Chownybass

The 2017 CHB-2 (which you've got there is 34") and the 2018 CHB-2 (coming out in 4 weeks) is 33" 

So we're both right.

Interesting reading your thoughts on the bass. The conclusion seems to be that you like it, but it might not be for you? 

- Stephen

To answer the question of all ages (Can it be used for Metal), Leo Moracchioli used our Retrovibe EVO bass for his new Metal Cover : 

10 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

It's gorgeous.

Look at the back of it - and then tell me that again.

Outdated information. Thanks for the heads up. I'll correct it to 33" 

For the following reasons : 

1. It allows better placement of the bridge, while still using the same body as the CHB-1. The 34" had the bridge pushed back towards the tailpiece more than I was comfortable with.

2. 33" feels comfortable and familiar if you play 34", but still leaves the strings under slightly less tension for good semi-hollow bass tone

3. No tippy-tippy neck dive.

4. Nobody else makes them at 33". Nice to do something different.

5 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Does look nice (although not my colour choice - but that's just a personal pref thing). Chownys would definitely be on my radar if they weren't shorter scale. 

We do a 30.7" Scale (CHB-1) and a 33" Scale (CHB-2) - just FYI

New video released today. 

10 minutes ago, Daz39 said:

Is the art for the Bass-mosphere sourced the same way as the previous ones? I do like this one too, and the name!

You asked for artists to come up with designs? (I think it's a great idea and appreciate the support for other creative.)

What pedals do you have your eye on next btw?

<super_nerdy_graphic_design_content>

I have a buddy who does all my artwork for me. I pick the colours from Fiestaware https://goo.gl/TZ8Y2s which was dinnerware made in the 1940s/1950s. They all kind of follow a similar design, but with a different two colours on each pedal. I try give each pedal a quirky retro aesthetic.

Up till now we've put the pedal naming duties out to the public (and if we pick a name from somebody they get a free pedal). 

The artwork is vinyl hardwearing outdoor stickers. They're super resilient. The pedals come blank from the factory and I have to spend 4 hours sticking all the stickers on.

Here's what the stickers look like: 

</super_nerdy_graphic_design_content>

The next pedal will be an envelope filter (with a HP/LP blend). Name suggestions welcome! 

Hi All

Lots going on at Chowny at the moment. So am sponsoring a thread to put you in the picture

We've new offices in Bristol (in scenic Lawrence Hill) and would love to invite anybody who fancies it to pop by and have a play on our basses or pedals. Just give us a heads up when you want to come.

So first stock updates: 

Stock in of all of the following:

• Retrovibe EVO Davie504 Basses
• Retrovibe EVO 
• Retrovibe Volante
• Retrovibe Vantage
• Fuzzster Pedals
• Pitchcraft Pedals

Stock incoming over the next month 

• SWB Pro
• SWB-1
• CHB-1 and CHB-2 (2018 editions)

We've added a new video studio and are adding new videos to our Youtube channel twice a week. They will be a mix of things (jams, talks etc) 

Here is Scott Whitley and I talking about the SWB and how we came to make it.

And here is Danny Sapko playing on the very first ever CHB that we made.

Finally we are releasing our new Bassmosphere Pedal soon.

It's boutique designed Chorus/Reverb pedal. Manufactured in China and sold for the price of £62 (plus the usual "basschat" discount).

Anybody who wants to come and play some bass (and drums) or just bring your band into our studio to do a song - get in touch.

Thanks! Will add to this thread as new stuff happens.

8 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

Excellent. I think I’ve found my brand!

Here. Something for you to do while you wait  

20 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

That’s great news! Thanks for the update, gives me an opportunity to remind you (just in case, I’m sure you remembered) about the black truss rod cover. It might be a two bass week here!

The truss rod cover will come from gig.ink and will arrange to send it to you seperately.

- S

1 hour ago, Frank Blank said:

No sign of it yet but I’ll let you know as soon as it arrives and we can sort out a meet.

It's being dispatched out to the shop tomorrow. I just need to give them a quick call first.

We only made one pink one It is a one off.

It's not great for the rest of the industry. My supplier of parts in Korea says Gibson had very bad terms with them, and they have loads of outstanding payments with doubt hanging over them.

47 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

...apart from the one going to PMT because it’s mine! 

Yes. Fair point. 

Anyway.

Chown SWB Pro, Retrovibe EVO Davie504 & Retrovibe Volante basses being delivered to us on Tuesday.

