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Double Bass Buying a Bass in NYC

#21
Why do you think you need more dough when we gave you suggestions that fit perfectly into your price range. I suggested a La Scala which, incidentally, I got to try last week. There was a guy at the session with a carved hybrid La Scala which was simply wonderful, Big full sound, very easy to play, beautiful to look at. Did you call Arnold? This La Scala I played is just half a block from me in Brooklyn. I'm sure the kid would let you try it out. There is a phenomenon here at TB. Folks ask for help, get lots of expert advice and then don't act on it.
 
#23
Jason Sypher said:
I just got word from Arnold...all New Standard basses can be fitted with a removable neck for an additional $200. Now THAT is affordable progress. I have been charged more than twice that by an airline to fly my bass one way.
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I kindly doubt that it comes with a flight case for that amount of money.
 
#24
No, it doesn't, but as long as Ive been traveling...and suffering because of it, this idea of a removable neck La Scala hybrid it the greatest imaginable scenario. (I was talking about the price of the neck and the subsequent travel savings vs the charges to put a full size trunk on a plane which is now $500, if they let it on at all)
 
#30
NicholasF said:
GO SEE DAVID GAGE!
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Well, as you can see, he's been there:
pacetownsley said:
...Yea, I've been to Gage. I've been taking my Czech flatback there for a long time. I'm absolutely devoted to them -- best luthiers anywhere, and they've always treated me really well....
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As far as "best luthiers anywhere," well... that sure isn't my judgment based on the work I've seen. As others have mentioned, their prices aren't the most attractive either.
 
#35
I can't show you the examples because they weren't on my bass. I didn't take photos of the work I saw. It never occurred to me to take pictures in the event that one day I might post an opinion on TB and receive a request for supporting evidence. By the way, I am not speaking of only one case. Now, I find it mildly offensive that anyone would assume that my comment was the result of "getting up on the wrong side of the bed" rather than the result of an honest and informed appraisal of what I saw. (Yes, Eric, I saw the smiley face. :)) After 30 or so years, I know good work when I see it.

It's best for me not to name the individual or individuals on whose bass work was done but, in one case, we're not talking about some random unknown player. I'll leave it at that. With regard to the work itself, nothing that was done would necessarily detract from the overall playability or response of the bass. It simply did not reflect the level of pride that I would demand from someone working on my instrument.

The examples I saw involved work on bridge, fingerboard, nut, and body. I'll explain a couple in detail. When I look at the glue-joint where the fingerboard mates to the neck, I expect to see a ruler-straight, smooth joint. The example I saw was not. Because it was on the E side of the fingerboard, it didn't bother the player. He did, however, comment after looking at my bass that he wished it had been done like mine. A second example involved a nut that was not carved down or fared at the ends smoothly into the base of the pegbox. Again, nothing that would affect the playability or the sound, but a shortcut nonetheless and an ugly one at that.

I could go on, but I won't. I don't know which luthiers at Gage were responsible for the work I saw. The examples I saw fell far short of what would be expected from "the best luthiers anywhere." Note that that was the basis of my comment, that the work I've seen does not represent the best that can be reasonable expected. Examples of work I've seen from luthiers mentioned often in these threads reveal far superior craftsmanship and apparent pride.

So, now you know. Anyone can dump my experience and opinion into the barrel with the rest and decide for him/herself.
 
#36
I trust David completely, but as far as the luthiers in his shop go, I've found it to be hit-or-miss. They're all extremely nice guys, but I've gotten some work back that was downright rushed and sloppy.

As Les stated, it was nothing that affected the playability or tone of the bass, but it was not so pretty and I felt a little put off by it.

I don't have the years of experience as a DB player that some of you have - not even close - but I still recognize clean work and/or the lack thereof.

I would never dissuade someone from going to David's shop, but I don't feel that they are the end-all, either.
 
#37
If you have an issue with the work done by a luthier at Gage's, why not contact David directly instead of complaining in a public forum? This is the sort of thing that any business owner would like to hear about from the customer.
 
#38
salcott said:
If you have an issue with the work done by a luthier at Gage's, why not contact David directly instead of complaining in a public forum? This is the sort of thing that any business owner would like to hear about from the customer.
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I agree with you completely that any complaints should be taken directly to the shop by the customer. Lo-E did not start a thread with complaints about the work as an alternative to notifying the shop. Rather, he added his on-point observations in the context of a relevant discussion. Nothing wrong with that, as I see it. It seems that his disappointment didn't rise to the level of a complaint given that the function of the instrument was not meaningfully affected. Certainly, some of the onus must fall on the shop to not let such work out the door if, in fact, they would consider it to be below their own standards. If these are isolated experiences that are not at all representative, then others should (and likely will) chime in with descriptions of their own positive experiences and observations.

In my case, I ask that you and others not over-interpret my comments which were simply to point out that, in my opinion, the characterization of "best luthiers anywhere" just doesn't seem to be justified.
 

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