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West Coast USA Luthiers

#29
If you're interested in Scroll Basses, I'm in Burbank. I repair and restore vintage Ampegs, and I build new-generation versions of the Scroll Bass design. I do everything here myself; the woodworking, machining custom metal hardware, paint, making my own pickups. I make all of my own tooling, fixtures, and specialty machines for instrument building. I also build custom instrument necks and hardware for other Luthiers.

I do not build custom order basses, or do common repair/setup work.

I welcome visitors, as long as you don't take up too much of my time. I generally have backlogs of orders, and rarely have any instruments here that are available for sale. But I always have a few of my own prototypes and demonstrators that you can try out. My Scroll Basses are a special type of bass, and are not for everyone.

If you have any interest in historic machinery, my hobby is restoring old metalworking machinery (lathes, drill presses, milling machines, etc.) from 1900-1950.

I'm in Burbank, right off of the 5 freeway, near where it joins the 134. The name of my business is Johnson's Extremely Strange Musical Instrument Company. My hours are normally 10am to 4pm and 10pm to 4am, 7 days. By appointment only, please.
 
#30
interp said:
You might try Bill Delap in Monterey, California. Bill's usually pretty busy but he's a great guy and if he can find some time to spare you will find it an enlightening experience. He has mostly been building guitars in recent years, but I have a couple of Jazz-style basses of his that are unparalleled in workmanship, playability and sound.
PM me for his telephone number.
Click to expand...

+1 to that! I live about an hour away from Bill DeLap. He's worked on my instruments for many years - fantastic luthier, wonderful person.
 
#31
First, when I saw the thread, my first thought was, "if I were doing that trip, #1 on my list to visit would be johnk_10!" And I see he has already invited you. :D

Second, being a self-proclaimed computer geek, I have suggestion for your Bassaholic site. How about a button so that, when you're on the screen showing a list of BG manufacturers, you can click to see a Google Maps map with pushpins showing the location of all the manufacurers in your current search results list? :D
 
#32
ps. Not sure if you did your West Coast trip yet. If it's still to come, and you come down I-5, you're welcome to stop by for a visit. I looked at your list of 76, so far, and I've got at least a couple at the house that aren't on your list. And one of them is one you're not very likely to find anywhere else. A Peavey B Quad 5 - in fact, the very first one off Peavey's production line, signed by Brian Bromberg. Others I have that aren't on your list are a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5 and a U.S. G&L SB-2. Plus, I've got a U.S. G&L L-2500 and a '66 Precision. If you're in the area, you're welcome to stop by and try any or all of them.
 
#33
How about Dan Ransom in San Francisco? His shop is right next to Gary Brawer's Real Guitars on Lafayette Street.

Dan doesn't have a website, so he flies under a lot of people's radar, but I've got a Ransom P-Bass and can vouch for the quality of his work.

IMGP2337-XL.jpg
 
#34
Hi Bruce,

I'm already a fan of yours. There's a Link Removed for your company. I just didn't have your address in the DataBASS, but I just fixed that. Sorry about the lack of information there. I will try to tweak it up soon.

I love scroll basses and have considered the Eastwood version. Although I'm sure they pale next to yours. I had a chance to Link Removed some time ago. Pretty cool, but I don't know that I'd be part of a my regular lineup.

My trip down the coast (I'm in Vancouver) happened last summer. I was in LA. So close. :( Maybe I'll have to plan another trip.

I there's anything I can do on bass-aholic to help you promote your products, please let me know.

thanks,
Terri



Bruce Johnson said:
If you're interested in Scroll Basses, I'm in Burbank. I repair and restore vintage Ampegs, and I build new-generation versions of the Scroll Bass design. I do everything here myself; the woodworking, machining custom metal hardware, paint, making my own pickups. I make all of my own tooling, fixtures, and specialty machines for instrument building. I also build custom instrument necks and hardware for other Luthiers.

I do not build custom order basses, or do common repair/setup work.

I welcome visitors, as long as you don't take up too much of my time. I generally have backlogs of orders, and rarely have any instruments here that are available for sale. But I always have a few of my own prototypes and demonstrators that you can try out. My Scroll Basses are a special type of bass, and are not for everyone.

If you have any interest in historic machinery, my hobby is restoring old metalworking machinery (lathes, drill presses, milling machines, etc.) from 1900-1950.

I'm in Burbank, right off of the 5 freeway, near where it joins the 134. The name of my business is Johnson's Extremely Strange Musical Instrument Company. My hours are normally 10am to 4pm and 10pm to 4am, 7 days. By appointment only, please.
Click to expand...
 
#35
Hi John,

Somehow I missed this when you posted this originally. Your Link Removed.

Can you give me some contact information for my list? I'm looking for city, state, phone# and email. (if you'd like to have it listed)

thanks,
Terri

johnk_10 said:
if you're in the thousand oaks area you're welcome to stop by my house. you could at least play and evaluate some of my basses for your 101 basses list, since i have about 25-30 of them at the moment. (i'd just have to dig some of them out of my 'vault' ;) ).
Click to expand...
 
#38
StuartV said:
ps. Not sure if you did your West Coast trip yet. If it's still to come, and you come down I-5, you're welcome to stop by for a visit. I looked at your list of 76, so far, and I've got at least a couple at the house that aren't on your list. And one of them is one you're not very likely to find anywhere else. A Peavey B Quad 5 - in fact, the very first one off Peavey's production line, signed by Brian Bromberg. Others I have that aren't on your list are a Sadowsky Metro UV70-5 and a U.S. G&L SB-2. Plus, I've got a U.S. G&L L-2500 and a '66 Precision. If you're in the area, you're welcome to stop by and try any or all of them.
Click to expand...

Wow! Sounds like lotsa cool stuff.

My son and I did a 10 day trip last summer. May have to do this again soon. ;)

thanks,
Terri
 
#39
Charley Umbria said:
How about Dan Ransom in San Francisco? His shop is right next to Gary Brawer's Real Guitars on Lafayette Street.

Dan doesn't have a website, so he flies under a lot of people's radar, but I've got a Ransom P-Bass and can vouch for the quality of his work.
Click to expand...

I was in Real Guitars last summer. I saw some signs of Ransom Guitars. But you're right. No website. In the store there is only a display case.

If anybody can give me some web links to something of his, I will create a page for him.

thanks,
Terri
 

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