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Hamster

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've used Colin Staples at Dave Mann Music in Nottingham. Excellent for set ups and electrical stuff, and also does repairs and set ups for acoustic instruments, including Double Bass. Here's a link: [url="http://www.davemann.co.uk/page4.html"]http://www.davemann.co.uk/page4.html[/url]

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi

Some recommendations for anyone in the Peterborough area:

Ian Hancock - E Basses - full range of work from setups, resprays to complete custom builds - 01733 565099
Jon Haire - Guitar Services - mainly setups etc - 01733 348661
Duncan Wales at Organic Guitars - again, a custom builder - [url="http://www.organicguitars.co.uk"]http://www.organicguitars.co.uk[/url]

Ian and myself started E Basses just over 7 years ago; we parted company around 2 years ago (very amicably) after he decided to take a break from building etc but he is now producing instruments again and offers very competitive prices for all kinds of repair/setup work! Both Jon and Duncan are also very highly respected in this vicinity.

Cheers.

Nick

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Hi guys,

I used to live in Bristol, so used J Kincade (also a guitar tech at Sound Control put on a new scratchplate, and did a lovely dress and setup on my JV a couple of years ago, but don't know if the same guy is still there!), but I now live in sunny Devon, and need to find someone down here in the Exeter area please!!

Regards,

MoJoke

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  • 2 weeks later...

Back in 1986 I really wanted a Status Series 2 bass but back then Rob Green didn't build them in left hand.
At the same time a local builder by the name of Keith Bennoin had opened his workshop in the centre of Birkenhead. Intrigued by all the unusual (well to my young eyes) guitars he had in the shop, I went in and over a few visits told him what I wanted. He wasn't familiar with Status and as no plans for the bass where available he calculated its size and shape from photos and a reference of its only known dimension, its scale length.
I paid him £25 each Friday afternoon after being paid from work and witnessed each week the bass evolving. Hand measurements were taken to make the neck perfect and other tricks and finally after almost a year. my KGB Headless 4 string was ready. Equiped with EMG pickups, Kent Armstrong active tone controls and ABM hardware, it has been a flawless performer, on the road and in the studio, many producers have said it's the best bass they had ever recorded. So there you have my experience of KGB Music guitars. Oh by the way I went on later to train with Keith for 4 years as a repairer and custom builder and can tell you it was one of the most rewarding experience of my life.
Cheers Keith thanks for all your knoweledge and wisdom.

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Hi Hamster!

Martin Sims of the SimS Custom Shop and famed for his SimS Custom L.E.D.s must surely be near the very top of the list (I am biased but he is that good!!!)!

He actually does the refinishing and finishing work for a good bundle of the top guitar and bass builders here in the UK 'cos he turns things around usually as promised (subject to any unforeseen technical points) and does not have a black hole into which various instruments disappear with false promises (like so many before him and after).

Plus now SimS have their own CNC router they can make anything in the universe of bass...just let your imagination...

And who do Fender Europe turn to whenever they want something special?

He's the man!

www.simscustom.com

Ciao

Ian

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[quote name='Hamster' post='74321' date='Oct 14 2007, 10:53 PM']Hi Ian

Has Martin done any work on your basses, or are you just spreading his good name?

BTW, to get near the top of the list Martin will have to move his operation to at least level with the lake district :)

Hamster[/quote]

Yes, he's fitted LEDs to several instruments (including a gorgeous WAL Mach 3 in paduak) including guitars and the plain reason I recommend him to all on the forum is that he's that good and not just with the worlds best LED system.

I'm seriously enthusiastic and even handed in my recommendation of anyone that is really good so others can benefit but especially Martin because he is that good. Look at the roster of famous musicians that have trusted their personal instruments to his hands and abilities and then there's Fender Europe who get him to do so much of their custom work. There are other workshops out there but Martin's first call for Fender.

LEDs in a Status, WAL, GB, Shepherd, Manson, Feline, Warwick, Yamaha, etc, etc...all done by Martin.

Seriously, speaking from years of experience in the biz Martin runs one of the pre-eminent custom shops in the world now as he offers not just his world renown LED system but his spray shop, custom work and now the ability to literally create any bass or guitar with his CNC system you'd care to imagine, he would have to be near the very top of any recommended luthier listing for bass builders. I can't mention any names but he's now often the first call for new prototype instruments to be built because he's really that good. So, obviously, if the foregoing is true his good name just has to be spread??

Ciao

Ian

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[quote name='SMART' post='74336' date='Oct 14 2007, 11:36 PM']Yes, he's fitted LEDs to several instruments (including a gorgeous WAL Mach 3 in paduak) including guitars and the plain reason I recommend him to all on the forum is that he's that good and not just with the worlds best LED system.

