Unique items for your Home, Office and Recording Studio
Aesthetically Beautiful, Structurally Functional, Superb attention to Detail
___________

WHAT IS YOUR VISION?
LET'S BUILD IT!
TO RECEIVE A QUOTE

INDEX

Here is a small sample of the hundreds of items we have designed and built over the years.
In addition to these, I have designed and built over 100 items for my Recording Studio, including inventions I hope to someday Patent and Manufacture.
My assistant and finisher Teri is a Fine Artist. You can see her work at www.davebass.com/teri

Work is listed Alphabetically
All BLUE links are clickable
References are included with each project and at the bottom of the page - see References

Enjoy!

Dave & Teri
March, 2022

PROJECTS:

BUILDING IS MY SECOND PASSION -
MUSIC IS MY FIRST

Here are some samples of my Freelance Studio work
(Original songs are in the works):
www.davebass.com/freelance

American Flag
2015

This was one of our favorite projects.
It isn't furniture, per-se; it is a work of art.
We constructed this giant American Flag for a veteran who has a business installing American Flags in homes and offices.
We were proud to do it and would do it again in a heartbeat (commission one from us)!

While researching, I disovered the US Flag has a limited number of approved proportions; (never knew).
I made the decision to build this one to one of the larger proper proportions, starting with 8 ft long Clear Pine.
The end result was a flag that was nearly 7 feet long and four feet high - and weighed a hefty chunk with the back-bracing!

When I was deciding on a design, I looked a lot of flags online.
Most were painted. This looked a bit too "rustic" for what I had in mind.
Instead, I decided to use high-quality water-based dyes - and use "Clear Pine" as my wood.
I was thinking of the "amber waves of grain" and I wanted to convey them flowing on the flag.
The Client was the one who gave us the 50 caliber shells and asked me if I could set them as stars - a brilliant idea.
The results are stunning.

Teri is applying some of the finishing touches while glue dries.

Even on the sidewalk it towers.

"Dave is an incredible carpenter. He took my idea and guided and advised on how to make the idea into an incredible, tangible product. Dave's planning, attention to detail and thorough work with wood is phenomenal. Dave built a 4 x 6 foot American Flag for me out of wood, utilizing a separate piece of wood for each stripe and empty shell casings for stars. He then used a water-based dye to stain the wood red, white and blue. The end product was a piece of art, to say the least.
Everyone who sees my flag is absolutely amazed. Dave knows the intricacies of wood and how to work with it. He is incredibly detail-oriented and ensures that his work is perfection when he is complete. I would highly recommend Dave for anyone looking for a great carpenter."
- George, Giant Wooden American Flag, 12/15

Kitchen Banquette
December 2018

It's one thing to know how to build furniture square and true -
it is another to contend with houses built with WAVY, NON-SQUARE WALLS!

The one thing I hadn't considered at the time was the one thing that had me reconstructing - more than once.
To make matters worse, the client lived on top of a steep hill with parking one level below on a narrow, winding street.
All tools and heavy banquette pieces had to be hauled up steep, narrow stairs - and around the house instead of straight in.
Heaven forbid we come through the front door and get there in the most direct route in 12 steps, right?

To put the icing on the cake, the client initially asked for hinged lids so he could use the insides for storage.
I loved this idea -
UNTIL HE CHANGED HIS MIND AFTER I CUT AND INSTALLED THE LIDS (and 100 piano hinge screws),
forcing me to get more plywood and start again from scratch.

To say I was frustrated would be the understatement of the year.
We were actually supposed to make the angled backs for it too, but after all the hell we went through
I threw up my hands, bowed out and asked him to find someone else to finish it. Which he did.
I felt terrible about it but I just couldn't take it anymore. It became a moral imperative.
My blood, sweat and tears are embedded in that damn banquette, lol.

Oak Bar
June 2020

This was a heck of a job, considering the circumstances.
We built this bar from a combination of Pine plywood, solid Clear Pine trim and and Oak bar rails.
Personally, I would have kept it two-toned. I love the look of Oak against a darker background -
and the miter inlay on top would have jumped out.
But the Client wanted everything dark for his man-cave, so Teri did a great job of gel-staining it.

This job ran way too long because of a ton of crazy circumstances:
bad weather (in an indoor/outdoor shop), material shipping delays, personal issues, a router that broke in the middle of the job - and more!
Oh what I wouldn't do to have a nice, clean indoor shop, lol.

Checking the fit of the Oak rail on the two-tiered top.

The frame, inner shelves and top underlay come together.

I had one chance to route this channel right - or I would destroy both tops.
I nailed it. (But DID practice first on a throwaway piece).

Clear pine, mitered to make the exterior window boxes.
These boxes are an important element to the appearance.

THIS is where I would have stopped. I absolutely love the look of two-tone.

Reminds me of a pair of swing dance shoes I used to own...

Laying out the miters for the Oak rail to make sure they are spot on.

The interior trim; important to catch spills!

I did lots of hand filing and shaping where these two trim profiles met

Aaaah... now it's starting to look like a bar!

The Client had great taste in hardware. I love these.

Delivered! Over time and over budget, but we got it done.

Beds
In Custom Carpentry it's never a dull moment because you're never doing the same thing twice -
but the learning curve can sometimes be off-the-charts.
Nevertheless, we have probably built more beds than anything else.
Here are some samples:

California King in Maple
with Art Deco end tables (below)
March 2017

This was a big bed. It took up all of the shop space we had just to make it.
Heck, the bed overtook their bedroom so much, I couldn't even get a good photo of it!

Detail of Maple headboard, trimmed in Solid Maple we cut in the shop.

One of two Maple Nightstands, trimmed in Solid Maple.

The undersides, with some clever mounting attachments I made.
Quite frankly, sometimes I like the "B" side of Plywood better than the "A" side!
(Clients usually don't agree with me - and I get it).

Teak bed
built around Vintage Teak Headboard
May 2017

Here we were asked to build a matching Teak frame around a Vintage Teak headboard.
Matching Vintage woods is a tough challenge, but I think we did it well here.
I loooove working in Teak.

Detail from frame construction.

"Princess Playhouse Sweet Pea" bunk bed
with stairs and pull-out Trundle
March 2017

Ana White is a housewife in Alaska with too much time on her hands, lol!
She publishes "blueprints" for making really cool things "cheap" -
if you consider cheap $500 worth of supplies and 400 hours of labor.

