Upton UB Hybrid vs. Strunal 5/21WE

anje · #1 03-24-2007, 08:16 AM

I'm in the market for a bass for my son (he's 13 1/2). It's his first (he's been using school basses). I'd like to get him something that can take him through his high school years and beyond, and I'd like to keep it under $3000. I'm looking at the Upton UB Hybrid and the Strunal 5/21WE, both 3/4 and am interested in opinions as to which bass is better and why. Not being a bassist myself (I'm a guitarist), and hearing them in different places, and not knowing what to look for structurally, I'm having a hard time figuring out which route to go. Appreciate any advice. Also, any concerns with the fact that the bass will be a bit large for him initially? Thanks.

reedo35 · #2 03-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Given those choices, I would go with the Upton, if only for the great setup job that they do. I personally don't like the necks on the strunal basses, and the sound is not always even across the board. As far as being too large, how tall is your son? I started playing when I was 12, and had no problems.If you fill out your profile so we know where you're at, someone might know somebody in your area that could get you a good deal.

anje · #3 03-24-2007, 09:54 AM

He's 5' 3". I live in the Hartford Ct area.

anje · #4 03-24-2007, 09:56 AM

One other thing. The Strunal would be set up by a local luthier.

Bofee · #5 03-24-2007, 10:03 AM

You should drive your son over to Upton in Mystic and let him on try a few basses.

drurb · #6 03-24-2007, 10:34 AM

anje--

You have a PM.

I also live in the Hartford area. If you want to talk, send me a request via PM.

Michael Case · #7 03-24-2007, 10:44 AM

I own a Strunal 5/35 hybrid, I've gigged on it, recorded on it, gone through music school on it. I know a few other NYC guys with Struanls. They are good sounding solid basses, I've had mine for about 6 years now and over time put a new bridge and finger board on her along with several different sets of strings and 3 different pick ups (bp-100, realist, full circle). I'm still very happy with my bass, several major NYC players have been impressed with my bass too. I have only had my hands on an Upton ply and thought it sounded really good for what it is (like my bass). The owner of that bass recently upgraded to a Wilfer hybrid (maybe he will post more of his comments). I will say from what I saw on the Upton the fingerboard seemed flimsy in thumb position.

cbird · #8 03-24-2007, 12:37 PM

i second reedo35's comments, the setup on the Upton basses is fantastic. never played a Strunal myself, so i can't help you there, but i can tell you that i couldn't be happier with my Upton Hybrid. she has a great pizz sound, and her bowed sound is exceptional for a hybrid-- she even wowed my teacher, who plays classical professionally and doesn't give compliments easily. i think your son will be alright with the size-- i'm a 5'4" woman with a petite frame, and i'm able to move around a 3/4 bass comfortably, though it took me a couple weeks to figure out physics of it. also the folks at upton are about the nicest and open i've ever talked to, if nothing else it'd be worth the drive and visit to mystic.

bassmanmike08 · #9 03-24-2007, 05:58 PM

I've played the Strunal bass before and I have to say that it is a very good instrument. The tone quality is great around the entire neck. It shouldn't be too big for your son and it will never be too small for him either. To top it off, it's a beautiful instrument. If it were me, I'd go with the Strunal especially because the luthier is nearby so in case anything should happen to it (i.e. dinking it or other accidents) or if you ever want to put new strings, bridges, pickups, etc. on it he could do if for you faster than the local stores could, and probably cheaper too. I've played many different basses from all sorts of different makers and the Strunal is definitely one of the best that I've played that you can afford too!

Dbassmon · #10 03-24-2007, 06:04 PM

anje, I think either bass is probably a find intrument. The fact that you are so darn close to Upton makes that a logical choice because these instruments do need attention and who better to service it than Upton? Sound posts need to be changed for summer and winter, setup needs to be tweeked from time to time etc.

I own a Hybrid Hawkes and I think it sounds and plays very nicely for what it costs. I think your child will not be impeded in any way by an instrument of this quality plus it gives you time to start saving for fully carved bass when he becomes a bass monster.

A note on the Gary Upton & crew; very nice people, very concerned about his customers and his basses. Will do the right thing. That's first hand knowledge.

Hope that helps.

philip sirois · #11 03-24-2007, 06:20 PM

How about that shen hybrid for sale in the classified section of this forum? Sounds like a deal to me. Probably in the ballbark quality-wise of these other basses you mentioned, give or take. Lots cheaper. He's only a couple of hours away.

I agree that working with a local shop is always a good way to go, though. You will need to tweak the thing every now and then, and giving your business to the local guy, especially when their service is as good as upton's, is a win-win- you develop a relationship with them, they know your instrument, and they stay in business so theyre there when you need them.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #12 03-24-2007, 08:18 PM

I am very happy with my Upton Hybrid and recommend the folks at Upton highly. However, the most important thing is that your son gets the bass that fits him now. I believe they can find the right bass for him.

drurb · #13 03-24-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanmike08

I've played the Strunal bass before and I have to say that it is a very good instrument. The tone quality is great around the entire neck. It shouldn't be too big for your son and it will never be too small for him either. To top it off, it's a beautiful instrument. If it were me, I'd go with the Strunal especially because the luthier is nearby so in case anything should happen to it (i.e. dinking it or other accidents) or if you ever want to put new strings, bridges, pickups, etc. on it he could do if for you faster than the local stores could, and probably cheaper too. I've played many different basses from all sorts of different makers and the Strunal is definitely one of the best that I've played that you can afford too!

