Chownybass

Then UK made CHB-2 & CHB-1 semi-hollow bass images: 

Massive Dump of development photos incoming!

First our revamped and redecorated video studio (yes, for those that know me, i've lost a lot of weight 🤣 )

We're still hard at work and should have new photos to show this week. Watch this space

Hoping to have a fully assembled bass by Christmas! 

Spamming some more UK product development pics. Here are CHB body blanks ready to be routed (and be painted and have necks fitted).

Morning all! 

UK production moving on nicely. Here are some more photos of the SWB-1 and SWB Deluxe basses in progress.

2 minutes ago, whave said:

I wish the Davie504 signature would come in shortscale (or at least medium scale) version, 34'' is way too long for me  

YOUR WISH IS COMING TRUE! The Evo will be short and medium scale in future.  Probably winding down the Davie504 relationship though. 

And here's the real bass porn! 

UK Manufactured SWB Deluxe Basses on the go

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More UK manufacturing photos. 

Here's SWB-1 with it's top on.

36 minutes ago, mudsprout said:

Awesome.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you do with those - assume different wood selection etc. Exciting times!

Possibly alder instead of red cedar. 

9 hours ago, mudsprout said:

Looking good!

 

Slight tangent: are you going to continue the NT range? Not a lot of shorter scale 5’s out there, would be a shame for those to disappear.

Yes we are. 

Photo showing first UK built body ready for the top to go on.

The holes are the cable routing for battery cables and some weight saving chambering.

Fully Ash Body SWBs will now be an ash body with an ash top. So it'll look like one piece, but underneath you've got some stuff going on.

13 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

 

Brilliant! Good on you.

 

Who's making your strings? Newtone or Rotosound?

Rotosound. With a few exceptions where we're using GHS.

18 hours ago, BigRedX said:

IMO there is a big difference between made in the UK and assembled in the UK.

Bodies and necks made, painted and finished here. Products assembled here. Strings from here. 

90% of the value of the bass will literally be tooled and created in the UK. I think I can say "made in the UK" 😉

2 hours ago, LeftyP said:

I wish Chowny all the best.  I had an SWB-1 for a while but had to sell it because of my back problems.  The bass was just a little too heavy for comfort.  So, if they can lighten them a bit (Alder wood is lighter) and get the neck dive sorted I would certainly be interested in a Made in UK bass - in natural wood - not painted, and with black hardware.

New bodies will be chambered. So weight will come down. 

15 minutes ago, ped said:

Did you make your own hardware?

Be nice guys!

So. Yes we could get our own hardware made. We've looked into it for sure. But we'd have to make LOADS of it to make it economical - tying up capital (which is stretched because of covid and brexit). So it's just not practical. Or not economical. 

And by all means we'll be looking at local woods where we can.

Yes - the goal is to make as MUCH in the UK as possible. Some things are easy (strings) and some things are hard (pickups not in a standard jazz/soapbar housing for example) But to try do that all in one go is just not practical. One step at a time. 

35 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

How will moving production of the instruments to the UK be affected by the availability of woods and hardware?

 

Will you be moving to UK sourced wood? 

Hardware unfortunately still comes from Korea. And the USA. There just isn't an alternative.

Yes we will try use UK sourced wood where we can. But things like Maple come from Canada/USA. 

2 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

Jeez, Fender upcharge more than 2x from their Mexican to USA models. Chowny not only brings production to the UK but also improves the spec and people complain about 25% uplift 🤦 it's still cheaper than a Mexican Fender.

TBF We'd have had to put up the price of the Indian Manufactured ones too anyway. Maybe 10-12%. Timber has increased massively in price, parts have increased too, as has shipping. 

43 minutes ago, whave said:

 

Oh god, I've been eyeballing the SWB-1 for a while now and that's quite a bit of a jump in price   But still happy to support moving production to the UK, good for you!

There are some improvements in the standard model that make up that price too. Chambering in the body to get the weight down some more. Improvement in quality of parts. A second battery compartment. Improved bridge positioning. Veneer on the headstock. etc.

Currently we are struggling with a massive global shortage of shipping capacity. Every day it confirms more and more our decision to move the production here to our own country.

On that front - SWB samples already being made in the UK. Will put photos up on our facebook page. If there is interest I can post them here too. We're introducing a new bass to the SWB line. The SWB Deluxe.

CHB-1 / 2 samples will be coming pretty soon too.

Although not fixed or sure yet. Prices look something like the follow : 

Looking at the costs SWB-1 will go from £530 to £660 .
SWB Pro will go from £850 to £895 
SWB Deluxe be approximately £1195 

New CHB costs coming soon.

8 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

Since we have your attention. @Chownybassfancy doing a 32" SWB, or a 5 string version? 😬

Maybe. Gotta walk before we can run!  
 

There’s a Retrovibe 51P coming in 32” scale. And I think our Retrovibe EVO will be medium scale too after a redesign.

But will keep it in mind for our 5 string brethren. 

18 hours ago, Cato said:

My main reaction is surprise that moving to full UK production results in such a relatively small price increase.

It was easy. 

Factors are : 

* Shipping has gone up 250-450% and lead times are SLOOOOOOOW

* Prices in India have gone up

* It insulates us more from currency fluctuations

* It allows us to control stock better

* We are also making careful changes to the range to be more efficient in production without a cost in quality. The cost is effort. 

Expect some improvements to the SWB. Announcements to follow but sneak peak. It'll be : 

* Lighter (chambering in the body) 

* Design tweaks

* New Deluxe Edition 

Thanks EVERYBODY for your positivity. We're excited and nervous in equal measure! 

19 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

Just saw a post on Facebook that Chowny/Retrovibe are moving to being a fully UK based brand and builder. 

We're also formalising our partnership. Expect announcements soon. New partnership to sit on top of the two companies inbound!

1 hour ago, Burns-bass said:

Also, I'm not sure if Simon is still setting them up, but if he is then that's worth every penny. Simon is one of the best guitar and bass techs out there, as well as being a thoroughly lovely chap.

He will be crucial in assembling them as well as setting them up! All in our new Bristol workshops.

Sorry.

Doing the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday - so won't be there.

But passing a wave and a hello to all and hope you all have a good time!

On 14/09/2021 at 14:36, Chris Moulton said:

Bit late to this chat as I have only recently picked up a 2nd hand jazz. Trying to find anything about it's history, emailed Chowny but no reply. I've got to be honest and say I'd never heard of them & I got the bass purley on looks, I'd have been happy to have it hanging on the wall! I have 2 jaydees,MM stingray,Warwick rock, precision basses,but I can't put this Chowny jazz down, great looks, scrumptious sounds✊💥 Any info greatly accepted 👍

Sorry dude. Mad busy. PM/DM me with a number and I'll give you a buzz.