She's probably a lovely person - I have nothing against her personally, lol -
but people need to realize when they hire a Pro to do these intricate builds... it's not cheap!
This one is sans Gingerbread, because the Client's husband opted to do it.

Detail of Tundle bed frame, slatted, wheels mounted later underneath.

Clear Pine Canopy bed
with storage underneath
August 2015

I made this bed for a fellow musician who lived in a small apartment.
He needed space underneath to store his touring gear,
but he also needed it braced extra strong (he was a big dude)!
I took extra steps bracing it, including a center post straight to the floor
and made the canopy posts easily removeable, for moving.

Teri wasn't involved in the finishing on this one because the Client wanted to do it.
The Client's girlfriend did a great job of giving it a seaside "weathered" look,
(the lighting in the room doesn't do it justice).
I only wish they'd sent me photos with the canopy curtains around it!

Double-tier Beds, Airbnb
June 2015

This was one of my first big jobs in LA. I loved it for a number of reasons:
It was in an old, charming church converted into an Airbnb,
it was the beginning of Spring and there was still a lovely nip in the air,
I was working alone in peace and solitude every day...
And I was just beginning to date a lovely woman -
All good memories.

The smell of fresh cut Pine is powerfully good, too.
I designed and made four of these for their Airbnb.
They told me later they booked the hell out of that room.

"Your attention to detail and methodical approach to everything you do is inspiring."
- Zach & Mel, Custom full-size bunk beds for Airbnb

Detail of construction; all 1x4 "Clear" Pine (no knots, no blemishes).

Routed edges, seamless fastening.

Aaah, yes; I remember that staircase well.
Believe it or not, two more beds fit in this room!

I never spent a night in this Airbnb in my own beds; wish I had!

Bookcases
April 2018

We made a number of bookcases and other items for a repeat Client .
He was and is always a joy to work for!

He made these to custom fit his wall with zero room to spare.
Avid reader!

"Built-in" style Bookcase
April 2019

Kudos to the Client for taking very careful measurements.
Based on his specs, I built this bookcase in our shop in three pieces - and it fit right in.
What neither of us considered was the lightswitch on the wall. Fortunately, the shelf avoided it (but just barely)!
Mid-way through the project I decided to add the middle braces for added support.
This was right before we trimmed it to look "built in" and before the Client painted it.
This resides in a Condo somewhere on the beautiful West Side of LA.

Putting just two of the four sections together. This thing was pretty darn long!

Bus Build - Couch / Bed Combo with Storage
August 2017

This was built in a "Short Bus" (small School Bus) over the troublesome wheel well.
I built the frame to avoid the wheel well entirely and connect to both the floor and wall (super strong).
I built the couch with hinged lids for storage. I built the leg flaps to come up, lock and turn into a bed.
And I did it all at a fraction of the cost for a friend of a friend.
It's just a darn shame she didn't seem to appreciate it.
LA people.
Pffft.

Piano hinges are very functional - but you have to carefully pre-drill all those little holes spot on.
I have found that a #6 Countersink drill works really well for this task.

Blueprint Cabinet
September 2018

This enormous cabinet was built for an Architectural Zoning Firm, to organize their crazy office - they had blueprints everywhere!
This thing was a beast and weighed a TON.
When we were discussing what size to make it,
the Client considered having his window removed and having it CRANED in through the window. LOL!
Thank goodness we resized it to fit through the door - but only barely. This beast had like one inch to spare - we were laughing!
Kudos to Teri for her wonderful finishing here. It took a lot to get all those intersecting edges to look good.

Desk - Double-Top, Adjustable Satnding Desk, Retro-fit
May 2021

This ranks up there as perhaps my favorite project ever - because it is so unique, beautiful and functional.
Our Client, Emily, came to us with a wish:
could we make an Adjustable Platform to go on her existing Crate & Barrel desk so she could use it standing?

You see, she and her hubby are both Graphic Artists.
He has a very modern-looking adjustable desk, but Emily didn't want anything to do with it - LOL!
She loved the look of her traditional desk and asked if I could make a small adjustable platform to go on top it,
big enough for a monitor or two.

She hired me for an In-Person consult and off I went.
When I saw her desk, I got a wild hair:
WHAT IF I COULD CONVERT HER EXISTING DESK TO AN ADJUSTABLE ONE??
It would require some open-heart surgery, but Emily was game.

So off we went, splitting up duties to find materials (it was a LOT of phone calls and emails)!
We got the actuators and control bar, the plywood, the laminate and matching oil finish...
then I got my metalworker Scott to make a frame and mounting supports for the secondary top
and make mounting brackets for the actuators (under the desk) - all in beautiful black powder coating.

The whole thing took 7 MONTHS from conception to finish (most of it waiting on materials).
Emily LOVES it. We do too. And she says visitors love it too. (We're still not sure about Lola, her cat).
Now she can vary her posture and get away from chronic neck and back pain - and be in style!
She wrote us the loveliest Reference letter, see below.

I will gladly build another if someone asks
(and this time it won't take seven months)!

Huge shout out to Scott in Washington for making the awesome black powder-coated frame to specs
and for adding design mods on the support bars that made it even thinner and stronger!
(When I get his Etsy link I'll post it here).

Emily is pleased, and Lola is still the "worst cat."
Those are Emily's words, not mine.
(Yo, animal lovers - this is just sarcasm).

"Dave is gifted, detail-oriented, and an "outside the box" thinker. He took my weird (and frankly, nearly impossible) idea of converting my existing mid century-inspired, executive-style desk into an elegant and functional standing desk. I initially imagined a simple manual mechanism that could lift an attached table top up and down, but he proposed using automated linear actuators (the type that prefabricated standing desks utilize) to make the desk lift up and down seamlessly.
We went on quite a journey to realize that initial idea. He drew out and spec-ed the concept in detail. We divided and conquered to find some of the stranger custom components necessary for the project. I found a linear actuator manufacturer in China, a wood veneer supplier in Kentucky, and he found a talented welder to craft a sturdy frame to house the new desktop.
I don't think anyone else would have been able to pull all the pieces together and deliver such an incredible end product. Every last detail is stunning - the wood veneer and finishing is an exact match to the original desk. If anything, the finishing that Dave and Teri did feels even better than the original. I am beyond happy with the results, the new desktop sits comfortably on top of the original one, and glides up and down easily. It's a barely noticeable retrofit to a desk I already loved, and that was the point. The functionality and craftsmanship is incredible. Thank you, Dave!"
Emily, Double-tiered Retrofit Adjustable Standing Desk, 5/21

Producer's Desk, Keyboard-width
2015?