Just curious--have you ever played the Upton hybrid? Note that Upton Bass is quite near him as well.

dchan · #14 03-25-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Just curious--have you ever played the Upton hybrid? Note that Upton Bass is quite near him as well.

Actually, I second that. Sure asking the TalkBass gets you a lot of info, but the best way is simply to actually play the two (your son, that is).

We can only give you so much info. Only when your son tries out each bass and sees what he likes and doesn't like and what can be improved can he truly know which is the better bass for him.

After all, both basses are somewhat near you, I presume.

P.S. Keep in mind that your son will be growing a lot soon, so what may be comfortable now may not be as comfortable later.

Michael Case · #15 03-25-2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Just curious--have you ever played the Upton hybrid? Note that Upton Bass is quite near him as well.

So what if he hasn't? The OP asked for an opinion based on peoples experience, so people gave their opinions based on what instruments they have played. Should someone say a bass is great if they never played it? Or what if he has played an Upton bass and didn't think it was so hot? Nobody has challenged your opinion on Upton's basses so don't challenge someone else's opinion about a bass other than Upton's.

drurb · #16 03-25-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike da mook

So what if he hasn't? The OP asked for an opinion based on peoples experience, so people gave their opinions based on what instruments they have played. Should someone say a bass is great if they never played it? Or what if he has played an Upton bass and didn't think it was so hot? Nobody has challenged your opinion on Upton's basses so don't challenge someone else's opinion about a bass other than Upton's.

Calm down dude! I didn't challenge his opinion regarding the Strunal at all! Not a bit! I offered no contrary information or opinion regarding the Strunal. I said I was curious if he had played an Upton. That's all. You made a wholly unwarranted inference. If he had played an Upton he might have been able to offer a direct comparison. I think most would agree that a direct side-by-side comparison is the best means of assessing the relative merits of the two instruments. In fact, I discussed doing just that with the OP in a series of PMs. Take a look at this quote from bassmanmike08's post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanmike08

I've played many different basses from all sorts of different makers...

It was reasonable to ask if one of those was an Upton. Please don't pick a fight where there is none to be picked. In addition, please read carefully.

uptonbass · #17 03-25-2007, 10:58 AM

WHO is bassmanmike08? First name Mike, just joined and ONLY post being in this thread?

drurb · #18 03-25-2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uptonbass

WHO is bassmanmike08? First name Mike, just joined and ONLY post being in this thread?

I hadn't noticed that. I think we can take a very good guess, Gary!!! "Shill be comin' round the mountain when she comes???" (See the question marks?-- That mean's I'm asking, not asserting.) In all fairness, and because I have certainly been unfairly accused of such, I hope bassmanmike08 will reveal the truth. Hopefully, that is that he does not sell Strunal basses.

For the moment, it is intriguing that:

1) There is a luthier/dealer/player in Connecticut who sells Strunals.

2) His name is Mike.

3) The poster, whose name, apparently, is Mike and who just joined yesterday, touted the Strunal in the midst of the OP deciding between the Strunal and the Upton.

4) The OP also stated that the Strunal would be supplied by a local Connecticut luthier.

5) The poster advised going with the local luthier (and not Upton) because of all the valuable and reasonably-priced services the local luthier could offer.

Of course, this could all be an interesting set of coincidences. So please, bassmanmike08, tell us a bit more about yourself.

Note to readers: Please don't read anything else into my post.

uptonbass · #19 03-25-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike da mook

I will say from what I saw on the Upton the fingerboard seemed flimsy in thumb position.

Mike, sounds like you saw one of our older basses, we did have a stretch a few years ago where we could not get good AND thick boards. It was one or the other at that time!!! They were thick enough but not as huge as we have them now!

Asetta Strings · #20 03-25-2007, 12:38 PM

To Whomever,
I felt a need to speak on my own behalf,in regard to this childish drival about who has the better instument,the largest string manufacturer in Europe or a mudslinging salesman with what credentials?
The internet is quite an amazing resource but it is just this sort of thing that makes it disgusting. There is no way to prove or disprove whatever is posted and people being sheep can be led astray.
My life has been spent in a quest of excellence,in music performance,teaching and repair.There is not time in my day to spend on a computer,nor a desire.It seems all it is good for is advertising for the self aggrandizing among us.
As far as pretending to be someone else on the internet to sell a bass, I would not try to be anyone but Mike Asetta anywhere, because I don't know anyone more interesting.
Enough time wasted time for a nice walk with my wife.For all you in the cyberworld with Bass desires go out and get some fresh air .
Peace,
Mike Asetta