wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,942
- 29,551
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
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Hammersmith K4 - TalkBass Special Model
- Thread starter MarkoYYZ
- Start date
-
- Tags
- hammersmith model special talkbass
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
I am very patient. Just preordered a Dingwall D-bird. It will be sometime in 2018, so anywhere from 6-18 months away. It is what it is because the demand is very high. I'm fine with it because I know going in. I'm fine with delays on this one, things happen (especially with a new model import, complications with CITIES regs that I've heard have hung up all kinds of instruments at times, etc.). However, I don't care for radio silence. If it is gonna be the end of the year, tell me.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Ouch. However about what I expected.
I have serious gas for these, but literally no excuse to spend that on a bass at this point, lol.
Can't wait for your NBD post, wonder if it will come before my K4 NBD, lol
Good thing we both have patience!
This is fair. It won't be the end of the year, it's just clearly not going to be when we originally thought as that time has passed.
I wanted to stop in quickly and just assure everyone that there is no funny business going on. The basses WILL be built and shipped to everyone who has ordered - we just ask for continued patience.
Please be assured that Hammersmith is alive and well, is not going to disappear with your deposits, and has 110% intention of completing every order on the books. Those who opted out were given refunds, and those who stick with us will not be left unsatisfied. We simply can't build what we don't have materials for, and have no choice but to wait things out and ask that you continue to wait with us.
I'll be back on later tonight when I have more time to be thorough and explain things a bit better - including why I haven't been on TB, which has reasons beyond just not wanting to fess up that things are delayed.
-Marko
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,942
- 29,551
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
OK, so a little more background and explanation as to my inactivity on TB.
I think most of you know that this is isn't my main work, and that I'm involved in a couple of LED lighting companies, yes? Well, when I was first informed that we weren't going to get our K materials in May as planned, I decided to make use of the time and trigger my exit from one of the lighting companies - the one I was a 50/50 partner in. It became much more adversarial than expected and I got bogged down in the legal/accounting side of things in order to not walk away owning the company *a lot* of money and/or taxes. I also had an issue with my back that forced me to take time off so it was two things that were literally burying me, time wise. Josh was working on the few regular builds we had going and I was doing painkillers and alternating days with the accountant and my physio girl. In talking with her (she is also a life coach) I realized that my internet addiction was part of my work problem as well as my health - so I swore off forums (bass, basketball, politics, Toronto, dating website, the whole bit). The little time I gave the internet was to make the occasional FB post and have a few message exchanges a day. FB is among the worst, really, but since I have always resisted it to a point, it wasn't hard to keep my use minimal. So while I knew I was overdue here to keep you guys informed, part of me was like an alcoholic not wanting to go into a bar. I had to go in and pay my tab, so to speak, but the longer you wait to do something, the harder it is to do - making this post, that is.
So there is most of the "why haven't I been on TB?". It's kind of stupid to offer up this sort of info to customers, but TB is a little different and I sort of put myself in a situation where just offering up the truth is probably the best way to go. Part of it is also that when you transition from user/player to builder/manufacturer, you sort of have to just back away. There is a reason why most well known players/product makers won't spend much time here, and you only understand it once you're on the other side. Not to say I'm well known, I'm just saying that the drawbacks of forum participation became very apparent. My usage is going to be much lower permanently, but I recognize that I can't have active sale threads here with people invested into a product they're expecting to receive and simply go silent, so I will check in more often in order to keep you guys more informed.
Speaking of which, the news at the moment is basically as follows... I know that progress has been made on the necks and bodies, but my OEM is being non committal as to a precise delivery date. Their initial promise (after NAMM) was 3 months from time of order, and that's why I was working with a May timeline. With added colors, different scales and a change to the bodies (they are slightly larger, as noted earlier) I figured it could get stretched out a little, but I didn't dream we'd keep getting the bump like this. It's part of a bigger order with over 200 necks and 200 bodies (of all types and over a dozen finishes) so I've split off the K stuff and asked for that first. The answer I keep being given is to be patient, and the truth is I really have no choice but to wait. 1) they have a lot of my money 2) they understand our program, even if they dislike it and 3) I really don't want to teach a different company how to build the K and 4) I don't want to go back to zero and start with a whole new OEM, as it takes repeated and continued exposure to make relationships with offshore manufacturers to work. Their other big customers have someone there all the time, or at least regularly, to oversee what's going on and maintain both quality and priority. We need to earn our way up - as well as simplify what we do - so we can get where we need to be.
