Double Bass Repair/setup in NYC

[brianh]

Hi,

I just moved to NYC two days ago and my bridge must have moved a bit on the trip here. Nothing major, the bass just feels weird and needs some basic bridge/soundpost adjustments.

Can anyone in NYC recomend someone to go to? I'm living on the upper west side, and it would be cool if there was someone near my area. Also, since I just moved, I don't have a ton of money (and this is a minor issue, it shouldn't be much) so I don't know if I really need to go to the most popular guy in town and wait a few days.

Thanks!

 

[Phil Rowan]

I recommend Bill Merchant, who I've been going to for the past few years. He's on 29th street just off 7th Ave (if i remember correctly.. it's been a while). He has a shop upstate and one in the city, and he's only in NYC on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If it's as minor as what it sounds like, it shouldn't cost much or take more than a day to do. If the sound post hasn't moved, and if it's just the bridge that's a bit off, I think any player who knows a thing or two about set up might be able to help out.

 

[Kevin Hsieh]

Minor work ends up costing a lot less at Bill and he's a great guy to deal with. I tend to go to Gage for my major repairs though. Just a preference. I love both of them.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm sure Bill's a great cat, I've just never had occasion to use him.
Anytime I've had problems similar to the ones you describe, the cats at Gage have hooked me up after a phone call. Come by between so and so, and we'll take a look. The only time I've had to leave my bass for more than a day is when something pretty major is happening - neck reset, new endpin installation, regluing seams, crack repair etc.

Resetting the bridge, soundpost minor stuff like that it's just walk in, get it done, get gone. Maybe drop it off in the morning, pick it up in the afternoon, but I can't really recall a specific instance....

The MOST work to me bass has been done by Jeff Bollbach and I am Very Very Happy with the work he did. LIRR to Freeport isn't bad.

 

[robobass]

+1 to Bill Merchant. Other shops might do a quick setup for a reasonable price, but they will later try to talk you into some major work that you don't need. Bill won't do that.
Robobass

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Never happened to me at Gage, and I been going there for a long time. But even when I was just some sprout fresh off the truck, they always did me solid without looking to make money off of me. Your experience is, of course, your experience. But that's true for me as well....

 

[brianh]

Sounds good...thanks for the help guys. I give someone a try on Monday.

 

[milomo]

I went to Bill for a long time, but since July i've been going to Arnold Schnitzer, and as much as I like Bill (both his work and him personally), i'm glad I made the switch.

 

[brownmik]

+1 for Jeff Bollbach - he's a great guy and does stellar work.

 

[SAlcott]

I've done business with Gage and his crew since before he had a crew-30+years.They have always done right by me.