This was the first Producer's Desk I made, some years ago.
This Client needed something wide enough to hold a full keyboard on a pull out and be sturdy.
Turned out nice. Now I have to make one for myself!

DJ / Phonograph Double Booth
June 2020

A fun job for a fun Aussie Client who is in the Entertainment Touring Supply business.
We didn't edgeband because the Client liked the edges raw.

Midway through the finishing process,
while Teri is still applying coats and fine sanding in between.
Taking pictures outdoors is nuts;
a cloud comes along or a tarp blows and you're at a totally different exposure!
One good thing about it, though:
IN NATURAL LIGHT YOU SEE EVERY LITTLE FLA -
if it looks good outside, it looks great inside, lol.

Fractal Diffusers, Floor-to-Ceiling (Sound Conditioning)
March 2018

These were made for a Post-Production house that mixes in the new format Dolby Atmos;
They were mixing movies and remastering classic rock albums in 15 speakers, surround sound. Quite a feat.
FYI, Fractal Diffusers break up sound waves so there are no differences in volume or tails / reverb (layman's terms).
To make them correctly, you have to build them to very fine specifications.
As a recording artist who owns his own studio and understands acoustics, I knew exactly what was required.

Before I got started, I took the time to make some jigs for my table saw which allowed me to cut the top channels to 1/3rd of a millimeter tolerance.
On top of the multi-layers bases, there were 35 top channels - each of which had to be cut three times (105 passes with zero errors).
The wood could not be warped; there could not be varying depth or width on the cuts; every cut (and peak) had to be equal in value.

I started with 8 foot lumber then trimmed down to 7 ft high for the Client's specs - more would not fit on their wall!
When they were done, these panels were QUITE heavy.
I used French Cleats to hang them and came up with a brilliant idea (if I do say so myself) -
I created a way to space the big 5 panels off the wall in a Fractal as well, preserving the diffusion qualities.

After they were installed, the room (and my panels) passed a rigorous 5k Dolby Atmos test and became part of a Mix Magazine cover story.
The Client said his only regret was he didn't order two more panels - but then he'd have to go through another $5k test!
I've since heard Dolby did away with charging for these tests; probably a good thing.

Every part of a Fractal is exacting, even the base.

Adding the next layer.

Lots and lots of wood, pushed through the saw (with a bunch of custom attachments)
to insure each Fractal "top" came out exactly to spec.

First one glued up, lookin' good!

Resting on the wall just before assembly and mounting.

Ba-da-bing.
They reside on the wall behind the mixing chairs, to stop unwanted reflections from this area. When you think about it, this is one of the most important areas in a mixing room, because the speakers are aimed right at it.

Mix Magazine, Cover Story, April 2018

Kudos to Jim for mentioning our work in the interview.
The entire staff was a pleasure to work with; thank you!

They came out great with a little finish and backlighting.
(Note for those trying this at home - even the finish you use can add soundwave reflections - be careful!)

"At Innovative Post Solutions, our objective is to provide efficient solutions for any type of Post Production situation while delivering perfect Sound, Final Color, Localization, and Quality Control. At our new Immersive Post Storytelling facility, we are offering Dolby Vision color grading and Dolby Atmos final mixing.
Our acoustical treatment design in our mix stage required floor-to-ceiling Fractal Diffusers for the rear wall. We contracted Dave to assist with this project. His carpentry skills and music background made him a clear choice.
Dave created five diffusers for the back wall and made them precisely to our exact specifications. He also created a hanging system to space them off the wall in fractal proportions for added bass conditioning. Dave delivered the finished diffusers to our location and assisted in prepping them for final installation to meet our deadline.
Dave is very knowledgeable, detailed oriented and very friendly. We are pleased to recommend Dave as a designer and builder for custom acoustical treatments."
Sid Patel, Client Solutions Manager & Post Production Supervisor, Innovative Post Design, 2/18
* SEE COVER STORY IN MIX MAGAZINE, APRIL 2018 *

Guitar Amp Stand made from Solid Walnut
June 2018

Not a guitar AMP, but a guitar amp STAND.
I'd love to do a guitar amp someday!
Quick - someone hire me to do one; I've got an itch to use some rare woods.

Detail of drawer

Keyboard Prototype
May 2019

I absolutely loved this project.
Too bad I didn't like one half of the Clients involved in it.
Here's the story of how it happened:

I got called by a very talented Eurorack hardware builder to build his first full Keyboard prototype.
We worked together on size, style and finish - and it came out great.
He took it to the Superbooth Show (HUGE synth show every year in Germany) and it was a HIT!
He started getting requests for many hundreds of keyboards.

He told me all of this and we discussed what it would take to do mass-production.
I started looking at warehouses, tools, CNC machines, order of build and more to handle those kinds of numbers.
Finally - something I've always wanted to get into - musical instrument production.

While all this was happening, he had me working on his next "form factor" - a standing Keyboard frame ("L" shape).
On this one, I felt his design had some flaws that would seriously cost him sales.
For instance, the frame he had in mind was too deep to fit any standard keyboard stand - a no-no for keyboard hoarders (of which there are many).

He was working with me, redesigning the electronics to fit the new frame size,
when I got the word from his partner/girlfriend that I would not be the one making the actual keyboards.
They were going to outsource the manufacture to China.

Hard stop.
I was not about to help him fix his mistakes... then not get rewarded for it -
AND see America raped for more jobs.

I told his partner I was done with this - let's settle the balance and come get your crap!
The relationship ended on an acrimonious note - and she deserved every bit of it.
It was a real damn shame; he was a good designer and I enjoyed working with him.
It's just a tragedy the purse strings were held by someone who had other considerations.

Yet I'd make the same decision if confronted with it again today -
Americans should be making these keyboards!

The smell of fresh cut Walnut is amazing.

His preliminary control panel he swapped out before the show.

Korg Polysix Frame Rebuild
2018

This was the job that got me into keyboard frame building.
The Client is a composer and collector of keyboards. He wanted the frame on this Korg Polysix rebuilt.
It looked pretty ratty because the frame was made out of pressboard. Yes - the cheapest stuff on the market.
The company seems to have put all their money into the electronics, and rightfully so.

