Where do Baltimore bassists get thier work done?

[father of fires]

It has been suggested that I should get my bass set-up.

I searched on here and saw that some B-more bassists go to this guy for work:

http://www.shankstrings.com/


Well, his website is down so now I'm not sure where to look. There are a couple of shops that do repairs on all sorts of instruments but, I was hoping to find someone who specialized in double bass.

Any NEW recommendations or is the there a way to contact the people at Shank Strings.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Nuno A.]

Did you try to click on the website?
i can see the website just fine but anyway, heres the contact

E-Mail:
info@shankstrings.com

Phone:
800-613-2277
717-361-0511

Address:
Shank's Strings
308 West High Street
Elizabethtown, Pa, 17022

Nuno

[father of fires]

I did and it won't load for me so, I just figured it was down and that he was no longer doing repairs.

Thanks for the contact info. I had found his number online but I didn't want to bother him if he was out of business.

Thanks,

Jeff

Originally Posted by Nuno A.

Did you try to click on the website?
i can see the website just fine but anyway, heres the contact

E-Mail:
info@shankstrings.com

Phone:
800-613-2277
717-361-0511

Address:
Shank's Strings
308 West High Street
Elizabethtown, Pa, 17022

Nuno

[robobass]

About the same distance for you is Thomas Andres (www.lowstrings.com) in The Plains VA. There must be people closer though who can do a good setup.

[AuntieBeeb]

Am I the only person who clicked on this thread title expecting a punchline?

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by robobass

About the same distance for you is Thomas Andres (www.lowstrings.com) in The Plains VA. There must be people closer though who can do a good setup.

I was hoping for closer but, I can make a road trip out of it.

There is a bluegrass shop that may be able to do it but they don't specialize in double bass so it may not be as personalized as I want.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by AuntieBeeb

Am I the only person who clicked on this thread title expecting a punchline?

Now that you mention it...

Can you think of any good ones?

[Pete G]

I've relied on both Mike Shank and Thomas Andres Wolf -- they're both excellent. I would recommend both highly over any local guy who doesn't really know basses.

By all means call either of them -- they're both very much still in business, though neither spends nearly as much time working on their website as they do working on basses. (That's a good thing.)

[Hammertime3]

Try David Mansbridge in Annapolis. I have friends in Maryland who use and swear by him, and I understand he does a lot of work for Baltimore bassists. I used him once and I was pleased with his work and the price. He operates out of a small shop behind his house, and is as real nice guy to boot. His phone number is 410-268-6698..call and he'll give you directions..it's a little out of the way, but if I found it, you can too. Good luck.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Hammertime3

Try David Mansbridge in Annapolis. I have friends in Maryland who use and swear by him, and I understand he does a lot of work for Baltimore bassists. I used him once and I was pleased with his work and the price. He operates out of a small shop behind his house, and is as real nice guy to boot. His phone number is 410-268-6698..call and he'll give you directions..it's a little out of the way, but if I found it, you can too. Good luck.

Thanks. I just called my bluegrass shop and they gave me his number as well.

Lots of options now. Thanks everyone!

[Eric Swanson]

With Peabody and the Symphony in town I would guess that there are some resources at hand...

Who do the cats in the Baltimore Symphony use? I bet that they would tell you, if you reach out to them. The roster and bios are here...

Arnold Gregorian, of "Oak" rosin fame, is among their ranks. I bet he could help you out...

http://www.bsomusic.org/main.taf?p=4,4

[sbassface]

I've gone to both Dave Mansbridge and Mike Shank, both are good, I was thoroughly pleased with Mike Shank.

[eyeballkid]

i cant recommend Mike enough!!! amazingly good work!!! and very affordable!!
http://www.forresterkustoms.com/

[father of fires]

David Mansbridge has retired. He told me today that he is moving out west any day now. He seams like a great guy. He suggested Mike Shank as well

[sbassface]

Wow that's news!

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

i cant recommend Mike enough!!! amazingly good work!!! and very affordable!!
http://www.forresterkustoms.com/

No doubt Mike Forrester is the man. He is an old family friend but, I didn't realize he did uprights or did you not notice that this was from the DB forum?

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

With Peabody and the Symphony in town I would guess that there are some resources at hand...

Who do the cats in the Baltimore Symphony use? I bet that they would tell you, if you reach out to them. The roster and bios are here...

Arnold Gregorian, of "Oak" rosin fame, is among their ranks. I bet he could help you out...

http://www.bsomusic.org/main.taf?p=4,4

Tom Wolfe told me this morning that he does some Baltimore Symphony basses.

[father of fires]

I have been contacted by someone who thinks they can help me out so I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks so much for all of the help.

[DC Bass]

F.O.F's,

Please post info regarding the person who helps you with your bass when appropriate.

I'm disappointed to hear of the retirement of David Mansbridge...I mean to say I'm happy for HIM, but sad for the community! Many of my friends and acquaintances patronized his fine business.

Mike Shank is top notch...but he is kinda far out there distance wise! I have dealt with him for the last fifteen years or so, and I could not be happier with the experiences I've had with him in sales, service and support. He's also just a cool cat to hang around with! I was kinda curious myself when I tried to visit his web site the other day...I hope all is well up in Elizabethtown!

Robert Kurtz runs Bob's House of Basses in Bowie Maryland...he used to have a full time tech/luthier guy, but he's not listed on the web site at the moment. Maybe give them a call.
http://www.bobshouseofbasses.com/home.asp

Or email at: bobbasses@aol.com

Also consider Romano Solano. He advertises that he does repair work in addition to building basses. I know several players who own instruments he's made and they are amazing!!! (Me want!)...but I must admit that I have never met him.

http://www.solanobasses.com/

Good luck, and again, please share your experiences with your friends on TB.

Joe

[bigolbassguy]

Originally Posted by AuntieBeeb

Am I the only person who clicked on this thread title expecting a punchline?

Originally Posted by father of fires

Now that you mention it...

Can you think of any good ones?

...They go to the lutheir.