Double Bass Bill Merchant Luthier NYC

[Dbassmon]

For what it's worth... I bought an Upton Hawkes Hybrid Bass from Gary at Upton. Nice bass, especially for the money. I needed some set up tweeks. Rather than drive 2 hours each way to Mystic CT, I called Gary at Upton to ask for a NYC Luthier recommendation. He suggested Bill Merchant. I called Bill and went to see him today.

I could not be more impressed with Bill. He is like a mad professor, proud of what he does, intuitive and smart. He spent tons of time with me, he knows what the heck he is doing. He made some great suggestions. When I left there my bass which sounded really good when I brought it in, sounded amazing when I left, twice as loud with more defined tone and more low end. He moved the sound post, he suggested heavier strings, I switched to his suggestion, Spirocore Mediums from Light, which are actually easier to play, he planed the finger board and dressed it, he moved the bridge. He spent over 2 hours on my bass.

Apparently, Dave Gage and Bill Merchant studied under the same teacher, Charles Traeger. Perhaps Gage is more known but Merchant is a talented guy. I hit it off with him.

If you live in the Tri-State, NYC metro area and you are looking for a bass luthier, I can recommend this guy without reservation.

 

[uptonbass]

And to add to this thread; Bill will soon be the Upton Bass exclusive rep in NYC!!!!

 

[philip sirois]

I love Bill! He's a great guy and does excellent work.

Hey Bassmon, did we meet in his shop the other day? I played your upton bass, I think,

phil

 

[Jason Sypher]

I've also had a good overhaul experience with him and at a greatly reduced price from some local competitors...

 

[robobass]

no one has put up his website
The first real job Bill did for me was a top inlay in a large 1860s German bass that was riddled with wolftones and unevenness. It cost $3500 but was worth every penny. Since then we have become good friends, and he was the first person to take interest in my Capos.
Robobass

 

[tappingtrance]

I bought a bass from him when he worked at Chuck Tragers {sp?} in 1979 and he took the top off, put a neck block in and has set it up since then. He has rehaired my bow and I own a Merchant Vertical EUB. Bill is great in spite of the fact he has sniffed way too much lacquer in his day [hence the mad scientist]

 

[shwashwa]

please let us know when bill has some upton basses in stock. i've been dying to try one, but the drive to CT is not going to happen any time soon. one question though, if the bass was new and it came with the "upton setup" then why did it need the fingerboard planed and dressed? according to the website, the upton setups are supposed to be great. i guess this is not so?

 

[uptonbass]

please let us know when bill has some upton basses in stock. i've been dying to try one, but the drive to CT is not going to happen any time soon. one question though, if the bass was new and it came with the "upton setup" then why did it need the fingerboard planed and dressed? according to the website, the upton setups are supposed to be great. i guess this is not so?

Not at all the case, you will see when you play one....As with all our basses we include a 6 month adjustment period. Jeff wanted a few tweaks and really could not make it up to our shop at the time. A 3 hour plus drive for him..a busy business man...not easy. So I did what I could, spoke with Bill, and set it up for Jeff to be taken care of. Jeff can validate this cost him not even a penny.

 

[shwashwa]

Not at all the case, you will see when you play one....As with all our basses we include a 6 month adjustment period. Jeff wanted a few tweaks and really could not make it up to our shop at the time. A 3 hour plus drive for him..a busy business man...not easy. So I did what I could, spoke with Bill, and set it up for Jeff to be taken care of. Jeff can validate this cost him not even a penny.

fair enough.
when are there going to be some basses in NY to try?