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Double Bass Any good luthiers in the south?

estesbass

estesbass

Dec 6, 2004
64
9
43
Nashville, TN
www.jonestes.com
#1
I am planning on having serious work (re-glueing the bass bar, general setup, etc.) done on my upright in a month or so. I am currently living in Miami, where in my experience, all the luthiers are terrible. I really care about my bass (a great Juzek from the 50's), and I need the quality repair work of luthiers such as David Gage. If it comes down to it, I'm willing to drive to NY to get the work done, but I was wondering if there was anyone else who might be closer to me. Ronald Sachs in Atlanta perhaps? Any help is appreciated.
 
#2
You checked (All Hail) Bob Gollihur's website? He has international listings of luthiers and strong repair shops that specialise in bass, best recollection there are some cats up around Central FL. But hell, why not e-mail James Miller over in Sarasota, see who the Symphony cats use...
 
#4
From Bob's page

FL, Altamonte Springs, Saul Cornell, 407 831 3680
Primariy bow maker/repairs; sells new and used basses, ex-Flute player with Florida Symphony.
Engelwood, Darkwood Music Co. [email protected] • darkwoodmusic.com/mainmenu.html
Builder
FL, Boca Raton, Kim Young, Sohlip Violins, 561-391-2669
Bass repairs
FL, Indian Harbour Beach, Sean Freeman, Musicians' Alliance, Inc. 407 773 1242, [email protected]
Repairs, refinishing
FL, Jacksonville, Dale Gosa, 904-731-0367
bassist in the Jacksonville Symphony, works on entire string family
FL, Jacksonville, Violin Shop, Miguel Melanchon, 904-564-9002
Repairs, sales, rentals
FL, Gainesville, David Forbes, 352.375.2609
Bows only, bowmaker specializing in French bows of the Sartory design. He will also make German bows on commission.
FL, Lake Worth, Phillips' Violins & Bows, Inc., Lake Worth, FL 33460, Maria Phillps,(561) 585-5410, Fax: (561) 586-9683www.phillipsviolins.com
Specializing in Bows and light repair, has new and used basses etc.
FL, Melbourne, (Space Coast), Rick Desgrange, daytime 321 773-4588 (Design Graphics Printing), evening 321 242-1021, [email protected]
Minor repairs, extensions, weekends only
FL, Miami, Paris Banchetti, Luthier. 877-717-6393, 305-666-5520
FL, No. Miami Beach, Joe Reichgott, 305 651 8895, [email protected]
works on all string instruments, specializes in Basses. Former member of FL Philharmonic Orch of FL, teaches at Miami Dade Community College, North Campus
FL, Tampa, Port's Music, 813-971-1510, 813-971-6380 fax
repairs, instruments, bows
FL, Wellington, Alberti's Violins, Albert Genduso, (561) 798-0425email">[email protected]
Instruments, repairs, all stringed instruments
 
#6
I've met the folks at the Acoustic Corner in Black Mountain, which is close to you. The owner Tom is a bg instrument maker, and they sell and service basses in the lower price levels. It looks like Donley's, Beerman's (Bass Violin Shop), and Ron Sachs are your next closest as best I can tell.

As always, check Golliher's list also.
 
#7
iPlay15151515 said:
Has anyone had any experience with luthiers in the Asheville NC area?
Click to expand...

I have heard that Mark Richard is there now. He had a "maverick" reputation when he was in Atlanta, mostly because of his unusual bass designs, all of which were meticulously executed and excellent sounding instruments, generally one of a kind because he used no molds. He is a player as well as a builder and repairman and used to perform locally with his band, Zen Dixie. He relocated to the Asheville area a few years ago. If you ask around the craft community there, you might find him. He has nearly no footprint on the internet or at least I can't google him up.
 
