Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general setup?

  1. #1
    Hack jeff_75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Those Hills of Ol' Virginia
    Posts
    109

    Default Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general setup?

    Last time I was on the forum with any regularity, John Hamlett was right down the road from me. It appears he relocated to Kentucky during my absence. I'm looking for a competent luthier somewhere in the Charlottesville, Staunton, Lynchburg, Roanoke area. Richmond is also manageable if necessary. I'm needing some fret work done - most likely time for a re-fret and general overhaul (photo shows wear at 2nd fret on A string, which seems to be the worst spot). Appreciate any recommendations you may have for trusted repair shops/people.


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_3566.jpg 
Views:	232 
Size:	1.11 MB 
ID:	170535.
    "I'm a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice."

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    charlottesville, VA
    Posts
    1,140

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    David Houchens (Bryce Instruments) is in North Garden.
    Mitch Russell

  3. #3
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,859

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Dr. Dave Cohen is in the suburbs of Richmond and seems to understand the geometry of stringed instruments better than most mortals: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/m...636-Dave-Cohen
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  4. #4
    Hack jeff_75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Those Hills of Ol' Virginia
    Posts
    109

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    North Garden would be much closer than Richmond. Although I have heard Dave Cohen's name (and good reputation) before, and a couple of trips to Richmond are not out of the question.

    Does anyone know if David (Houchens) is on the Cafe? His website does not appear to have been updated in several years (says he's currently taking orders for 2015 builds).
    "I'm a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice."

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Va
    Posts
    2,573

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    If I'm not mistaken he checks in here at times also close to Roanoke ( Riner) Ward Elliotte could do the job if he's not snowed under with repair work. He does very good work.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Roanoke VA
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandoplumb View Post
    If I'm not mistaken he checks in here at times also close to Roanoke ( Riner) Ward Elliotte could do the job if he's not snowed under with repair work. He does very good work.
    Plus 1 for Ward Elliot. Did a lovely job on a great Collings and a cheap Kentucky. Explained what he was going to do and why for both, then completed at reasonable price and time.
    ssjk

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    charlottesville, VA
    Posts
    1,140

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    He's definitely on the Cafe, under his own name. I think that he does fabulous work, but I might be a little biased (he's currently buiding a mando for me .
    Mitch Russell

  8. #8
    Registered User David Houchens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    North Garden,Va
    Posts
    1,610

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Yes, I'm still here. But my dance card is very full. Won't be taking on any more repair jobs til next year. 5 new builds going and a shelf of repairs already here. Ward Elliot or David Cohen both do great work.


    PS Where I live the DSL is about as fast as dial up network. Updating my website has become just way too much a hassle right now. Hoping for a satellite system soon.

  9. #9
    Registered User David Houchens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    North Garden,Va
    Posts
    1,610

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Vernon Hughes in Timberville Va does excellent work as well.

  10. The following members say thank you to David Houchens for this post:


  11. #10
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Charlottesville Va
    Posts
    1,052

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Stacy's recommends Bishop Stern. He sounds like he knows a few things about mandos. Pm me for his number.
    We are the music makers,
    And we are the dreamers of dreams

  12. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    central VA
    Posts
    934

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Bishop has earned a great reputation for fret jobs over the years. Pretty much all the great players in the neighborhood take their vintage guitars to him.

  13. #12
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Check in with Rockbridge Music too (Lexington, VA). The woman owner is married to a builder - John Schofield. He may do such work?

    All the other names have been mentioned. Well, how about Spencer Strickland (sp). Isn't he the guy that worked with Wayne for a while?

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  14. #13
    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    15,863

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    John Schofield is recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and I'm not sure he was doing repairs anyway.
    Spencer worked with Gerald Anderson. Not sure what he's doing these days either.

  15. The following members say thank you to sunburst for this post:


  16. #14
    Hack jeff_75's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Those Hills of Ol' Virginia
    Posts
    109

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Where does Bishop Stern reside/work?
    "I'm a farmer with a mandolin and a high tenor voice."

  17. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    central VA
    Posts
    934

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    i think Bishop lives in the Orange area. Stacy's Music in Charlottesville will have his phone #, as will the music store in Culpeper where he used to work. Not commenting on anybody else, but Bishop is known for good fret jobs and doesn't need to level the fret tops much, if at all.
    Last edited by dan in va; Sep-07-2018 at 4:59pm.

  18. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    charlottesville, VA
    Posts
    1,140

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Quote Originally Posted by jeff_75 View Post
    Where does Bishop Stern reside/work?
    He's just beyond the east side of Gordonsville
    Mitch Russell

  19. #17
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Charlottesville Va
    Posts
    1,052

    Default Re: Luthier in central Virginia area for fret work and general se

    Quote Originally Posted by onassis View Post
    He's just beyond the east side of Gordonsville
    He does come to Charlottesville pretty regularly to pick up jobs from Stacy's. He will schedule to meet up here with you if you call and ask him.
    We are the music makers,
    And we are the dreamers of dreams

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •