 773-348-4949.

Hey, if any of you Chicago area guys have some time to kill today or tomorrow, I need to get my bass from the loop to A440, and as a poor college student I am without wheels. If someone would be nice enough to give me a ride up there, I would pay your gas money. If you can help me email me at flexaeldman@hotmail.com or call at (312) 953-9617. Thanks!

Eilif · #8 10-26-2001, 01:53 PM

Tell me more about A440. Where on Roscoe is it?
would they be able to check-out/setup an engelhardt for a reasonable price?

AlexFeldman · #9 10-27-2001, 08:16 PM

I don't too much about it - I've never actually been there. A friend of mine lives near the bass repairman there, so he gave it to him for me.

I believe you can find them on the web. It's basically a huge shop with tons of string stuff. They're good. My teacher trusts them, and that's enough for me.

JAS · #10 10-28-2001, 01:42 PM

I live in chicago and scott henrie is a good luthier. he is very helpfull and willing to take the time to help you out and do a good job. he can be hard to get a hold of sometimes though. if you leave a message on his machine he always gets back to you. a440 is cool too, but scott is better and nicer to deal with.

dhosek · #11 10-29-2001, 09:47 AM

A440 is at something in the order of 2200 W Roscoe. (yeah, I know an imprecise address is sucky for people like me carting a bass w/o a car).

Incidentally, speaking of moving a bass around w/o a car, let me just say that I've had uniformly good experiences taking mine on the bus and L. Of course if I wanted to be truly insane, some day I'll have to strap my double gig bag with my bass guitars on my back while schlepping the db and may be get a radio flyer to lug the amp in. That'd make an interesting sight for the passersby.

-dh

Eilif · #12 10-29-2001, 01:01 PM

Perhaps I should focus my question.
How much should I expect to pay at A440 for a setup?

JAS · #13 10-29-2001, 03:09 PM

i am not sure what A440 would charge you for a set up, but I know that scott would charge about $20.

Don Higdon · #14 10-29-2001, 07:13 PM

That could only cover the cost of properly placing the existing soundpost and the existing bridge. Beyond that, expect to pay.

dhosek · #15 10-30-2001, 10:47 AM

Well, by coincidence, my bridge broke yesterday, so I'm getting a new one put on at A440 (if only because it's a six block walk from the church where the bridge snapped & I left the bass there knowing that).

Cost for a new bridge: $275.

This does change my financial plans for November somewhat...

-dh

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #16 01-15-2002, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wellspal
i am 45 minutes north of chicago and 45 minutes south of milwaukee. i am able to do set-up work on basses. i'm not sure how to post this without it being an advertisement....

The answer is simple: join in the discussions, give some free advice, get some free advice, make a few stupid jokes, listen to couple hundred stupid jokes....in short, if you're a part of the hang, no one will care. As spam-conscious as everyone here on this board is, if you only post for business purposes, you'll actually end up advertising against your business instead of for it.

Welcome to TB - come join in the fun.