Older European Doublebasses Coming In
Several pending consignment and trade-in older European basses are in the works. There has been quite a run on them lately and I'm happy that new faces will be coming in soon. See the "Older European Basses" page for more details.


DOUBLEBASS NEWS

Michael Olivola Repair Residencies May 29-June2
Famed doublebass repairman Michael Olivola will be in the shop for a 5 day residency in May/June. Michael's specialities are small repairs and setups, along with larger jobs, such as neck resets. To schedule an appointment, call Michael at (505) 227-3513.
 
Allan Droyan Monthly Repair and Setup Residency June 11-18
Allan Droyan is a legendary doublebass luthier who will be returning to the San Francisco bay area for a repair and setup residency   in my shop one week out of every month. Having studied instrument making in Cremona, Italy 1970-72, he apprenticed as a repairman with San Mateo, CA repairman Boyd Poulson 1972-74. In 1974, Allan accepted all of Boyd Poulson's doublebass clientele and opened his shop in San Francisco. The String Bass shop was a San Francisco institution for 27 years until Allan moved a 5 hours' drive north to Fort Bragg to concentrate on major doublebass repairs and restorations. These monthly repair residencies will satisfy some of the demand for his smaller repairs and setups. More complex repairs and restorations performed by Allan can be dropped off and then delivered on completion here at the Burlingame shop three weeks later. You may contact Allan in advance by calling (707) 964-2130 or emailing alland@mcn.org  Allan Droyan's next repair residency will be June 11-18.
-----------------------------------------------
Xuechang Sun
The most recent addition is one of the popular 120 models, the least expensive all solid woods Sun model. This instrument is very resonant already, with good depth in the lower ranges. The top is extremely high quality. I don't know how long they can keep making these basses with the amazing russian spruce tops. For full sets of photos and complete descriptions of these new basses, please see the "Xuechang Sun" doublebass page.

Samuel Shen
Just in from setup are the new deluxe laminate SB 100 with oil varnish finish and the deluxe hybrid SB 180 with the nicer top. Setups are by Gael McKeon, who has his own special way of voicing these instruments in setup. For full sets of photos and complete descriptions, please see the "Samuel Shen" doublebass page. .

Handmade Doublebasses
After getting a new fingerboard, bridge, and a complete setup, the ca. 1840 French cello form 7/8 doublebass is ready for audition. This bass has been used for many years in northern California orchestras and in New York before that. Not as heavy as some of the more common Mirecourt basses from the 1870-90 time period, this instrument has a toneful low end and a rich, projective top end. Good overstand and the correct thickness of the new fingerboard allow easy thumb position playing over the relatively high modified cello style shoulders. For a full set of photos and a complete set of photos, please see the "Handmade Doublebass" page.

Vintage American Plywood Basses
A great sounding, but well used 1950s Epiphone B-4 is now in stock. This blonde finished instrument has a large voice and a medium size neck profile compared to the slim necked Kays. A great festival instrument. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Vintage American Plywood" Basses page.

Older European Basses
The latest addition is a large voiced 7/8 German carved back instrument from the 1920s or 1930s. The string length has been reduced with a false nut to 42 1/4". Reprofiling of the neck and heel area have brought it to a true D neck configuration. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Older European Basses" page.

Basses by Other Builders
 A nicely priced hybrid 2003 Christopher DB304T busetto model is a nice step up from a plywood bass. This one was played on the jazz bandstand for many years and has a nice setup refinement by Michael Olivola. For full sets of photos and complete description, please see the "Basses by Other Builders" page.

In The Repair Shop
Older 3/4 Juzek swell back

Bows, Trunks, and Covers
 I have several student level bows in brazilwood, pernambuco, fiberglass, or carbon fiber either in French or German grip. Please see the "Bass Bows" page for descriptions and photos. I picked up a new David Gage "Featherlite" at the NAMM Show. It is both lighter and stronger than the old trunks. Please see the "Trunks and Covers" page for a full set of photos and a complete description.

Koenig & Meyer doublebass stands
I now have a good supply of Koenig & Meyer doublebass stands. These stands are strong, stable, and fold up into a small package. I take one to every performance, jam session, or festival. For me, not having one when playing bass outside my home is like getting in a car without fastening the seat belt. These stands keep the edges of your bass nice and clean and safe from having the neck or scroll stepped on in tight quarters at a music job.

GUITAR NEWS

Vintage Cases
The most recent find is a very clean ca. 1937 Martin O size case, likely for an O-18, O-21, or O-28. No musty smell, clean interior and exterior, clean latches. These cases are quite difficult to find. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Cases" page.

Merrill
Back in the shop exactly two years after I sold it new is a well preserved 2009 Merrill C-18 with a sunburst top finish. This guitar's voicing is lighter than most Merrill dreadnoughts that I've had in the past, so it is quite responsive and rich in the bass. A great instrument for Tony Rice or Russ Barenberg style play. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Merrill" guitar page.

Rockbridge Guitars
Newest to the inventory is a long scale Advanced Jumbo model, made with my own supplied European spruce and African rosewood. It is a spectacular sounding guitar as well as a beautiful example of Rockbridge's fine work. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Rockbridge" guitar page.
For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Rockbridge" guitar page.