Upton Bass Club

[MrPeel]

I just got my first bass, so I'm out of the buying mode now... someday in the future I will be looking to an Upton hybrid... has anyone played the Bohemian? It looks wicked, but I haven't seen anything about its sound playability, etc... anyone know about the Bohemian? I don't even want it now... I'm just bloody curious!

[Ron Plichta]

Sometimes, it pays to read. Back when I was talking to Eric about a Brescian, I never read the full web site. Well I was looking through the rest of the site today and I found a line about a 100% trade-in policy. So I called Josh and he explained the details about it. What a deal (duh)! I was so worried about buying the wrong bass when I could have ordered something like their Hybrid Standard or Bohemian Hybrid bass for now and then traded up later on if I wanted.

As it was, I followed the "bird in the hand vs. two in the bush" saying and bought a local bass. It's nice except I'm struggling with the Eb neck and for about the same price, I could have ordered the Bohemian hybrid with deluxe top. Now I have something else to think about.

[drurb]

I've used that trade-in policy twice.

[jmpfretless]

Les I have been too rude by not contacting you lately....
I have been enjoying my Upton so much since the work done lately I can not tell you how great it is...

[jmacdbass]

Has/does anyone tried/own one of their adjustable neck basses?

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by jmacdbass

Has/does anyone tried/own one of their adjustable neck basses?

I'd contact Marc Johnson, Todd Coolman, Craig Butterfield or Travis Book as they have them...

[drurb]

The removable/adjustable neck discussion appears in a new thread right here.

[jmacdbass]

Thanks Eric, I emailed a few of them, looking forward to my phone call soon!

[kamakiriad7]

Max - congratulations! The deluxe professor is the stuff dreams are made of (for me, anyway).

I think your E string description sums up what I'd like in the sound, too. Can't wait to see what they do with it.

Originally Posted by MaxJohnson

So about 9 months ago I received my Upton Hybrid Standard. I was so impressed with the sound, workmanship, playability and weight (very light) of this instrument that it became my main working bass over my 7/8 carved bass. The Upton wasn't as loud or nuanced, but when I saw the standard hybrid sounded this great, I had my eyes set on getting a deluxe carved. So, after months of trying to sell my carved bass, it finally sold, and two weeks ago I put in an order for a Deluxe Professor in big leaf maple, sparing no expense and having them build it modeled after the classic Lamyish french shape, with a little less width and a good amount more depth. When I ordered it, I described that I wanted the E string to sound like a very detailed middle finger being waved in your face. I absolutely cannot wait for this instrument, but I must! I will post some pictures along the way. UPTON!

[MaxJohnson]

This thing has undergone a million design changes (as I'm an insane perfectionist), but this big red monster is going to destroy everything in it's path.

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by MrPeel

I just got my first bass, so I'm out of the buying mode now... someday in the future I will be looking to an Upton hybrid... has anyone played the Bohemian? It looks wicked, but I haven't seen anything about its sound playability, etc... anyone know about the Bohemian? I don't even want it now... I'm just bloody curious!

Indeed. The bohemian is a beautiful bass.

Eric, would you mind answering a couple of questions?

On your website, the bohemian model has two different sets of strings on it, are the D and G gut strings?

Do you make completely custom basses? For example, if a customer asked for a venetian shape with an extended lower bout and larger overstand, would you build it?

What would you say are the essential tools needed to build a bass? If you were stranded on a dessert island and you had to build a bass with 10 hand tools and any wood you wanted, what would those 10 tools be?

I'm just asking as I'm interested in taking an apprenticeship in luthiery when I've finished my A-levels, and I'm very interested in making basses.

Thanks for your time,
Joe

[Rocky]

I just got an email that Upton Bass is doing free shipping on all new Upton basses over 4000 if ordered before December 15!! Nice

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

Eric, would you mind answering a couple of questions?

Sure Joe...

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

On your website, the bohemian model has two different sets of strings on it, are the D and G gut strings?

The really dark one does. Varnish color and string choice are custom...so every bass is different. That's just what one buyer wanted. The first one pictured (next to the inspiration model) has Gary's blended set on it.

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

Do you make completely custom basses? For example, if a customer asked for a venetian shape with an extended lower bout and larger overstand, would you build it?

Almost every bass we make is a custom order. I say almost every bass as every now and then we make a bass just to make it (but usually to try out a new idea). A custom proportioned bass based off the "Venetian" model is doable at the right level...meaning as a solid wood bass, not a laminate. We are making very few laminates these days and are opting for more intricate basses and commissions. We have four new model commissions now, the first two well underway (a Prescott and a Klotz...hunt them down on YouTube).

