Double bass luthier: Dublin?

Eoin_Eamon

Hello hello,

Can anyone recommend a double bass luthier in Dublin to setup a bass? I’ve spoken to some mates who play and they’ve told me horror stories about ‘the bass butcher’ and violin luthier’s who pretend to know their way round a bass.

I bought a ¾ double bass a month ago and didn’t know much about the instrument at the time. Now I’ve come to discover the bridge is warped and seated about 2 inches south of the notches on the F-holes. The bridge was moved from the centre and set atop wooden blocks to compensate for the greater height required. If the placement’s correct, I’d prefer a new bridge carved anyway as the A string sounds dead compared to the others.

Any advice, recommendations, or warnings would be very much appreciated.

And if you happen to have some idea of how much this should cost, that would be immensely welcomed. I’ve heard about €80 for the bridge and carving, not sure how much setting the sound post would be.

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers.

unclebill98

Crehan's are your best bet. I've dealt with them for years with my double bass.

zafo

There's a guy on Manor Street/Stoneybatter that a few friends use. No idea what his name/number is though..

Quick google says his name is James Beatley. http://www.beatley.ie/

Eoin_Eamon

Thanks for that gents! Cheers.

WerethoBike

Hello ,

Good luck on finding a suitable Double bass specialist,

There market is small here in Dublin?

I had a Dbl.bass repaired a few years back,
James Beatley did the work on it,
Good reasonable price too

James Beatley is a good tip.

Check the yellow pages??

Mingus08

If you can take a day out, I'd suggest getting the train up to Galway and going to see Tom Barrett.

www.doublebassireland.com

He turned my bass from a normal instrument into a work of art around 6 years ago and I haven't looked back, he only does double basses and he does them to perfection. I practiced thumb position for years and it wasn't until he did the work that I realised it hadn't been all my fault!

He costs more than other people doing bass work, but he's a bass luthier, if you're in anyway serious about your instrument, it's worth the investment.

I confess a vested interest here, Tom's a good friend of mine and I've dealt almost exclusively with him for 7 or 8 years now I think, but only because I love the work he does. He lives close to the train station so can meet you there.

Regarding price, I'm pretty sure a fitted bridge would cost considerably more than €80, but you'd need to speak to him. Like I said, the difference is in the work. The setup work he does can turn a rubbish €400 Tholmann bass into a instrument good enough for international touring guys to use without complaint. Like Michael Janisch on David Lyttle's tours.

Just sayin!

Good luck with your instrument Eoin!