Double Bass Luthier recommendation San Francisco Bay Area

[motogirl]

I'm looking for a good luthier somewhere in the San Francisco Bay/Northern California area who's somewhat familiar with setups for slap bass. I'm playing a 1950 Kay and it sounds good, but every time I borrow someone else's bass I feel like theirs is easier to play. I'm not sure if it's just a "grass is greener over there" kind of thing, or if my bass is just harder to play than it should be (seems to be higher tension). I've been going to Greg at Best Instrument Repair in Oakland, but he doesn't actually play the bass and I think it's time that someone who both plays and repairs takes a look at it.

Any recommendations? Please email kaybassco-at-gmail.com

 

[damonsmith]

I really never found anyone I was happier with than Greg. Maybe just tell him what you need. It may be the curve of the finger board or something less simple to get what you think the other basses have.

I have never played a Kay I was excited about playing, though there seems to be loads of lore about wondeful Kay basses!

 

[tstone]

Call or e-mail TB member Steve Swan at steveswanguitars.com. He's not a luthier, but he'll be able to steer you to the best person for the job.

 

[Steve Swan]

Matt Bohn, The Bass Doctor, is quite familiar with slap bass setups. His shop in Felton is pretty easy to get to from Highway 17. The phone number is (831) 335-1281.

 

[tstone]

At the ISB convention last week, I met Gael McKeon, a personable young luthier who has just moved to the Bay Area and is setting up shop in Berkeley. I don't personally know his work, but he has worked in David Gage's and Bob Beerman's shops, which is a pretty good recommendation right there.

Here's his website:

Link Removed

 

[motogirl]

T-Stone, thank you SO MUCH for your recommendation of Gael McKeon in Berkeley. I took my bass to him and he instantly pinpointed my problem (a warped fingerboard) — an obvious problem that somehow escaped my other luthier. Repairing my bass posed some challenges, namely that the neck had been broken and repaired at some point, but he came up with some innovative and reasonably-priced solutions that didn't involve replacing the entire neck. It now looks, sounds and plays like a dream! He was friendly and accommodating and kept me updated at all stages of his progress. I heartily recommend him to anyone in the bay area needing a good luthier, but I also worry that working with him in the future is going to become tough because I'm sure he's going to get extremely busy very quickly. Take your basses to him while you can!

 

[bassphase]

I had Gael McKeon set up my Luciano Golia bass last week at his new shop in Berkeley. WOW! He changed the soundpost, resurfaced the board and made a few other tweaks. This is absolutely the best this bass has ever sounded and it already sounded great. It's more responsive, louder and mid range tones have a clarity and definition they didn't before. Next month we'll be swapping the bridge adjusters for something he recommends. I can't recommend Gael highly enough. We are truly lucky to have a luthier of his caliber in the Bay Area.

bob

 

[physics]

I took my bass to Gary Brawer at Real Guitars in San Francisco for a neck repair and custom bone nut installation. The work was top notch but because he is so popular with professional musicians, the work will take a long time to complete.

 

[Steve Swan]

For slap bass setups, Matt Bohn still gets very high marks for making the rockabilly folks happy. His Felton shop is also a nice break from the hustle-bustle of the greater Bay Area megalopolis!