I copied the pressboard with solid Walnut then copied all holes to retrofit the attachments.
This job took forever because I was doing it between other jobs at the time.
Later, after building a keyboard frame from scratch (see below), I learned it's much easier to build from scratch!

Museum Map Display and Stand
December 2018

This was a fun job for a great Client.
This project involved carefully tracing the shape of the map with a jigsaw, then building a base to hold it.
The innovate touch was using rubber typically made for hiding cables on the floor as the rubber edge-banding.
The Client loved it.

Here's how it looks in the larger display.
I believe this is in Redondo Beach.
We stay so busy we still haven't found time to get down there to see it.

Dual Microphone Holder with Walnut Base

This was one of the projects I did for my Recording Studio.
These are classic mics, too - some of my faves.

Mixing & Mastering Walls
May 2020

David Gnozzi is a highly respected Mixing Engineer with a big YouTube following.
He had just moved into a new Mixing room and wanted to narrow his room both sonically and visually.
We built a faux wall from three Hollywood Flats as well as a Sound Conditioning Panel (over his head).
Teri regrets not painting the back of the panels white, but David didn't want us to, (he probably did it himself later).
He was a joy to work for. I still get a kick out of seeing him on YT with our panels in the shot!

From his point of view.

Mobile Walls - Interactive Display
August 2016

"Hollywood Flats" are thin, lightweight faux walls used in Theater Sets, Trade Shows and Showrooms.
They are traditionally held up by wooden triangular supports in the back called "Jacks" which are screwed into the wall panels.
This client wanted Hollywood Flats that could travel and be put together using NO TOOLS, all by hand.
I thought through a number of designs and decided on one that operates easily and utilizes inexpensive parts.
I then made sure the Jacks did not protrude over the edges of the Flats so the Flats could be nestled side by side, up against each other seamlessly.
The client was very happy with our solution!

Motorcycle Helmet Display
November 2020

When the Client called me asking me to build him a helmut display, I had no idea what he meant.
It wasn't until he came over with sketches, hangers and scraps of lumber that it clicked.
The woods are a combination of Maple, Oak, Mahogany, Walnut and perhaps something else (I forgot).

I mounted everything on a backboard for greater stability - then mounted the hangers full on through with bolts -
I wasn't about to take a chance on screws pulling out with that much weight on them - helmets are heavy!
Then Teri and I hit the woods with oil and a clear topcoat and the results are gorgeous.
I plan to do something like this on one of the walls in my bus.

A beautiful showpiece.

Pool Pump Cover / Gazebo
2015?

This Client needed something built around his noisy pool pump.
To save him money (and me time) I suggested I build it out of pre-made fencing.
I cut it to the right height, then added wood in the corners for fastening and added stability.
I made the Gazebo and door the following day, I believe.

After the Clients gussied it up.

Custom Rack, Airline Carry-on Size
March 2020

This case was designed to meet the strictest of all airline carry-on requirements - Air France.
It came out to something like 5 1/2 rack spaces - lol - NOT available commercially at all.
I designed the front and back flaps to fold flat so it could be used as a laptop stand as well.

Then it was expertly dyed by my Assistant Teri.
The brass corners and hinges are the perfect complement to the dark mocha.

8U Rack Organizer

I made this handy rack-sized organizer for my studio out of scraps. Thank God for scraps!
The partitions are made in such a way that any of the 4 can be taken in or out, making it very versatile.
I LOVE this thing and need to make two more for the bus.
But they are a pain in the ass to make and I'm not looking forward to it, lol!!

Bathroom Shelf

I made this shelf for our bathroom out of Clear Pine scraps.
In addition to the Client projects you see here, I have built nearly 100 things for our home, office and car since 2015 alone.

Coffee Cup Shelf
December 2018

A simple but elegant tea cup holder made from solid Maple.

Walnut Closet Shelves
February 2019

This was a fine project.
If I had my way, I would only work in solid woods!

Here we were contracted to make Walnut shelves in two closets in an old, beautiful house in the Hills.
The pics were hard to get because the closet was so tight (and I didn't have a fish-eye lens).
In addition to this shelf I also made some hanging shelves - but this one was the challenge.
Here's how I created the illusion of a solid case from floor to ceiling:

First, I carefully selected wood at the lumber yard, then laid it out for matching grain.
There is a story in wood grain. It is always unique, like a fingerprint.

You can't build a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf - and then set it in place!
The WIDTH of the shelf will make the TOP of the shelf higher than the ceiling while being pivoted into place.
You either have to build the shelf IN the space... or make it in two pieces.

But if you make it in two pieces - how are you going to put them together?
And how do you make it look "seamless"?
I scoured the Web for joining methods, but they all employed adding visible braces either on the sides or the back,
Both of which would pull the shelf away from the corner it was supposed to lie flush in.
Both were a no-go.

Instead, I devised a clever idea I had never seen before:
I used a biscuit maker to create a routed channel - but stopped shy of the front edge (the visible edge).
I then glued two biscuits into the edge oo the other shelf (see pic above).

Now, all I had to do was lift the top half of the shelf, hold it steady and slide it in place.
Turned out great. All you can see is Walnut and it looks built in - precisely my goal from the start.
My only regret was the Client wanted to oil these himself (he loved finishing wood) - so I never got good pics of the final product!

I was able to get the shelf right up to the ceiling - and right against the back of the wall.

Shelf - Walnut End Shelf

I built these Bedside End Shelves from Walnut scraps; two, one for each side of the bed.
I always wanted to use the "bad" wood - the rough edges and holes usually rejected by Clients.
The results are beautiful. This project made me appreciate the "flaws" in wood almost more than the clean grain!

Speaker Company Showroom
September 2021

A speaker company had recently relocated to a new warehouse and had a large room they wanted to make into a showroom.
They felt it was too big and bleh. They wanted it to be classier, display the merchandise well and narrow the "focus" on the merchandise.
They needed movable displays for both small and big speakers and a faux wall - and wanted it mobile, to be taken to Trade Shows.
AND they wanted it all in a very tight time frame.

Well, we accomplished two of these three in stellar fashion!
We didn't make the time frame because of problems with materials, but we'll get to that.

There were 3 sections to this build:
1) A 32 foot faux wall with slatwall on the front, capable of hanging shelves and merchandise on,
2) Small, movable "low-rider" displays for large speakers,
3) Large displays for smaller speakers, also on wheels (I made them hollow in the center with liftable lids for storage).

