Upton Bass news in my inbox today.

[Fuzzball59]

I received an email from Upton Bass today regarding my pending order for a UB Hawkes Laminate Bass.
Thought I'd share the glad tidings.

Dated October 26th, 2007
"Special Announcement Regarding Your UB Bass Order

We at Upton Bass would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to hand-craft your double bass. As double bass luthiers, players, and aficionados we consider it a privilege that you have entrusted us to craft your new instrument. The purpose of this newsletter update is to help curtail some of the confusion about the length of time orders are taking to be completed, as well as to illustrate through photos what we've been so excited about over the last few months!

For those of you who have been patiently awaiting the arrival of your new bass, we would like you to know that we appreciate your patience and understanding. While we may exceed our estimated time frame for your order we promise it will be well worth the wait!!! As lovers of all things double bass, we know how eager you are to get your instrument. There is, in fact, a very good reason for the delay. Although we've been rather quiet about production, we are thrilled to announce that the bass you receive will be completey made by Upton Bass!!! That's right- Upton Bass is officially hand-making each and every double bass from raw materials in our Stonington, Connecticut workshop! It has been a dream, and our collective company goal for many years which, after careful consideration and closed-door development and discussions between our luthiers about style, aesthetics, and design engineering, has finally come to fruition. The result? An all-original line of double basses unparalleled in value, functionality, and beauty.

Why have we decided to craft our own double basses from scratch? To offer double bass players at all levels and of every style of music the best hand-made instrument with the best setup and top quality parts money can buy. In the past, we imported double bass shells in pieces from Europe, made to our rigorous specifications, and in our own design. When we received these shells "in the white", they were inspected to make sure that each and every one met UB quality control standards. After this was determined, we completed the building, varnished the instruments, installed the parts, and then setup each bass per each customer's specifications. Although we felt (and still do) that these instruments were the best possible basses we could purchase and finish, it has always been a compromise for us to finish and setup instruments with the knowledge that we did not have complete control over the entire instrument making process...call us control freaks!

The new hand-made Upton Basses are the same highly playable, tonally dynamic, big sounding basses setup with all top quality parts (including the acclaimed "Upton Setup") that have garnered Upton Bass a stellar reputation in the double bass world...and so much more!! The US made Upton Basses, handcrafted in our Stonington, Connecticut workshop, are made with only the finest selection of well-seasoned spruce, poplar, and highly flamed maple available. UB President Gary Upton hand selects each piece of wood, and each instrument is hand-carved and assembled by our skilled luthiers. Our newly designed scroll is simple and elegant, influenced by classic German and Italian instruments, and infused with our own original aesthetic touches. Our unique varnishing process still applies; however with a finer selection of wood has come a richer, more beautiful instrument with deep grain profiles and stunning flame showing through like never before. And every bass is worked on, inspected, and finally played by Gary himself- the last step in the creation process of your new Upton Bass to ensure that every aspect of your instrument is perfect before it passes from our hands to yours.

At Upton Bass, we follow the Italian tradition of instrument making and old world integrity. We put our hearts and souls in to every Upton Bass, because we know that you put no less into every performance. Your patience with us as we make this transition is greatly appreciated. "

[Sam Sherry]

Originally Posted by Fuzzball59

Although we've been rather quiet about production, we are thrilled to announce that the bass you receive will be completey made by Upton Bass!!! That's right- Upton Bass is officially hand-making each and every double bass from raw materials in our Stonington, Connecticut workshop! It has been a dream, and our collective company goal for many years which, after careful consideration and closed-door development and discussions between our luthiers about style, aesthetics, and design engineering, has finally come to fruition.

Gary and Eric Roy have long dreamed of and worked toward forging another link in the chain of Yankee bass-building. It has been many months of painstaking work refining their designs and busting hump over endless details.

At a time when jobs routinely go abroad, here's a small American company bringing high-skilled craft-work back to Eastern Connecticut.

+ + + + +

I've been seeing this coming . . . and I really wanted to talk it up . . . but Upton is a client so I couldn't say anything. Now we know. So here's a cup raised to people who keep working toward their aspirations . . .

[Fuzzball59]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

At a time when jobs routinely go abroad, here's a small American company bringing high-skilled craft-work back to Eastern Connecticut.
So here's a cup raised to people who keep working toward their aspirations . . .

I'll drink to that Sam.

[chuck1073]

I ordered my UB lami back on 9/20 and got that same email yesterday myself. Josh had mentioned awhile back that mine "might" be a US bass. This confirms it.

Living just down the street from the workshop it's so cool to know that my bass is "born here"...and will perform here.

Just gotta be patient. And resist the temptation to go knock on the door to see how things are coming.

[drurb]

Yep, the cat's out of the bag where I was asked to hold it as well. I, too, have been privy to the progress and painstaking work that has taken place over many months. The Professor I have on order will be crafted from lumber to finished product right here in Connecticut. I still will have to wait a good while but I'm confident it will be well worth it!

[Blacksheep]

I too recieved that email. I ordered my hybrid 12 weeks ago yesterday. The time I was qouted was 10-12 weeks, so I am inquiring as to the status of my order. I dont mind waiting an extra week or so for my order to go out, seeing as it will be one of the first batch to be completely made by Upton. Plus, good that I got it when I did, because the prices will most likely go up, which is in no way a bad thing if the quality is improved in any way.

