UPDATED JULY 22, 2008
4 basses out so far this week... fun!
We're not rushing anything, just working steady. We'll get as many done as we possibly can before we break in early August for some MUCH needed recharging, to-dos around the homestead, moving finishing and woodburning to the new shop, maybe some work on an old Mopar or two. As always, we're waiting on shipments of pickups and hardware. No matter how we order the stuff, our butt kicking focus & the devotion of our hands makes things rock and roll a little ahead of the beat and we end up short on stuff. It's a torpor-inducing wait on your side of the screen, but believe me - in here the action never stops. So here's the big ol' update, couldn't get to it last Friday. Enjoy!
Here are the three we shipped on Tuesday - C134, C126 and C131. Walnut with gold, Walnut with black, Blackwashed Mahogany with black... one to California and two to Alabama! And we shipped C127 on Monday...
Rear rout Blackwashed Mahogany with black hardware... to NY, bound for Saudi Arabia!
Here's how things go 'round the workshop.
We probably gave you an idea of the time frame you can expect to wait. This is a reasonable prediction and we'll do our best to stick to it. It's also reasonable to understand it is a prediction and you might have to wait a little bit longer... we try to factor everything in, but we're people and this is life - neither of which runs like a machine. Despite our best efforts, of course! :)
We welcome changes to your order, but understand some cost money and most add time. If your mahogany Cortobass is in finishing and you have the Walnut Epiphany, I am totally cool with that. But the one in finishing will get done and go to the next client who wanted one or into inventory first. This is how we keep the lights on, fresh plugs in the old Mopars and food in our bellies. (This also explains sometimes why higher numbers than others suddenly turn up finished.)
Most of the wait on your build is actually getting to it. It takes time to have everything ahead of you out of the various corners & stations here so we can begin on your order. If we have a series of complex multi-wood masterpieces ahead of yours, things slow down, especially if they get tricky with us. This is why we try to leapfrog "stock" builds through first as we're able to; it's the way things flow best. What's listed here is the next phase your order's in line for or in the process of.
The philosophy that keeps things moving smoothly, us safe and sane, and the workshop a fun place to be (which in turn feeds this cycle again) is simple: "When I'm done for the day, I'm done for the day. There's only so much that's going to get done, there's only so much of me to give, and the rest will all get done, starting tomorrow." We're not fast food - we're home cookin' and (within reason of course) that takes what it takes. I end every week knowing I gave my all, and then I'm done. And the August break is coming up - we're working steady but when it's time to close up for some R&R we will do so knowing we got out as many to you as we were possibly capable of. :)
The numbers... no factory here, it's a workshop. If I have three in Mahogany or a couple in Maple or similar glue-ups, etc., I may hold one back and pull another forward in line to do them together. They're all getting worked on, but pressing a fixed numerical order into play with so many variables doesn't result in the best flow through the shop. This natural flow helps me be most productive & do good work, and that makes smooth & steady work for everyone else, and this all makes great basses and that's what we ALL want, right?
Most of this stuff is factored in to the quoted build time. Other things aren't, like an extraordinary long wait for a certain wood, a week of muggy days where finish takes three times as long to cure, impacted belly button lint, the occasional re-sourcing of components from a different company that will actually show us some respect, a perplexing peculiarity in the preferred piece... so much goes on behind this screen you're looking at. It's really quite a ride, like being in a band that's got a buzz about it.
So most of your wait for your order to be up & halfway done is me. I love to talk with you when I'm here in the office, but these days it may take a day or three to get back with you. I thank you so much for your trust, patience & enthusiasm for what we're doing. It wouldn't be happening without Jamie (poor gal jumped off a perfectly fine career to live in the woods & build guitars) and our little crew of great souls. Hope this is informative & entertaining, thanks so much and know you all can call us anytime (512.847.6014). ~Scott, May 2008
C=Cortobass
S=Sadhana bass
F=CortoFusion bass
M=Mesquito bass
H=Hy5 5-string bass
EJ = Electric Jazz guitar
INV=building to sell in Inventory when ready
X = Custom. Deviates from a stock shape or model.
Cortobasses
8C-061 An unearthed '06 body claimed from inventory - Assembly - getting neck on this week
8C-062 An unearthed '06 body claimed from inventory - Finishing
Here it is just after routing... and shaping... 
8C-120 Glue-up... this will be a fairly complex build. Here's the back glued & planed... Maple & Purpleheart.
8C-124 STILL READY TO SHIP!
8C-125X Assembly - neck, tuners on - waiting for bridge & pickups
Yep, a BEAD Cortobass with a Hy5 body shape... if that ain't a "CortoCustom" I don't know what is!
8C-126 SHIPPED!
8C-127 SHIPPED!
Here are 127 & 128 captured while hanging around in assembly, awaiting final parts, setup & arrangements...
8C-128 SHIPPED!
8C-131 SHIPPED!
8C-132X Assembly - figuring out control plate aesthetics
8C-133 Finishing - Assembly - should have neck on next week
8C-134 SHIPPED!
8C-135 Sanding
This is C135, C139 and C140 "before":
8C-137 Assembly
8C-138X Workshop
8C-139 Cutting & shaping
Pardon the machining marks - next pic will show the true grain... really
nice!8C-140 Sanding
8C-141 Workshop
8C-142 Routing
8C-143 Workshop
8C-144 Cutting & shaping
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Sadhanas - PICS OF SADHANAS COMING!
