Double Bass NJ,NY,PA Repair/Setup Shop

[Jake Morris]

So having tried some new strings (velvet animas), I have realized I really need a good set up. Mostly a lot of buzzing from the fretboard and some string height adjustments I want. I live in north New Jersey and was wondering what the best place to go would be?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Bill Merchant's in his shop in Chelsea every Thursday. [email protected]

 

[Jake Morris]

Bill Merchant's in his shop in Chelsea every Thursday. [email protected]

I've heard of him. Have any experience with his repair/setup work?

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Bill Merchant set my bass up in 1980 and I'm still on the same bridge.

There are so many great luthiers in your general area including Jeff Bollbach, Arnold Schnitzer, David Gage shop, Kolstein shop. Ask Don Higdon here on the board. He may know someone close to you.

 

[isolated]

I've heard of him. Have any experience with his repair/setup work?

He does good work. Quick turnaround, reasonable rates. He's in his shop in High Falls, NY most often, and I think that would be easier for you to get to if you got wheels....

But out here, it's almost embarrassing how many choices you have when it comes to setup/repair.

 

[Jake Morris]

Bill Merchant set my bass up in 1980 and I'm still on the same bridge.



There are so many great luthiers in your general area including Jeff Bollbach, Arnold Schnitzer, David Gage shop, Kolstein shop. Ask Don Higdon here on the board. He may know someone close to you.

I got my bass at David gage and they've done some work on it, but it still has bad buzzing. I've heard upton does good set ups, but that's a bit far from me, but if they're better, I'll make the drive.

 

[dperrott]

There are many options, but Bill is my man. He put on a new fingerboard for me last week. It is amazing! He does great soundpost, and fingerboard work.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

There are a couple guys further South (in Jersey) I can personally recommend, but you have a pretty good selection up there. Also check out our free luthier's directory - and please let me know if we're missing any listings!

 

[shwashwa]

There are so many great luthiers in your general area including Jeff Bollbach, Arnold Schnitzer, David Gage shop

any one of these guys would be fine. im sure upton is great but no need to drive there when you have access to these guys so much closer. i personally go to arnold for the bass that i bought from him and jeff for my other basses. if gage set up your bass in the past and its still not right call them and tell them. they may be able to help you. they're a good shop too. ive used them in the past as well. great work.

 

[Guidobass]

Joe at Sweetest Sounds in Lyndhurst is fantastic! He's really a great guy and he does a fantastic job....

 

[Jake Morris]

I'm going to give bill merchant a call and see what he can do.

 

[BawanaRik]

Believe it not Ritches has a guy there who isn't bad.

Bill at Dave's Sound can do a setup.

None of it's magic but I found that someone who does this 8 hours a day for twenty years is better than I am.

No surprise there.

 

[T-MOST]

I go to Bill & Dave at Daves Sound Repair Rt 10 Whippany. Great guys and very good.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've heard of him. Have any experience with his repair/setup work?

Of course. My first bass came to me strung left-handed; Bill restrung it for me, re-cut the bridge, trimmed the overly long and tight soundpost and taught me how to prepare hot hide glue and close the open seams. For a hundred bucks. Plus tax.

That was four years ago. Since then, I've learned to do a lot of basic and not-so-basic repair work, but if I can't do it I call Bill.

If I can scrape together the $2500 or so it will cost, I'm going to make an appointment with him this spring for two new fingerboards, a bridge and some incidentals. I roll nickels like manhole covers, as folks used to say. The fact that I'm planning to pay him that kind of cash without a second thought should illustrate the regard I have for the man and his work. Plus, he's ****ing entertaining.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Gentlemen, this is a DOUBLE BASS thread. Please read before posting unhelpful advice. Thank you.

 

[basscat35]

There`s also Jay Vandekopple in Midland Park, NJ. He does great work and is extremely reasonable price-wise

 

[Jake Morris]

Gentlemen, this is a DOUBLE BASS thread. Please read before posting unhelpful advice. Thank you.

Hahaha yea. I take my electric basses to Dave's sound for set ups every so often. Don't think I'll take my upright there though hahahah.

 

[MikeCanada]

+1 for Jay. He's a fantastic guy and helped me out of a bind this past summer.

 

[robobass]

+1 for Bill Merchant. His shop won't remind you of an Audi showroom, but he will be very clear about what work you really need, what it will cost (and he's very fair on price), and will get your bass back to you quickly. A real mensch.

 

[Earl]

+2 for Jay - he's the best!