Coming Soon: 1957 Fender Stratocaster with case

 Coming in as a trade-in is a 1957 Fender Stratocaster with the original case. Owned by the same player since 1962, this guitar shows play wear, but is reportedly all original and it has been well maintained. The original frets are very worn and I'll leave it to the new owner to decide who will do the refret work. If you would like to get on the contact list for this guitar when it arrives, please call (650) 515-1014 or email:  steve_swan@earthlink.net.

DOUBLEBASS NEWS

 Allan Droyan Monthly Repair and Setup Residency February 6 - 11
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 february 6 - 11.

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Calin Wultur
Also picked up at the January NAMM show is another Carcassi flatback, one of my steady selling models. The wide C bout and deep ribs of this relatively narrow instrument provides a lot of volume and rich low end, while the swept away upper bout shoulders make soloing in the upper positions very easy. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Calin Wultur" page.

Kolstein
Returning to inventory is one of the great Baker model 7/8 willow flatback doublebasses, my favorite Kolstein model. This instrument has been well cared for and played regularly since I sold it brand new. With recent setup refinements and some minor finish touchups by Gael McKeon, this English style doublebass functions well as either a powerful orchestral section instrument are as huge sounding, dark voiced jazz bass. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Kolstein"  page.

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
New to inventory are a new SB 200 3/4 willow flatback and another new custom SB 200 Rogeri willow flatback. For full sets of photos and complete descriptions, please see the "Samuel Shen" doublebass page. .

Handmade Doublebasses
Argentine luthier Roberto Giormenti's beautiful second prototype orchestra is now in stock. Special features are the custom made tuners and C extension. For a complete description and a full set of photos, please see the "Handmade Doublebass" page.

Vintage American Plywood Basses
The latest addition is a Ca. 1950s Epiphone B-4 model. Likely a school bass, the condition is a little rough, but the feel is nice and solid, the sound full and rich. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Vintage American Plywood" Basses page.

Older European Basses
Coming into inventory is a wonderful older bohemian 3/4 flatback made by Ladislav Herclik. I first became acquainted with this bass when it came for a compelete setup by Michael Olivola 18 months ago and it's exciting to have it on the sales floor. This instrument has the beautifully flame figured wood choice and light build style of a 1920s era instrument and halfplate tuners that are very disctinctive to this maker. The voice is rich and dark, with an easy response. 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

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
The long awaited Quilted Sapele and European Spruce 12 fret Jumbo is now in stock. For a full set of photos and a complete description, please see the "Rockbridge" guitar page.