great NEW student level American made basses

[jacochops]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Did someone mention BBQ and vino?

Yeeessssssss! Wine, killer bass, some bee-yootiful ocean views, and some more vino! Part of the Jacochops lifestyle since I left L.A. (and would NEVER go back!!!)
It would be great to host a DB bass hang down here. I play a regular Fri night gig where multiple bass players would be a mind-blower! (Plus, they give you all the free drinks you want, and will allow you to choose ANYTHING off the menu if you play in the group...including their killer filet mignon, fresh crab, french dip sammie, and surf-n-turf!!! )

Oh yes...I see a DB hang in So. Oregon on the horizon!! PM me if you'd like to do something in early August down here!

Let's make it happen! Maybe we can charter a boat out to do some salmon fishing, or go fishing for Ling Cod out in the ocean!

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

The best experience is personal experience.

Absolutely, even within brands and models, each individual instrument is going to have differences with others, if only subtle. You really need to experience an instrument first hand to know if it's the one for you. That's why I would be gun shy about ordering and committing to a bass that you haven't seen or played (unless you have the option to return it, of course).

My limited experience with Upton and NS:

One of my students has an Upton Hybrid. Generally a nice, big sounding bass. The G string in thumb position doesn't sound great, maybe a setup issue. The finish is very plain and has a student bass look to it. I think it is too large for him in the upper bouts as he is a small guy, so for that reason I wouldn't have advised him to choose it (got to try it first! I wouldn't advise him to get a Cleveland either for the same reason).

I sat in on one of CF's NS LaScala basses a few years ago and thought it was very nice sounding and looking. Quality on both counts. A very playable size and shape. It was also well set up, although a bit stiff for me, were those starks, Chris?
Compared to the Upton Hybrid, a nicer finish and feel, the higher price tag would be worth it to me.

I had a fully carved NS Cleveland for a week at my house and played it on one gig. A beautiful bass with a big sound. Quality all the way. Size wise it was more bass than I am used to and want to deal with, I was trashed by the end of the gig, but my bandmates all commented favorably on its sound. If you have up to 10K to spend, I would definitely consider this instrument and would imagine a fully carved LaScala would be another good choice for consideration.

I also heard Todd Coolman play his Cleveland with the Fedchock Big Band and it sounded very nice. Not sure if it was all ply or hybrid.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

I sat in on one of CF's NS LaScala basses a few years ago and thought it was very nice sounding and looking. Quality on both counts. A very playable size and shape. It was also well set up, although a bit stiff for me, were those starks, Chris?

At that time, I had a full set of starks on the bass, which are some of the stiffest strings on the planet. The Dominants on there now are a bit more forgiving, although I keep them jacked up a bit higher as I like a stiff feel to the strings for a fast response. You sure didn't seem to have any problem getting around on my bass when I listened to you play it.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

At that time, I had a full set of starks on the bass, which are some of the stiffest strings on the planet. The Dominants on there now are a bit more forgiving, although I keep them jacked up a bit higher as I like a stiff feel to the strings for a fast response.

I've found Dominants to be a bit stiff for me, too, which is why I have a set for sale in the classifieds. Different strokes, right?!

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

You sure didn't seem to have any problem getting around on my bass when I listened to you play it.

Your bass is easy to get around on, which is one of the things that makes it so appealing. I think this is so important, especially for the physically demanding playing we tend to do. If you want longevity as a player you can't kill yourself physically on an instrument that is too difficult to play, either by size or setup.

[Mike D.]

Hey everybody,
I'm sorry this thread caused a bit of havoc.
My intention from starting this thread was merely to better inform myself on these 2 brands, which are similar in that they are making similar instruments (plys, hybrids, carved).
I have tried an Upton Hybrid 'Import' bass in the past. Generally I was impressed with the sound production. It was loud, and had a good tone. I imagine the US-made ones are even better.
I haven't yet tried a New Standard bass. I know of someone in town that has a New Standard Cleveland Hybrid. I will try to try his bass sometime to get a better sense of what NS basses are like.
Sorry again, and thanks to all that posted relevant information concerning the original thread.
Mike

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Hey everybody,
I'm sorry this thread caused a bit of havoc.
My intention from starting this thread was merely to better inform myself on these 2 brands, which are similar in that they are making similar instruments (plys, hybrids, carved).
I have tried an Upton Hybrid 'Import' bass in the past. Generally I was impressed with the sound production. It was loud, and had a good tone. I imagine the US-made ones are even better.
I haven't yet tried a New Standard bass. I know of someone in town that has a New Standard Cleveland Hybrid. I will try to try his bass sometime to get a better sense of what NS basses are like.
Sorry again, and thanks to all that posted relevant information concerning the original thread.
Mike

Don't sweat it Mike. This *always* happens around here when these names come up. I hope some of the thread was helpful to you at least.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Hey everybody,
I'm sorry this thread caused a bit of havoc.
My intention from starting this thread was merely to better inform myself on these 2 brands, which are similar in that they are making similar instruments (plys, hybrids, carved).
I have tried an Upton Hybrid 'Import' bass in the past. Generally I was impressed with the sound production. It was loud, and had a good tone. I imagine the US-made ones are even better.
I haven't yet tried a New Standard bass. I know of someone in town that has a New Standard Cleveland Hybrid. I will try to try his bass sometime to get a better sense of what NS basses are like.
Sorry again, and thanks to all that posted relevant information concerning the original thread.
Mike

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Don't sweat it Mike. This *always* happens around here when these names come up. I hope some of the thread was helpful to you at least.

Indeed. Everybody and their grandmother is reporting everybody else's grandmother's posts. I'm closing this thread in order to find out from the other mods and admins how to stop this situation from happening over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Among other things that need to be discussed is whether *any* dealers should be allowed to post at all in threads like these, since every post seems to carry a flurry of post reports with it.

That said, I would like to hear back from Mike D once he gets to play the other bass and make direct comparisons between the two, since this is what the thread was originally supposed to be about in the first place. Sooo.. Mike, if and when you get to play the other bass, please PM me with your thoughts, and I'll post 'em here. In the meantime, let's all go practice on whatever bass we happen to have at hand, shall we?