AZOLA BASSES Handcrafted in California, USA: 2010 HOME PAGE AND NEWS
Spring 2010
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June 18, 2010
We have received many kind emails and phone calls, and appreciate all the support and encouragement during this tough period of transition.
A lot of people are asking about any remaining Azola basses that may be in stock at the shop. We do *not* have any completed Azola basses here at all. Nor do we have any old Ampeg or Zorko Baby Bass parts or accessories in our inventory. Please refer to our "Gig Bag" and "Flight Case" pages for possible alternative supplier contact info, if you have a Baby Bass or other model of EUB that needs protection.
There may still be a few Azola basses in stock within our dealer network.
New Jersey Guitar and Bass Center Tel 732.225.4444 May have a Ltd Ed hollow-body BugBass II featuring African Mahogany top, back and sides with aesthetically complementary African Rosewood fingerboard on a Maple neck with loop headstock - NO position markers.
Bass Central Tel 407.628.1213 May have a very special, one-of-a-kind, hollow-body Ambassador featuring Spruce top, Maple back and sides, Striped Ebony fingerboard with position markers, and mil-spec flight case.
We also suggest that you watch the various internet classified ads and ebay for future availability of pre-owned Azolas.
We have set-up a new email address which will be monitored periodically. The standard email address format should be used, but we are spelling it out below, and on our revised contact page, in an effort to reduce the amount of "junk mail" it may attract.
basses at azola dot com
You may send warranty-related/repair questions, which Steve will continue to address. Please be aware that we have actually had very few warranty or repair issues with our instruments. So we do not expect many of you to need our help in the future. But we would like to assure you that we still care about each of our "children" out there in the working world, and will always offer any support possible.
You may also submit your contact details, if you wish to be notified about any basses Steve might choose to create in the future.
Please do not expect personal responses to all future emails, as Steve will technically be on sabbatical from bass-related business for an indefinite period, and the business is officially closed. But he will try to help whenever he is able to do so.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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A note from Steve Azola -
To all of our friends, family and fans -
After 15 years and 1200 basses, it is with great sadness that I must announce the doors of Azola Basses are closed.
With the slow economy, our recent move from "Rancho Bajo", and the wide variety of EUB choices readily available in the world today, we have had an increasingly hard time.
Most of all, my wife Jill's decision to move east, and start a new life on her own, has taken its toll on me. As most of you know, she has been as much a part of this business as I have. For me to continue without her would be next to impossible at this time.
I will be returning to the world of fine auto restoration, at a shop here in the San Diego area.
Eventually, I will have a small work space set up for doing some bass adjustments and repairs. So, at some point in the near future, I will do my best to take care of the Azola basses out there which may require attention. Please be patient, I will need a little time to get settled in my new job and adjust to my new life.
A few words about the EUB world in general -
When we brought the Baby Bass back to life in 1994, there was a handful of EUB builders in the US and a few in Europe. These builders, like myself, had small shops and did the work themselves. Now, most of the US builders are gone, with some of them contracting out the actual manufacturing to Asian or Eastern European factories. This has brought a wave of lower priced instruments to the market. While allowing more players to get their hands on EUBs, it has created a lot of confusion in the market place, complicating the decision-making process. With so many choices, most players opt for the lowest price, which usually goes hand-in-hand with low quality. However, even some higher priced instruments are still made in China, using mystery woods and poorly made components.
So, I strongly encourage all the prospective EUB buyers out there to please save some extra pennies so that you are able to buy a bass built by a person that you can at least talk to on the phone, and whose name you know.
I would like to thank all the talented people that helped us through the years. Most notable, Jess Oliver, who inspired me to continue with his Baby Bass, and shared his vast knowledge, wisdom and sense of humor. Carey Nordstrand, who as many of you know, has gone on to build in my opinion, the finest basses available,(period!). Also, Jimmy Crawford and Greg Parker, whose help got us through the busiest times. Mike Tobias, what can I say, the guru of bass building, thank you. To all the wonderful people we met at the NAMM shows, you welcomed us with open arms, and made us feel like family.
To all of you who have an Azola bass as part of your bass family, thank you for allowing me to create an instrument for you. It gives me great pleasure knowing that in your hands they help to give you great pleasure making music.
We have been making adjustments to the website reflecting the recent changes. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make necessary revisions and updates to the format and information here. Thanks!
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And a note from Jill too -
First, let me say, that yes, this is a very sad and difficult time for both of us. Harder for Steve perhaps, as he is the one being left, and he did not choose this path. But we are working together to tie up loose ends as best we can - taking care of business, our customers, and each other.
We thank all of you for the sweet words of comfort and support and appreciation you have sent us privately, and posted in the various forums online.
I'm quite confident that Steve's inspiration will be re-kindled, and he will get his mojo back. I envision brighter days ahead for him, when he is able to create a bass from his heart, without customer pressures or deadlines. When it's done, and he's happy with it, perhaps he may offer it for sale ... or just keep it to play himself. No doubt he will rediscover this joyful creative outlet ... which I believe he will always need, in addition to playing bass in a blues band for fun, and bringing beautiful fine old cars back to life as his "day gig". Without too much pressure,hassle, or overhead it could happen ... maybe not right away ... but someday ...
I will miss all of you ... and all of this ... as I step away from the Azola world and travel my own road.
Fondly, Jill June 2010
************************************** January 2010 -
We've moved just a few miles down the road to a more efficient shop space. We used the holiday time to get ourselves operational as quickly as possible in our new workshop. Thanks for your patience, as it has taken us longer than we expected. Please note our new telephone # 760.505.4094
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Before you succumb to any temptation to consider the purchase of a lower priced instrument mass-produced in an anonymous overseas factory, please try to find an Azola brother or sister who is ready to part with their "seasoned" Azola bass, or give one of the remaining US builders a try.
There are so many factors to consider when making such an important choice - not just your own needs as a bassist ... but think about the world economy, the environment, human rights, survival of the art of luthiery and real craftsmanship, the value of true quality. How will you feel each time you use this tool of expression in the creation of your own art? You put your heart and soul into your music, we always put our heart and soul into our basses so that they could help to inspire you and encourage you to play and to stretch.
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A Ltd Ed Gypsy and several of our hollow-body bass guitars were included in the Azola display at the San Diego International Airport. The Museum of Making Music created an exhibit there entitled "Made in San Diego, Played Around the World". We were honored to be invited to participate along with the likes of Taylor Guitars. An example of our Deco Bass, Nouveau, and also the Gypsy (inspired by Tony Banda) were on display there from October 2005 through April 2006.
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To learn more about Steve's bass work and philosophy, please pick up a copy of the Jim Robert's book "American Basses" which is available through Back Beat Books.
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Until the end of June 2010 you may still contact us by email -
jill at azola dot com
or by phone at 760.505.4094
If you roll to voicemail when you call, please do leave a message.
AZOLA BASSES
PO Box 1519 Ramona, CA 92065-1020 USA Tel 760.505.4094
