Upton- Audition Worthy?

TLR989 · #1 02-26-2010, 01:35 PM

Hi everyone,

I am new here but I have read through the forums and decided to create an account. I just have a question for Upton bass owners. I am really interested in Upton's fully carved instruments- not the laminate or hybrid models. Are Upton basses considered to be "audition worthy" instruments for someone who is out of college on the audition circuit? Or would it be better to save up instead for like a Jackstadt bass ( just an example).

Thanks everyone!

Eric Hochberg · #2 02-26-2010, 02:41 PM

Listen to them side by side. Seems like the one that won the ISB award would be a contender.

Jeremy Darrow · #3 02-26-2010, 05:11 PM

Has anyone one won a job on an Upton? I honestly don't know. I know that basses by Jackstadt, Arvi, etc. have actually been used to win jobs.

Your teacher should be able to help you in evaluating a new instrument.

TLR989 · #4 02-26-2010, 05:43 PM

Thanks for your input. Yes I currently study with a Chicago Symphony member and he thinks that a Jackstadt bass would be a great instrument for me.... The only problem is that the Cincinnati Bass Cellar is selling them for 20 grand and over. A little out of my price range right now.

From watching Eric Roy's youtube vids, he really seems to know what he is doing when making a new instrument. Unfortunately my teacher has never heard of Upton Bass so he can't really comment on Eric's work.

Jeremy Darrow · #5 02-26-2010, 08:57 PM

I've dealt with Upton a little in the past, and they've been really helpful. They might be willing to send you a bass to try. The best way to tell is with you, your teacher and the bass in the same room.

drurb · #6 02-27-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLR989

Unfortunately my teacher has never heard of Upton Bass so he can't really comment on Eric's work.

You might want to ask Gary Karr!

dtosky · #7 02-27-2010, 10:26 AM

Jackstadts are very popular right now, and I know quite a few great players who own them. I think I even remember hearing a statistic that they have won more jobs than any other maker (in terms of pure numbers). Not that I have any data to back that up...

But yes, I think that if you are looking to buy a bass that you will be auditioning on and owning for some time, it would be worth it to get a bass of at least the quality of a Jackstadt. Some might call it unfortunate, but that's just how the audition circuit is right now. For ICSOM orchestra auditions, my impression is that the players making it past the first round are generally playing instruments at least as nice as a Jackstadt. Of course there may be exceptions, and it is how you play it that counts, but having a nice instrument doesn't hurt.

Square Bear · #8 02-27-2010, 10:50 AM

my experience is that you can find better basses out there for the price. with that said, every bass is different and you can't know without trying them out. you NEED to check out a lot of instruments from plenty of makers and audition the instruments with your teacher to get the best bass within your budget.

Eli_Upright12 · #9 02-27-2010, 11:42 AM

Another point to be made is that I dont think any brand new bass would be really "audition ready." If you are really serious about winning auditions a bass with some age is probably a good idea.

Jeremy Darrow · #10 02-27-2010, 11:42 AM

You could check out the ISB classifieds, there are a few basses for sale there that were used in successful auditions, and now are being sold as their owners have moved up.

drurb · #11 02-27-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli_Upright12

Another point to be made is that I dont think any brand new bass would be really "audition ready." If you are really serious about winning auditions a bass with some age is probably a good idea.

Interesting-- the Upton that Eric Hochberg mentioned, which won the ISB tone award, had been strung up for the very first time only two-three days before the judging. I'm betting it sounds even better now, but still... You gotta figure that it would have been quite worthy of an audition right then and there.

I think there is a period of rapid change soon after a bass is built. I'm talking weeks. Then, the change seems to be slower and more subtle. We've been around on this many times here.

Jeremy Darrow · #12 02-27-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Interesting-- the Upton that Eric Hochberg mentioned, which won the ISB tone award, had been strung up for the very first time only two-three days before the judging. I'm betting it sounds even better now, but still... You gotta figure that it would have been quite worthy of an audition right then and there.

I'm not so sure that you can assume that.

davpal · #13 02-27-2010, 03:39 PM

I don't really understand this whole thing... aren't you the reason for an audition? The instrument is secondary.... If your playing and potential to be a positive addition to the orchestra impresses them another bass can always be found.
Maybe this is just another level in this music world that I cannot understand because I'm far, far from it.

MDEbass · #14 02-27-2010, 06:12 PM

Just looked at Cincinannati Bass Cellar's website and are listing a Jackstadt at 16.5k

fdeck · #15 02-27-2010, 06:20 PM

I'd be more worried about myself being audition-worthy on an unfamiliar bass.

drurb · #16 02-27-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Darrow

I'm not so sure that you can assume that.

What exactly is it that you're not so sure can be assumed? That the bass probably sounds better now or that it would be "audition-worthy?" If the latter, then-- really? I'd like to hear why not. Of course, you may think that an ISB tone award means little in terms of a standard or the sound of a double bass. Is that the case?

Jeremy Darrow · #17 02-27-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

What exactly is it that you're not so sure can be assumed? That the bass probably sounds better now or that it would be "audition-worthy?" If the latter, then-- really? I'd like to hear why not. Of course, you may think that an ISB tone award means little in terms of a standard or the sound of a double bass. Is that the case?

Sorry if I was unclear. I think the comparison between a maker's competition and an audition is one of apples and oranges.

drurb · #18 02-27-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Darrow

Sorry if I was unclear. I think the comparison between a maker's competition and an audition is one of apples and oranges.

I see. Well, I think that a bass that wins an unqualified ISB Silver Tone award is very likely to be a fine bass for an audition. I believe that based on the criteria for the competition which I think are quite consistent with the criteria for a bass that is "audition worthy." IMO, not apples and oranges at all.

Jeremy Darrow · #19 02-27-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

I see. Well, I think that a bass that wins an unqualified ISB Silver Tone award is very likely to be a fine bass for an audition. I believe that based on the criteria for the competition which I think are quite consistent with the criteria for a bass that is "audition worthy." IMO, not apples and oranges at all.

Maybe THAT bass could succeed in audition, I don't know. But I would like to see your cross-comparison between the ISB judging criteria and the same for a symphony audition.

I have seen neither.

damonsmith · #20 02-27-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davpal

I don't really understand this whole thing... aren't you the reason for an audition? The instrument is secondary.... If your playing and potential to be a positive addition to the orchestra impresses them another bass can always be found.
Maybe this is just another level in this music world that I cannot understand because I'm far, far from it.

These guys are up against a lot of really great players (often playing great instruments) and it seems like the margins can be thin. As I understand it, some orchestras have basses in their collection but your instrument is getting auditioned nearly as much as you are - since it will likely factor in to the overall sound of the orchestra.

I bet there exists a story or two of an exceptional player getting a job on a cheap bass but that is nothing to bank on, and a great bass is just part part of working in that world.