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. "
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. "
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.
)
My wife affectionately dubbed it "Basso Rasa" (thats all the hint I am giving!)
