Thanks Kungfu! It was indeed completed -turns out it was a laminate instrument tho', not a hybrid. Oh well.
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Double Bass Upton Bass Club
- Thread starter kamakiriad7
- Start date
Am eagerly awaiting my Brescian!! I'm already going through some separation anxiety knowing I'll be trading in my 2009 Upton ply but am excited! I'm looking for string suggestions on the Brescian. Though everything sounded good on my ply, Spiros were too bright, Animas were perfect for pizz but not great arco, and currently Evahs seem to be the best best for arco but sometimes a tad bit too dark in some rooms for pizz. I've already got the Evah set that I can move over. I'm thinking of trying some Obligatos on the Brescian. An opinions on how the Obligatos might sound based on above info?
I would say what others said to me when I first asked this question. Stick with what you know when you get the bass because your new bass will be different and you don't want to change to many things at once. And that's what I'm doing, I'm use to spriocores on my crappy ply bass I have now, so that's what I'm getting on my new bass so when I get it the only thing that is different is the bass. Also depending if they are using maple or poplar for the backs and sides your new bass maybe darker sounding then your current one.
For example I think sprios are a little bright on my ply by my teachers juzek sounds perfect with them because it is a darker bass in general.
Also strings like sprios take a long time to break in, I love the sound of them on my bass now but they have been on it for almost a year and a half now.
For example I think sprios are a little bright on my ply by my teachers juzek sounds perfect with them because it is a darker bass in general.
Also strings like sprios take a long time to break in, I love the sound of them on my bass now but they have been on it for almost a year and a half now.
IMO, IME, FWIW, YMMV, my $0.02:
Mgaisbacher's advice seems sensible because sticking with the same strings would allow you to evaluate what's different about the new bass as compared to your old one. I wonder if that's really what you want to do. I'm thinking that you likely want to optimize as much as possible right out of the gate. That requires some information about the bass. I can give you some of that based on my experience and you can decide how to use it.
Having played the Brescian (and many other Uptons), I can tell you that it has a powerful, deep voice. My own bass and the Brescian are cousins. Spiro mitts do not sound bright on it or the Brescian even when they're brand new. A bit twangy but that settles down in weeks and then they get better and better. When I played a Brescian strung with new Spiro mitts, I could hardly believe that they were what was on there.
Evahs on a Brescian will likely set off seismic monitors in the area so you can expect a call from the government.
If ease of arco playing is important to you, then I think the Evah weichs would be a killer choice. They will sound dark. I love the sound of Oblis in my living room but not on the bandstand. They're too weak for me. I dig in, they give up.
So, if you are willing to adjust your arco technique, I think Spiro mitts would be a great choice. If you don't like them, you can always sell a used set right here in the classifieds.
I've got my eye (and ears) targeted on a fully-carved Brescian roundback. Someday...
Mgaisbacher's advice seems sensible because sticking with the same strings would allow you to evaluate what's different about the new bass as compared to your old one. I wonder if that's really what you want to do. I'm thinking that you likely want to optimize as much as possible right out of the gate. That requires some information about the bass. I can give you some of that based on my experience and you can decide how to use it.
Having played the Brescian (and many other Uptons), I can tell you that it has a powerful, deep voice. My own bass and the Brescian are cousins. Spiro mitts do not sound bright on it or the Brescian even when they're brand new. A bit twangy but that settles down in weeks and then they get better and better. When I played a Brescian strung with new Spiro mitts, I could hardly believe that they were what was on there.
Evahs on a Brescian will likely set off seismic monitors in the area so you can expect a call from the government.
If ease of arco playing is important to you, then I think the Evah weichs would be a killer choice. They will sound dark. I love the sound of Oblis in my living room but not on the bandstand. They're too weak for me. I dig in, they give up.So, if you are willing to adjust your arco technique, I think Spiro mitts would be a great choice. If you don't like them, you can always sell a used set right here in the classifieds.
I've got my eye (and ears) targeted on a fully-carved Brescian roundback. Someday...
Here's my thinking. I've got an alcohol cleaned set of Spiros and Evahs at home and would like to try a different set. Les, i don't want a super dark sound. I guess I'll pass on the Obligatos if they're too quiet. So should I just ship them a used set of Spiros to throw on and start out there? I think that makes sense.
