Double Bass Upton Suitcase Bass

[g-dude]

I would hope they would farm these out overseas, there is no real cache in it being hand made in New England, the idea is cool enough.

Respectfully disagree.

Whenever possible, I try to purchase American-made goods, even if it means a premium, because I like the idea of people being able to put food on their table and keep a roof over their head by actually making things.

If an American-made item isn’t the right one for me, then I look to whether it’s from a country that has equal or better standards regarding labor laws, environmental regs, etc.

 

[damonsmith]

Understood, the point is this is a semi-disposable product, since it is all about handing it over to the baggage monkeys in a size they can throw. I was ONLY making that comment about the suitcase bass and not the other instruments they make.
Also, "made in New England" is not the same as just being made in the US, it is an extremely expensive place to live and Upton is on a very expensive historic property at that. The premiums paid to these guys are going for far more than food on the table and a roof over their heads - nothing wrong with that, it is just something people need to have their eyes open about.

Respectfully disagree.

Whenever possible, I try to purchase American-made goods, even if it means a premium, because I like the idea of people being able to put food on their table and keep a roof over their head by actually making things.

If an American-made item isn’t the right one for me, then I look to whether it’s from a country that has equal or better standards regarding labor laws, environmental regs, etc.

 

[David Jayne]

I suppose the gig bag problem could be solved by rolling it up and shoving it into a duffel. Of course that's now another piece of luggage but what are you gonna do. If you have status with your airline they won't charge for it.

 

[g-dude]

Understood, the point is this is a semi-disposable product, since it is all about handing it over to the baggage monkeys in a size they can throw. I was ONLY making that comment about the suitcase bass and not the other instruments they make.
Also, "made in New England" is not the same as just being made in the US, it is an extremely expensive place to live and Upton is on a very expensive historic property at that. The premiums paid to these guys are going for far more than food on the table and a roof over their heads - nothing wrong with that, it is just something people need to have their eyes open about.

I mean, the per unit cost could be cheaper if they made it in Iowa or Nebraska, but the overhead of setting up a new shop, finding additional employees, and training them would dwarf the labor savings.

In theory, if it is packaged right with regards to the case, and the design of the product is on point, it’s not necessarily something that would end up being semi-disposable...but that will only become apparent after the trial of time and travel.

 

[Don Hergert]

Are there any updates related to Upton's suitcase double bass project?