He likes to play when he’s not working.
DONALD COLBY
OWNER LUTHIER
Luthier (LOO-ti-ər)a craftsperson who builds and repairs string instruments that have a neck and a sound box.
B.S. and M.I.S. University of Illinois
Donald is the retired Principle Bassist of the Idaho State Civic Symphony (ISCS) and Adjunct Instructor of Double Bass at Idaho State University. He began studying piano at the age of five. At ten he picked up a string bass and never looked back. He studied with professors at the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, and Warren Benfield Assistant Principle bassist of the Chicago Symphony. He has performed with Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Roy Clark, Christopher Parkening and Bennie Goodman to mention a few.
Donald gained his basic luthier experience from Professor Ed Krolick at the University of Illinois in the early 1960’s. He reset his first sound post in 1962 and has been working on string instruments since.
Donald has played and studied the bass for more than six decades and has five plus decades of luthier and teaching experience. “I understand the connection a musician has with their valued instrument and I am committed to help them both produce the best sound possible.”
Large or small, new or old, with a pedigree or a beloved mutt, all sound boxes are welcome!