I'm seriously enthusiastic and even handed in my recommendation of anyone that is really good so others can benefit but especially Martin because he is that good. Look at the roster of famous musicians that have trusted their personal instruments to his hands and abilities and then there's Fender Europe who get him to do so much of their custom work. There are other workshops out there but Martin's first call for Fender.

LEDs in a Status, WAL, GB, Shepherd, Manson, Feline, Warwick, Yamaha, etc, etc...all done by Martin.

Seriously, speaking from years of experience in the biz Martin runs one of the pre-eminent custom shops in the world now as he offers not just his world renown LED system but his spray shop, custom work and now the ability to literally create any bass or guitar with his CNC system you'd care to imagine, he would have to be near the very top of any recommended luthier listing for bass builders. I can't mention any names but he's now often the first call for new prototype instruments to be built because he's really that good. So, obviously, if the foregoing is true his good name just has to be spread??

Ciao

Ian[/quote]

Poor guy when does he sleep never mind find time to take a holiday!

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Another one for Leicestershire - Nigel Roberts, [url="http://www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk/"]http://www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk/[/url] 07956889394/01530454945, sort of between Loughborough and Coalville and not far from Jct23 of the M1 - very thorough and will make sure a job is done properly before he lets it go. Has lots of work so sometimes his queue to get things done is substantial, but he has had my Les Paul and Precision bass since Friday (11th October?) and I've been told they're nearly finished which is good enough for me. Currently also working on a headstock break for my guitarist.

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Thanks - added. I've shown his location as Thringstone because:
a] That's where he is, and
b] It's a great place name :)

Someone must build a huge stadium there to get some bands in - "Hello Thringstone - you Rock!" etc.....

Hamster

Edited by Hamster
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[quote name='john_the_bass' post='75010' date='Oct 16 2007, 12:14 PM']yes - Thringstone - I didn't include it because I didn't think anybody would have ever heard of it.
I hadn't and I only live 10 miles away[/quote]

:) I did add Nr Loughborough :huh:

Hamster

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

[quote name='Hamster' post='1780' date='May 18 2007, 07:51 PM']I've searched around and have come up with the following luthiers who have all at some time been personally recommended by various forum members.

If you have any amendments / additions then post the details on the thread and I'll add it to this first post.

Hamster :)


In a rough North -----> South order:

