Can anyone give some information on the current situation regarding repairs at David Gage Sting Instruments in NYC? I know they moved shop in 2020 and are still selling gear via Finlay & Gage but what about the repair shop activity? Any information on set-ups, restorations, and the luthiers that used to work there including Sprocket, etc. and David himself? It was THE string bass repair shop to go to in the NYC area with a team of great repair folks – does anyone have any current information on this part of the shop outside of what’s on the website (which is not much)?
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Double Bass Any Current David Gage String Instrument Repair Info?
- Thread starter swingfingers
- Start date
Thanks very much for the response. I have not called the shop but will do at some point. The reason I thought to ask the forum is to hear members who may have various perspectives, different information, and a wider view of the recent set up and circumstances.
From what I can see, there are 2 websites which appear to show 2 different organizations. “David Gage String Instruments” shows 95 Reade St., ground floor, NYC as its location and lists David and Dan Theisen (violins) under repairs. “Finlay and Gage” lists 113 Chambers St, NYC, and Maplewood, NJ as their locations and shows Sprocket and Sam Morel providing consultations for a fee.
This forum has a good-sized thread addressing when the Gage shop moved a couple of years ago. I thought it was fitting as it has been such a mainstay and legendary repair shop for the east coast – and more. Personally, I will miss 36 Walker, even though it is just a physical location and not nearly as important as the people who made it so personable, dependable, and first rate. With Mike retiring in 2018, the shop moving, 2 years of the pandemic, contrasting websites, and everyone getting older, I thought it could help the bass community to understand the current set-up and hear members’ experiences.
Admittedly for me, my bass (an old non updated Tyrolean) needs quite a bit of work, and I’m starting to do some research, at a very slow pace, to gather information. Ultimately, I will call the shop (or shops?) when I am closer to being able to start a decision-making process and take some action. At the moment, I thought I’d put out some feelers along with a general interest question about the shop.
Anyway, if anyone has any (more) thoughts or observations on the shop – or shops, it would be great to hear them.
From what I can see, there are 2 websites which appear to show 2 different organizations. “David Gage String Instruments” shows 95 Reade St., ground floor, NYC as its location and lists David and Dan Theisen (violins) under repairs. “Finlay and Gage” lists 113 Chambers St, NYC, and Maplewood, NJ as their locations and shows Sprocket and Sam Morel providing consultations for a fee.
This forum has a good-sized thread addressing when the Gage shop moved a couple of years ago. I thought it was fitting as it has been such a mainstay and legendary repair shop for the east coast – and more. Personally, I will miss 36 Walker, even though it is just a physical location and not nearly as important as the people who made it so personable, dependable, and first rate. With Mike retiring in 2018, the shop moving, 2 years of the pandemic, contrasting websites, and everyone getting older, I thought it could help the bass community to understand the current set-up and hear members’ experiences.
Admittedly for me, my bass (an old non updated Tyrolean) needs quite a bit of work, and I’m starting to do some research, at a very slow pace, to gather information. Ultimately, I will call the shop (or shops?) when I am closer to being able to start a decision-making process and take some action. At the moment, I thought I’d put out some feelers along with a general interest question about the shop.
Anyway, if anyone has any (more) thoughts or observations on the shop – or shops, it would be great to hear them.
Funny, I have exactly the same questions regarding the Gage shop. That old shop was a musical institution. David and Sprocket, et al did fantastic work.
Sam Morel is fantastic!
The shop is a clear downgrade from walker but so it goes.
Is your question basically “should you still consider going there?”
The shop is a clear downgrade from walker but so it goes.
Is your question basically “should you still consider going there?”
Curious: is Sam Morel related to René Morel?
I knew René, and really liked him.
I knew René, and really liked him.
Thanks for the response. Yes, I'd like to know how they are doing with repairs. Generally the more information the better. For example, I'm still interested to know the difference between what appears to be 2 different shops: Reade St. (Gage) and Chambers St. (Sprocket, Morel, etc.)? Also, when you say the shop is a "clear downgrade" - in what way(s) do you think so?
they just opened a shop in jersey for those of us who dont feel like dealing with manhatten parking and the tunnel. i've been breaking his chops about that for years. telling him he'd be the only guy in jersey and all the jersey bassists will come to him. glad to see there's finally something in jersey, with all the great bassists living here
I don’t know if the general public can go to Reade, and I haven’t seen Gage around the Chambers St. Sam Morel’s work has been great. My impression is things are mostly the same, great work but a little expensive. My reference to “downgrade” is entirely about the space. It’s just a little store front now, no longer the cathedral of bass that the old shop felt like. Nothing seems to be a downgrade in the luthiery department.
Thanks for the replies - much appreciated. It's good to hear that the repair side is still strong. We may not see the likes of 36 Walker again for quite a long while.
