Double Bass Gollihur vs. Upton basses

[damonsmith]

Uh, I didn't mean in the bad sense at all, just the reality. I mean, I LOVE Gollihur, and use them pretty much when I need anything. And, yeah, I want my CDs to pay for themselves and the next one - having said that, you can listen to any of them for free at the BC link as well as Spotify.

...said the guy selling his CD's and Downloads here.
Wow...the lack of self-awareness is stunning, (but hardly surprising.)
(I guess the Mods will rap my knuckles for this...they've been kind of bored, lately, as I understand it!)
IMFO, of course as always.

 

[g-dude]

So I own an Upton standard laminate. I am likely to spec out a hybrid from them in a few years when I feel like I’m ready to graduate just because I’d like to get something where I’m involved in the decisions made.

That being said, if I was not going to go that route, I wouldn’t go the internet route.

I would try to get something local, preferably from a luthier that I would be comfortable dealing with.

I recently visited the Double Bass Workshop in Madison to get my bass looked at and have an appointment to get a flat spot taken care of. Plenty of basses there for sale, and the shop has a good reputation. I’d rather spend the money there than to an internet retailer.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Ford or Chevy trucks? Apple or Samsung? Rolex or ? Scratch that one.

Go shopping. Develop a relationship with a shop with a luthier you trust and don’t pay too much attention to the label inside the bass.

 

[damonsmith]

I'd really recommend watching a couple episodes or clips on Youtube of Pawn Stars before buying a bass in America! It is business, it is capitalism, these shops are not your friend (yet, at least).

In case it wasn't clear, this was about the whole bass market and not any one shop in particular - and yeah, if we are not friends and you want my new CD, it is going to be $14.95 + shipping.

 

[buckthorn]

@g-dude Good to hear that others think (and speak) highly of Vince Jesse. I'm headed there myself in the next few days for some minor maintenance and new strings. Let's hear it for local luthiers, for those lucky enough to have one nearby.

So I own an Upton standard laminate. I am likely to spec out a hybrid from them in a few years when I feel like I’m ready to graduate just because I’d like to get something where I’m involved in the decisions made.

That being said, if I was not going to go that route, I wouldn’t go the internet route.

I would try to get something local, preferably from a luthier that I would be comfortable dealing with.

I recently visited the Double Bass Workshop in Madison to get my bass looked at and have an appointment to get a flat spot taken care of. Plenty of basses there for sale, and the shop has a good reputation. I’d rather spend the money there than to an internet retailer.

 

[g-dude]

@g-dude Good to hear that others think (and speak) highly of Vince Jesse. I'm headed there myself in the next few days for some minor maintenance and new strings. Let's hear it for local luthiers, for those lucky enough to have one nearby.

Just a heads up that he’s got a bunch of school basses coming in for some work, so you might want to give him a ring before you schlep your bass over.

 

[buckthorn]

Yes, we've talked. We're just waiting for a new batch of Perpetuals to arrive (I'm going to give them a try). I'm glad to hear he's getting some work from the schools. I think he had a lot of school-related work lined up last year, and then the pandemic hit... What a tough business that must be to operate.

Just a heads up that he’s got a bunch of school basses coming in for some work, so you might want to give him a ring before you schlep your bass over.

 

[Sam Sherry]

My bass, a 90 year old Romanian flat back shop bass, (without considering Reggie Workman's initials carved into it)

C'mon . . . pics, Damon!

With a bit of patience and research you can be playing a "forever bass" for the cost of a decent new hybrid.

No argument here. None.

 

[g-dude]

Yes, we've talked. We're just waiting for a new batch of Perpetuals to arrive (I'm going to give them a try). I'm glad to hear he's getting some work from the schools. I think he had a lot of school-related work lined up last year, and then the pandemic hit... What a tough business that must be to operate.

I think that’s something that a lot of people take for granted when it comes to small businesses. If you are the only employee, there is no such thing as paid sick leave or vacation, and no promise of a constant paycheck.

