Need a good luthier in SF/Bay Area

MixedMsgr · #1 01-24-2007, 01:53 PM

I took care of a family friend's blind dog a few weeks ago and the damn thing knocked over my bass and broke loose the neck from the body of the bass.

and I only had it for few months...
Anyhow, I need a reputable luthier in the SF/bay area to help me. I'm hoping that this doesn't cost more than $600. What do you folks think?

hdiddy · #2 01-24-2007, 02:40 PM

I dunno. That looks really expensive.

Try giving Alex Friedman a call. He's got a website.

**Basschair** · #3 01-24-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MixedMsgr

I took care of a family friend's blind dog a few weeks ago and the damn thing knocked over my bass and broke loose the neck from the body of the bass.

and I only had it for few months...
Anyhow, I need a reputable luthier in the SF/bay area to help me. I'm hoping that this doesn't cost more than $600. What do you folks think?

+1 for Alex.

Steve Swan · #4 01-24-2007, 04:59 PM

Ouch! Although it looks nasty, Alex should be able to get you up an running again with a minimum of pain and suffering. His phone number is (650) 303-2333.

Which model Shen is it?

Steve Swan

fourstringer · #5 01-24-2007, 10:17 PM

I'd recommend that you check with Bruce Sexauer, half an hour north of SF, in Petaluma.

http://thestringbass.com/

Steve Swan · #6 01-25-2007, 11:21 AM

Alex Friedman has much more experience in major repairs and was fully trained by Alan Droyan, whose major restoration repair work was featured in the current ISB magazine. Alex is definitely the repair guy to go to for this job. You'll be glad that you did.

Steve Swan

hdiddy · #7 01-25-2007, 12:06 PM

+1. I've seen some of the stuff that Alex can do since I've been in his shop several times and everybody I know goes to him. He says he does alot of work for the local symphonies as well.

Besides, I thought Bruce Sexauer was mostly a Guitar Luthier as he has some beautiful creations too. From his website, it didn't look like he does any serious DB repair.

Quote:

I offer very quick turnaround on simple repairs and set up work.

At least he doesn't have any examples on his website. He does mention being able to build a bass from scratch or something like. I dunno.

Be careful FOURSTRINGER, it's a bit odd that in your time here at TB, you've only been here pushing Bruce Sexauer's site. You're starting to sound like a shill. Maybe you should fill out your profile. Just trying to give you a friendly caution.

**Basschair** · #8 01-25-2007, 12:33 PM

Bruce is a great guy: I've been to his shop, seen/played (and bought one of) his basses, looked over his guitar builds, and have had long discussions with him. He probably could help with this, but his luthier focus is acoustic guitars (really, really nice ones).

Alex's focus is orchestral strings: I've seen his bass builds, seen his repairs in progress (both bass and cello), and would probably start with him in this situation. Plus, his accent is super cool, and his dog is great

MixedMsgr · #9 01-25-2007, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the input fellas. I appreciate it. I'll give Alex a call this weekend.

Steve S. - Its a SB80 setup by Upton.

Gilbert F · #10 01-26-2007, 08:17 PM

I would reccomend A&G Music in Oakland. Their string guy, Greg, is very very good. I have had nothing but good experiences from that place, and he has set up my bass very well. Prices are reasonable too, moreso than Alex in SF. He has even worked on Ron Carter's bass last year, I believe. http://www.agmusic.com

uptonbass · #11 02-08-2007, 07:07 PM

And the happy ending to this sad story???

MixedMsgr · #12 02-13-2007, 06:01 PM

none yet. Hopefully soon.
Need to build up the cash flow...

Steve Swan · #13 02-14-2007, 12:23 AM

I was just over at Alex's shop today dropping off two repairs. I thought that I might run into the broken Shen, but didn't. He's got a beautiful set of European Poplar in for a new bass to be built next year.

Steve Swan

fourstringer · #14 02-16-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Be careful FOURSTRINGER, it's a bit odd that in your time here at TB, you've only been here pushing Bruce Sexauer's site. You're starting to sound like a shill. Just trying to give you a friendly caution.

I make no apology for recommending a luthier with whom I've had good experiences, nor do I believe I owe you one. Further, I find your "friendly caution" to be a bit patronizing. Your contributions to this site are appreciated, but they don't give you license to be rude to occasional posters like me. I'll certainly think twice before adding my two cents next time!

mojoluthier · #15 02-17-2007, 01:13 PM

A bass friend was by the shop yesterday and pointed out to me that my name, Bruce Sexauer, had been brought up in this thread, and that the mood had shifted unpleasantly. That seems to be true, so I thought I'd chime in here.

Four Stringer is a customer of some years who has come to feel like a friend, though I haven't seen him for a year or so. We have shared a good experience around his acquiring a bass from me, and he has tried to share that with you all as well. It is unbelievable to me that anyone would find the need to call him a "shill" in an accusatory style, especially as he was directly addressing the OP's question.