The biggest challenge was building a 40 foot wall that was straight, even, light, portable and capable of hanging merchandise on.
To make sure I was on the right page with my thinking, I called my lifeline James again, instructor for Theater Set building in Canada.
A faux wall can indeed hang such weight, he told me - but you have to build it right (which he knew I'd do from the last build we worked on).

The Client wanted slatwall on the front. But I hate the look of particle board slatwall - I think it looks cheap.
I went looking for another option and found it - metal slatwall strips - in various colors!
The Client chose the one they liked and we ordered it - enough to do two shelves per wall.
Unfortunately, FedEx damaged the strips in shipping, which shot my deadline and caused other problems.
We re-ordered and finally got them in.

After a test or two I decided to to back and add another horizontal brace behind each slatwall strip - where stress would be under load.
The end result was a wall that not only looked cool - one-of-a-kind - but functioned even better than expected.
In the end, the Client liked the look of everything so much they decided not to risk damaging it - they are ordering other displays for Trade Shows!

The big displays, on wheels. Top comes off for storage.

The "low-riders" for big speakers, also on nice black, locking casters.

The wall. 32' foot long, with black metal slatwall strips.

Double braced horizontally at the critical weight-bearing junctures.

A small, removable front kickplate, to help the load bearing on the wall.

Client's idea for hiding the back was perfect - advertising!

Double Synth Case
January 2021

Another one of my all-time favorite projects!
This Client came to us with a dilemma:
For years he had wanted to stack two levels of Synth modules in one Halliburton case and couldn't find anyone to do it.
I did it. Let me walk you through the build:

First I had to add "ears" to narrow the case to meet the Synths.

Walnut was the chosen medium for look, strength and durability.

I had to do a glue-up to achieve the proper thickness .

Notice that only the upper corners are 90 degrees;
the other four angles conform precisely to the non-square case.

Tops and bottoms are in. I removed some of the cloth to give more room for the Synths.

This is what happens when Walnut encounters oil. Simply amazing.

The ratcheting pivot hinges and the finger pulls I made at the ends.

I built everything to the tightest tolerances for stability. That thing is snug!

The upper section is fixed.

Downward position.

Upright (playing) position.

Case closed.
All puns intended.

“Dave did an exceptional job modifying a vintage Zero Halliburton case to mount a 4-panel modular synthesizer for me.
I spent years searching for someone to help me with this project. It is difficult, in part, because the case has many curves and few (zero?) 90-degree angles.
Dave is a very careful craftsman and he came up with a design that fit all my criteria. He crafted wooden end-cheeks for the panels that are stained beautifully. He worked around the existing fabric lining and it remains intact, adding some nice color. He even came up with a mechanism to elevate the keyboard section for easier playability.
The finished product looks very professional and I couldn't be happier with it. His communication was excellent throughout and he is very transparent with his rates.”
Tim, Synth Case, 1/18/21

Theater Set, Greenway Court Theater at Fairfax High
January 10-22, 2022

This Client is a repeat client whom we have built numerous things for; staging, bookcases, etc.
He has an extensive background in theater and was hired to construct a set for a production of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music"
at the Greenway Court Theater located on the grounds of Fairfax High.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with him because there was a great give and take between us;
he knew what the end result had to be but was very flexible about how to achieve it.
As a result, he gave me a lot of input into the design and infrastructure and the order of building and assembly.
He did a great job of adding to the structural safety of the set, and then he (and his friend Michael) did a great job of "skinning" the wall with "trees," painting, etc.
All in all, one of my favorite builds (despite the fact I was nursing a terrible cold the entire time).

The design called for:
A wall that covered the length the stage (to obscure cast entrances and exits),
A small piano-shaped platform to the left
A two-story piano-shaped platform on the right which would hold 5 musicians on TOP of it -
AND a walkway underneath the band stage for actors to move a wheelchair in and out of -
no small feat!

It turned out beautiful and solid-as-a-rock.
Someone on staff said it was the most elaborate set ever built in this Theater.

ADDED NOTE:
Just got back from seeing the show last night - it was a superlative reading !
A lot of great talent on that stage - singers, actors, direction, costumes -
and the string players and keyboardist in the orchestra "pit" (or loft, to be more precise).
Thoroughly enjoyable - and what a nice little black box theater!

First, the wall. Made in four sections with two doors.

The faux wall is anchored to the theater wall with "bridges" over the top.

The small Piano-shaped platform. One of three sections.

Three sections of low-riser connected, ready to go down.

Down on the ground, looking great; sturdy and zero squeaks or groans.

The two-story band platform (on its side).
I had insomnia over this one - literally - and I sleep like a bear!
I kept rolling over in my mind how to conquer this build and make it super strong and safe -
after all, five people would be risking their lives on it (and more under it as well).

Then it hit me - we have to build the band platform with a top AND a bottom.
We put the tops and bottoms together (plywood), trace where the walkway needs to be,
make precise marks for 2x4 placement, pre-drill all holes at their centers -
AND pre-drill all 2x4s at their centers too.

This way we could assemble it on its side, one 2x4 at a time, lining up the centers.
If things went well we should be able to hoist it 90 degrees into place -
without it coming apart all over the place.

Worked like a charm!
Section one of three down on the ground. Boy, it was heavy. Took 4 guys to lift.
I think we used 40 2x4s for this section alone!

Section two of three.
A lot fewer 2x4s used here, thank Goodness.

Sections one and two down and attached. (Section 3 was a tiny transition section).
The wheelchair goes in the middle, the walkway is to the left.
After this, I spent some time running diagonal braces throughout for stability.

Lots of small braces to anchor the top of the band platform to the wall.
My Client was right in overriding me and using 4 inch lag bolts to anchor to wall studs!

A ladder for the musicians.
(You can't expect them to jump down with their Cellos, you know).

Voila!
Looks beautiful and solid as a rock.

Trade Show Booth, 200 sq. ft.
February 2016

Everything you see here we made (except the people): walls, lighting, shelves and kiosks.
Then, on about 1 hour of sleep - after a 16 hour workday and other long workdays -
we drove to Vegas to set the whole thing up for the famous annual fashion convention, The Magic Show.
It was quite a feat, had a thousand parts and Teri and I were very proud of our work.

The next day on the way back home, feeling happy and accomplished, my van threw a rod in the middle of the desert.
We spent the night stranded in near 100 degrees and were rescued the next afternoon by a tow truck.
We spent the entire day at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, waiting.

