Overwater Basses had its origins in a cellar workshop in Denmark Street, London in 1977 where Chris May and business partner Andy Preston made and repaired guitars and basses. Overwater was officially established in 1979 and soon an additional workshop was opened in Newcastle and then an Overwater factory near Alston. In the early years Overwater made guitars and basses, but by the mid 1980s it became best known for its innovative bass designs. Chris May and the original Overwater team then split from the Newcastle and London businesses to form a separate company. Overwater Basses is now located in Carlisle in the old Atlas Works, where the Overwater team continue to make innovative electric basses.

Source: Overwater Basses website (30 October 2018)