Double Bass Upton Bass Amp at ISB

[DJ Bebop]

I guess on the surface, this does seem like a bit over-the-top in both hype and cost. BUT, I think you have to dive deeper. In Upton's defense (or for that matter any company that offers a big buck high end product), I think the "proof is in the pudding" as they say. If I could find an amp that provides a clear, true acoustic and feedback-free sound with my acoustic upright in a loud setting, I'd go into debt and swim underwater backwards for ten miles to get that sucka. By loud setting, I mean drums, keys, electric guitar, maybe a horn and a couple vocals. I've been searching unsuccessfully for that sound for years using various speaker and amp combinations. I finally bit the dust and got a Yamaha SLB300 EUB last November. It allows me to hear myself in a loud setting, zero feedback, and I get compliments on the sound from other musicians as well as listeners. But it's just not the same. When I have a duo gig, I break out the acoustic and remember all the subtle nuances you can bring out that you just can't with the SLB. I'd be willing to give the Upton-e a go and if it took care of business, I'd keep it and sell off some of the other gear to pay for at least half of the e. Upton does offer a 30-day return policy so you could try it out. But if you end up returning it, you're out for shipping costs both ways. I got an estimate from FedX. For where I live, shipping the e runs about $100+. So, if the sound doesn't fly and I return it, I'm out somewhere north of $200. Maybe it's a gamble worth taking? Maybe not? I dunno. But it's certainly worth considering.

I was kinda kiddin’
I have no doubt it sounds good. I actually liked it the first time he was showing it off as I like goofy stuff like that, the two-way-driver-on-the-bottom thing. Along with the AI stuff there was the Mesa Walkabout Scouts with there passive radiator on the bottom. Heck I thought this old Ampeg B100 20watt with 10” speaker sounded pretty good a few times I used it for a quick grab and go. Just enough to support the natural acoustic volume. It sounded better than it should. Anyway I bet his box could sound extra cool

 

[damonsmith]

The GK MB amps and Walter Woods addressed the piezo issue decades ago. I've never needed a preamp for my gear. I've used an fdek when I travel with Chadwick and that is a great tool to have.

 

[bassically_eli]

I guess on the surface, this does seem like a bit over-the-top in both hype and cost. BUT, I think you have to dive deeper. In Upton's defense (or for that matter any company that offers a big buck high end product), I think the "proof is in the pudding" as they say. If I could find an amp that provides a clear, true acoustic and feedback-free sound with my acoustic upright in a loud setting, I'd go into debt and swim underwater backwards for ten miles to get that sucka. By loud setting, I mean drums, keys, electric guitar, maybe a horn and a couple vocals. I've been searching unsuccessfully for that sound for years using various speaker and amp combinations. I finally bit the dust and got a Yamaha SLB300 EUB last November. It allows me to hear myself in a loud setting, zero feedback, and I get compliments on the sound from other musicians as well as listeners. But it's just not the same. When I have a duo gig, I break out the acoustic and remember all the subtle nuances you can bring out that you just can't with the SLB. I'd be willing to give the Upton-e a go and if it took care of business, I'd keep it and sell off some of the other gear to pay for at least half of the e. Upton does offer a 30-day return policy so you could try it out. But if you end up returning it, you're out for shipping costs both ways. I got an estimate from FedX. For where I live, shipping the e runs about $100+. So, if the sound doesn't fly and I return it, I'm out somewhere north of $200. Maybe it's a gamble worth taking? Maybe not? I dunno. But it's certainly worth considering.

Consider something like this before you drop a million bucks on an uptone

Double Bass Post in thread 'New super light rig: ToneDexter plus GR Bass 1x10'

Apr 29, 2026

Wait did you just buy that GR cab from Socal bass and fx? If so, you got his last one before I could grab it! Oh well, he enticed me to grab the 12" version, which just showed up today. I'll be running it with a fishman platinum pro. I don't expect MBOL without the tone Dexter, but it should be closer then my current rig.

• Pings Bass

• 

 

[JBarz]

I think there’s a lot of pressure with modern social media marketing practice to produce content content content even when there’s not really a lot to say. Hence videos like the ‘this and that baked in’ ‘everyone says its the best” nonsense above.