Back home, the Client stiffed us for our last payment. (I don't get paid the same way now).
All along during the build, he loved what we were doing so he kept adding more and more things -
knowing there was a hard deadline (you either make the show or you blew it)!
As a result, overuse of vibrating tools injured my right hand so bad I could not hold a glass of water.

This was supposed to be the job that got us saving for a bus.
Instead, I now had no personal transportation - for months - went into debt for an engine overhaul,
and had to undergo very painful (but helpful) physical therapy (myo-fascial release work).
To add insult to injury, I was forced to turn down touring to the New Orleans Jazz Festival because I couldn't hold my saxophone.

Four years later (after multiple requests for payment) I took them to court and won.
It isn't the first time I took a scoundrel to court and won - and it might not be my last, either (though I pray it is).
This picture was the calm before a storm that affected us very deeply.
Still, I'm very proud of what we accomplished - in record time - despite having an unethical and difficult Client.

Teri did a great job of laying out every one of the little, tiny elements that made up this display grid.

Recessed LED lighting.

Built and braced the CORRECT way.
A Trade Show builder called me to say this was the first time he saw a General Carpenter make Hollywood Flats (faux walls) correctly.
That's because I do my research.
(Big shout out to James who teaches Set Building in Canada for being my lifeline here).

OUR RATES:

WE ARE A TWO-PERSON SHOP

IN-SHOP WORK (WORK DONE IN OUR SHOP):
SOLO:
$40/hr.
DUO:
$60/hr. w/ my Assistant (dependent on task).

FINISHING:
$20/hr. - Staining, Painting, Sealing, Top-coats.
My Assistant does our Finishing and is great - but you should see her murals and artwork!
She is a true artist. Her website is currently under construction, so please ask for samples.

MURALS & FINE ART:
My assistant Teri is a fine artist;
You can see some of her work at www.davebass.com/teri

ON-SITE WORK (away from Shop):
NOTE: I only schedule work after Pre-Payment (Zelle, Paypal, Cash).
SOLO:
$50/hr.
4 hr. minimum ($200).
DUO:
$75/hr. w/ Assistant
4 hr. min ($300).

MOBILE SHOP (Bus):
The bus is currently under construction and best used for Long-Term jobs.
SOLO:
$50/hr.
4 hr. minimum ($200).
DUO:
$75/hr. w/ Assistant
4 hr. min ($300).
TRAVEL FEE:
Determined by Location.

NOTE TO SUB-CONTRACTERS:
My work abides by my contract and deposit terms; thank you.

II. CONSULTATIONS:
15 minutes over the phone, free.
NOTE: SEND PICS or SKETCHES VIA EMAIL IN ADVANCE
IN-PERSON CONSULTS:
$75 for 1.5 hrs.
I meet with you, discuss your project in detail, run through potential Designs, Materials and Costs and leave you with sketches.
Clients often find my consultations invaluable for steering them away from costly mistakes and giving them good ideas.

III. RESEARCH
$30/hr.
I do Research for Clients looking for specialized parts, materials, processes and design solutions.

IV. SHOP SET-UPS
$40/hr.
I can help you set up small Manufacturing Shops and Facilities for maximum efficency and safety.
I specialize in Workflow, Efficiency and Safety.

V. MATERIALS:
I try to give accurate material estimates and stay within budgets;
HOWEVER, due to Market Volatility and Fluctuating Material Costs, ACTUAL costs may vary depend on market, availability, etc.
Unlike many contractors I do NOT mark up Material costs.
Clients pay Material Costs either directly or to us with separate payments labeled "Materials" (for accounting purposes).
Clients are invited to join me on material runs - it gives them a better understanding of materials.
I am happy to work with materials provided by a client - provided they are the correct ones for the job.
At the end of each job, I turn in receipts to Clients, as they are paid or reimbursed.

VI. PAYMENT:
Small Projects (under $1,000): Materials and Labor up front (turnaround time is quick on small projects)
Medium Projects (under $1,000 - $3,000): 50/50 (50% deposit, 50% upon pick up or delivery).
All Others (over $3,000): 50/25/25 (50% deposit, 25%, final 25% upon pick up or delivery).
All jobs carry my contract, approved sketches and a deposit - NO EXCEPTIONS.

VII. COMMUNICATION:
We clock in and out via Text during each day's work, so you have our hours throughout.
We also send pictures (and sometimes videos) of the work in progress, so there are no surprises.
At the end of the project, I compile our hours on a Timesheet and turn in to Client.

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TO RECEIVE A QUOTE

PLEASE EMAIL US THE FOLLOWING INFO:


1) A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PROJECT
At least give me an overview of what the project is.

2) REFERENCE IMAGES or SKETCHES
They don't have to be fancy - just get me in the ballpark.

3) A REALISTIC BUDGET
Just give us a high and low, and keep in mind that
Custom carpentry is usually higher-priced than mass-produced goods.

4) COMPLETION DATE NEEDED
Good craftsmen are often busy with an existing project.
Please be realistic and account for unexpected delays (esp since the shutdowns)

5) QUALITY OF MATERIALS
For simplicity sake, let's use this grade-scale:
High grade (no knots or blemishes) - good for staining
B-grade (minor blemishes in the wood) - good for painting
Framing Grade (rough surface texture) - good for that "rustic" look.

6) YOUR NUMBER
Phone is the best way for me to provide initial quotes - not email or text.
Once the project is underway, I am fine with texts and emails - but not for for initial quotes.
NOTE: I will be calling from a (678) area code, so please pick up.. And yes, I currently live in LA.

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PLEASE NOTE:

PHONE QUOTES ONLY
Because Custom woodwork has a zillion variables, I only give quotes over the phone or in-person -
trust me, it saves us both a lot of time.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
I do not STORE your information or harass you; I quote, then move onto my next project.
I give a quote then move on to my next project; ball's then in your court.

FOCUS OF WORK
We are primarly furniture makers, NOT handymen or furniture restoration specialists.

TIMELINESS
We stay busy and operate on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE BASIS.
Sketch + Contract + Deposit = Work. NO exceptions.

PRICE MATCHING
We do NOT price-match mass-produced goods (from IKEA, etc);
Custom carpentry is best served for one-of-a-kind items tailored to YOU.

