Bass in London

ON the ONE · #1 01-27-2011, 12:09 AM

Hey all, I'm going to London next week and I'm looking for bass centric stuff to check out. I'm seldom in the UK so I'd like to see some builders. Maybe good shows between the 4th and 11 th? The bass gallery is top on my list. I'd love some suggestions. Thanks.

**bassybill** · #2 01-27-2011, 12:25 AM

Good luck at the Bass Gallery, I had a lousy experience when I went out of my way to visit a couple of years back. There was just one guy in there and he was totally not interested in talking to me about the stuff they'd got at all. Maybe I caught him on a bad day - he was moody and unfriendly almost to the point of being hostile. I felt really awkward in there and left as quickly as I could. Whenever I go in a store anywhere, if I like the place I usually make a point of buying something, even if it's only a couple of packs of strings. I like to think that's I'm being just a little supportive and that it all helps with the cashflow. But I wouldn't ever spend any of my money in there after that episode.

The Bass Cellar (I think that's the name) in Denmark Street has some great gear, but other folks have said on here that they had similar experiences to what I got in the Bass Gallery. Whenever I've been in there, though, the folks were fine with me.

If you take a few hours out of the city, then get up to Colchester to see Rob Green at Status in Colchester. Just let him know you're coming and I'm sure he'd be glad to welcome you there. It's maybe an hour on the train to get there from London.

miziomix · #3 01-27-2011, 06:01 AM

Well...the London bass shops scene ain't what it used to be. The Bass Center used to be my yearly pilgrimage. On Dean street you'll find a few shops and maybe some interesting axe. Other than that the selection is overall quite average.

My experience at Bass Gallery was OTOH very pleasant, they had a Fodera Emperor, Alembic M King, MM anniversary, Wal Mk1 and they let me play them all - I even got this close to buy my 3rd Wal....go figure....
The shop is also the workshop for Sei Basses. very nice handmade basses. Martin Pedersen who makes them is a very nice guy. I had a great chat with him about his building preferences when I dropped by last year.
it's in 142 Royal College Street, Camden Town.

The whole area around London is one of the world capital of top handmade basses. Status indeed - as Bassybill suggests. But Wal and Jay Dee, among others, would be a must in my list. Do check with them ahead of time though - Wal especially is very very busy. have fun, bring an umbrella

**bassybill** · #4 01-27-2011, 11:23 AM

I should point out that it was NOT Martin Pedersen whom I met at the Bass Gallery on the visit that I described above.

I just wouldn't dare visit Wal myself - I've wanted one for nearly 30 years and the cost (not to mention the wait) would kill me if I were to inflame that particular GAS issue all over again! I actually came really close to buying one last year on ebay before sanity kicked in.

JayDee would be a good call, though. Nice instruments. He (John Diggins - great surname for a bass maker!) is based in my own city, about a two hour train ride north of London so it would be a day trip to get up to his place.

Btw, if you do intend to travel outside London during your trip, plan each day before you leave for the UK and book rail tickets online before you go. Just turning up at the station to buy tickets on the day can be so expensive it's basically a non-starter.

Skitch it! · #5 01-27-2011, 11:34 AM

I would suggest a visit to Mike Walsh of Zoot Guitars if you can get there,

http://www.zootbass.co.uk/mike.html

Heres one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-dPI129bJw

DanSwain · #6 01-27-2011, 12:34 PM

Sei Bass Guitars are also very nice!

miziomix · #7 01-27-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

... I actually came really close to buying one last year on ebay before sanity kicked in.

Hey Bassybill, it was a good call perhaps. Back then second hand prices had gone through the roof and scams on ebay were not unheard of. But now that production at Wal has resumed, second hand prices have become more reasonable.
A Wal is certainly not cheep. But at £3200 for Mk1 4 strings it looks to me like a great value compared to Alembic, Fodera and others at that level.

ops...didn't mean to hijack the thread

or plant the seed of renewed insanity.....

ON the ONE · #8 01-28-2011, 06:25 AM

Thanks everyone. I truly appreciate the input. I'm going to make some calls. I live in a fairly rural area so whenever I'm in a major hub I like to survey the offerings of those builders. There are very few high end bass builders/dealers around here. Thanks again.

Molan · #9 01-28-2011, 03:16 PM

The Gallery is really the only bass place in greater London that's worth a visit.

Martin is an absolute gentleman and, in my opinion, a near genius when it comes to setting basses up and general repair stuff.

His Sei basses are generally beautiful and the build quality is right up there with the very best.

The shop usually has some nice stuff in and Alex manages the front of house. I always get on well with him but I know some people have found him a bit disinterested at times.

Might be worth calling ahead to check if Martin is in. He usually lurks down in the basement where they build the Sei basses, well worth a trip down there

The Bass Cellar in Denmark Street is quite singularly the worst musical instrument shop I've ever, ever visited. Truly appalling service, way over the top prices and not even very exciting stock these days.

In terms of gigs all you really need to do is get yourself a copy of Time Out when you arrive & head for the gig section. It's published every Wednesday. There will be literally hundreds of gigs if you're in town for the week!

I just had a really quick count and came up with over 80 bands playing tonight alone. . .

If there's anything specifically you're looking for then let me know and I'll see what I can find