We have some stock going out to Bass Direct, Gear4Music, Andertons and one to PMT. Nearly everybody waiting for an SWB Pro will be getting theirs shortly.

If you just HAD to have one and didn't want to wait, snap one up from one of the above retailers.

Just now, Daz39 said:

I  thought he was just having a rant about EU customs bureaucracy! ;0

Nah. It was a rant about that time Gibson tried to sue me.

42 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

I'm glad you explained that, Steve. I was deeply puzzled ...

More coffee needed. 

On 5/2/2018 at 08:24, Chownybass said:

Perhaps if they spent less money on unfounded legal challenges to small guitar companies they'd have some cash in the bank. ;-) *ahem* *ahem* 

This comment was intended for a completely different post elsewhere. The one on Gibson. In a bit of a senior moment I seem to have pasted it here.  What a D*ckhead I am.

Perhaps if they spent less money on unfounded legal challenges to small guitar companies they'd have some cash in the bank. ;-) *ahem* *ahem* 

Link https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/05/01/gibson-guitar-chapter-11-bankruptcy/567821002/

We've clashed with Gibson's Lawyers in the past - so half of me thinks this is comeuppance - and half of me thinks this isn't great at all.

15 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

Well the boat bringing my Chowny SWB Pro docked in the very early hours of this morning and left for Rotterdam in the last hour so I am assuming my bass will soon be on its way to Steven and then to me. I took delivery of the Gator GC-ELEC-XL case this morning, odd how frustratingly light it feels!

VAT and Import Duty paid. Waiting for customs clearance. Preliminary delivery date to my office is Monday.

"Setups and Sending Out" follow that.

15 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

They do the SWB-1 in fretless but I would prefer a lined neck and I’m not sure I like any of the SWB-1 finishes. If Chowny did a lined fretless version of the SWB Pro I’d order one in an instant.

Howdoo!

Lined / Unlined / Fret board Markers / Clean fretboard / Side dots lined up with frets / Side dots lined up between frets.

Everybody prefers some DIFFERENT combination of those. 

The way we manage fretless is... 

We make fretted basses, and then order a bunch of fretless necks. As the basses are bolt-on, this means if somebody orders a fretless bass - we just have to take it into the workshop and switch the neck.

We opted to make clean board, no fretlines, side dots lined up *on* the fret. Because this seemed to be the most requested option. 

We can't make a half dozen variations of this, because for the factory guys it means constantly changing the jig on the machines and is not practical for economy of scale. It's a constant negotiation with our factory guys on the sizes of runs we make (typically we need at least 6 of each colour, and to make at least 24 of any particular bass. This is less of a problem now than when we started however as we typically order about 50 - 75 basses at a time now)

You can order any of our SWB basses (Swb Pro or SWB-1 active or passive) with a fretless neck on. It's worth noting that the fretless necks are one piece (so if you put one on an SWB Pro you are losing the 5 piece maple and walnut neck). It's also worth mentioning that the fretless necks do not have a colour matched headstock (for obvious reasons)

Hope that all makes sense. 

That said. Fretless SWB is awesome. You should all buy one. Just ask @Happy Jack ;-) 

Haha. It takes about 3 days to unload btw. And then a day or two to get to me. Then I can start dispatching basses.

I'm pleased that in lieu of you *actually* having your bass already, I can provide such entertainment tracking it.

10 hours ago, tubbybloke68 said:

The swb1 is a fab little bass,i asked chowny a few months ago if they could upgrade the innards of mine to pro spec and how much it would cost, they said their guitar tech guy would contact me with details but never did:-(  I eventually put dimarzio model j pickups in it which has improved it,Can anyone recommend a pre amp upgrade please? Thanks x

Ah crap! Sorry man. Too many balls in the air. 

EMG BTC Control is what we use. Replaces one of the pots and there is space in the body cavity for it. You can get them pretty reasonably online (Thomann etc)

 

14 hours ago, TheGreek said:

I've got a Hiscox case suggested by Three - https://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/hiscox-standard-bass-guitar-hard-shell-case-std45ebp.html - just checked to see if would hold my Epi Dot 335 Geeetar which has a body about the same size as the JC bass - it doesn't fit.

I bought a case for my JC from Steve Chowny - the cases he uses with his semi acoustics are a perfect fit.

It's Chown. Not Chowny. And Stephen. Not Steve. ;-) 

That aside - don't count on a reliable source of the long scale Semi-Acoustic cases. We got them from the factory in China, and we've moved production for the 2018 stuff to India. So I find myself in a position of being unable to supply cases for my own guitars. Awkward.