I have no idea what the amount of time that will be spent on my bass is, but I consider what it cost me to be paying for: 1) the time to do the work; 2) the time it took to acquire the knowledge to do the work right; and 3) the times when work might not be coming in.

 

[Ed S]

Prolly shouldn't reopen this mess, but another thread got me scrolling through the classifieds. Didn't see any Gollihurs even listed, but a whole bunch of Uptons (and Engleharts) had red SOLD tags on them. And most of them moved pretty quickly. It is the pricier basses that seem to stay unsold for a while.

I'd imagine Gollihurs are pretty similar in retaining their resale value.

Plys definitely have their shortcomings. But if you decide to upgrade - or decide to give it up, you'll be able to move it pretty quickly. Sure, you'll take some loss. It likely will not appreciate in value. But I think of that as the cost of renting the bass for the time you played it.

Just thought it worth saying...

 

[Hoyt]

Both Gollihur and Upton are respectable retailers. Nothing wrong with going either route.
That said, sometimes you just have to take a leap. I bought a beat ‘53 Kay C-1 after only looking at pics online for $750 in Detroit. A friend actually had to pick it up after I paid over the phone and was kind enough to hold it for me until I could drive out from Illinois to pick it up.
After gluing some seams, fitting a new bridge, and slapping a set of Spiros on it, it sounded amazing. It just has “that” tone you want from a Kay.
Plywood is plywood. I think when it comes down to it, craftsmanship is important but nobody is necessarily worlds better than anyone else. Upton gives you access to the builder, but unless you’re local, most of your setup issues that can’t be taken care of at home will be discussed with your local bass guru anyway.
Not knocking Upton at all. I’ve considered commissioning a 7/8 ply with them for some time (I’m 6’4” and just feel like I’d be more comfy).
That’s not to say that I haven’t considered a 7/8 Shen as possibly the best bang for my buck, or even Blast Cult because I value durability playing roots/rockabilly/country in rowdy bars.
Is Upton or Blast Cult worth $3k more than a Shen when it’s all said and done? Ultimately, that’s the decision I would have to make.

 

[Dave Hill]

Is Upton or Blast Cult worth $3k more than a Shen when it’s all said and done? Ultimately, that’s the decision I would have to make.

I’m selling one, have the other on order.

 

[Peregrinator]

In 2008 the Uptons decided to stop importing instruments from Eastern Europe and instead import jobs from Eastern Europe to Eastern Connecticut. People told them that they could not compete with China and Eastern Europe on price or quality. At least one of those folks owned a fully tooled-up string-instrument factory, and I bet that guy kicks himself sometimes for not trying. 10-15 years later the Uptons are the largest builder of double basses in the US. No, you can't pay the 2008 price in 2021 but as noted below the basses are better and keep getting better.

+ + +

For me, after we cram a complex conversation into the two words "American built," two big things set Upton apart from importer / resellers.

The first is that building 'live' positively affects the entire line including the Standard basses. It's not just that the same people who build the top custom pieces also build the Standard plys (which is true). It's that because the individual owners are standing in the shop the basses improve in real time. If {insert name of importer/reseller here} wants to change something it gets tried out with the next shipping container. At Upton it gets tried out on the next bass just like in any other custom luthiery shop.

The second 'thing' is Jack Hanlon. Jack has planed almost every Upton fingerboard and set-up almost every Upton DB for over fifteen years. He's a true ace: He knows the different ways fingerboard planing and setups work for different people with different musical goals. The Upton purchase price includes not just a setup, not just an ace setup, but that individual buyer's ace setup out of the box. I've been there: I opened the box at a local purchase and Jack stuck the landing (pun intended).


DISCLAIMER: I am proud to represent Upton Bass String Instrument Corp. as its attorney. This is not a neutral post by a neutral poster.

Love your post. Sure looking forward to my bass when it gets built.