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Double Bass Upton Bass Club

#601
FWIW - not sure if you are taking formal lessons or not. I did for about 6 to 9 months at first; very helpful. I had to stop when my job changed and I was no longer able to put in the practice time.

Anyway - I struggled with posture / stance at first considerably; I found very helpful information from Michael Klinghoffer's instructional information.

Check out his website, and there are links to a series of youtube vids that he put together to teach his concepts. I was impressed enough that I bought his book too.

Link Removed
 
#602
I have had some lessons but that was years ago.
I find I have to alter my stance because the dimensions of the bass, especially the lack of contour of the flat back, are throwing me off.

Thanks for the link. I have been looking at several video series but haven't settled on one yet.
 
#604
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#608
When purchased it, there was a bridge on it that had four holes drilled in it to accommodate some pickup system. I also noticed that the bridge adjusters on it were relatively high, though the string height was lower than I'd like.

The guys at Upton replaced the bridge before I picked it from them. Very nice of them to do so. The strings are at a nice height for me now. That's how they had it set up, and they would know better than I, so I'm leaving it where it is.
 
#610
Yes, it was one of the three they built from a huge slab of English Sycamore.

The original owner was a Berklee music student who "upgraded" to a Thomas Martin bass when he graduated. He kept it in very good shape. From what I hear, the original owner was an amazing player, so just maybe he left a little mojo in place.

It is so huge sounding. When I tried it out, I didn't think the tone would really distinguish itself that much from the laminate or hybrid basses I had been considering. But it had the creamiest smooth tone, it was really no comparison. I just did an open pluck on each string and backed away to hear the note fall away. It was so responsive, loud, and resonant. The note seemed to build on its own. None of the other basses had that aspect. I had never played a flatback until now. That might have made the difference.

I'm still trying to figure out my stance on the flatback though, but it is getting more consistent. Now that I'm getting to know the bass better, I find it very easy to get good dynamics and go from a whisper to a roar. It is so responsive and just a pleasure to play.

Next step is to take a bow to this thing.
 
#611
ZuluFunk said:
Yes, it was one of the three they built from a huge slab of English Sycamore.

The original owner was a Berklee music student who "upgraded" to a Thomas Martin bass when he graduated. He kept it in very good shape. From what I hear, the original owner was an amazing player, so just maybe he left a little mojo in place.

It is so huge sounding. When I tried it out, I didn't think the tone would really distinguish itself that much from the laminate or hybrid basses I had been considering. But it had the creamiest smooth tone, it was really no comparison. I just did an open pluck on each string and backed away to hear the note fall away. It was so responsive, loud, and resonant. The note seemed to build on its own. None of the other basses had that aspect. I had never played a flatback until now. That might have made the difference.

I'm still trying to figure out my stance on the flatback though, but it is getting more consistent. Now that I'm getting to know the bass better, I find it very easy to get good dynamics and go from a whisper to a roar. It is so responsive and just a pleasure to play.

Next step is to take a bow to this thing.
Click to expand...

My bass is one of this bass's sisters (the last one, with the rosewood strip down the center). If yours is anything like mine, and I suspect it is, then you'll love the bow sound. I play mine almost exclusively classical (occasional jazz and folk), and I get nothing but positive response about its sound.

I'd post pics of mine (Op 74) but it'll soon be going back to Upton. I'm upgrading to a 5 string. I will certainly miss "Rose" (as we call it, due to the rosewood stripe down the back), but I need a Low C and I hate extensions to death, so that's my option.

It'll be nice to get a bass made 100% for me, though.

eerbrev
 
#615
eerbrev said:
It's in the running, for sure. that one and the Brescian, though the venetian bass might be a fun little model depending on its bass response.
Click to expand...

I've been somewhat curious about the Venetian model myself. Seems like it could be made a bit bigger in all specs and you could have a pretty respectable sounding instrument. Am i right in remembering that it disappeared from their website?
 
#616
eerbrev said:
My bass is one of this bass's sisters (the last one, with the rosewood strip down the center). If yours is anything like mine, and I suspect it is, then you'll love the bow sound. I play mine almost exclusively classical (occasional jazz and folk), and I get nothing but positive response about its sound.

I'd post pics of mine (Op 74) but it'll soon be going back to Upton. I'm upgrading to a 5 string. I will certainly miss "Rose" (as we call it, due to the rosewood stripe down the back), but I need a Low C and I hate extensions to death, so that's my option.

It'll be nice to get a bass made 100% for me, though.

eerbrev
Click to expand...

There is one in the TB classifieds with a removable neck, and IIRC from the videos there was a swappable 5 string neck built for it too. Ask around.

Wow, I remember the videos of the making of the "rose stripe" bass and the two sisters. Nice story there.
 
#618
I'm not worried about build time, I'm a patient man. I'd rather have exactly what I want and really work with the guy's at Upton. However, if someone's looking to beat build time on a fantastic 4 string bass I can't say enough good things about the one that is currently in my posession. If I liked extensions I would have a quality one on this bass and be done with it. Everything a professional needs and more.

Nathan, it does look like they've removed the Venetian from the site. Maybe for a revamp? The Klotz is gone too. IIRC They've had a few models they were unhappy with and are either scrapping or revamping altogether.

I remember those videos of the Swappable 4/5 bass bass. This bass upgrade actually started as an inquiry as to whether or not I could get a removable neck on this bass with an extra 5 string neck for orchestra work. We hemmed and hawwed a bit, but Eric and Gary said they probably wouldn't be happy with the results, that the sound wouldn't be as good as one made as a 5 string, and that the amount of work they would have to do to the neck joint would just be so much work it wouldn't be worth the money or the labour (especially considering the less than admirable result). So here we are.

I'm super stoked to be heading down to talk bass with some other bass geeks. Going to be the highlight of my spring.

eerbrev
 

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