Need luthier in Winnipeg

moles · #1 04-23-2008, 12:30 PM

Title pretty much speaks for itself. L&M has a guy that my bass has been sent to a couple of times, but I'd like to actually walk into a place and play the bass, have him play it, discuss sound etc etc.
Specifically I want the sound post looked at - its more than likely too tight - and see what he/she also says about my endpin... that sort of thing..
Mr Rondeau? Anyone?

**Damon Rondeau** · #2 04-23-2008, 03:14 PM

It's pretty slim pickings, I'm afraid. I'm not aware of a single person who specializes in double bass. The place to go for strings work has always been Croft's. The guys there have seen thousands of violins and celli but not too many basses. There is also "Mike" Prochownik -- yes, the very same bow-maker of world reknown. He plays in the WSO and he's been known to take in a bass if he likes you or your bass. That's about all I know. Isn't L&M using a guy in Wildwood Park, Henry something? I've heard he's good.

If you come up with a good guy, please let me know. I really need an experienced person to spend some time tweaking mine for better sound (the same boat as you, I guess.) Sometimes my bass reminds me too much of a refrigerator box...

moles · #3 04-23-2008, 03:51 PM

I'm not sure who L&M is using - I heard the name in passing when I first acquired the bass, and then promptly forgot it. He did alright work - the fingerboard dressing is decent enough. I have a slight problem with not being able to talk face to face with whoever is working on it though. Just the way I am. Last time I took it in, it almost was kinda comical - I gave the sales guy about a 5 - 10 minute explanation of what I wanted, what notes were buzzing and how low the nut should be and all that - and it got distilled down to "dead spot at octave" on the little slip they print up for him. Fortunately, he seemed to figure out most of it on his own. Not the way I'd like to do it though...
I think Bob Gollhur has a link to Mr. Prochownik's website - wasn't aware he worked on instruments. I doubt he'd like my bass - might like me though

**Damon Rondeau** · #4 04-23-2008, 04:06 PM

Mike's in the book. Lives in St. James near the park. He might be listed as Z. Prochownik -- his "real" first name is Polish and hard to pronounce or spell. Not "Zbigniew", but the other one staring with Z...

I took a bass to him when I was as green as green could be. I didn't even know that a DB bridge floats...

moles · #5 04-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Ha! And how exactly, may I ask, did you find out? (Hopefully not the hard way)

**Damon Rondeau** · #6 04-23-2008, 04:34 PM

Mike showed me!

**Damon Rondeau** · #7 04-23-2008, 04:36 PM

If you have trouble digging up Mike's number (I used to have it in an old Palm Pilot that died) you can get it from John Sharples at Sled Dog Music.

Bass Boy · #8 04-23-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Rondeau

Mike's in the book. Lives in St. James near the park. He might be listed as Z. Prochownik -- his "real" first name is Polish and hard to pronounce or spell. Not "Zbigniew", but the other one staring with Z...

Zdzislaw

Bass Boy · #9 04-23-2008, 04:40 PM

http://www.mts.net/~prochown/

Jake deVilliers · #10 04-23-2008, 05:02 PM

Hey moles, I'm the new guy repairing basses etc at Long & McQuade in Vancouver, replacing the retiring repairman. I'm in the store Fridays and Saturdays and will take work home as necessary.

I'm on the other end of that strange disconnect and trying to learn to call the customer to discuss their wants - the phone number's on the repair tag.

Anyway, if you just ask the salesperson to put 'Call customer first' on the RP slip, you'll get a call from the guy and you can discuss your needs.

I hope you get your bass tweaked to suit you and your playing.

moles · #11 04-23-2008, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the responses guys -
I'll give "Mike" a call and see what he thinks. He's actually quite close by where I am, if I recall correctly.