So for now, I'm asking that those of you who are still part of the batch order to *please* continue to be patient a month or two longer. Our release of 5 string product took longer than expected but eventually happened, and the Ks are going to happen also. The K product is very important and is probably going to outsell everything else we do. We have the 5 string variant designed, along with a reverse K concept and a six string guitar K on the roadmap as well. We have big plans for these, but need to take one step at a time and the first step is delivering these first pre-order basses. In the meantime, we obviously have to continue with the regular model work - just because one thing is late it doesn't mean everything has to be, or that the company needs to be put on hold. I'm close to leasing a new space dedicated to Hammersmith, and we're in the planning stages for our NAMM presence again in January. We'll finish the website at some point, but for now it's a blessing to remain a little under the radar and grow organically. I'm in Europe from Aug 27 to Sept 10 and *really* hope we can start kicking ass once I get back, but that's me crossing my fingers as much as anything - it will probably be October if I'm being more practical with a timeline based on the info I have.
I appreciate that most of you have been patient and haven't put me on blast. The track record of other builders or pickup makers understandably makes people nervous when it looks like someone else is going down the same path - but it's not going to happen here. I am sorry that things go to a point that a few of you needed to demand refunds - those got done as requested - and I hope you can move on with your other purchases, projects, etc... without feeding into the worry, as it doesn't help the basses get built any faster.
I've rambled a bit there and think I've covered most points, though I'm sure there will be a question or two so I'll check back again tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to read this through.
-Marko
Oh - here's a question for you guys. Would there be any interest in us having a "passaround bass" ship out that each of you can get a turn with? It wouldn't be a K bass, but since most of you have never had a Hammersmith in your hands, maybe ot's a way to get a feel for our builds for a week before it goes off to the next person in line?
.
I think most of you know that this is isn't my main work, and that I'm involved in a couple of LED lighting companies, yes? Well, when I was first informed that we weren't going to get our K materials in May as planned, I decided to make use of the time and trigger my exit from one of the lighting companies - the one I was a 50/50 partner in. It became much more adversarial than expected and I got bogged down in the legal/accounting side of things in order to not walk away owning the company *a lot* of money and/or taxes. I also had an issue with my back that forced me to take time off so it was two things that were literally burying me, time wise. Josh was working on the few regular builds we had going and I was doing painkillers and alternating days with the accountant and my physio girl. In talking with her (she is also a life coach) I realized that my internet addiction was part of my work problem as well as my health - so I swore off forums (bass, basketball, politics, Toronto, dating website, the whole bit). The little time I gave the internet was to make the occasional FB post and have a few message exchanges a day. FB is among the worst, really, but since I have always resisted it to a point, it wasn't hard to keep my use minimal. So while I knew I was overdue here to keep you guys informed, part of me was like an alcoholic not wanting to go into a bar. I had to go in and pay my tab, so to speak, but the longer you wait to do something, the harder it is to do - making this post, that is.
So there is most of the "why haven't I been on TB?". It's kind of stupid to offer up this sort of info to customers, but TB is a little different and I sort of put myself in a situation where just offering up the truth is probably the best way to go. Part of it is also that when you transition from user/player to builder/manufacturer, you sort of have to just back away. There is a reason why most well known players/product makers won't spend much time here, and you only understand it once you're on the other side. Not to say I'm well known, I'm just saying that the drawbacks of forum participation became very apparent. My usage is going to be much lower permanently, but I recognize that I can't have active sale threads here with people invested into a product they're expecting to receive and simply go silent, so I will check in more often in order to keep you guys more informed.
Speaking of which, the news at the moment is basically as follows... I know that progress has been made on the necks and bodies, but my OEM is being non committal as to a precise delivery date. Their initial promise (after NAMM) was 3 months from time of order, and that's why I was working with a May timeline. With added colors, different scales and a change to the bodies (they are slightly larger, as noted earlier) I figured it could get stretched out a little, but I didn't dream we'd keep getting the bump like this. It's part of a bigger order with over 200 necks and 200 bodies (of all types and over a dozen finishes) so I've split off the K stuff and asked for that first. The answer I keep being given is to be patient, and the truth is I really have no choice but to wait. 1) they have a lot of my money 2) they understand our program, even if they dislike it and 3) I really don't want to teach a different company how to build the K and 4) I don't want to go back to zero and start with a whole new OEM, as it takes repeated and continued exposure to make relationships with offshore manufacturers to work. Their other big customers have someone there all the time, or at least regularly, to oversee what's going on and maintain both quality and priority. We need to earn our way up - as well as simplify what we do - so we can get where we need to be.
