Joey Naeger is a professional bass luthier based in Houston, Texas, who specializes in repairing and building double basses for musicians throughout the region and beyond. Recognized for his setup work, he customizes instruments to match each player’s genre and performance style, and remains an active performer, playing with ensembles including the Symphony of Southwest Texas.

A Sugar Land native and Virtuosi of Houston alumnus, Naeger studied bass at the University of Houston under Dennis Whittaker and apprenticed as a setup specialist at the Lisle Violin Shop under Dorian Barnes, where he serviced hundreds of basses for area school systems. He opened his own workshop in 2019 and continues to refine his craft through programs such as the Oberlin Bass Maker’s Workshop and the UNH Bass Restoration Workshop, blending modern CAD software with classical drafting and the “classic beauty of Cremonese violin making.”

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