As it happens, my competence for the type of repair mentioned here is entirely adequate. Unless the button had been broken off the back, the job is usually quite straight-forward, and unlikely to reach the target price ceiling. Even if the button is broken, the work is simple enough structurally. If aesthetics are important, the back should come off for an internal scarf, and now you're over budget. Alex is much more willing than I to take the box apart, and is the better choice. When I say "simple repairs", as I do on my website, I mostly mean work that does not require the box to come apart.

Someone here said I make basses; I do not. Several years ago I bought 6 sets of bass sized Big Leaf Maple, including necks, and I have thought I would eventually get a commission for a bass or two. I have made hundred of guitars, and a growing number of violins, and a bass is not much of a stretch. The fly in the ointment is that I am unwilling to do it cheap, and my first bass is going to have to fetch a realistic price. That will be a real act of faith for the customer! My track record is quite good for the instruments I do make, and if my first bass is as successful as my first violin, everyone will be happy.

I do not encourage or solicit repair work, by the way. I have sold several hundred basses over the last 12 years, and have included follow-up service consisting of maintaining the playability of the instrument (set-up) as well as being willing to repair the customers basses. My guitar business has increased to the point where I have several years of work ahead of me, and I simply cannot in good conscience add to my workload.

It seems a bit absurd, but if you want me to repair your bass, you'll have to buy it from me! If you want set-up, however, I am willing to do a certain amount of that. I believe my tool skills are unsurpassed in this area, and my concept for the string/fingerboard/nut/bridge dynamic is relatively complete. I make a differentiation between classical/jazz set-up, of course, as well being able to address the subtleties of Bluegrass vs Rockabilly player's needs. I am reticent to stop doing this work as it gets players into my web where they find out how well my (currently 17) basses play, and that is good for business.

Jake deVilliers · #16 02-17-2007, 02:11 PM

Hey Bruce, good to see you on the TB Forum.

FourStringer got some heat for two reasons.

Firstly, he's using a moniker that isn't his name, and there have been instances of commercial users registered under such 'handles' pumping up their own businesses, and secondly, he only posted to bring up your name.

If he was registered under his own name, there wouldn't have been backlash on either count.

Are you going to Wintergrass?

Seeya, Jake

mojoluthier · #17 02-17-2007, 07:54 PM

I will not be at W'Grass this time. It's a long way for me hauling a trailer, and last year it was a bust finacially. In the Bay Area I get to be "the man" for a lot of Bassists, but Tacoma is in Ham/Ashley land, and they do a good enough job that I don't seem that special. At least that's how I rationalized it last year.
So I am holed up in the shop building guitars until the CBA Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival (mid-June) where I will have at least 6 basses for sale (hope to get rid of the three Kays I have taken as trade-ins this winter) as well as the tools and supplies to do the ten or so set-ups I usually do for the BlueGrass community while I am there. This year I am also supplying the basses for stage use, which I have been doing on alternate years, with Steve Swan taking care of the other years.

Then I will do the Montreal Jazz Festival as a guitar luthier in July, and then the Healdsburg guitar Festival in August. No tools at these, though.

OhOh, I'm using a moniker too! Wasn't the OP asking for names? I think "handles" are more common than not on most of the forums I'm involved in. In fact, this one seems uniquely spare of them. As far as pumping business is concerned, I have participated frequently in several of the most important guitar forums for YEARS w/o a single instance of a guitar sale I could credit to the effort. Fortunately, that isn't why I do it. I do it because it is community building, and it gives me an opportunity to share my "hard won" knowledge with a lot of folks who really seem interested. I am not as much an expert with basses as with guitars IMO, but I will tend to jump in when I think I have something to offer. I have been building guitars ground up for 40 years, and buying/selling/tweaking string basses for 12 only.

I guess I have met you Jake, but I haven't yet been able to put a face on your name. Thanks for the welcome.

Jake deVilliers · #18 02-17-2007, 09:25 PM

You were Michael Heiden's mentor, and he was mine.

We met at Wintergrass two years ago. Maybe we'll see you at Grass Valley.

Seeya, Jake

mojoluthier · #19 02-18-2007, 01:49 PM

After visiting your site, I remember our meeting. Not your face . . . yrt. Grass Valley is the best, both musically and finacially. Michael Lewis is the contact person for luthiers.

Now that I am registered, I can see the image in the OP. My apologies for several irrelevant sentences, not that they aren't the gospel according to me.

Steve Swan · #20 02-24-2007, 06:50 PM

This morning I took over the Dietl to get a few cleats put in the top center seam above the tail block. As Alex and I were talking over the repair, I noticed that the Shen had its neck back in and the first part of the finish touchup done. It should be ready soon!