upton bass setup

jonathan_matos5 · #1 07-01-2006, 05:15 PM

i dont have a local luthier in tulsa

and am wanting to get a doublebass but closest place to have it setup is an hour- hour and a half drive away and a doublebass will not fit in my car.
anyway enough about myself and on to my question.

as a newbie if i ordered a bass from upton bass would their setup be good enough for me to have a playable bass?

also what are your thoughts on the englehardt es1 supreme bass.

mpoppitt · #2 07-01-2006, 05:48 PM

I've never heard a bad thing about a bass bought from Upton. They put a lot of time and know-how into their setups, so yes I think you'd be safe getting a bass from upton.

You might want to look at their 'Hawkes' model. I think it is a better bass than the Engel.

Jazzman · #3 07-01-2006, 11:27 PM

Any bass from Upton will be better out of the box than that same bass from any other shop. Upton takes great care to create a great playing bass whether it is a bottom of the line Shen, or Italian orchestra bass. A top notch shop.

I second that their Hawkes bass is a show stopper.

jonathan_matos5 · #4 07-02-2006, 10:07 AM

is it worth the $600 more for the hybrid model

flint · #5 07-02-2006, 10:27 AM

My experience is that if you are planning on playing nothing but amplified rockabilly, or bluegrass type music then it doesn't really make that much of a difference. In those settings the bass is as much a percussive instrument as a tonal one. However, hybrids in general have a more complex tone. I was amazed in the difference between my hybrid Christopher and the ply one that I was playing. For me it was worth the difference in price.

jonathan_matos5 · #6 07-02-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chortle_nut

My experience is that if you are planning on playing nothing but amplified rockabilly, or bluegrass type music then it doesn't really make that much of a difference. In those settings the bass is as much a percussive instrument as a tonal one. However, hybrids in general have a more complex tone. I was amazed in the difference between my hybrid Christopher and the ply one that I was playing. For me it was worth the difference in price.

i dont plan to amplify it any time soon. i want to play jazz and swing with it although i might play some classical too if i can find a teacher in my area

fish slapper · #7 07-02-2006, 10:45 AM

"i dont plan to amplify it any time soon. i want to play jazz and swing..."

You might be surprised that even with the smallest jazz combo, you're going to need a little amplification. Specially with today's drummers and guitarists who come out of rock backgrounds and don't realize the volume can be turned down below 11.

But if you have any kind of classical asperations, I'd vote hybrid.

philip sirois · #8 07-02-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Any bass from Upton will be better out of the box than that same bass from any other shop.

I owned an upton laminate bass and I liked it. The guys are certainly very cool, competent, and willing to go the extra mile.
There are however, other shops that do an equally good job both setting up a bass and with customer service, many of whom are members of this forum. So while I agree that Upton is a great shop, and have nothing but praise for them, they haven't got the market cornered just yet.

fcleff · #9 07-02-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

doublebass will not fit in my car.

I used to drive a 1986 Mazda 626. Trust me, there is a way to fit the bass in your car. Lay the passenger seat down and get creative. It WILL fit.

Although I have never dealt with Upton, it sounds like that may be a good bet, though. They have a really good reputation

drurb · #10 07-02-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

as a newbie if i ordered a bass from upton bass would their setup be good enough for me to have a playable bass?

Good enough?! Their setups are second to none and far better than most! In my opinion the hybrid is well worth $600 more. If you are considering it at all, go for it now. I say this because I doubt you will EVER regret spending the extra $$$ but you just might kick yourself later if you don't. That does NOT mean that Uptons laminates are not quality instruments at a fine price. They are. It's just that the step up that the hybrid provides is both noticeable and highly desirable (IMHO).

By the way, I have played the Upton laminates, hybrids, and fully-carved models.

bikerbassplayer · #11 07-02-2006, 02:40 PM

Is DRURB an employee of Upton Bass ? Just wondering.
Read ALL the posts by the DR.