#9
I used to live in Miami.... There is a violin repair shop in Coconut Grove that does pretty good work, I think the name is Duffy's...... Lew Berryman used to do work on my bass down there, but he has left this world. Sad but his book on intonation is great. Here in Charlotte there is a guy named Tim Donley (Donley Violins) and there is a place in Greensboro called the Bass Shoppe, they both do great work.
 
#10
estesbass;

please let me know where you finally go for the work on your Juzek. I live north of you (west Palm) and have also had bad luck with the Luthiers in south Florida. If you're studying with Don Coffman or Chuck Bergeron they have probably told you about Lou Berryman who worked on everyone's bass but has passed on leaving big shoes to fill. Best of luck and keep me informed of your progress.
 
#11
I live in Asheville, and there is a guy here who is one of the finest repairmen I have ever come across. His name is Randy Hughes, he's in the phone book. His shop is out in Fairview. He made my basses play liike buttah, for real!
 
#13
wolfbass1025 said:
I live in Asheville, and there is a guy here who is one of the finest repairmen I have ever come across. His name is Randy Hughes, he's in the phone book. His shop is out in Fairview. He made my basses play liike buttah, for real!
Click to expand...

You don't appear to have any double basses listed in your "gear" profile. Is there something we don't know about or did you get lost?
 
#14
There used to be a guy in the Asheville area named Tom Kelishek, but he had a debilitating stroke/anyeurism many years back. I haven't heard how is doing lately, maybe one fo you NC cats could ask around.
 
#15
Ed Fuqua said:
There used to be a guy in the Asheville area named Tom Kelishek, but he had a debilitating stroke/anyeurism many years back. I haven't heard how is doing lately, maybe one fo you NC cats could ask around.
Click to expand...


Tom was like a God when I was in High School. I knew him in the late eighties- early nineties and was SO impressed by the work he did. Many people know him from the TK 92 bass that was in all the magazines. As far as I know, John Chiego still owns that bass.

Tom is in a wheelchair and can be seen out and about sometimes. I played the last ASO concert last season and he was in attendance. It was good to see him out and about.

We all miss his gift here in the NC/SC area.
Brian
 
#17
Why would you want to be Re-glueing the bass bar? If there is something wrong with it, it should be replaced. These Shop Wilfers (Juzek brand!) can have these problems often but a NEW BassBar should be fit. If the Top has sunken, this should be steamed/pressed out and then all other cracks repaired b4 putting in a New Bar. Regluing the Bar is something you might do on a Plywood Bass but a Carved Bass should get a new Bar when ever needed.
 
#19
I finally ran into Mark Richard at a recent music festival and he is now located in Mr. Airy, North Carolina. He claims he is "retired" but I watched him repair a loose brace and cracked top on a folk guitar for one of the festival attendees while we chatted. If you are interested he gave me his number and told me it was OK to pass it along. If you PM me I'll send it to you.

In Georgia there are many luthiers in the Atlanta area. George Hofer in Savannah (George sold Edgar Meyers the Gabrielli) was restoring two basses when I last talked to him. Last Saturday I had coffee with Bill (some may know him as Emile) Baran in Decatur and his current luthier has been with him a while now and does excellent work. Baran's is in downtown Decatur and has been in business since the end of WWII. While Baran's supplies all sorts of stringed instruments (it's the only shop where I've seen an authentic violone complete with the tied on frets and an archlute) it generally has a number of DB's in stock. A number of the local jazz players recommend Edward Svetlovsky for bass luthiery. Edward is in Norcross. Also there is Roland Huthmaker in Duluth. I believe his son is the luthier in that shop and this is also a well respected shop. And there is Ron Sachs, who I personally know little about, but have heard only good. Another recommendation from one of my jazz buddies is Tom Thorsen (Atlanta-area). I've probably left some out;- no offense intended.

George Hofer is generally considered the "man" in Georgia for double basses. He certainly has the seniority and the life long experience and was also a symphony player. I don't think he'll ever retire and that's probably a good thing.
 

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