I'm back - still wondering what upright to purchase - Upton? Eberle?

[BRIDGE]

I posted a thread here long ago asking for advice on an upright to buy in the 2000 dollar range. I am a bass guitarist of many years and have player around on uprights a little in the past. I live in Bloomington, IN, home of what is supposedly the best music school in America, so it should be a snap finding someone to give me some instruction in technique, once the instrument is in my hands. But I'm still stuck on what bass to buy. I have played the basses at the local music shops and they all seem to be overpriced, unresponsive, and weak toned, and there are only like 2 or 3 basses for sale at shops anyway. I've talked to local pro double-bassists and apparently it's super-hard to find a used one for sale within my budget, locally, even with all the music students here. I was advised by a friend of my father's, a very experienced bassist, to search online. I've been saving money gradually and in a few months should have at least $2000.

As I indicated last time I posted here, I've looked at a lot of sites per the recommendations of the great folks here at Talkbass. I looked at the Upton site, and it seems like a LOT of people here are happy with the Hawkes Hybrid, but that is a little over my budget - I would only be able to afford the UB Laminate. I've got some questions about that bass: in the photos of it, the finish has a "streaked" look to it which I do not like. I'm not really THAT concerned with aesthetics here, but what I want to know is, does anyone here have one of those Upton Laminates and do those photos on the site not do it justice? I.E. maybe it just looks better in person? Could I request that Upton not put that streaked finish on it, if I were to order the laminate from them?

If anyone has that laminate - how does it play? Is it a good deal for under 2000? I should point out that my band plays folky/psychedelic lo-fi rock - think, Grizzly Bear and My Morning Jacket - and therefore I plan on learning some arco technique and using plenty of bow on the bass. I want a bass that's going to sound good with a bow, and I've read here and elsewhere that the best basses for that are basses with carved tops. With this in mind, would the Upton Laminate be DECENT for arco playing? I'm not playing classical, just rock, but I want the bow to sound good. If you have it, listen to the bowed upright on the song "Bukowski" by Modest Mouse. Am I going to be able to get a sound like that out of the Upton Laminate? I've come to understand that the Uptons are fully setup before shipping (which is free) - both of those things appeal to me a lot, so I'm seriously considering this. Tell me more about it, if you can.

I looked at bassesonline.com and that Eberle hybrid seems too good to be true. Is it? And a FULLY carved bass for 1,795? That really seems too good to be true. Tell me about these Eberles. Has anyone played them? That site says nothing about free shipping, so obviously I'll be paying more than 2000 either way, but for a fully carved bass, that's a steal from everything I've read on these forums. So what gives, Eberle?

Anyone have any other advice? I got some great answers the first time around and I know I'll get some more.

[skidude]

If your going to play rock and be gigging a lot, I would by the Upton Laminate. I think the laminate would be more durable, Upton basses are fully set up and ready to play, and if you are playing rock, you'll probably be using a pickup of some kind. I think some of the tonal quality of a carved bass is lost when using a pickup, not to say a nice mic wouldn't do the trick. But then you would have a carved bass that would probably not be as forgiving if it got bumped and banged much.

[clochard]

I've bought one of Ideal's ply eberle in January 06. Back then, I hesitated between the UB Hawkes and this Eberle. I can't say I went wrong, but had I to make the choice again, I would still not know what is the absolute best pick.

Buying a bass from afar is, no matter how you go, always a gamble. Make sure you've played as much as possible on the local basses. Play, hear, feel, and make sure that they would not be valid choices. What are they, anyway?

For my part, the Eberle is tough, has good sound - I won't go into the sustain, deepness and such other words that describe the sound in detail, english is only an acquaintance of mine and I wouldn't like to be caught my mouth wide open with wrong blessings in it - the point is, it's loud and round, it has an interesting touch to it in the upper register. From my local experiments, it's similar to the Strunal, and better than the two or three czech plys I've tried. It's not a cheap bass, but it could of course be better.
It comes nicely packed in a huge cardboard coffin full of foam popcorn.
It will also come with a "playable setup", but I would strongly suggest you have it seen by your local trusted luthier, who will set it up to perfect shape. My experience : I've had the fingerboard dressed, the birdge and the endpin changed... and did not regret it.