TURN-AROUND TIMES
Completion of a project can range from while-you-wait to 6 months, depending on the project and our existing workload.
One thing's for sure, though - the sooner you start, the sooner you finish!

CUSTOMER RELATIONS

Some people think I am the cat's meow; others think I am "difficult."
I have found I tend to reflect what is put in front of me, for better or worse.

The human aspect of work is very important to me;.
A job is not simply a "job" - I want to enjoy the job in front of me,
and the Client I am working with as well.
I take the Golden Rule seriously and try to apply it to my life:
I try to treat everyone I meet with respect and evenness.

I expect the same.

Because I build things for someone, I am not their slave;
They are not my master.
Nor is it the other way around.
I expect a level playing field.

I think fast, move fast and talk fast.
I do not expect my Clients to keep up with me; few do.
What I DO expect is prompt and fair communication.

I do not tend to get along with Clients who:
Never answer their phone
Answer their phone and carry on conversations with other people
Don't return messages (or return them consistently late)
Keep their answering machine permanently full
Don't have an answering machine at all
Insist on carrying on complex conversations via text, when a phone call would be quicker

When I begin to feel the sort of Elitism that says
"I am more important than you - come chase me."
I walk away.
I disdain Elitism in all its forms and don't need the hassle.

SO:
If you are the kind of person who makes people "jump through hoops" to get to you...
or if you routinely treat people like waiters badly -
Don't contact me.

I only want to work for nice people.
Thank you.
: )

REFERENCES:

"It looks absolutely AMAZING and everything feels solid. Thank you so much for your work, and it was a pleasure meeting you and Teri as well!!! We were blown away by how expertly you handled this situation that we totally thought we’d have to get rid of this bed, haha!"
Janay, Shortened solid oak canopy bed, 4/22

"Dave is gifted, detail-oriented, and an "outside the box" thinker. He took my weird (and frankly, nearly impossible) idea of converting my existing mid century-inspired, executive-style desk into an elegant and functional standing desk. I initially imagined a simple manual mechanism that could lift an attached table top up and down, but he proposed using automated linear actuators (the type that prefabricated standing desks utilize) to make the desk lift up and down seamlessly.
We went on quite a journey to realize that initial idea. He drew out and spec-ed the concept in detail. We divided and conquered to find some of the stranger custom components necessary for the project. I found a linear actuator manufacturer in China, a wood veneer supplier in Kentucky, and he found a talented welder to craft a sturdy frame to house the new desktop.
I don't think anyone else would have been able to pull all the pieces together and deliver such an incredible end product. Every last detail is stunning - the wood veneer and finishing is an exact match to the original desk. If anything, the finishing that Dave and Teri did feels even better than the original. I am beyond happy with the results, the new desktop sits comfortably on top of the original one, and glides up and down easily. It's a barely noticeable retrofit to a desk I already loved, and that was the point. The functionality and craftsmanship is incredible. Thank you, Dave!"
Emily, Standing Desk Mod to existing Crate & Barrel Traditional Desk, 10/20 to 5/21
(Yes - it took 7 months to design, research, re-design, repeat as necessary, order materials and create)!

"Dave made a TV stand for me following very exact specifications. He took great care to be accurate, his communication was thorough and consistent, and most importantly, the finished piece is beautiful, and more than met my expectations."
Michael, TV Stand, 4/21

“Dave did an exceptional job modifying a vintage Zero Halliburton case to mount a 4-panel modular synthesizer for me.
I spent years searching for someone to help me with this project. It is difficult, in part, because the case has many curves and few (zero?) 90-degree angles.
Dave is a very careful craftsman and he came up with a design that fit all my criteria. He crafted wooden end-cheeks for the panels that are stained beautifully. He worked around the existing fabric lining and it remains intact, adding some nice color. He even came up with a mechanism to elevate the keyboard section for easier playability.
The finished product looks very professional and I couldn't be happier with it. His communication was excellent throughout and he is very transparent with his rates.”
Tim, Synth Case, 1/18/21

"The cabinet is holding up well and just love it still. Really appreciate the time you spent putting it together. I am just so pleased with it and how it keeps everything so tidy for me in the musical hobby. Hope you are well."
Greg, Walnut Guitar Amp Shelf & Drawer, 5/29/18

"I highly recommend Dave's work. He's an absolute 10. I was most impressed by Dave's fantastic craftsmanship, follow up and, most importantly accessibility. Dave met every time-line and delivered exactly what we were looking for. We'll be back."
Yanni, President of Lemon Water; Product Displays, 4/18

"At Innovative Post Solutions, our objective is to provide efficient solutions for any type of Post Production situation while delivering perfect Sound, Final Color, Localization, and Quality Control. At our new Immersive Post Storytelling facility, we are offering Dolby Vision color grading and Dolby Atmos final mixing.
Our acoustical treatment design in our mix stage required floor-to-ceiling Fractal Diffusers for the rear wall. We contracted Dave to assist with this project. His carpentry skills and music background made him a clear choice.
Dave created five diffusers for the back wall and made them precisely to our exact specifications. He also created a hanging system to space them off the wall in fractal proportions for added bass conditioning. Dave delivered the finished diffusers to our location and assisted in prepping them for final installation to meet our deadline.
Dave is very knowledgeable, detailed oriented and very friendly. We are pleased to recommend Dave as a designer and builder for custom acoustical treatments."
Sid Patel, Client Solutions Manager & Post Production Supervisor, Innovative Post Design, 2/18
* SEE COVER STORY IN MIX MAGAZINE, APRIL 2018 *

"We make furniture for professional beauty salons and spas and hired Dave as a consultant to help us with various aspects of our production. One of our goals was to increase production in the most cost-efficient manner without jeopardizing the quality of the product. In a very short period of time, Dave made an assessment of our production capacity and workflow, pointed out our shortages and techniques weaknesses, and came up with recommendations to streamline the complete process, from the cutting to final touches and fitting.
Dave also made a complete assessment of our tools and equipment and presented recommendations for better tools. He then did substantial research to help us find the best quality, price and source. For additional accessories, he took us to a high-quality supply store to review the tools and equipment he had placed on hold and stood by us during the shopping experience, ready to help.
We also are very grateful to Dave for his recommendations for safety improvements in our wood/tool room. The safety techniques he strongly advised us to employ have greatly reduced the risk of personal injury.
We believe that our decision to hire Dave as a consultant has paid off well as he saved us time, effort and money by directing us to a most efficient way of working in a production environment; all of it done in a friendly professional manner."
Natalie, Beleva Beauty Salon products, 11/17 consulting

