About Los Angeles Bass Works

Lisa Gass, founder and owner of Los Angeles Bass Works started on piano at age 5, violin at age 8, and by age 13, she had decided her true love was the double bass. She graduated from krom Kutztown State Unversity in Pennsylvania in 1976 and continued playing the bass as a freelance musician while working in Philadelphia for the archeology department of a historical restoration firm.

In 1980, Lisa became enrolled at the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. She augmented the instensive four-year course by building a bass in her modest apartment workshop balcony. This arduous feat was legendary at the school. After receiving her degree of Luthier in 1984, she moved to Los Angeles where she established and managed the bass department at the Thomas Metzler Violin Shop for 13 years.

On April 1st, 1997, a date she considers highly auspicious, Lisa opened Los Angeles Bass Works in Silverlake. In 2001 Gabriel Golden, another freelance classical bassist, found his way into the shop and has stayed there ever since, first as Lisa's apprentice and eventually as her highly skilled assistant. They concentrated on repairs, restorations, and set ups of basses, as well as sales of basses and bows. In 2005 Los Angeles Bass Works moved to its current location. Thier clients include members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, notable jazz soloists, studio musicians, as well as students and bassists throughout Southern California and the world. Lisa and Gabriel continue to be active bassists, performing in various Southern California orchestras, ensembles & studios.