Everytime one of these videos drops I have to bite my snake tounge from making a mean joke I’ll regret later, but it’s my own fault for watching them as I’m not even in the market for an amp at all. I am sport watching.

If you’re like me watching this thinking “I’d never spend that kind of bread on that style amp”, then we’re probably not the target audience. And that’s ok. But it probably is a rad amp for someone(s).

 

[sean_on_bass]

If you’re like me watching this thinking “I’d never spend that kind of bread on that style amp”, then we’re probably not the target audience. And that’s ok. But it probably is a rad amp for someone(s).

very true. even AI was too expensive for me.

the only boutique/specialty amp i have my eyes on is whatever Henriksen is cooking up as its bound to dual channel and have XLR inputx. but always been happy with less expensive combo amps from more popular brands.

 

[UB-EB]

Consider something like this before you drop a million bucks on an uptone

Double Bass Post in thread 'New super light rig: ToneDexter plus GR Bass 1x10'

Apr 29, 2026

Wait did you just buy that GR cab from Socal bass and fx? If so, you got his last one before I could grab it! Oh well, he enticed me to grab the 12" version, which just showed up today. I'll be running it with a fishman platinum pro. I don't expect MBOL without the tone Dexter, but it should be closer then my current rig.

• Pings Bass

• 

I have the Tone Dexter 1 (original). Tried using it for a while and never really settled in with it. Maybe due to impatience, user error, the fact that it was the pre-version 2 model, or some combination of all the above. I should dust it off and give it another go though. Not familiar with the GR but it sounds great from the original post in that thread.

 

[james condino]

'Rough crowd around here; upright or uptight?

It may not be perfect for all players in every situation, but anyone who recognizes that my bass needs are not the same as an '80s cover band playing a Steinberger deserves some credit. I'm glad that Gary is making these and wish them success.

When my two AI heads, the Thunderfunk, my '66 Ampeg fliptop, and the 2000 watt Wayne Jones amps die, I'll give this one a serious test run....

 

[bass player 53]

'Rough crowd around here; upright or uptight?

It may not be perfect for all players in every situation, but anyone who recognizes that my bass needs are not the same as an '80s cover band playing a Steinberger deserves some credit. I'm glad that Gary is making these and wish them success.

When my two AI heads, the Thunderfunk, my '66 Ampeg fliptop, and the 2000 watt Wayne Jones amps die, I'll give this one a serious test run....

Never met a fliptop that couldn’t rather easily be repaired, even by a non- specialist tech. The parts are all still available or can be worked around, still with great results.

 

[lurk]

Well we'd all love to hear from someone who actually gets one of these. If you're the one, thanks in advance!

 

[Jay Corwin]

On the topic of price:

Have you seen what even garden variety bass guitar amplifiers and cabinets are going for these days?

 

[nickmo007]

I’ll chime in here. I own the Uptone amp and have had it for a few weeks. I took the amp out to a several jazz gigs on upright and one with electric bass (guitar trio and piano trios with drums). We were playing at medium volume and the amp did an amazing job giving me a clear and warm sound. The amp seemed to have a lot more headroom available.

I use a copper Realist pickup and I regularly play Acoustic Image (I own an AI Focus head played through either a GK112MBX or Epifani UL112 cab) and also have lots of experience with the Contra variants over the years. Currently there is one as backline at a club I play at frequently. Comparing the two, while I love playing Contras, I’d say that this amp can handle more volume and has a more responsive EQ section particularly in the mids. I back off of the high (presence) and low mid (warmth) slightly while boosting the bass a tad and leaving high at 12. I love the sound of the down firing woofer and this amp is probably the best I have tried for Upright in jazz settings and can handle some smaller electric gigs too as a bonus. I’m really digging it and my amplified sound has definitely improved.

 

[travshorts]

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. View attachment 7434085View attachment 7434080View attachment 7434078

The little Traynor amp is one of the best voiced amps I’ve ever heard for upright. I ended up with the 500 watt head instead and paired it with my bergantino 112 cab, as I needed something with a little more power to cover all of my gigs.
But once I have some extra play dough$ I plan on grabbing the little guy for quieter gigs.

