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About Norton Customs
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I started Norton Customs as a musician tired of the shortcomings of so many upright bass shops. Some places were honest, but impersonal or just plain snooty. Some places offered great deals, but without real product quality or service. Some places offered seemingly good products, but shrouded their offerings and services in mystery. Some places would even offer great basses, but decked out in terrible hardware and with poor setups. I began to wonder why it was so tough to offer quality products at fair prices, while being honest and customer-oriented? Additionally, I wondered why while so many guitarists, electric bassists, drummers, and now violinists, violists and even cellists have been treated to the options of individuality with their instruments, we bassists have faithfully stood by with our typical brown basses?
At it most basic level, I started Norton Customs to offer all of what I feel are the necessary ingredients of a good bass shop: Good basses, good hardware, quality setups and service, personal, one-on-one service and honesty in a setting welcoming bassists of each and every stripe. I source what I feel are the best instruments, hardware and accessories at each price point. I partner with an experienced luthier to supply buttery setups and quality repairs. I offer what I feel represents great value in a market filled with cheap garbage or out-of-reach price tags.
But also, I strive to offer you something unique. As the name implies, Norton Customs is all about high personalization. Sure, this can mean something along the lines of the one-of-a-kind, ground-up custom basses I've created with clients in the past, but it can also mean outfitting a quality stock bass with just the right tuning machine or tailpiece, or tailoring your setup to you every last specification, or even tailoring one-on-one customer service and correspondence to your preferences.
Norton Customs' mission:
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"To offer high-quality, well-set-up and well-equipped basses - including basses available nowhere else - which represent great value, backed by honesty, integrity and quality service, and coupled with an unmatched degree of personalization."
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To be a truly great instrument, a bass must sound great, play wonderfully, look beautiful, fit your body, needs and personality, and still be something you can afford. If you don’t have all of these ingredients, you’ve got just another bass.
With this in mind, a bit more on how I approach each instrument:
Start With the Best Possible Foundation: Whether it’s a custom or a stock bass, I start with instruments of the highest quality and greatest consistency – upright basses made using traditional materials and techniques beautifully coupled with state of the art enhancements and quality control. After all, the end result can only be as sound as the foundation with which you start. I offer the basses I do not as a “sales guy” looking to make a quick buck – the market's already all-too inundated with those types -- I offer the basses I do because I have found them to be the absolute best of what’s available at each price point.
Not Just Another Pretty Face: While many folks are initially under the impression that a custom-finished upright bass surely must be buried in tone-robbing finish, nothing could be further from the truth in MY shop. While my custom finishes certainly run the gamut of styles and colors, I employ techniques and materials that maximally showcase the sound of the instrument. While custom looks are clearly a cornerstone of Norton Customs, each bass has the tone to match.
A Joy to Play and Hear: Proper setup is absolutely essential in the world of double basses. These instruments are large and can be challenging to play. However, proper adjustments and quality hardware can make the difference between an instrument that “fights” you, versus an instrument which is a pleasure to play, encouraging you and allowing you to fully focus on your music. That’s why each bass from Norton Customs -- whether custom or stock -- features a full, professional setup that includes the exacting adjustments and hardware upgrades that maximize the instrument’s tone and playability, and is tailored to each client's individual needs.
Service With a Smile: When it comes to customer service, I treat folks the way I want to be treated. I am here to help, to answer questions, to provide support and, ultimately, make sure each client is satisfied with his or her purchase. Every time a new client approaches, whether it’s to commission a very involved, several-thousand-dollar instrument or simply to pick up a $20 set of bridge adjusters, that person is putting their stock in this company and in me. The gesture alone deserves undivided attention and care. I aim to create an experience for each client, rather than just a transaction.
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- Norton Customs specializes in double bass: The double bass is not a violin. Or a guitar. Or a cello. It's a bass and it requires dedicated tools, knowledge and skills to ensure buttery playability, tone and the overall health of the instrument. After all, you wouldn't have your child's braces put on at the same place you bought your fridge, would you?
- Each bass gets a meticulous setup: Important to any instrument, but absolutely paramount to double bass, the setup is all too often done poorly -- if at all -- by myriad fly by night shops, especially the online discount retailers. Not so at Norton Customs. You may find a bass for less somewhere else, but it's not going to play or sound like one of mine.
- I stand behind my offerings, and so do my suppliers: Nothing's worse than being left out in the cold. I carefully select suppliers who, like me, believe in their products and proudly stand behind them; if they don't, they don't last long in my shop. When you purchase an item from Norton Customs, you can rest assured you're making a purchase from someone who truly cares about service, not just a sale.
- It really is all about relationships: Again, it's not just about the sale. It's about YOU. Let's discuss your goals, your preferences, your "what ifs." Then let's get you the instrument that delivers. I also keep things intimate with my suppliers. I know the people. We work closely together on new products. And we're always on the same page.
- A different kind of bass shop:
- Unique instruments: Have your new stock bass outfitted and set up *exactly* how you want it. Or start with a clean sheet of paper and your imagination to create a custom, one-of-a-kind instrument available nowhere else.
- Unique Accessories: I carry the best of the best values out there, and continually have new R&D projects going, resulting in fresh, new products that simplify your life and that simply WORK, such as my patent-pending endpin.
- Unique service: Deal directly with me, all the time.
- Unique Pledge: Forget money-back guarantees and trial periods... How about we get you the bass you're looking for in the first place?
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-Kerner Breaux
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I can't remember a more professional/customer service attitude anywhere. You are the man Brent. Thanks!