So for now, I'm asking that those of you who are still part of the batch order to *please* continue to be patient a month or two longer. Our release of 5 string product took longer than expected but eventually happened, and the Ks are going to happen also. The K product is very important and is probably going to outsell everything else we do. We have the 5 string variant designed, along with a reverse K concept and a six string guitar K on the roadmap as well. We have big plans for these, but need to take one step at a time and the first step is delivering these first pre-order basses. In the meantime, we obviously have to continue with the regular model work - just because one thing is late it doesn't mean everything has to be, or that the company needs to be put on hold. I'm close to leasing a new space dedicated to Hammersmith, and we're in the planning stages for our NAMM presence again in January. We'll finish the website at some point, but for now it's a blessing to remain a little under the radar and grow organically. I'm in Europe from Aug 27 to Sept 10 and *really* hope we can start kicking ass once I get back, but that's me crossing my fingers as much as anything - it will probably be October if I'm being more practical with a timeline based on the info I have.
I appreciate that most of you have been patient and haven't put me on blast. The track record of other builders or pickup makers understandably makes people nervous when it looks like someone else is going down the same path - but it's not going to happen here. I am sorry that things go to a point that a few of you needed to demand refunds - those got done as requested - and I hope you can move on with your other purchases, projects, etc... without feeding into the worry, as it doesn't help the basses get built any faster.
I've rambled a bit there and think I've covered most points, though I'm sure there will be a question or two so I'll check back again tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to read this through.
-Marko
Oh - here's a question for you guys. Would there be any interest in us having a "passaround bass" ship out that each of you can get a turn with? It wouldn't be a K bass, but since most of you have never had a Hammersmith in your hands, maybe ot's a way to get a feel for our builds for a week before it goes off to the next person in line?
.
Last edited:
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
I'd be ecstatic to have the chance and I'm pretty local. Would be great to check out a K as I've kind of taken a shine to the form but I'd love to see what's up with a local project, regardless.
The concept I had in mind was to have the bass go to the K preorder customers, in a similar sequence to how the K orders came in. The deposit on the K is sort of an insurance that the passaround bass keeps moving to the next customer. I don't have my order info handy, but I think there are 8 or 9 talkbassers still in, and a couple of those have either owned a Hammersmith or spent time with us at the shows, so I think the 6 or 7 who haven't yet been hands on would get a week with the bass and by that time, the actual Ks should be going out.
You're welcome to come for a visit if you're coming to the Mississauga area?
.
While I think this is a good idea for some, I would rather not. Two reasons,
1. Knowing myself, I would get attached and immediately send you a deposit on something similar and I've spent a lot of money on bass gear this year.
2. Finding time to ship the bass to the next person in line would be a chore for me.
So, I still think it's a good idea, but just skip me.
I demand a render of this reverse k immediately.
I'd probably participate, especially if it was some super cool color (not black/white/natural/sunburst) but don't do it on my account. If everyone else wants to do it I'd be in.
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
- 6,942
- 29,551
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Langstrom Carrot Farms
Marko, thanks for the detailed update.
Internet addiction is a real thing, and if you need to cut back I totally understand. You business is still in its infancy, so I am patiently waiting for my custom K.
Internet addiction is a real thing, and if you need to cut back I totally understand. You business is still in its infancy, so I am patiently waiting for my custom K.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Thanks Marko for the update. I am not at all surprised by delays for a new model, tons of options, newer company, etc. To be honest, not a big deal. I just appreciate updates (even if there is no news to report really). I think I mentioned that I ordered a Dingwall NG-2 4 string when they were announced at NAMM the year before. It took 11 months. My point being that even more established companies run into the same exact thing.
I was lucky enough to meet you at NAMM and get to play a few of the basses including the K. If you want to do a pass around bass, hit up some of those guys that maybe have not had a chance. I'm totally cool waiting for my K.
As someone with neck/back issues in the past, best wishes on healing. It is such a frustrating injury to have.
I was lucky enough to meet you at NAMM and get to play a few of the basses including the K. If you want to do a pass around bass, hit up some of those guys that maybe have not had a chance. I'm totally cool waiting for my K.
As someone with neck/back issues in the past, best wishes on healing. It is such a frustrating injury to have.
As always, no hurry on my account. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. What would life be if it weren't for a few hiccups here and there? Take care of yourself then worry about me. As a matter of fact, I discussed with you doing mine last in the first run. I'm in no hurry whatsoever. That snazzy lambo orange M model will satisfy my Hammersmith needs in the meantime.
You ignored your customers for almost three months because your life coach told you to take a break from the internet? Ok. Guys, have fun with this one.
Didn't you get your refund?
This is the only topic you have ever posted about on TB, so it seems the only reason you are here is to harass Marko and that's not what this forum is for.
This is the only topic you have ever posted about on TB, so it seems the only reason you are here is to harass Marko and that's not what this forum is for.
