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South Florida Luthier?????

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by bassgod76, Jul 27, 2009.

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  1. Jul 27, 2009 #1
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    Does anyone know a good luthier down here in South Florida?
    I've tried a few stores and people, but haven't found someone more exclusive to bass, and the attention to detail was not to my satisfaction. Any ideas?
    Thanks!
     
  2. Jul 27, 2009 #2
    NWB

    NWB

    Apr 30, 2008
    Kirkland, WA
  3. Jul 27, 2009 #3
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    I'm looking for a luthier who does setups; not to buy a new bass.
    Many thanks!
     
  4. Jul 27, 2009 #4
    lowtide

    lowtide Commercial User

    Oct 14, 2006
    Bradenton, Florida
    Owner: Buzzard's Bass Shop
  5. Jul 27, 2009 #5
    lefty007

    lefty007

    Jan 19, 2004
    Miami, FL
    Go to MAE in Davie. http://www.mae-music.com/

    Ralph is the luthier/tech there. He's done work for me, including a defret, and it was great, and the prices very reasonable.

    There is another guy in Ft. Lauderdale that used to setup guitars for Yngwie Malmsteen, http://www.lashbrookguitars.com/.

    He did a mayor repair on my friend's Spector that was spectacular. . . I spoke with him a few months ago about a repair and he told me he was more focused on building his own guitars than simple repairs, but give it a try.

    And if going all the way south, the repair guy at Guitar Center in Kendall, Alex, is a great friend and very talented.
     
  6. Jul 27, 2009 #6
    ghostjs

    ghostjs

    Aug 14, 2008
    ghostjs
    Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
    wow. i live in South FL and i never knew these guys existed
     
  7. Jul 27, 2009 #7
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
  8. Jul 27, 2009 #8
    bluesblaster

    bluesblaster

    Jan 2, 2008
    If you make it up west palm beach way I believe Kevin Kaufman has a shop there, use to be Jacos go-to guy, good set ups and a nice guy. Would be curious to know if he still plays with the "White Owls" Of course I havent seen him in nearly 20 years but I know he still works in the area.
     
  9. Jul 27, 2009 #9
    Kai Sanchez

    Kai Sanchez Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2006
    Miami
  10. Jul 27, 2009 #10
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    Doesn't Cliff Bordwell live in Florida? I don't know where, but I think he's somewhere there.
     
  11. Jul 27, 2009 #11
    edmidlifecrisis

    edmidlifecrisis Registered mediocre bass player

    Aug 31, 2006
    Palm Beach County, Florida
    Another vote for Steve Siciliano at Palm Beach Guitars, he's very competent and a nice guy.
     
  12. Jul 27, 2009 #12
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    Kevin Kaufman also works closely with Steve and they guys at Palm Beach Guitar. Actually it was Kevin who did the work putting in the preamp for me.
     
  13. Jul 27, 2009 #13
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    And he is one hell of a guitar player too! Jammed with him many times!
     
  14. Jul 27, 2009 #14
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    I went to PB Guitars for one of my basses. Steve is a super nice guy, but seemed to shy away from bass. His work was decent, but I could tell that bass wasn't his thing. Plus the intonation on my bass was still off after taking it to him, twice. My buddy loves him and has had all his guitars serviced at PB Guitars.

    I have tried to get with Kevin Kaufman, and it was a treat to talk to him about Jaco, but he's never there, and no one calls me back. I want to give him a try, but tracking him down is like trying to locate the Lochness Monster. I really want to hold out for him, but I'm going on a month that he's been out of the office. :/

    I may go back to MAE. Ralph is a bit gruff and impersonal, but he did good work for me in the past. Apparently, setups at MAE are called, "Birthdays". LOL!

    Thanks for your advice. Gotta love the TB community!
     
  15. Jul 27, 2009 #15
    Kai Sanchez

    Kai Sanchez Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2006
    Miami
    I've used Ralph at MAE too. He did a good job on every bass I took to him.
     
  16. Jul 27, 2009 #16
    lowtide

    lowtide Commercial User

    Oct 14, 2006
    Bradenton, Florida
    Owner: Buzzard's Bass Shop
    For $70 round trip plus parts and labor, I'm your captain . . .
     
  17. Jul 28, 2009 #17
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    Buzzard,
    Many thanks for your offer, however I want to keep my bass in Florida. Shipping musical instruments makes my stomach churn.
     
  18. Jul 28, 2009 #18
    ajish4

    ajish4

    Dec 19, 2003
    Stuart, FL
    Call Dave Wilt....in Port Saint Lucie.

    This guy is AMAZING. One man operation. Has done some of the BEST work bar none. He's not flasy, doesn't have a huge shop, and you MAY have to wait a few weeks if one of his regular customers has an emergency, but he WILL LISTEN to what you want. And when he does work on your guitar, he treats it like a one of a kind.

    PM me if you want and I'll send you his phone # and address if you like. The guy does setups like none other. He REALLY takes the time to get your bass as you like it. He is the ONLY guy I let touch my Rickenbackers.

    He can build you a custom bass or acoustic if you want, he'll do a straight set up if that's all you need.
     
  19. Jul 29, 2009 #19
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    Thanks for your advice. I will give the Amp Shop a spin in WPB. I will let you know how it goes.
     
  20. Jul 29, 2009 #20
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    So I head up to the amp shop. On the way, I decided to pop by Kaufman Daenzer to see if anyone was even there. Low and behold, Kevin walks out to his car. I meet him and Chris, in person and both seem nice. I dropped my bass off to Kevin to see what he can do. I'm not sure why they never called me back after leaving them several messages. You would think that with this economy, that they'd be hungry for income. I guess that's the price you pay when dealing with a moderate celebrity of the bass world. Anyways, I can't wait to see what they can do. :bassist:
     
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