The last time I got a new bass was ten years ago. That was a practical moment: I gave two, took one and got my 2005 taxes paid. For the past ten years I have used and enjoyed a solidly-built, good-sounding new European bass and that instrument has served me well. Many people are not so lucky. But the whole time I kept hoping that somewhere down the road was a bass with some history and some mojo and some wow-factor.
Here it is, folks. My friends at Upton Bass tell me that this bass was built around 1850 in Germany. History? You bet – this bass predates the American Civil War. Mojo? If, like me, you value the authentic look and feel that comes with decades and years and hours of music, it is in high relief when you grab this guy. Wow-factor? Well, it’s not just that fine, fine old wood; it’s that wowza, “Hello neighbors” sound. All present and accounted for!
The facts: 73” long, 44” in the body. 20.5” across the top, 14.5” at the C-bout, 25.25” across the bottom and a full 43” mensure. In sum, a medium-sized 3/4" instrument with an extra inch of scale length and the extra 2-3% in string tension that comes with it.
But let me tell ya, bassists: That 2-3% makes this bass a flippin’ cannon. It’s deep, it growls like a bear, it bows like a charm even with brand-new Spiro Mittels, but above all it is fooking loud. This is a Bass of Quantity. I cannot wait to get this guy over to the big band.
There certainly are a lot of repairs on this top. Honestly, if they weren’t there – if this bass had sat, humidified, for 165 years – I would not be able to own this instrument. The condition is sound for a bass of its age. The Uptons have gone through it and left it in sound shape. In fact, they reminded me about some of my past basses which were a lot more beat-up than this guy!
Since I started playing DB in 1978, I have had a broad variety of new basses and older basses from all over Europe and from America. I have never owned a bass anywhere near this old. My wife Kathy said, “I wonder what music it was playing when it was new?” I started playing “Shenandoah” and it played itself.
Here’s hoping for a long and fruitful collaboration!
Here it is, folks. My friends at Upton Bass tell me that this bass was built around 1850 in Germany. History? You bet – this bass predates the American Civil War. Mojo? If, like me, you value the authentic look and feel that comes with decades and years and hours of music, it is in high relief when you grab this guy. Wow-factor? Well, it’s not just that fine, fine old wood; it’s that wowza, “Hello neighbors” sound. All present and accounted for!
The facts: 73” long, 44” in the body. 20.5” across the top, 14.5” at the C-bout, 25.25” across the bottom and a full 43” mensure. In sum, a medium-sized 3/4" instrument with an extra inch of scale length and the extra 2-3% in string tension that comes with it.
But let me tell ya, bassists: That 2-3% makes this bass a flippin’ cannon. It’s deep, it growls like a bear, it bows like a charm even with brand-new Spiro Mittels, but above all it is fooking loud. This is a Bass of Quantity. I cannot wait to get this guy over to the big band.
There certainly are a lot of repairs on this top. Honestly, if they weren’t there – if this bass had sat, humidified, for 165 years – I would not be able to own this instrument. The condition is sound for a bass of its age. The Uptons have gone through it and left it in sound shape. In fact, they reminded me about some of my past basses which were a lot more beat-up than this guy!
Since I started playing DB in 1978, I have had a broad variety of new basses and older basses from all over Europe and from America. I have never owned a bass anywhere near this old. My wife Kathy said, “I wonder what music it was playing when it was new?” I started playing “Shenandoah” and it played itself.
Here’s hoping for a long and fruitful collaboration!
You make me wish I could get my hands on that well-aged beast. Congrats!
