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Chownybass

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Posts posted by Chownybass

    The Big Fat South-West Bass Bash 2023

    in Events

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Rich said:

    Steve @Chownybass, will you be able to join us or are you going to be running round a city somewhere? :D 

    October? No runs that I know of! :) Will probably have some guitars again by then too! 

     

    With that said. I'm only £44 from my London Marathon sponsorship target. I'll shamelessly plug that anywhere. And you brought it up! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-chown-london-marathon

     

     

    • Haha 2

    Chowny CHB 1, any love here?

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    3 hours ago, RayB said:

    Hi Guys

    Does anyone have the spec' on a CB1 (thinking of buying a second hand one).  I was most interested in the neck profile e.g. nut width, is it a "C" profile etc., so I can compare to my Jazz bass.  

    40mm nut. C profile.

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    Ok. It's time to talk about what things cost.


    We've put our prices up to reflect the new UK manufacturing and have already had several angry emails from potential customers. So I want to address a few things. 

     

    The cost of manufacturing in the East

    Even if we'd kept our manufacturing in India, our prices would probably have gone up 30%. This is due to the cost of wood going up. Shipping prices skyrocketing. Import Duties (we used to get our instruments tariff free on an EU trade deal. That's now gone). And just simply the factory in India raising their price. So although our new 60% price increase seems a massive jump. It's two jumps in one. One of which we were already absorbing.

     

    The sustainability of manufacturing in the East

    First - it's a bit wanky - but it's not too environmentally friendly shipping guitars all over the world by ship. Ships are massive polluters. It's not a great idea. But even that aside - all the manufacturing capacity at the Indian / Indonesian / Korean manufacturers is being bought up by the big boys. Smaller manufacturers like us were being pushed to the back of the queue ALL the time. They're just not interested in manufacturing for us.

     

    A move to the UK

    We know that if the ONLY thing we're offering for the increased price is that it's made here - then people are going to see that for what it is. So we are taking advantage of the fact that we can now work more closely and flexibly with a UK factory to squeeze in some improvements. Chambering / Weight Relief, Boutique Woods, Better Finish, Carbon reinforcement in all necks, Blind Fretting, Rolled Edges on Fretboards, Better parts. ALL of these are included in our price increases. So you're getting a lot for our money. 

     

    Come along on the journey with us. 

    We KNOW we are going to lose sales. Spending £850 on a bass is a lot more than £530 on a bass. We are not worried however about where we sit in the market. It's a totally fair price for what you're getting. Our confidence in the market on the whole is a bigger concern. Higher bills, national insurance and inflation makes us worry that people might not have the money to buy a bass. But it is what it is. Come on a journey with us while we build a proper UK build bass brand. It's going to be fun! 

     

    Thanks for letting me ramble.

     

     

     

    • Like 35
    • Thanks 4

    New bass guitar show 2020 (and 2022)

    in Events

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Kev said:

    I don't suppose they gave any indication at all as to whether or not it was going to return as a dedicated bass show?

    I think the idea is for it to be a mixed show - but with each having it's own dedicated area.

     

    Bass Area / Guitar Area / Acoustic Area. I guess a LOT of people dropped out of the show over the course of the 2 years since it was supposed to be on. So they had to roll it all into one. Pure speculation here though. 

    New bass guitar show 2020 (and 2022)

    in Events

    Posted

    From an exhibitor perspective we are obviously not thrilled. I spent the money and booked this show in 2020. So I don't resent the spend - it's long gone. 

     

    The organisers have taken on board feedback and I've been passing on the feedback from here to them as well. They've committed to making the show a success and made me an offer I can't really argue with for exhibiting again next year. 

     

    I think they will have to work extra hard to win people back round. But I don't think it's impossible.

     

    For those that came to see us and have a play on our basses - Thank you! It was good to see you. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the new stuff. If you played one - spread the good word. 

    • Like 10

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    3 hours ago, MJJS said:

    Can you indicate when the outstanding Indian built deliveries will be completed pls?

    Depends what it’s for. SWBs and Evos are busy being dispatched. Things are slow because our main luthier has damaged his retina. But we’re getting there. CHBs will be fulfilled from the new U.K. made stock so will take a little longer 

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    OK! 

     

    Here's the bad news. Prices for CHB-1 and CHB-2 basses are increasing from £500 (Made in India) to £895 (Made in the UK). 

     

    Here's the good news. MASSIVE bump in quality. Made by highly respected luthiers in the West Country UK. Totally UK made and finished. Assembled by ourselves in Bristol. 

     

    This means lower carbon footprint. Quicker leadtimes. UK jobs being created. 

     

    We are collecting samples on Friday and will have them available to look at, and play, at the ACC Liverpool for the UK Bass and Guitar Show on the 2nd and 3rd of April. We hope to see you there.

    • Like 15
    • Thanks 1

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Sibob said:

    I might be alone in this, but would you also consider adding full size ‘fender’/elephant ear/paddle tuners? I’ve always felt that Y tuners make hollow body basses look a bit…..not quite right, they’re not of the right time/vibe imo.
     

    Si

    One word. Neck Dive! .... no wait. that's two words. WEIGHT! <--- that's the one word. 

    • Like 1

    Guitar shows 2022

    in Events

    Posted · Edited by Chownybass

    On 08/03/2022 at 16:53, Rich said:

    There's a Bristol guitar show in April. The last one I went to was good but a bit bass-light, nothing really toasted my personal crumpet apart from the always-wonderful @Chownybass instruments.

    You're welcome to pop up to Bristol and try our new basses any time 😉 Office always open to you.

    • Thanks 1

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, Daz39 said:

    I'm gonna be dim and ask what the difference is between the CHB-1 and -2? I've seen pics of both and I'm clearly being distracted by the amazeballs finished.

    There used to be an amethystburst one (I think it was called that) which was utterly gorgeous.

    CHB-1 is short scale 30.7"

    CHB-2 is a longish medium scale at 33" 

     

    Chowny/Retrovibe to become fully UK brands

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted · Edited by Chownybass

    17 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

    Bit confused by exactly what is happening at Chowny. Lots of positive messaging on here, other forums and Facebook but the website is saying 8-10 weeks wait for CHB-1 and talking about the 2018 model. Is it just that the website has not been updated for 4 years?

    Correct. Will all be updated soon. 
     

    We need to get everything photographed and up on the site. On the way to the factory today as it goes to fetch samples and get organised!

    • Like 6
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