Double Bass New Upton Bass Strings

[lurk]

David Gage has done pretty well with his pickups, I imagine.

 

[Ed S]

It only seems dubious to me from a business viewpoint. ... How high can their sales volume be for bass strings alone, given the fairly-small universe of bassists and the plentitude of other choices?

It's not that the pursuit is inherently dubious. It's just that the marketing is extremely lacking in info. Tell us about the r&d process or where you acquired the tech and expertise, and post some sound samples that are decent. Seems like they're bouncing between projects and not posting any real info yet.

--Dang, I'm not trying to sound negative. I like that Upton is trying new things and want to support that. Just can't get excited about what they've shared so far.

These comments pretty much describe my thoughts.

I find the comparisons to David Gage and Kolstein's interesting. I'm not sure there is a prefect comparison to Upton, which I consider a midsized bass building/selling specialist. I admit I'm ignorant WRT both DG and K. My understanding is that K exists within a full service strings shop, and DG is closer to a sole proprietor/craftsman. I would expect it to be quite challenging for a (IMO) midsized specialist such as Upton to expand their business without hurting their main business - in terms of quality and/or revenue.

WRT the strings, I guess I would've hoped for a more professional launch than the linked video. Maybe have one of their pro supporters put the strings through their paces, with links to higher fidelity recordings and pro endorsements. And previewing a set w/o an E string seems incomplete/premature. It seems like more of an appeal to their "club" of existing supporters, than an effective appeal to the broader market. Is the intention to build interest? Because, for me at least, it mainly raised a lot of questions. I imagine many folk will spend a few bucks to try a new rosin. But how many folk who are satisfied with their existing strings will drop a couple hundred to try an alternative? Is the population of string geeks that large?

I don't know how large the worldwide market in bass strings is. But it isn't something like fast food, where even if you only get 1% of the market, that translates to huge sums of money.

Like I said many times - I am entirely ignorant about business - and Upton's business plan. I wish them all the best.

 

[AGCurry]

Fender does indeed make their own strings. No idea about Gibson; I don't think I've even heard of Gibson strings before.

Yes, Fender does make "its own" strings, but it didn't from the beginning, and it doesn't do so in its own "string-making room." Fender acquired the V.C. Squier company, which had been making strings for Fender for years. Fender's big enough to do that, and it's another example of successful business practices.

I see it as similar to amplifier manufacturers making deals with Eminence for their speakers. Eminence makes the speaker to the required specs and, for a small upcharge, allows the amp maker to put its brand on the speaker. If Upton follows that model with bass strings, it could be profitable. If Upton decides to make strings in its own house, I have my doubts.

History of Fender Brand Strings

 

[marcox]

I guess I would've hoped for a more professional launch than the linked video.

This wasn’t intended to be an official launch video. It’s a teaser, a report on work in progress designed to build engagement/interest in advance of the actual debut.

An actual launch video would, at the very least, demonstrate all four strings and offer details on pricing and availability.

 

[BobKay]

What does WRT mean?

 

[Ed S]

With Regards To. Sorry. Us young whippersnappers and our on-line abbreviations!

 

[Sean Peters]

I think there's been another string demo video posted on their Instagram. I've never been into the 'growl' thing in my own playing and preferences, and hearing it on strings other than the E string, it just sounds like he's playing on a poorly set up bass. Kinda bizarre. Is it just me?

 

[bassically_eli]

This was the latest demo I saw. I'm sorry, but all I hear is rattle city. WHY?! You're a luthier!

I can't help but think of The Producers....

 

[crd]

I guess some people like that? Not my thing either.

 

[Don Kasper]

Why would you have your new strings demo'd by an Out-of-Tune Amateur bassist???
Ugh. Yuck.
Sheesh.
IMFO, of course.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Is it just me?

No, you’re not alone.

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I can't help but think of The Producers....

How so?

 

[Martin Beer]

Hmm, yeah, I'm sure the strings are fine, but it's really not the best demo. It seems like the setup is just too light/low for how he plays - that's a firm right hand there.
I feel like maybe holding fire until things are in place to demo them with a good working player on a setup that suits them would have been the wiser move.

 

[bassically_eli]

How so?

In The Producers they deliberately try to make a musical that will be a flop. Is there such thing as string launch insurance?

 

[Eli Brockway]

an Out-of-Tune Amateur bassist???

Wait, I thought this thread was about strings, not my playing.

 

[Martin Beer]

Oh, you can now be a beta-tester of just the G-string, for $80

Upton Bass “Super Weich” G Test String

Research & Development Test String The Upton Bass string line starts here – with the SuperWeich, our first in-house steel string, handmade and wound in our shop. Every detail from core to wrap and materials to tension has been painstakingly developed by Gary Upton for over a decade through...

uptonbassaccessories.com

I don't think I'll jump at it, maybe somebody will.

 

[Earl]

Oh, you can now be a beta-tester of just the G-string, for $80

Upton Bass “Super Weich” G Test String

Research & Development Test String The Upton Bass string line starts here – with the SuperWeich, our first in-house steel string, handmade and wound in our shop. Every detail from core to wrap and materials to tension has been painstakingly developed by Gary Upton for over a decade through...

uptonbassaccessories.com

I don't think I'll jump at it, maybe somebody will.

 

[evanrunyon]

Oh, you can now be a beta-tester of just the G-string, for $80

Upton Bass “Super Weich” G Test String

Research & Development Test String The Upton Bass string line starts here – with the SuperWeich, our first in-house steel string, handmade and wound in our shop. Every detail from core to wrap and materials to tension has been painstakingly developed by Gary Upton for over a decade through...

uptonbassaccessories.com

I don't think I'll jump at it, maybe somebody will.

I realize there are differences, but as someone that used to work in QA this really bums me out.

 

[bassically_eli]

Yeah, gosh, that seems like a lame deal. I hate to say anything unsupportive of the effort, but jeez, there are a lot of good string options on the market now that are already developed, and $80 is high for a metal core G.

Edit: a Spiro G is $51 at String Emporium, comes in 17 flavors, and will last 1000 years.

The Perpetual G is $45.

 

[sean_on_bass]

agreed, that is too expensive for a string still in development. i'd try one if they gave me one for free, and would give good feedback.