Upon further consideration, maybe they can’t explicitly mention ‘evolving’ Rick’s design because they don’t want to potentially open themselves up to litigation… ? Regardless, it’s not my place to judge or comment on these things and regret post #20. My sincere apologies - methinks I need to step back from the internet, touch some grass, and mind my own business.
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Double Bass Upton Bass Amp at ISB
- Thread starter CaseyVancouver
- Start date
They mentioned Acoustic Image in the video Ric posted, and I think they’ve mentioned it before as well. AI was close to ubiquitous in the DB community, and i kinda had the impression that they just assumed from the get go that anyone following upton would recognize that design. I think making it is a form of paying homage to AI.
I really, really liked the Double Shot concept but have never had the chance to try one. I hope they bring that one back.
I really, really liked the Double Shot concept but have never had the chance to try one. I hope they bring that one back.
I had a contra and for years it was my main amp. I loved it for everything but the most bashing situations, but it was awkward to schlep due to it's shape, so I moved on. For $2000 there are better choices out there. I admire Upton for making a business in our small market, but I will be surprised if this flies. I was disappointed in their Revolution pickup and find some of their entry level plys underwhelming. I bought a bag of theirs and am disappointed. If I were bass shopping, though, I would definitely make a trip up there.
somehow i doubt they will ever compete at that scale - i feel their strings and this amp will largely be something existing Upton customers might bite on but won't see a wider market adoption.
anyone know where they are building these? if in house, it makes sense they would be on the high side when it comes to price.
anyone know where they are building these? if in house, it makes sense they would be on the high side when it comes to price.
Well, Upton's website still lists AI amps as for sale and notes that they're on back order due to the pandemic; and their Fakebook page requires you to sign in to Fakebook (which I don't do), so I guess for some of us this amp is still a closely-guarded secret.
Hint to people trying to introduce a new product and sell it, at prices that imply most of your customers will be "older": keep your advertising materials up to date!
Hint to people trying to introduce a new product and sell it, at prices that imply most of your customers will be "older": keep your advertising materials up to date!
I saw the Uptone UT10 yesterday at a local bluegrass festival. Upton was a major sponsor (Gary’s band perfomed, but not the day that I attended) and brought two basses and the amp. Unfortunately they were left unattended every time I walked down the hallway, so I was unable to try either the basses or the amp. Guess I’ll have to drive to the shop if I want to try it. My biggest question is why it is still unlisted for sale on the Upton web page.
The first thing I noticed is it looks very plain in flat black, not as ornate as the one in the video. It looked almost like a DIY project built in a basement, was it just a prototype? There was no serial number. I did pick it up and it was very light...with the strap handle on top, it was easier to carry with one hand than my series 3 Coda and Contra. It also felt lighter to me. The lack of any filters, especially a HPF, was a surprise. The mute toggle was unmarked (I only know it’s a mute because of the ISB video) I did not see a ground lift for the DI.
With AI gone, it seems like it might be a suitable replacement for the Contra. As far as the quoted $1950 price, that’s not that far out of line with what AI was charging if you add in inflation. It is however $250 more expensive than the GR Bass AT Cube is in the USA.
Attached are some phone pictures.
The first thing I noticed is it looks very plain in flat black, not as ornate as the one in the video. It looked almost like a DIY project built in a basement, was it just a prototype? There was no serial number. I did pick it up and it was very light...with the strap handle on top, it was easier to carry with one hand than my series 3 Coda and Contra. It also felt lighter to me. The lack of any filters, especially a HPF, was a surprise. The mute toggle was unmarked (I only know it’s a mute because of the ISB video) I did not see a ground lift for the DI.
With AI gone, it seems like it might be a suitable replacement for the Contra. As far as the quoted $1950 price, that’s not that far out of line with what AI was charging if you add in inflation. It is however $250 more expensive than the GR Bass AT Cube is in the USA.
Attached are some phone pictures.
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For their features, weight, tone, power handling, footprint, and portability have yet to find an amp that compares with these two. amps. Just my take however. The Traynor is obviously a lower powered amp while the GR AT Cube Acoustic is as much powered as I’d ever need.
You don’t consider your MAS amps on par with the GR? I guess that’s not quite apples to apples since the MAS cabs are not combo amps.
I had my eye on the Traynor 6” for a while but ended up with a PJB Double 4. It would be interesting to compare the two, but i would expect them to be pretty dang close. Traynor probably has a much better preamp since the D4 preamp is a bit disappointing, but that’s okay for me because there’s no way I’m leaving my ToneDexter at home these days.
I really wish Upton would have tackled the Double Shot design instead. $2k for such an outdated design just makes no sense imho.
Quick followup. I went to the Upton Facebook page and asked what the story was with a ship date for the amps. This is the reply:
“We've been (a little obsessively) testing and tweaking the very last bits and taking it on stage after the ISB. It will go up on the website in the next couple of days, and we will be taking orders for the first run of ten amps."
Stay tuned.
“We've been (a little obsessively) testing and tweaking the very last bits and taking it on stage after the ISB. It will go up on the website in the next couple of days, and we will be taking orders for the first run of ten amps."
Stay tuned.
“Depth, warmth, presence, clarity” instead of an EQ - I like it!
… they must have baked-in, what, “chastity, temperance, patience, humility…?”
…. Pah- dum- pum — tip your waitress….
… I jest, I jest. I bet it sounds great for what it is.
… they must have baked-in, what, “chastity, temperance, patience, humility…?”
…. Pah- dum- pum — tip your waitress….
… I jest, I jest. I bet it sounds great for what it is.
The MAS 1/8 and 4x5.5’s with a Grace Felix are really incredible that said the GR Bass AT Acoustic and the Traynor SB 106 are on par with the powered MAS 1/8 easier to transport, and only require the RedEyE Twin or RedEye to interface with the Ehrlund EAP. Eventually, I’ll likely sell off the Powered MAS 4x5.5 and the 1/8.
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Earl
Supporting Member
I have both, and they are voiced VERY differently. The Traynor being much more mid forward, the D4 much bassier.
They will have to pry my cold, dead fingers from around my MAS 18 and 16, WW amps, Tonedexter, and Red Eye. That said, as I approach my 6th. decade of upright bass, even lighter weight gear like the GR amps intrigue me.
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So different votings, but do you find that one is significantly louder or more capable than the other? Which do you personally prefer?
This latest tangent gives me a strong urge to try the Traynor 106. There are just so many quiet gigs it would be perfect for if it sounds like I imagine it does.
The Traynor SB-106, in Combination with the Kolstine Busetto Travel Bass is about as easy a load in and carry out as you can get Chris. I do use the smaller RedEye to clean up trash coming off the pickup.
Earl
Supporting Member
Neither one is old enough to vote!
Hard to say - the Traynor is louder without a preamp and has a more modern sound. The longer I have it, the less I am enamored of the sound. The D4 needs a preamp for more volume and has a more old school sound. D4 is also lighter and even more portable.
Having said that, for most jazz gigs I prefer my QSC CP8 which I think sounds more natural, whether I am using the Stat B, Yamahiko (with a preamp), a mic or even the Krivo.
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