Originally Posted by josiah goldfish

What would you say are the essential tools needed to build a bass? If you were stranded on a dessert island and you had to build a bass with 10 hand tools and any wood you wanted, what would those 10 tools be?

10 tools eh? Hmmm...let me cheat a bit...
1)My knife roll. Really 3 of my main knives I use everyday.
2)My chisel set. 6 various Marples my wife bought me in violin making school
3)My scroll gouges...about 10 of them. Frank Mittermeier steel with Pear handles.
4)Finger planes...3 of them...all Gewa's
5)Block plane
6)Joining plane
7)Deep throat coping saw with spiral blade
8)Japanese saw (good size too)
9)rulers and straight edges...oh and squares! (There's 10 tools easy right there!)
10)a really good bench!

This isn't putting a dent in it...I need another 10 spots please!

Good luck with school...I've never regretted the path I chose to bass making. Really pay attention to cello's too...amazing instruments...almost magical. You'll make better basses for it.

Eric

[josiah goldfish]

Originally Posted by Eric Rene Roy

Sure Joe...

The really dark one does. Varnish color and string choice are custom...so every bass is different. That's just what one buyer wanted. The first one pictured (next to the inspiration model) has Gary's blended set on it.

Almost every bass we make is a custom order. I say almost every bass as every now and then we make a bass just to make it (but usually to try out a new idea). A custom proportioned bass based off the "Venetian" model is doable at the right level...meaning as a solid wood bass, not a laminate. We are making very few laminates these days and are opting for more intricate basses and commissions. We have four new model commissions now, the first two well underway (a Prescott and a Klotz...hunt them down on YouTube).

10 tools eh? Hmmm...let me cheat a bit...
1)My knife roll. Really 3 of my main knives I use everyday.
2)My chisel set. 6 various Marples my wife bought me in violin making school
3)My scroll gouges...about 10 of them. Frank Mittermeier steel with Pear handles.
4)Finger planes...3 of them...all Gewa's
5)Block plane
6)Joining plane
7)Deep throat coping saw with spiral blade
8)Japanese saw (good size too)
9)rulers and straight edges...oh and squares! (There's 10 tools easy right there!)
10)a really good bench!

This isn't putting a dent in it...I need another 10 spots please!

Good luck with school...I've never regretted the path I chose to bass making. Really pay attention to cello's too...amazing instruments...almost magical. You'll make better basses for it.

Eric

Yes, my friend's a cellist and his cello has always intrigued me (perhaps that's related to how much I love Italian instruments?).

Thanks for answering my questions, very useful.

Joe

[Cosmo Cavicchio]

Originally Posted by MrPeel

I just got my first bass, so I'm out of the buying mode now... someday in the future I will be looking to an Upton hybrid... has anyone played the Bohemian? It looks wicked, but I haven't seen anything about its sound playability, etc... anyone know about the Bohemian? I don't even want it now... I'm just bloody curious!

Today I picked up my Upton Bohemian bass in Boston and brought it home. I played it for an hour and I very much like it. My first impression is that it looks and plays good. The better test is how I like it after I play it for a few weeks. But so far it's great! The sounds projects well and my wife agrees. It has a big sound and it's easy to play meaning a light touch suffices.

This is my first time on this blog so I hope my comments end up in the right place.

[artfahie]

How about some photos ?

[Will Kelly]

Well, I forgot to post pics of my new bass! Upton Standard Laminate. 40.5" scale, round back.

I picked it up a about two weeks ago, and although I am still in the honeymoon period, I can say it is a great bass; the construction is top notch and most importantly, the sound is fantastic. This bass is loud, and has a nice direct sound you would expect from a plywood. The open E is really nice. It's strung with spirocore solos.

I use an Upton Standard Hybrid (same scale and shape) at work and liked it so much, I decided to buy a plywood version for myself. The Hybrid has a more nuanced sound but nobody but me will be likely to notice.

Thanks again to all the guys at Upton, they are top notch.

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[artfahie]

Nice... you should be enjoying for many years to come !

[Rocky]

Congratulations on the new bass! I have a standard laminate too that's a little over two years old. It's a 41.5 inch scale, and a great bass. Best of luck with yours!

[jessg]

Here's my carved Brescian I got a little while ago. I love it.
Great bass, great people.

When it got on the shipping dock, after inspecting it, I had to play it some then and there. Killin and it's not even played in yet.

Edit: The Laborie pin is fantastic and feels great.