-Bill Swinford
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Well, I used the new bass over the weekend and it was outstanding. It plays great. It's brighter than my other bass but that's ok. Some of my problem is that rockabilly slap pickup I've been using. I think I'm going to switch to guts and an Underwood. I'm going to give the setup I have now a couple more chances then I'll decide for sure.
Everyone dug the paint job too. It's an impressive looking machine. Thanks for all your help, you've got my endorsement!
And a follow-up…
I get compliments on the look and sound wherever I go. It just blows people
away. Crowds gather, girls swoon, fellas drool. It's awesome.
- Jay Honsey
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Hey Brent,
Thanks for bringing the bass yesterday. I spent the better part of last
night playing it and I love it! It sounds much better than I was
anticipating and it plays fantastic.
Thanks!
-Tony Moore
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From the TalkBass Double Bass message forums:
I received my Shen DB from Norton Customs earlier this week. She and I are getting acquainted. So far, so good.
I must tell you about my experience in selecting this bass...
I researched all flavors of DBs, mostly with the help of the Newbie links and posts of all you wonderful people here. While searching one day, I came across a classified ad for a bass in the sub-$2K range. I pulled up the photo and it was beautiful! It had a gorgeous finish with a cream outline. I went to the website for the seller--Norton Customs http://www.nortoncustoms.com/home.htm (I'm not an employee, just an extremely satisfied customer).
After reviewing the website, I decided to call the number listed. Mr. Norton answered (Brent). He and I spoke for about 25 minutes. He was very patient and helpful, answering all of my questions with what I felt were insightful responses. After the call, I emailed more questions. And more questions. And more questions...With each email, Brent was very thorough in his responses. This is the kind of service and attention that is hard to find today.
Anyway, after all of the emails, I decided to order a Shen (the one in the ad was already sold). Based on the emails, Brent suggested Obligato strings. I asked for a Pecanic tailpiece, low-medium action, an adjustable bridge, a gig bag and Bass Max pickup. Brent gave me a sweet price for all of this and I sent my payment.
Within a few days, Brent had the bass, tailpiece, etc. and begin putting it together. He sent me some interim pictures and kept me updated the entire time.
The bass arrived a day ahead of schedule in perfect condition. The packaging that was used was quite impressive. The driver waited patiently while I carefully and thoroughly examined my new baby.
Using the instructions that Brent sent, I removed the cardboard "shipping bridge" that he used and set the actual bridge in place. I tightened the strings and begin to lightly pluck. Ummm...real DB tone! Sweet!!!
The finish on the bass and the tailpiece wood are more beautiful than I had seen in the pictures that Brent sent. I am very pleased.
If you're looking for a new bass, please consider Norton Customs. Brent is a fantastic person and deserves our support.
- Roy Gatling
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Thanks for your follow-up and professionalism. You've been great to deal with.
- Jim Stanley
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The bass is amazing, thanks for doing such a great job. The more time I spend with her (the bass) the more part of me she becomes.
Also, anybody I run into that might be looking for a bass I will also send
your way. Eventually I will be wanting another bass and will, of course be
contacting you.
More... from the rockabillybass.com message board:
Hey everyone,
I don't post often, but read the board everyday. Awhile ago I was asking about what new basses I should look into. The overwhelming response was "Norton Customs". Well I took everyone's advice and ordered one. Brent just sent me the "finished" pics tonight. It still needs the final satin coat, but this thing looks amazing. I can't even begin to tell you how great this thing looks. It is a Christopher and I have heard nothing but great things about these basses. I'm not gonna be able to sleep for a week or so til' it gets here. Just wanted to tell someone, anyone, what a great job Brent did. Thank you sir..
- Adam Handley
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Hi Brent
Well, I strung it up and adjusted the bridge (wow! that's cool. My old
bass doesn't have an adjustable bridge), and played a little "Cattle In
the Cane" and in spite of my lousy playing, the bass sounds wonderful.
I'm extremely pleased.
And a follow-up…
Hi Brent just wanted to tell you that I went to a bluegrass jam down in
the red rock country of southern Utah over the weekend. Some great
pickers but only ONE bass player, heh, heh. Everyone loved my
Christopher! We all played un-amped and un-mic'ed and it held it's own.
- Rick Ludwick
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Hey Brent,
I just wanted to say that it was really nice meeting you yesterday and I totally appreciate everything you've done to help me get my bass. I went home last night and played until my fingers were all worn down and hurty. That is, when I could steal it away from Matt. Damn him, we're going to have a Battle Royale over this bass. Heh.
I'm happy!
Thanks so much.
- Ginger Clark
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Hey Brent.
I picked up the bass on Friday. I am very pleased by the outcome. The guts are doing their stretchy thing right now, but hopefully they'll hold their tune in a few days. The Euros seem to be a good match. You are right. They do have a little metallic sound to them. I remember that from the last set I had. That should go away soon. I'm taking the bass for it's maiden voyage this weekend. I'm thinking of hiring a couple of body guards so no one bumps into it. I'll let you know how she sounds on the gig.
Talk soon,
- Jim Haggerty
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Hey Brent,
Thanks again for the bass.....it sounds great and have gotten many compliments on it.
Still banging away and making progress (slab feels so small now!!).
- Phil Thompson
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Hello Brent
Many thanks for your interest. I just came home yesterday from a short holiday. Everything's well with the bass. I have played it for several hours now and I am amazed by the great playability and sound I haven't changed anything on the setup beside setting the bridge adjusters a little bit higher. Great bass and maybe we'll do some business again in the future.
Take care and all the best.
- Frank van den Dungen