The drawbacks are simple :
1) the varnish and color of it make it look silly, but that doesn't affect tone too much (even though there very well may be too thick a layer of varnish),
2) it doesn't come in its most perfect condition (it's an ok setup)
3) you don't get to play the bass before buying, which is horrible, no matter what.

Is it worth it? Both of your options may be. Sadly, you'll only know when the box is opened, the bills are paid, and the thing is there, sitting in your arms. Smiling? Good deal. Doubting? Bad news.

In your place, i'd go for either of these plywood choices (assuming you will not go for any of the local alternatives). Am not sure it's worth going hybrid or a carved one... especially if you're
1) starting over or simply starting with db,
2) planning to gig and go wild traveling all around the place with it
3) still doubting how much arco you'll be playing ; and
4) wanting a solid, reliable and strong instrument (meaning you may have to be mean with it, willingly or not)
5) wondering where the hell you'll get this kind of money.

Here ends my two cents.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your dilemma.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by BRIDGE

...I've got some questions about that bass: in the photos of it, the finish has a "streaked" look to it which I do not like. I'm not really THAT concerned with aesthetics here, but what I want to know is, does anyone here have one of those Upton Laminates and do those photos on the site not do it justice? I.E. maybe it just looks better in person? Could I request that Upton not put that streaked finish on it, if I were to order the laminate from them?

I understand that Upton will do a "custom" finish if you ask.

[BRIDGE]

Alright, I just emailed Upton and asked them about it. Waiting to hear from them now. If I could just get a basic one-color finish on the Hawkes Laminate that would be really great. The Eberles I looked at really do look kind of over-varnished and overly shiny and I think the Uptons look like they have a richer, more subdued finish.

[toman]

I owned the Eberle laminate, with a handful of upgrades, and I feel it's about the best deal out there. It's a good sounding bass, indestructable, and cheap. They can be had under 1K, and with some good parts and a great setup, IMO, about the best thing going. I assume the hybrid is just that much better, but I can't complain about the laminate in any way, other than the fact that the finish is pretty ugly.

[TheSuzie]

If I were you, I would seriously consider giving Nick LLoyd a call. He really is not all that far away from you.

http://nicklloydbasses.com

Peace,
S

[a.green.martian]

I have an Upton Laminate, the finish is not streaked at all, it looks great.
They asked me what I wanted the finish to look like when I ordered it, so if you find a picture of a bass that you liked the look of, I'm sure they could match or get close to it.
Soundwise, it seems good for a laminate, I'm not that proficient at arco yet but it seems good to me. And pizz I found that I actually prefered the sound of it to my teacher's old Kay, but her strings are different, and much older.

[Ben Rolston]

Suzie, +100

Nick is great guy, and talking with him and maybe even playing basses at his shop is most definitely the best way to go.

If not Nick then you really should find a luthier near (relatively) you, the internet is helpful sure, but your ears will tell you more than sitting at a computer ever could.

Secondly, I assume the streaked finish your talking about is the stain they finish the basses with which brings out the grain of the wood. It's the wood, not the finish!

Finally I played an Upton (both hybrid and ply) when I was in CT shopping for basses (I settled on a New Standard) and my impression was that they were very nice basses, especially for the money. The reason that I didn't go for one was that I wanted a bass with a little bit more volume and puff, because I almost exclusively play Jazz unamplified.

Anyway I hope you end up with an instrument that your satisfied with.

Peace

[drurb]

Originally Posted by a.green.martian

I have an Upton Laminate, ... And pizz I found that I actually prefered the sound of it to my teacher's old Kay, but her strings are different, and much older.

No surprise there. An Upton laminate, IMO, blows away any Kay or Engel I ever played.

[dchan]

Do the right thing.

Instead of buying by reputation (albeit very good reputation), go try out a bass and get a feel of what it sounds like. Better yet, if you have a teacher, bring the teacher along and get his/her opinion.

Besides Nick Lloyd, I'm sure there are other excellent luthiers around your area. I mean, you said you lived in the home of "what is supposedly the best music school in America." Don't they have a bassist or two there? I'm sure you can get in contact with somebody there and ask about luthiers around the area.