"I was looking to build a small but professional recording studio and consulted with Dave. He was responsive, punctual, insightful, enthusiastic, and had boatloads of creative ideas. I recommend Dave as a consultant to anyone who is looking to understand soundproofing and conditioning more comprehensively."
Charles, Home Recording Studio, 12/17

"Thank you for helping me modify my gear and adding a stereo microphone bar to my Rycote set up for my trip to Brazil. Your work is excellent; I can now record on location in true hi-fidelity. I will let you know how the recordings come out."
Greg, Recording Engineer, 11/17

"When you find a good thing, you want to share it with everyone. Dave is just that. We hired Dave to build us a a very specific wooden mailbox for our home and are so happy that we found him. The process was extremely pleasant from beginning to end; he asked all of the right questions and didn't spare any details in his answers or his work. He communicated with us throughout the entire process, from design to completion and we felt assured that he was orchestrating a beautiful end product. Dave truly has the rare quality of being a total professional and a talented artist at the same time. He delivered on time, kept every promise and the final product completely exceeded our expectations. I confidently recommend Dave to everyone. If you work with him, you will feel understood and at ease knowing that your project will go smoothly and be completed with great quality and detailed work."
Paul & June, custom mailbox, 7/17

"The top fit perfectly. I will definitely be in contact with you for future projects and set work - you helped me out so much and did a perfect job, i want to help you and continue such excellent craftsmanship! It was flawless!"
Michael, Counter top, 1/17

"Dave was hired to build a set of freestanding flats for an interactive installation. Prior to the work, I was looking for someone who can work with me in a very hands-on way. Fortunately, Dave was able to accommodate it and I had a blast working with him. During the work, he walked me through the process as well as all of the caveats that I need to watch out for when building the flats for my specific purpose. I was really impressed by his ability to get the job done with meticulous details. He was also very thorough, communicative and professional at all times. After seeing how he works, I consider Dave as a great person to work with. He has a very strong moral value and ethics when it comes to doing business and I really respect his creative and building process. I highly recommend Dave Bass to provide any carpentry projects!"
- Jinsoo, Interactive Installation, 8/16

"Dave is an incredible carpenter. He took my idea and guided and advised on how to make the idea into an incredible, tangible product. Dave's planning, attention to detail and thorough work with wood is phenomenal. Dave built a 4 x 6 foot American Flag for me out of wood, utilizing a separate piece of wood for each stripe and empty shell casings for stars. He then used a water-based dye to stain the wood red, white and blue. The end product was a piece of art, to say the least.
Everyone who sees my flag is absolutely amazed. Dave knows the intricacies of wood and how to work with it. He is incredibly detail-oriented and ensures that his work is perfection when he is complete. I would highly recommend Dave for anyone looking for a great carpenter."
- George, Giant Wooden American Flag, 12/15

"Exceptional ability to perform research - he found a solution to one of my needs within an hour, when I had been on the web searching for weeks. His clocking in system via text is amazing, he conducts himself in a very professional manner and is extremely reliable. I highly recommend Dave for R&D and will certainly use him again for my future projects."
- Timothy, entrepreneur, 12/15

"Dave was wonderful to work with. From the initial phone call, he made me feel taken care of and secure in his skill and knowledge. To my surprise he came to my home right after speaking with him and gave me an estimate, sketch and time estimate to finish the job on that day. Dave then texted me at every stage of the process, from purchasing supplies to his progress in constructing the piece asked for. I always felt secure in knowing he was doing his job. Finally he came to finish the job and charged me less than his estimate. The final product is beautiful. Way to go Dave!
If you're looking to hire someone for your carpentry needs, look no further and hire Dave.
- Patricia H., happy customer," 10/15

"Your attention to detail and methodical approach to everything you do is inspiring."
- Zach & Mel, Custom full-size bunk beds for Airbnb, 6/15

"I'd like to share a good job experience I had with Dave. I found him because I was in need of a handyman to install a basketball goal/backboard in my backyard on a wooden patio. It was kind of tricky to install anything that big on it.
Dave was very professional and an easy going guy. He really knows his stuff. I originally had an idea of how to put it up but he suggested a different way which required more material and was more complex, but in the long run, it was the best way to go. I will definitely use him again on future handyman projects.
Thanks a lot, Dave. See you soon!"
- Chip, Basketball mount and backboard re-build over gazebo, 3/15

"Dave is knowledgeable about woodwork and worked hard to help us achieve our vision. He advised us throughout the entire process, helping our team purchase the appropriate materials
and offering helpful set-up and travel tips for the prop door we hired him to build.
We recommend Mr. Bass for carpentry projects, as we believe his diligence will help your
project succeed. We used our prop door to help demo our products at an industry trade show. The
smart design helped our booth stand out from the competition, and we hope to use this door for
the rest of our trade show season and for a variety of future projects."
- Kevin, Free-standing door for trade show display, 3/15

"I love working with you; you do great work."
- Steven, Kitchen counter re-build in Westwood, 3/15

"He is an amazing handyman who can do almost anything to which he sets his mind and ingenuity.
He has done some projects for me, and I've seen numerous examples of his work in homes and recording studios where he has sometimes invented new ways to resolve fairly complex challenges, to amazing results.
If you have a task that needs doing, Dave is the guy who will find a way to resolve it for you, no matter how difficult it may seem."
- Elliot, Various Home Projects, 2/15

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THANK YOU'S:

A SINCERE THANK YOU to all the people who helped us along the way,
including but not limited to:

David, former manager of Rockler Woodworking in Pasadena
Leonardo, former toolmaker and wonderful maintenance man
Baller Hardware
Rompage Hardware
Bobby at Jill's Paints
Fellow carpenter Charles
Sacco, cabinet maker and neighbor
James, Theater set-building instructor in Canada

And to everyone who was willing to field a call from a guy who would say,
"Can I ask you a question...?"

THANK YOU!

OUR SECOND SHOP ASSISTANT:

Even though my assistant Teri is great at what she does and I wouldn't replace her with anyone,
we have another shop assistant who is very, very special.

Her name is Harriet.
Although she doesn't say much, she doesn't have to;
what she says in silence is far more important.

Harriet is one of the best people we have met in L.A.
I've even written a song about her; hopefully some day I will have time to record it.