 

[Ric Vice]

It would be interesting to put the new Upton Amp alongside the Traynor on an actual gig to see how they compared. The UptonNe costs $2,200.00 for a 200 watt head @ 4 ohms) with a down firing (10”?)speaker. The Traynor is 100 watts with a front firing 6.5” speaker $659.00. The GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic is 450 watts @ 8 Ohns into a 12” speaker @ 2,000.00. 22 lbs.

 

[brianrost]

even AI was too expensive for me.

I wasn’t able to afford AI until used ones became available. My Contra s3 was only about $500. My Coda s3 was $1000 but came with the hard case.

 

[brianrost]

I own the Uptone amp and have had it for a few weeks. I took the amp out to a several jazz gigs on upright and one with electric bass (guitar trio and piano trios with drums).

This is you playing a J through the Uptone? Sounded nice, warmer than what I can get out of my Coda with bass guitars. Do you miss not having a HPF?

12K views · 90 reactions | The arpeggiated keyboard part on “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd is a great practice exercise on bass. I’m using my Fender American Professional Classic Jazz bass through my Upton Bass String Instrument Co. bass amp. #Bass

The arpeggiated keyboard part on “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd is a great practice exercise on bass. I’m using my Fender American Professional Classic Jazz bass through my Upton Bass String...

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[Adam Booker]

Got my UPTONe and took it out for a spin last night. First gig, first set. The low end is incredibly warm without sounding “poofy.” Crystal clear down there to my ear. Still figuring out the mid range and high frequencies, but it is lighter than a Coda, and louder. I’ll be resurrecting my reviewer role in the next couple of weeks to give a more detailed and comprehensive overview of this amp. In the meantime, here is a sample from last night. First couple of tunes of the first set. Best of you use headphones or real speakers.

 

[bass player 53]

Got my UPTONe and took it out for a spin last night. First gig, first set. The low end is incredibly warm without sounding “poofy.” Crystal clear down there to my ear. Still figuring out the mid range and high frequencies, but it is lighter than a Coda, and louder. I’ll be resurrecting my reviewer role in the next couple of weeks to give a more detailed and comprehensive overview of this amp. In the meantime, here is a sample from last night. First couple of tunes of the first set. Best of you use headphones or real speakers.

You play and sound really great! Your thumb position technique is especially good. The sound dropped off a bit when the mic changed position, but sounded pretty much the same. I listened with my Sony Bluetooth WH-1000XM5 headphones. Very nice amp.

BTW, I have a bunch of Fender tube amps and 3 Carr guitar tube amps, made in Pittsboro. Fantastic builds and sound.

 

[Adam Booker]

You play and sound really great! Your thumb position technique is especially good. The sound dropped off a bit when the mic changed position, but sounded pretty much the same. I listened with my Sony Bluetooth WH-1000XM5 headphones. Very nice amp.

BTW, I have a bunch of Fender tube amps and 3 Carr guitar tube amps, made in Pittsboro. Fantastic builds and sound.

I’ve heard they were making amps in my fair state! Thanks for the compliments! I’ve been doing so much symphony and solo rep the past few years so I feel a little out of shape when stuff starts swinging.

 

[bass player 53]

I’ve heard they were making amps in my fair state! Thanks for the compliments! I’ve been doing so much symphony and solo rep the past few years so I feel a little out of shape when stuff starts swinging.

Most people in this thread have remarked on the cost of the UPTONe;
the price of those handmade Carr amps is higher new, similar for used.
My piano teacher teaches me weekly on FaceTime from the mighty metropolis of Murphy.

 

[Adam Booker]

Most people in this thread have remarked on the cost of the UPTONe;
the price of those handmade Carr amps is higher new, similar for used.
My piano teacher teaches me weekly on FaceTime from the mighty metropolis

Yeah, I get the cost issue. But tone is money, and your sound is your signature. Also, IIRC AI’s were going for 1500 BEFORE Rick passed away. That was before inflation kicked in. In terms of current dollars, that’s close to 2k.

This was a combination birthday/promoting to full professor/really getting back into jazz on the reg present to myself. I love my Bergantino IP112 with a Headway pre, and I’ll be keeping that for SLG’s, but getting to be a “one trip” load in is quite nice!