Upton Bass news in my inbox today.

[Standalone]

Originally Posted by eroy

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!)

D

Hmm... Tabula Rasa = clean slate... hmm... clean lines... Basso Rasa.... umm-- Gamba corners?

[Fuzzball59]

BPeder, you have uttered a couple thoughts that have been rattling around in my head, e.g.:

Originally Posted by BPeder

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'm sure Upton will be keeping records on serial numbers, no matter what they choose to do as far as the markings go, so future questions of provenance will be answerable.
Sounds like you'll have yours way before mine (ordered September 26). Be sure and write a review or at the very least I invite you to pm me with your impressions.

[BPeder]

I'll be sure to post my impressions. The whole order process has been flawless so far, except for the wait and that's all going to be worth it. These guys really know their customer service. In case you have not been there, there's lots of talk about the Uptons at rockabillybass.com http://rockabillybass.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6448 This guy in fact, quoted your copy of the newsletter and Eric says that's his bass pictured in the photo of a bass underway at the shop. His bass is also going to be the featured bass on the website once they get it re-tooled to talk about the new lines of basses. I think he's getting his very soon. Man, aren't we all going to be happy campers in the near future? Good old Upton... makes us feel like kids on Christmas morning!

[Fuzzball59]

Quote from BPeder on Rockabillybass.com:

"My bass is shipping to my workplace and I know from personal experience that trying to make the driver hang for any reason is nearly impossible. And what if it's damaged in transit? Would I have to make them ship it back to you? I think I'd rather be stabbed! Just for kicks, it would be interesting to see photos of a bass ready for shipping, in its crate, and pictures of the crate itself. Images and an explanation of how you guys get instruments to ship safely might help folks get over the fear of "mail ordering" a bass.

I made many of the self same suggestions about pictures of a crated bass, when I first contacted Upton. My fear of mail ordering a bass nearly drove me to drive to Connecticut to pick it up (a 2000 mile round trip $$ )

However, Josh assured me that they have a "near 100% success rate" with their crating and shipping method. Good point though, about the Fedex driver scurrying off before it's inspected. In my case, I'm driving about 75 miles to the Fedex depot to pick mine up and will inspect it carefully before I sign zee papers.

Anyway, I'm starting to think we're fortunate to have our orders in process already. I get a feeling the folks at Upton are going to see a sudden increase in demand for these USA basses.

Gotta shamelessly hit this topic again for Gary and Eric:
It would be REALLY COOL to have a serial number re-start!
And guys, have you sent press releases out about this? I think you could probably get a cover story on Entrepreneur magazine. "New England Luthiers Buck the Outsourcing Trend"--or howabout "Upton Bass Brings it on Home"
(Just rhetorical observations, no need to stop building to reply!

Here's a question for the "informal Upton Hawkes wait support group" What kind of strings did you order?
I chose the Pirastro Flexocores.

[chuck1073]

I went with Spiro-mediums.

[BPeder]

Same as Chuck. I think the toughest test for the bass will be how well it approximates the "cool jazz growl". Might as well initially feed it the strings that give it it's best shot.

[uptonbass]

"However, Josh assured me that they have a "near 100% success rate" with their crating and shipping method. Good point though, about the Fedex driver scurrying off before it's inspected."

Don't let those FedEx guys get away! Chain them to the bass crate if you have to! EVERY bass leaves our shop in perfect condition, and we don't want you to be compromised if (at the very very slim chance) something were to happen. It's your right as a customer to inspect your merchandise thoroughly.

But seriously- you have nothing to fear.

[Studiodawg]

I received my "collector's item" Euro-American blonde Upton a few months ago. It was a very impressive sight to see that huge bass crate sitting at the FedEx freight terminal. Me & the FedEx guy opened the crate and there it was in all it's glory...it plays great and Upton is a fine company to do business with. I even got my picture taken in the local newspaper with it. My bass has only been with me for a short while and it's already "famous". Congrats on the American Made basses, but I'm totally stoked with my Euro-American axe!

[Fuzzball59]

I shall take along my camera when I go to meet my bass crate. The event will be documented!

Yeah, it'll be a busy holiday season: Christmas, New Years, Bass Delivery Day....

[screamkingart]

Hello People!

I'm the one that copied and pasted this thread over at rockabillybass.com

I mostly lurk around here or buy, trade and sell in the classifides section but I decided to stop by and post. I just got contacted from Upton Bass and they should be shipping my bass Nov. 13th so about 2 weeks and another week wait while it arrives to Los Angeles, CA. She'll be here soon though . This will be my 3rd bass that I buy from upton and is shipped to California and not once have I ever had a problem with Upton. From the 1st day I call to place my order to the day I sign over my bass from the FedEx guys. I got a full set of Clef Gut strings, with ebony tuning pegs and I'm excited about the maple top the bass will have. My bass will also be the one on display on the Upton site!

Can't Wait!
Art

[Fuzzball59]

Hey Art----Congratulations man! Yeah, I saw the pic of your ready-to-be-assembled bass over at rockabilly. Very that yours will be the website model. So, for purposes of calculating my own delivery date, what was your order date?

[uptonbass]

Well I just have to tease Art....his bass looks AMAZING. I have been looking at it quite a bit this past week. The varnish is done and we are setting her up!! Tuners are on, ready for post, bridge, fingerboard etc. Shipping before you know it Art!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gary

[screamkingart]

Hey Gary!

Man these next few days and weeks are going to be hell!

and all i can do now is imagine how AMAZAING it looks...!

Art

[screamkingart]

Originally Posted by Fuzzball59

Hey Art----Congratulations man! Yeah, I saw the pic of your ready-to-be-assembled bass over at rockabilly. Very that yours will be the website model. So, for purposes of calculating my own delivery date, what was your order date?

Thanks i've actually been waiting for about 6 - 7 months because i found out about there US Models and I called them up and asked them if i could order one. They just told me they wont know how long i would have to wait cos they werent officially into production yet. so till about a month ago i had no idea when i was gonna get my bass. so my situation was a little different. but for my other basses i usually just had to wait the normal 8 - 12 weeks.

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by screamkingart

Thanks i've actually been waiting for about 6 - 7 months because i found out about there US Models and I called them up and asked them if i could order one. They just told me they wont know how long i would have to wait cos they werent officially into production yet. so till about a month ago i had no idea when i was gonna get my bass. so my situation was a little different. but for my other basses i usually just had to wait the normal 8 - 12 weeks.

And to clarify there wont be any waiting 6-7 months for other customers. Art got the word, a little earlier that he should have from a little Birdie about our US production. It was back earlier in the year and he wanted to wait for his US UB bass.

Our current basses may be a bit out of the original estimated time frame however we are working day and night to get on track with the original schedule. Things are looking really good from our end and I invite any of you that are waiting for a bass to come and see the production. By appointment only though as our factory is closed to the public.

Quesstions....?

Thanks Guys!
Gary

[chuck1073]

Gary,

I'd love to take you up on the invite.
What's the best way to get ahold of you?

Chuck D

[screamkingart]

the birdie story is correct, luckily the rest of you will only have to wait the usual amount of time

well good luck with the new basses, and new customers

I'll be going back to lurking now

Thanks Upton and the people here on Talkbass

Art