Setup & Repairs

Bass players express themselves through their instrument. It is their voice. When that instrument is damaged or out of adjustment, they need someone to make it sing again. Whether it’s a fine vintage bass or a student-grade plywood bass, my first objective is to do no harm. I strive to protect and conserve the original varnish and the original wood as much as possible. To that end, when possible I make repairs through the f-holes or the endpin hole that obviate the need to remove the top. This saves the owner money and prevents needless wear and tear on the instrument. When removing the top is unavoidable, I take measurements that record the position of the neck and fingerboard. Before removing the top, I make a cradle that perfectly matches the contours of the back, and use it when clamping the top back on. This ensures that the instrument plays and feels the way it did before the repair.