Double Bass Experience with Upton Bass

[joseph satin]

I made a purchase from Upton several months ago.
1. Thomas Martin bass... Sounds fine.
2. Samuel Kolstein French Bow... Problem
A. The bow was priced at $6500...transaction was completed.
B. Two weeks ago, I happened to be at Kolstein Music in Baldwin NY... I compared my bow from Upton with other Samuel Kolstein bows
C. The people at Kolstein indicated that the bow from Upton was a standard $3500 Samuel Kolstein bow.... I was surprised.

I reached out to Upton asking if there perhaps been a labeling error. There was no response from Upton!
Of course any dealer can sell their products at any price. Perhaps, if the reader deals with them, you should verify an items price with the original builder before completing a purchase.

 

[Scott Lynch]

Yikes. It is unfortunate that you learned of this in such a way. I'd likely be annoyed if I were in your shoes. I agree, though, that any store has the right to sell items at the price they think they can get for them. When we are in the role of buyer, we must ultimately do our best to educate ourselves to make the best purchasing decisions that we can. Labelling error or not, I don't think Upton owes you a refund, especially since so much time has transpired since the transaction.

Bows are so unique in how they play and respond. Maybe it originally sold for ~$3500 but it could be head and shoulders above other bows in that price range. Despite the price discrepancy, is it worth $6500 to you in terms of how well it feels in your hand and the sound it draws from your bass?

 

[uprightbass.com]

Even Kolstein can’t decide on what the price of their bows should be. They have what seem to be identical ones priced at $6500 and $3500.

Something exceptional about that one that may apply to yours as well.

 

[LouisF]

Both Kolstein and Upton are very reputable dealers (with different focuses, I think).

My own Kolstein (German) bow was in the $5500 range 8 years ago. And there are SK several bows at Kolstein's in the $6.5 to 8.5 range, for example:
Samuel Kolstein French Bass Bow REG #E106
Samuel Kolstein French Bass Bow REG #1107

So... I have three questions:
1) Did you compare your bow (play it) against the "cheaper" bows at Kolstein's? Did it play like a $3K bow or a $6K bow?

2) When you called Upton - if you don't mind saying - what did you ask for? To return the bow? A partial refund? Or a history of the bow's provenance (which in itself might affect the price of the bow)?

3) Did you feel that the bow was worth the price when you bought it?

 

[crd]

I made a purchase from Upton several months ago.
1. Thomas Martin bass... Sounds fine.
2. Samuel Kolstein French Bow... Problem
A. The bow was priced at $6500...transaction was completed.
B. Two weeks ago, I happened to be at Kolstein Music in Baldwin NY... I compared my bow from Upton with other Samuel Kolstein bows
C. The people at Kolstein indicated that the bow from Upton was a standard $3500 Samuel Kolstein bow.... I was surprised.

I reached out to Upton asking if there perhaps been a labeling error. There was no response from Upton!
Of course any dealer can sell their products at any price. Perhaps, if the reader deals with them, you should verify an items price with the original builder before completing a purchase.

Poor form. That sucks to hear. Sorry.

 

[crd]

Both Kolstein and Upton are very reputable dealers (with different focuses, I think).

My own Kolstein (German) bow was in the $5500 range 8 years ago. And there are SK several bows at Kolstein's in the $6.5 to 8.5 range, for example:
Samuel Kolstein French Bass Bow REG #E106
Samuel Kolstein French Bass Bow REG #1107

So... I have three questions:
1) Did you compare your bow (play it) against the "cheaper" bows at Kolstein's? Did it play like a $3K bow or a $6K bow?

2) When you called Upton - if you don't mind saying - what did you ask for? To return the bow? A partial refund? Or a history of the bow's provenance (which in itself might affect the price of the bow)?

3) Did you feel that the bow was worth the price when you bought it?

Off topic, but man #E106 is gorgeous.

 

[BassFalcon]

How did you “reach out” to Upton? Gary has his personal cell all over social media. You can call or text him personally. He’s not hard to get a hold of. That might yield you better results than posting on a forum he’ll never see. Even if you call the shop instead of Gary directly, the new-ish young woman they have working the phones is excellent and very helpful.