Just went on youtube and saw Upton had a few new videos and went to watch them, and what do you know? my bass was in it, mines the hybrid he plays. Sounds and looks great, cant wait until those sprios get played in. Also can't wait until I get this thing in my hands. I would imagine it will be with in the next week or two since they need to ship it.
I watched the video a few times along with the Concord video on which Gary plays a Brescian at the end strung with Evahs. The Spiros sound great on the hybrid. I'm looking for a string somewhere between the Spiros and Evahs.
yeah I know what you mean. I feel that sprios could be the string you're looking for because after about a month of playing they loose a lot of the twangy brightness. Honestly in the video I don't 100% love the sound of my bass, it's a little bright for my taste but I know in a month or two of playing it will loose that and in a year... well I can't wait to hear it then. Right now I'm really digging the sound of my year old spiros on my ply bass, even arco, although it gets nasally in the upper register but I think that maybe more of my bass than the strings.
If you find a string in between then let me know because I maybe looking for the same thing.
If you find a string in between then let me know because I maybe looking for the same thing.
They're called Dominants and I love them but I suffered the often-reported breakage issues with them.
I recently got a "Bohemian" with the upper bout widened just a bit... I had S-42's put on it (It's a hybrid/deluxe top) and found the sound to be much larger and warmer than I had expected.... I had a concern that what might sound good in a combo might not work in a 16-piece jazz band.... no problem. I'm sure the strings that the bass had installed are about as much as I could have hoped for. As the instrument has a chance to age I'm looking forward to hearing what happens. I'm still preferring a bit more "bite" on the e-string, bujt it's too early in the game to judge it at this point. What a great sounding combination... I'm sure you'll be feeling the same way.
Wow, I'm also looking at a Bohemian with the upper bout "widened" a bit. I'm trying to save up for a fully-carved Bohemian, primarily for orchestra duty. Have you had a chance to experience its arco sound? I'm probably going to drive up to CT to try one out eventually, anyway, but I'd like to know how it sounds after everything has "settled in" after a few sound post adjustments, etc.
Take a look at the Dominants megathreads. Some players, Chris F. being one of them, didn't have breakage issues. Others, myself included, had repeated problems. It is definitely the case that Doms have to be installed carefully. Mine always were. No part of the string past the silk should be wound around the tuning peg. I had Doms break even when the conditions were met. Sometimes they'd let go in the middle of the night. The company was very good about replacing them but it just got to be too much of a risk for me. I love the sound and feel of those strings.
My arco "playing" isn't credible enough to judge by, the bass is truly a warm and loving thing.... I would wonder whether a wood back (non-carved) would do it for you... I have only the deluxe top/ flat back as I use it for big band / jazz. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Eric Roy has the specs on mine.
My arco "playing" isn't credible enough to judge by, the bass is truly a warm and loving thing.... I would wonder whether a wood back (non-carved) would do it for you... I have only the deluxe top/ flat back as I use it for big band / jazz. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Eric Roy has the specs on mine.
BTW. don't count on finding a "Bohemian" in house... I went with their advice when ordering the thing, they had many basses on display but not (at the time) a "Bohemian"
- Mar 19, 2002
- 800
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- Disclosures
- President: Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
what we have to show is what we have finished up and ready to ship or be picked up. Currently in Mystic there is:
Bohemian Hybrid Standard but is going to Boston Saturday morning for a Saturday pickup.
Gary's original Brescian hybrid.
A fully carved Brescian that needs to ship this week.
A Brescian hybrid that needs to ship this week.
The first Mittenwald hybrid that needs to ship soon. New model...should be on site soon!
Hmmm...I'm sure I'm missing a few too as I'm not in the shop today (Monday is our Sunday!).
Oh...making some ISB show basses too. A Brescian hybrid that is spot on and a solid wood Mittenwald made out of big leaf maple that is KILLING IT! Those basses will live in Boston as soon as they are done until the ISB.
Anyone going to The ISB in June? We're planning on quite the event...you really won't want to miss it. Details will be leaking out soon(ish)! Lol...
