Cleveland in Boston?
 

I've heard great things about the Cleveland hybrid bass but I haven't been able to find one to play around the Boston area? Does anyone know of anyone selling a Cleveland Hybrid bass or is there anyone that could let me play just to see how it sounds?

Upton is a dealer.

I tried Upton and they don't have any at this time.

Here ya go!
 

Where are you located?

These look pretty sweet, in my opinion. Just a quick question that I can't seem to find on either theirs, or Upton's, websites-- are they flatback, or roundback?

Round.

Er, you must be confused. Cleveland is in Ohio.

But not the good one. :)

Most are round...some rare ones come flat...

I thought only the fully carved ones were available as a flatback. I remember seeing a few pics of a flatback version a few years back.

We just set up a flat back hybrid. There are a few NS basses I never knew existed until we started working with Wil & Arnold. Like a 7/8 poplar hybrid Lascala we just setup...where is that bass on the NS website? We'll be putting it up soon, that's for sure...

I have kind of a weird preconception or preference regarding my basses-- if they're Gamba-cornered, I like the flat back (that new Czech-style bass at Upton interests me greatly). If they're violin-cornered, I prefer the round back. When it comes to Busetto's, I don't really care either way. I don't know if it's a preconception based on tradition, or what, although I'll mention that my current bass, a 1949 Kay, is Gamba-cornered, with a round back (albeit a rather shallow one). :shrug:

When I get a little more money saved up, I'd definitely like to sell my Kay, and try a solid carved bass. While there are still PLENTY of good used examples out there, now is a great time to take a look at a new make instrument. Between the New Standards, the Christophers, the Shens, the String Emporium basses, and the more basic Upton models, there is more choice for amateur bassists like me (who aren't able to use their full-time job as justification for a sweet instrument) than ever before. I'd kinda like to take advantage of that fact in the not-too-distant future.

Interesting! I think over the years, that if you wanted to open up your wallet enough, Wil and Arnold were willing to customize to your heart's desire.