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Double Bass Thompson v. Upton?

If you had $2K and you needed a bass, what would you choose?

  • Total voters
    34
  • Poll closed .
rusag2

rusag2

Oct 22, 2009
96
4
Los Angeles
#1
The Thompson RM-100 retails for $1,300 at:
http://www.stringemporium.com/

The Upton UB Standard retails around $1,800.
http://www.uptonbass.com/

I've read as much as I can, much of it beyond my understanding, but I try.

For a new player, mostly looking to play Bluegrass at Jams and what not, anyone have thoughs on either of these (or something else I should really look at in the sub $2,000 range)?

Thanks for input.

FYI, i'm leaning toward the Thompson at String Emporium, just to save the $500 because I haven't any real way to judge either one.

Cheers
 
#2
We don't really do "brands" over here in DB land. More often, we decide on a budget, and then go play as many basses as possible within that budget, and buy the one that works best for our individual needs.

That said... there are some very nice looking basses coming out of the Upton shop. I would look very seriously at their lineup if I was shopping at that price point.

IMHO

PS.... sorry, I don't know anything about the Thompson basses.
 
#3
Makes perfect sense, thanks. I'm approaching my first bass purchase this way, becuase my fingers and hands are not experience enough to be a good judge. I'm relying heavily on reviews and various threads I've read here.

Seems consistantly (of course there are exceptions) there are a few brands to avoid, and a few to embrace.

For an entry level player, it seems that these two makers (Upton and Thompson from String Emporium) get consistently good marks from people that know more than I do about such things.

I think this is like buying diamonds: It's really really easy to get ripped off so you better do some research and rely on reputable dealers.

Thanks for your input.
 
#7
I voted Upton because I own one and couldn't be happier. Mine is the European model from November 2006 so it's not the nice new Made in USA version. In my experience, you get what you pay for. In Upton's case, maybe you get more than what you pay for?

I play amplified surfabilly - as seen in this tasty video:

Link Removed
 
#8
rusag2 said:
The Thompson RM-100 retails for $1,300 at:
http://www.stringemporium.com/

The Upton UB Standard retails around $1,800.
http://www.uptonbass.com/


FYI, i'm leaning toward the Thompson at String Emporium, just to save the $500 because I haven't any real way to judge either one.

Cheers
Click to expand...

By the numbers, the price difference is more than $500, as the Thompson basses come with bridge adjusters, a simple bass bag, and strings. (add in about $300 more to get those from Upton.)

Do you have double bass playing friends? Could you go to some local jazz clubs and chat up with the DB player during breaks? Networking with the locals can help with the learning curve and with leads on private sales.
 
#9
If you're playing mostly pizz stuff (especially Bluegrass) why don't you keep an eye out for an old Kay bass? You can often find older Kay basses at or around the 2k mark and, especially for Bluegrass music, they can often fit the gig very well. As long as you have a luthier give it a once over before plunking down the cash, you could be getting a great deal.
 
#10
rusag2, do you know - does Thompson make their own? I know Upton does. Upton offers tons of information on how and where they make their basses and exactly what they are made of. Much of that information is now formatted in you tube videos. They even tell you where they get their green electricity! Gary, Eric and the staff will talk to you for as long as you could reasonably want to talk to them too. That's comforting because...

If you don't live close to where either of these basses can be seen and played - and play more than one or two of them - a lot is going to come down to your personal threshold of comfort for purchasing a bass sight unseen. Lots of players would never spend even on the low side unless they could play the bass first. I had no qualms spending <3K on my Upton SUS. 5K or more? I think I would have wanted to see and play it. Others will tell you that a >5K bass will be good period. Excellent craftsmanship, wood and parts. This would be for a new bass. 5K gets you a nice New Standard or a high end Upton or Shen. All bets are off for used.

You'll get lots of opinions about this comfort zone. Travel to the factory costs money, but traveling in general, is always good for the soul, even if there are no basses at the other end to play! You just have to know that for you, airfare or gas and hotel nights are worth it to be able to confidently spend "X" dollars on your bass. Good luck friend!
 
#11
I don't know Thompson basses but I have one of those Uptons you're referring to and it's very nice. I get compliments on the sound of it from players who have much more expensive basses. This bass is now my bluegrass and rockabilly bass on the weekends and it's perfect for that. It did need a re-set-up about 6 months after I bought it but I took it up to Upton and they did while I waited, very cheerfully and at no charge. Great people.
 
#13
I m into exactly into the same dilemma
hesitating between Upton or Thompson plywoood. I saw a lot of positive comments about upton but no serious review from a professional player about Thompson.
Since I live in Montreal Canada, the options are very limited here, the reason why i have to consider importing without trying.

here is a third option:

Salvadore De Durro
B&J New-York / Sole Importers
(made in West Germany)
Pick-up Fishman BP-100

i may create a post about it... someone knows the real value?

Link Removed
 
#15
cyanure said:
here is a third option:

Salvadore De Durro
B&J New-York / Sole Importers
(made in West Germany)
Pick-up Fishman BP-100

i may create a post about it... someone knows the real value?

Link Removed
Click to expand...
cyanure - funny thing, your link did not show in your post, but did when I went to quote you in a reply. My French is not quite up to reading all of the posting. Here it is again in case this helps it to display: Link Removed

I was going to reply to say that if you search on the importer you will find a bit of information. We have a Czech bass, ca 100 years ago, with similar labels in it. The following thread has some info and a link to photos of our bass, including the labels inside:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=586883&highlight=
If that bass is comparable to ours, then it is definitely worth looking at.
 
#16
rusag2 said:
FYI, i'm leaning toward the Thompson at String Emporium, just to save the $500 because I haven't any real way to judge either one.

Cheers
Click to expand...

rusag2,

If you want to play a Thompson, give Jon a call at World of Strings. String Emporium's Steve Koscica is a friend of Jon's and had a vanload of Thompson's that he was having the fingerboards dressed when I was there a back in July. I'm guessing he may have left a Thompson for sale. Also saw a String Emporium Rogeri that is for sale at World of Strings that's worth checking out too. BTW it's in Long Beach
 
#18
I'll bet good money that for that price, Thompson basses are off-shored. I *love* that Upton builds their basses here, the price is fair and the praise for their instruments is universal. I've played too many really awful Chinese uprights to seriously consider owning one - - My next bass purchase will likely be an Upton, once I get some money squirreled away...
 
#19
About your 'vs' comparison, using the $ as a guide, you might want to compare the Upton UB standard ply, to the Thompson RM-200 hybrid (oil varnish or not), as they are about the same price.

Just take your time, try out other basses too, new, old, ply, carved, hybrid, ones you can afford, ones you can't, and go see live public shows with people playing double bass to hear 'the end results' so to speak.

There are a lot of good quality double basses at affordable prices for sale out there. Sellers and buyers just have to make the connections.
 

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