Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I had the privelege yesterday to visit David Gage's repairshop / showroom in Tribeca on walker street, nyc. If any of you are into the upright bass and / or need a repair or a new bass, you've got to check it out. First, floor is devoted to the repair shop. These guys are experts. They also do repairs on guitars, the guy is Manny Salvador from guitarcraft. He made Bootsy Collins bass. Watched him repair a bass, took it's neck off, melted the horse glue with a hair dryer, fascinatining, saw another guy planing a fingerboard, a big plank of ebony. All the luthier's were busy. This is really world class first quality work. Upstairs they have basses on consignment and some new. One of the new ones was the Czech Ease, a beautiful instrument with a nice broad tone. If I gigged with an upright this would be it! But up on the third floor I got to pluck something really special, a bass made in the early 1600's! This was before tempered instruments. You're not really the owner of something like that, you're a caretaker. I never played anything that old. I believe they were asking 120K, or maybe that was another one. The sturnel basses were the best looking. When I look at my new adamas, I look at as if it's a beautiful tool, but am I the caretaker for the next person ... I suppose I am.
Anyway, this is a real special place, and if your serious about the bass, you should check it out. You have to call for an appointment. I like checking out new places and this was a find and wanted to share it with you guys. The owners are really decent people. I can see why they're world famous.
http://www.davidgage.com/z_workshop.htm |
David Gage Upright Bass and Repairshop/Bass from the 1600's