Alan Cringean 07754 502 366 [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk"]www.acguitars.co.uk[/url] Moffat
Joe & Dave 07896759715, 07918646359 Austin Guitar Shop [[email protected]][email protected][/email] Blyth
Dave Wilson, (PM me or Wateroftyne for contact number) The Haltwhistle Custom Shop, Haltwhistle
Chris and Laurence 01228 590591 [url="http://www.overwater.co.uk"]www.overwater.co.uk[/url] Carlisle
Steve Robinson 07776 434987 [url="http://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk"]www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk[/url] Manchester
Keith Bennion 0151 647 3268 [url="http://www.kgb-music.co.uk"]http://www.kgb-music.co.uk[/url] Birkenhead
Ged Green 0161 4289098 [url="http://www.gedgreen.co.uk"]www.gedgreen.co.uk[/url] Manchester
Jon Shuker (Shuker Bass) 0114 2582555, 07901 896021 [url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk"]www.shukerguitars.co.uk[/url] Sheffield
Dan 01159 784403 [url="http://www.themusicinn.co.uk"]http://www.themusicinn.co.uk[/url] Nottingham
Colin Staples 01159 417955 [url="http://www.davemann.co.uk/page4.html"]www.davemann.co.uk[/url] Nottingham
Nigel Roberts 01530 454945 [url="http://www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk"]www.leicestershire-luthier.co.uk[/url] Thringstone, Nr Loughborough
Howard Smith 01162 706862 [url="http://www.howardsmith.co.uk/"]http://www.howardsmith.co.uk/[/url] Leicester
Ian Hancock - 01733 565099 Peterborough
Jon Haire - 01733 348661 Peterborough
Duncan Wales - 01354 652231 [url="http://www.organicguitars.co.uk"]www.organicguitars.co.uk[/url] Peterborough
John Diggins 0121 7735711 [url="http://www.jaydeeguitars.co.uk"]www.jaydeeguitars.co.uk[/url] Birmingham
Paul 01604 460848 [url="http://www.arrowheadguitars.co.uk"]www.arrowheadguitars.co.uk[/url] Northampton
Pete Allen 01926 499012 [url="http://www.guitartechnicalservices.co.uk"]http://www.guitartechnicalservices.co.uk[/url] Warwick
Kim Seabourne 07974294681 [url="http://www.bassurgery.com"]http://www.bassurgery.com[/url] Worcester
Andy Viccars [url="http://www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk"]www.andyviccarscustom.co.uk[/url] Milton Keynes
Robbie McDade 07915 075077 [url="http://www.rimcustombasses.co.uk"]www.rimcustombasses.co.uk[/url] Luton
Dave Dearnly 02920 462953 Cardiff
Dave Wild 0208 3407766 [url="http://www.wildguitars.com/guitars.htm"]http://www.wildguitars.com/guitars.htm[/url] London N6
The Bass Gallery 0207 2675258 [url="http://www.thebassgallery.co.uk"]www.thebassgallery.co.uk[/url] London NW1
Chris McIntyre 07764747450 [url="http://mcintyreguitars.com"]http://mcintyreguitars.com[/url] London E1
Bill Puplett 0208 9541965 [email protected] London Harrow
Paul Herman 0208 9731441 [url="http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk"]www.guitarexperience.co.uk[/url] London Hampton Wick
Andrew Scrimshaw 07941 434650 [url="http://mbwebs.co.uk/scrim/"]http://mbwebs.co.uk/scrim/[/url] London
Martin Phelps 0208 6809747 [url="http://www.martinphelpsmusic.com/"]http://www.martinphelpsmusic.com/[/url] Croydon
Feline Guitars 0208 6809131 [url="http://www.felineguitars.com"]www.felineguitars.com[/url] Croydon
Simon Law 07786 563214 Swindon
Eltham 07971 240296 Bristol
Jonny Kincade 01179 243279[url="http://www.kinkadeguitars.co.uk"]www.kinkadeguitars.co.uk[/url] Bristol
Frank Aust 01179 603589 Bristol
The Guitar Klinic 01761 419199 [url="http://www.guitarclinic.co.uk/"]www.guitarclinic.co.uk[/url] Midsomer Norton
Mike Walsh 01376 500820 [url="http://www.zootbass.co.uk"]www.zootbass.co.uk[/url] Witham
Barry Palmer 01279 432900 [url="http://www.giggear.co.uk/home/index.php"]http://www.giggear.co.uk/home/index.php[/url] Harlow
Bob Johnson 01702 558890 [url="http://www.legraguitars.co.uk"]http://www.legraguitars.co.uk[/url] Leigh-on-Sea
Mike Seal 07906 354339 Northfleet
Tom Anfield 0845 2268175 [url="http://www.ukguitars.com/"]http://www.ukguitars.com/[/url] Ripley
Joe White 01252 520911 [url="http://www.jwhite-guitarworkshops.co.uk"]www.jwhite-guitarworkshops.co.uk[/url] Farnborough
Ben Fleetcroft 01483 427444 [url="http://fleetcroftguitars.com/"]http://fleetcroftguitars.com/[/url] Godalming
Martin Sims 07768 401186 [url="http://www.simscustom.com/html/home.htm"]www.simscustom.com[/url] Ashford, Kent
Ben Crowe 01963 364101, 07799 003701 [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com"]http://www.crimsonguitars.com[/url] Henstridge
Nick Benjamin 01273 480907 [url="http://www.benjaminguitars.co.uk"]www.benjaminguitars.co.uk[/url] Lewes
Bernie Goodfellow 01273 220055 [url="http://www.gbguitars.co.uk"]www.gbguitars.co.uk[/url] Brighton
Graham Wheeler 01903 893029 Worthing

[b][size=3]New Ireland Section![/size][/b]
Chris Larkin +353 66 713 9330 [url="http://www.chrislarkinguitars.com"]http://www.chrislarkinguitars.com[/url] Co.Kerry

[b][size=3]New Australian Section![/size][/b]
Brian West (+618) 8231 8588 [url="http://www.fretco.com.au/mainFrame.asp"]www.fretco.com.au[/url] Adelaide
Tim Wright (+618) 8398 5551 [url="http://www.wrightguitars.com.au"]www.wrightguitars.com.au[/url] MT BARKER (Acoustic & Electric guitars)[/quote]
Hello,Could you recommend a Luthier/Guitar Tech in the Merseyside area? Anyone?

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[quote name='PJPofStHelens' post='122023' date='Jan 17 2008, 10:35 AM']Hello,Could you recommend a Luthier/Guitar Tech in the Merseyside area? Anyone?[/quote]

you could try Les Evans in Old Roan, Liverpool, dont think he has website but contact details are on google

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