Sad Day. Atkinson closes shop.

[SolarMan]

I must say that I have always loved looking at Dans work and hoped to own one someday.

Sadly that may never happen.

http://www.atkinsonbasses.com/

[jmac]

To quote Randell from the movie Clerks, "This job would be great if it wasn't for the @#$%^& customers."

[smcfarland1337]

^
Just watched one of those Kevin Smith Q&A films.

[ghoulbug]

Wow, that's a ton of people bugging him if 1 in 5 customers completely ruined the experience for him...

I wonder just what these people did that had Dan so upset?

[Emre Hanli]

I respected what he did for bassists. His approach was very sensible and reasonable. Apparently it was not worth the trouble for him. I wouldn't last that long with those figures. Thanks Dan for every single bass you put out.

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by ghoulbug

I wonder just what these people did that had Dan so upset?

Well, for one example, there was a thread here started by someone who was all butt hurt because Dan used conductive paint instead of foil to shield the control cavity, and used weather stripping instead of springs to mount the pickups (never mind that I have some $3K boutique instruments that are built the same way).

It's a shame, but I completely understand.

[SlingBass4]

I gave up on Fender many years ago in favor of USACG and Warmoth parts basses. For the same or less money (including a good tech) I could have a better bass. IMO Dan's prices were quite reasonable and one could walk away having invested in a truly first rate instrument. It's hard to see the love sucked out of something you love. He did right by just going away before it ate him up entirely. Sadly...one never fully appreciates something until it's gone

[wagdog]

I used to work with the public - never again. I understand Dan's point completely. Some people are entirely unreasonable.

[Peepaleep]

My Atkinson Pea is a *very* good instrument and its feel, tone and pliability as as good or better than any bass I've owned over the past 30 years. Thanks, Dan - I'm fortunate to have one of your babies. They are reasonably priced on the used market (if you can find one) because Atkinson Custom Basses is not a household name, so get one if you want an exceptional instrument for a fraction of its' value.

[SlingBass4]

Originally Posted by wagdog

I used to work with the public - never again. I understand Dan's point completely. Some people are entirely unreasonable.

I can't get away from dealing with the public......BUT, long ago I learned to say "NO!" and "Get the frack outta here!"

[godofthunder59]

That is the main reason I don't build more. After watching the beating Carlo took on here sheesh!

[ghoulbug]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

Well, for one example, there was a thread here started by someone who was all butt hurt because Dan used conductive paint instead of foil to shield the control cavity, and used weather stripping instead of springs to mount the pickups (never mind that I have some $3K boutique instruments that are built the same way).

It's a shame, but I completely understand.

Wow, that's a shame.

The only other incidence on TB like this that I can remember is Ibanezcollector.. wonder what he's up to?

[M.R. Ogle]

That is a shame. Dan was at least passionate about what he does, maybe too much so.

There is a guy local to me (St. Louis) who seems to be doing the same kind of thing that DA was doing, offering carefully-assembled and customized "parts" basses. Anyone had any experiences with David Certain?

http://www.certainbass.com/

[chadhargis]

Always loved Dan's input here and thought his basses looked very nice. If he'd have made fivers, I'd have had him build me one.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Emre Hanli

His approach was very sensible and reasonable.

Actually it wasn't. If he really only had about a 10% margin then it wasn't sensible at all. When you undervalue your time eventually you'll get burned out.

imho he should have charged more. That also might have likely cut down on the bad apple ratio. While there certainly are "high maintenance" customers at every price point, IME the most annoying are often those are who obsessed with "the deal" and getting the lowest price possible, no matter what. You see it here on TB all the time - the people who check out stuff local then buy online to save $20, the one's who want to return things for full refund for no good reason, etc. Dan's price point and approach ("get a boutique level build for less money") likely attracted a higher percentage of those folk.

It is a tough biz in the best of circumstances. I'm lucky to know a few high-end builders and they have some interesting stories. You have to try and stack the deck in your favor and accept that sometimes people suck. Dan made some nice instruments and I wish him well.

[s_mcsleazy]

Originally Posted by smcfarland1337

^
Just watched one of those Kevin Smith Q&A films.

funny enough so did i

but back on this subject. where will i buy a fender-like bass now

[mcm]

Great postcabove

[nortonrider]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

but back on this subject. where will i buy a fender-like bass now

Heheheheheheh!

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

There is a guy local to me (St. Louis) who seems to be doing the same kind of thing that DA was doing, offering carefully-assembled and customized "parts" basses. Anyone had any experiences with David Certain?

Yes, he has had quite a history on TB. I recommend you search for previous threads about him, especially from when he arrived on the scene a couple years ago, and draw your own conclusions. Of course, many of those threads were deleted, and the remaining ones were heavily cleaned up by mods....

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

There is a guy local to me (St. Louis) who seems to be doing the same kind of thing that DA was doing, offering carefully-assembled and customized "parts" basses. Anyone had any experiences with David Certain?

Yes, I dealt with him once.


Just once......