Barry Wiseman · #12 07-02-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

is it worth the $600 more for the hybrid model

When I bought mine, I drove to Upton's shop (2 hrs from my home) to sample the wares. The laminate sounded pretty fine to me until I picked up the hybrid. Then it was "no contest, and where am I gonna get the extra $600?" Haven't regretted my choice.

relacey · #13 07-02-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRURB

In my opinion the hybrid is well worth $600 more. If you are considering it at all, go for it now. I say this because I doubt you will EVER regret spending the extra $$$ but you just might kick yourself later if you don't.

+1
This is exactly the situation I was in a few months ago. I went with the hybrid Medio Fino and have never regretted the extra cost. The way I looked at it was: I'm 51 with two kids in college and a third in high school, I may only buy one bass in my life so I'd better get as much as I could afford. (At least that's the story I told my wife.) Plus, I'm many years from outgrowing this bass.

BTW: The setup from Upton was first rate by my standards: the bass is a joy to play, I never have any pain during or after I play, and the sound gets compliments from folks I play with.

jonathan_matos5 · #14 07-02-2006, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip sirois

I owned an upton laminate bass and I liked it. The guys are certainly very cool, competent, and willing to go the extra mile.
There are however, other shops that do an equally good job both setting up a bass and with customer service, many of whom are members of this forum. So while I agree that Upton is a great shop, and have nothing but praise for them, they haven't got the market cornered just yet.

what are some other dealers that i should check out

COUNT ZACULA · #15 07-03-2006, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

what are some other dealers that i should check out

http://www.nicklloydbasses.com/
http://www.nortoncustoms.com/

jonathan_matos5 · #16 07-03-2006, 02:33 AM

i cant even get a loan for a nick lloyd bass

hpw does the norton christopher hybrid compare to the hawkes from upton basses

COUNT ZACULA · #17 07-03-2006, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

i cant even get a loan for a nick lloyd bass

hpw does the norton christopher hybrid compare to the hawkes from upton basses

ha...LLoyd offers shen basses as well.

philip sirois · #18 07-03-2006, 05:50 AM

If you have places within an hour or two , go to them first and play some real instruments. Give yourself an idea of what your preferences might be. The fact that you can't bring a bass home in your car might deter you from buying the first one that you like. A good thing. If you REALLY like something, you'll find a way to get it home. Having someone local to work on your bass is going to be a big help in the long run. Notice how DRURB goes on and on about the Upton boys. Not only are they good, but he lives in connecticut and has built a relationship with them. That can't be underestimated. An hour and a half isn't really that far.

Marcus Johnson · #19 07-03-2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Is DRURB an employee of Upton Bass ? Just wondering.
Read ALL the posts by the DR.

Nah, doubt it. He's just lucky enough to live near one of the great DB shops in the US, and he's a happy customer who wants to share his experience with potential buyers. If you read all of my posts, you could easily surmise that I work for Arnold Schnitzer, Bob Gollihur, Acoustic Image, or Velvet strings. If we have a great experience with a product or a dealer, we like to share it.

Sam Sherry · #20 07-03-2006, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Is DRURB an employee of Upton Bass ? Just wondering. Read ALL the posts by the DR.

I once wondered myself. No, Les is just an enthusiastic supporter of the shop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish slapper

You might be surprised that even with the smallest jazz combo, you're going to need a little amplification.

You might be surprised to find out how often you can get away without it. I relied heavily on amps for many years before I REALLY started to pull sound out of The Bass. (Thanks again, Ed Fuqua.)

- - -

My kid's high school bought a plywood bass from Upton this winter and called me when it came. Right out of the box, it was obvious that someone (Jack, actually) had spent time planing the board, fitting the bridge and post and tweaking the nut. As soon as I stood the bridge up and got the strings up to tension the bass was growling and not choking, and was easy to play in all positions. That's what ya want, right?

And FWIW I am very happy with my own Upton bass. If only it played in tune . . .

Disclosure: Upton Bass is a client of my firm.