[Kaden]

I orderd my Upton Hybrid almost 15 weeks ago so does anyone know if mine is going to be a U.S made bass or not? Im really hoping it is!

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Kaden

I orderd my Upton Hybrid almost 15 weeks ago so does anyone know if mine is going to be a U.S made bass or not? Im really hoping it is!

Why don't you ask the folks you're buying it from?

[chuck1073]

Originally Posted by Kaden

does anyone know if mine is going to be a U.S made bass

I'm guessing that if you didn't receive the above-mentioned email you're probably getting the UB Hawkes hybrid.

[uptonbass]

Kaden,

Check your spam filter if you have one...?

Other than that....disclamer: I could be missing some crucial info, using your user-name here on TB as a guide I couldn't find anything! I don't blame you though, no need to use your real name if you don't want. With your order being at 15 weeks you are on the cusp of new vs. old production. email me your name and I'll check into your bass.

Chuck, just to clarify unless I am reading your post wrong, all the basses (IE. the hybrids) are also being made entirely by us, including our new model "The UB Poplar"

That being said the hybrid is actually my favorite bass to make, having an old world feel being the carved top.....and then combining that with "the newer " ....plywood.

Thanks for the support guys!

[godoze]

I must say that i have heard great things about Upton. One of my students recently bought a bass from Upton and had stellar praises for the service. Having worked for another bass dealer that practiced less than perfect customer service with his customers I can truly say that you seem to deserve your kudos! Good luck with your new venture and don't listen to the nay-sayers!

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by godoze

I must say that i have heard great things about Upton. One of my students recently bought a bass from Upton and had stellar praises for the service. Having worked for another bass dealer that practiced less than perfect customer service with his customers I can truly say that you seem to deserve your kudos! Good luck with your new venture and don't listen to the nay-sayers!

Thank you VERY much! I am sure they will be here soon..............

[chuck1073]

Hey Gary,

I was refering to the original hybrid basses vs the Stonington workshop basses in that post. Is there a Poplar at the shop yet?

And...when are you getting back on the bike?

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by chuck1073

Is there a Poplar at the shop yet?

I made all the parts, I just need to assemble them. Hopefully soon...that's the bass I want!

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by chuck1073

Hey Gary,

I was referring to the original hybrid basses vs the Stonington workshop basses in that post. Is there a Poplar at the shop yet?

And...when are you getting back on the bike?

Eric and I plan to slip the UB Poplar bass in when we have the free time....lets see.....6 years from now

I figured I was mis-reading that about the hybrid, the bike....well.....sigh...moan.....whimper......when I get all these basses made, no really it should be sooner but now I have the weather as an excuse

[drurb]

Wear a helmet!

[Fuzzball59]

Hey Gary,
Are these instruments going to be marked in any way differently to indicate the made in USA status? Are you going make a serial number change/start a new one? Just curious. I understand that it's basically the same instrument except for, as you said, the higher quality woods, but it is kind of exciting to have one of the early USA models and I was wondering if it was going to marked to reflect that. (Feel free to mark mine anyways )
Thanks
Fuzz

[Eric Rene Roy]

There will be a few "tells" with our handmade stuff, but the serial numbers and labels will continue as is. Keep checking the site for updates...

This bass Gary and I are mentioning is a bit of a "teaser"! A new bass...and a whole new price point! My wife affectionately dubbed it "Basso Rasa" (thats all the hint I am giving!)

More details to come (unless Gary want's to let the cat out of the bag here???), but it really will generating quite a few threads on it's own, I am sure!

[BPeder]

It's great to hear from and draw strength from my fellow sufferers in this informal Upton Hawkes wait support group. Good to see Gary and Eric posting too and to get a sense of their excitement. Pumped up Luthiers make better basses! Congratulations guys on achieving the "all in-house dream". I'm glad to be a small part of such vibrant times at Upton. I ordered my Hawkes Hybrid on July 13th. The wait is tough but I believe them when they say it's gonna be worth it. Fuzzball, I bet they will mark the basses as made in the USA and with great pride. These are the same guys that legally could have been marking their instruments "hand crafted in Stonington, CT" all along. But they didn't. They seem to take great pride in doing the right thing, and now that they have every right to mark their basses as US made, I bet they will. (Just before I submitted this post, Eric posted with information on markings and serial numbers. I stand corrected) We will know soon enough. It won't matter what they write in them though, it's how they make them and the love and pride they put in them that will be the proof. A great bass will speak for itself for a long time. I really believe that these basses are the classics of the future–the ones that our kids are going to be paying insane money for 50 and 60 years from now. I won't be around that long, and I'm not going to worry about it either. I'm just going to look forward to the day I un-pack that bass, raise the bridge and start basking in... TONE!

[SMASH]

Originally Posted by Fuzzball59

"
We at Upton Bass would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to hand-craft your double bass. As double bass luthiers, players, and aficionados we consider it a privilege that you have entrusted us to craft your new instrument. .. "

Very nice. Much better than congratulating the customer for their purchase, as most companies do. Kudos.

I imagine it's gotten very expensive to import from Europe the way the dollar has slid in recent years, and continues to. Slab-wise, I wonder how long it'll be before Skylines and Metros cost more than the USA versions? I have little doubt we'll live to see foreign countries outsourcing jobs to the US to save money. The bright side is the rebirth/increase of domestic manufacturing. Nice to see.

Good luck with the new way of doing things.