A bass friend was by the shop yesterday and pointed out to me that my name, Bruce Sexauer, had been brought up in this thread, and that the mood had shifted unpleasantly. That seems to be true, so I thought I'd chime in here.
Four Stringer is a customer of some years who has come to feel like a friend, though I haven't seen him for a year or so. We have shared a good experience around his acquiring a bass from me, and he has tried to share that with you all as well. It is unbelievable to me that anyone would find the need to call him a "shill" in an accusatory style, especially as he was directly addressing the OP's question.
As it happens, my competence for the type of repair mentioned here is entirely adequate. Unless the button had been broken off the back, the job is usually quite straight-forward, and unlikely to reach the target price ceiling. Even if the button is broken, the work is simple enough structurally. If aesthetics are important, the back should come off for an internal scarf, and now you're over budget. Alex is much more willing than I to take the box apart, and is the better choice. When I say "simple repairs", as I do on my website, I mostly mean work that does not require the box to come apart.
Someone here said I make basses; I do not. Several years ago I bought 6 sets of bass sized Big Leaf Maple, including necks, and I have thought I would eventually get a commission for a bass or two. I have made hundred of guitars, and a growing number of violins, and a bass is not much of a stretch. The fly in the ointment is that I am unwilling to do it cheap, and my first bass is going to have to fetch a realistic price. That will be a real act of faith for the customer! My track record is quite good for the instruments I do make, and if my first bass is as successful as my first violin, everyone will be happy.
I do not encourage or solicit repair work, by the way. I have sold several hundred basses over the last 12 years, and have included follow-up service consisting of maintaining the playability of the instrument (set-up) as well as being willing to repair the customers basses. My guitar business has increased to the point where I have several years of work ahead of me, and I simply cannot in good conscience add to my workload.
It seems a bit absurd, but if you want me to repair your bass, you'll have to buy it from me! If you want set-up, however, I am willing to do a certain amount of that. I believe my tool skills are unsurpassed in this area, and my concept for the string/fingerboard/nut/bridge dynamic is relatively complete. I make a differentiation between classical/jazz set-up, of course, as well being able to address the subtleties of Bluegrass vs Rockabilly player's needs. I am reticent to stop doing this work as it gets players into my web where they find out how well my (currently 17) basses play, and that is good for business.
and I only had it for few months...