[coreybass]

I have an Upton Laminate and really love it. I think that they are great basses and for the money can't be touched. Also the quality of service you'll get at Upton is second to none. Buying a bass sight unseen is never as good as being able to play them in person, but Upton does have a really good reputation. You can read my review of the bass here:

Got My New Upton Hawkes

Also, you should talk to Jeremy Allen, who is a fantastic bass player who lives in Bloomington. He probably has some good advice on where to look for decent basses in the area. He's also a moderator of this fine website! He's seen and played my Upton back in April when I was passing through town on tour so he could tell you his first hand opinion. Hope that helps!

Corey

[paulunger]

Look into an Eastman bass. They are far and away the best "bang for the buck", IMHO. Their quality control is fantastic and the basses are always set up to play great - with quality tuners, an adjustable bridge, a good tailpiece and wire, and an ebony board that is planed correctly. No offensive to the other nice recommendations, but this is the best bass I have played in your price range. I recommend them to all my beginning students. www.eastmanstrings.com

Good luck.

[godoze]

One of my students recently bought an Upton and is very pleased.

[toman]

Originally Posted by paulunger

Look into an Eastman bass. They are far and away the best "bang for the buck", IMHO. Their quality control is fantastic and the basses are always set up to play great - with quality tuners, an adjustable bridge, a good tailpiece and wire, and an ebony board that is planed correctly. No offensive to the other nice recommendations, but this is the best bass I have played in your price range. I recommend them to all my beginning students. www.eastmanstrings.com

Good luck.

Not to offend, but I have to disagree with this. Unless Eastman has changed dramatically in the last couple years, these basses are complete poo. Cheap Chinese junk, unseasoned wood, coated in a thick layer of shiny goop they think is a finish. While they may be fine for plunking out some jazz through an amp or as a backup bass, your money could be spent more wisely. Feel free to state otherwise... But then, I feel they're only one step down from Shen, which , contrary to most here, I feel is also a joke.

[milomo]

Originally Posted by toman

While they may be fine for plunking out some jazz through an amp

Excuse Me? Fine for "plunking out some jazz" as compared to what?

[BRIDGE]

Well I've been in correspondence with Josh from Upton and boy what a great guy he has been. Prompt responses and good answers to all my questions. I've looked at some other peoples' pictures of their Upton Laminates and have decided I'm quite sure that I like the finish on them, despite the "streaking" I wondered about earlier. Josh informed me that Upton uses linseed oil based varnish that penetrates deep into the wood, and not the orangey, shiny type varnish that I saw on the Eberle basses I looked at. I do care about aesthetics and prefer the subdued, rich look of the Upton basses to anything that's orange and shiny - not to insult owners of any such instruments or anything (don't hit me!) So I'm leaning quite strongly (practically toppling over, that's how strongly I'm leaning) towards that Upton.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by BRIDGE

Well I've been in correspondence with Josh from Upton and boy what a great guy he has been. Prompt responses and good answers to all my questions. I've looked at some other peoples' pictures of their Upton Laminates and have decided I'm quite sure that I like the finish on them, despite the "streaking" I wondered about earlier. Josh informed me that Upton uses linseed oil based varnish that penetrates deep into the wood, and not the orangey, shiny type varnish that I saw on the Eberle basses I looked at. I do care about aesthetics and prefer the subdued, rich look of the Upton basses to anything that's orange and shiny - not to insult owners of any such instruments or anything (don't hit me!) So I'm leaning quite strongly (practically toppling over, that's how strongly I'm leaning) towards that Upton.

It's not just about aesthetics. You'll be more impressed after you play one of those Uptons.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by milomo

Excuse Me? Fine for "plunking out some jazz" as compared to what?

+1..... as a guy who's made a life and a living playing jazz bass for a long time, that one kind of made my teeth itch.

[Blacksheep]

Aestically, the Upton's are more visually appealing. Something about that orangey finish on alot of instruments doesn't sit well with me. I personally chose Upton, as it was the best option for me, being far away from any decent DB. They have a great reputation, and for great reason, they have been very helpful to me in the ordering process and answered any questions or concerns I had. I should have my hybrid by october.