Double Bass Learning about luthiers

[Ed S]

for me, at the lower price point I think you can get nice basses from eastman, shen, or upton.

I missed this before. I like my Upton, but my impression is that they are making a calculated effort to move away from the lower price point category. Pretty sure they stopped regularly making their basic ply, and I've seen a couple of new models in the >$15k range. I think it could be challenging to get an Upton hybrid for <$6k, and many folk would contend you could get at least as good if not better carved for that price.

Again, NOTHING against Upton. Shen makes some nicer pricier basses, but I think Shen and Eastman continue to offer models at a lower price point than Upton.

 

[groooooove]

I missed this before. I like my Upton, but my impression is that they are making a calculated effort to move away from the lower price point category. Pretty sure they stopped regularly making their basic ply, and I've seen a couple of new models in the >$15k range. I think it could be challenging to get an Upton hybrid for <$6k, and many folk would contend you could get at least as good if not better carved for that price.

Again, NOTHING against Upton. Shen makes some nicer pricier basses, but I think Shen and Eastman continue to offer models at a lower price point than Upton.

all true!

Gary is pretty open about this, that their intention is to make really fine basses, often copies of antique instruments or interesting one-offs.

I know they're not doing much laminated stuff anymore. looks like their Bohemian model sells for $8k for a hybrid flat back, up to 12.5 for a carved round back as of today.

I think those are nice basses. I agree if I or a student of mine were shopping in the $15k or less range, a nice eastman would be a pretty likely choice.

upton does somewhat regularly have pre-owned basses they made years ago on consignment, those tend to be better prices obviously - that, would be a very reasonable option as well.

 

[FMD1983]

(44" )

One of my basses is a 4/4 Otto Rubner built in 1926 with 44'' string length. IMHO you don't habe to be afraid of the length but the instrument has to be set up greatly with a quick response and an overall good playability. The Rubner is doing the job.

 

[Ed S]

For sale Upton 7/8ths Hybrid Bohemian

Upton Bass 7/8 Hybrid Bohemian Deluxe carved spruce top, poplar ply back & sides with a maple veneer, 42” string length, D neck, Rev Solo pickup. This bass is gig ready. Plays very easy, even and strong. This thing is a canon! There’s some position marker inlays on the side and face of the...

• Tinman Funk (+9 /0 /-1)
• Aug 8, 2025
• Updated May 17, 2026
• Views: 570
• Reaction score: 2
• Questions: 1
• Comments: 2
• Category: For Sale: Double Basses

$5,500.00

1 watching

Was wasting time looking at the classified and saw this Upton 7/8 Bohemian. Pretty similar to mine. Was surprised to see it listed for $5k. Some will say that is still overpriced, but seeing as the new ones start at $8k...

I only mention this because I previously mentioned Upton.

 

[mdcbass]

I put this Juzek into the discussion because the location is reasonably close to Chicago where someone suggested the OP would be looking. The Traditional Jazz Series at a nearby university (UNH Durham, NH) has for decades brought many of the greats to hold workshops and concerts. At one of these concerts (I think it was Benny Golson) I spoke with the bass player (whose name I can't recall) and asked about the bass. He said he'd borrowed it from a student who said to him "It's just a Juzek." The bass player then said he'd always found Juzeks to be very good. Then he added "I usually play left-handed"

That was Earl May playing the right-handed strung Juzek he borrowed from a student. Earl May - Wikipedia

 

[nonsensemusic]

Thank you all. Yes, unfortunately not in the Chicago area now, but found a nice older bass that is making me quite happy. As chance will happen, the maker is unknown, but the luthier who worked on it most recently is a 5 minute drive from my house (the seller was an hour away).