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Double Bass Upton Bass Club

#641
Octavian said:
I'm planning on pulling the trigger on a Bohemian in about six weeks and am right on the fence between getting the deluxe and the standard.

Regarding the deluxe top vs. the standard for a Bohemian hybrid. I could hear the difference between the two tops on Upton's Standard video and Eric had sent me a link to a video where the difference between the two tops is explained.

Does the deluxe really make THAT much of a difference for the generalist bassist?

In favor of the deluxe: I get a tone that I may not fully appreciate now, but will down the road as my chops and ear improve. If I want to "upgrade" tone, I would have to buy a better bass. That could happen in two years, 20 or never.

In favor of the standard: I get a nice tone and can apply the savings toward getting a bow.

This will be my first upright and it's one I plan on keeping for a very, very long time. My intentions are to use this for gigging on jazz, musical theater, and maybe some folk/bluegrass and trio/quartets in jazz. Pretty much a general purpose bass. I do not see me trying to do anything heavy duty classical.
Click to expand...

I'm in favour of getting the best instrument you can afford. For an extra 1k, I think the deluxe top is worth the scratch. I'm not in your situation, and I know that often time life events can get in the way of finances (car dies, roof leaks, etc), but I'd very seriously consider the deluxe top before most other options.
 
#645
just wondering why the flat back brescian and mittenwald with deluxe top start at 8k and the bohemian with flat back and deluxe top starts at 5.5k? what are the differences besides the shape?
edit: i know the upton guys watch this thread thats why i posted the question here...
 
#647
My understanding is that the base Bohemian would not have a deluxe top. The site says the Bohemian carved round back comes with the deluxe top.
I'm sure one of the Upton guys will clarify but I understood them to say that the hybrids now come with a deluxe top standard except for the Bohemian which is meant to be an entry level.

BTW, I'm in the club now that I bought a hybrid Brescian at the ISB. Had it's first gig today and it was a real pleasure to play and hear. Lots of positive comments.



shwashwa said:
just wondering why the flat back brescian and mittenwald with deluxe top start at 8k and the bohemian with flat back and deluxe top starts at 5.5k? what are the differences besides the shape?
edit: i know the upton guys watch this thread thats why i posted the question here...
Click to expand...
 
#650
Dave Irwin said:
My understanding is that the base Bohemian would not have a deluxe top. The site says the Bohemian carved round back comes with the deluxe top.
I'm sure one of the Upton guys will clarify but I understood them to say that the hybrids now come with a deluxe top standard except for the Bohemian which is meant to be an entry level.

BTW, I'm in the club now that I bought a hybrid Brescian at the ISB. Had it's first gig today and it was a real pleasure to play and hear. Lots of positive comments.
Click to expand...

i guess that could be right. here is a link to the site, i took it to refer to the solid wood flat back and the round back since there was no new paragraph, and there was a new paragraph space between the rest of the text and models.


Invalid Link Removed
 
#651
shwashwa said:
just wondering why the flat back brescian and mittenwald with deluxe top start at 8k and the bohemian with flat back and deluxe top starts at 5.5k? what are the differences besides the shape?
Click to expand...

I'm not one of the guys at Upton (though I certainly wish I was), but I've been watching this for a little bit now.

Regarding the Bohemian, a Flat Back Hybrid with the Deluxe top runs $4.5K, while the solid flat back and the carved back run $5.5K and $7.5K respectively.

The Mittenwald and Brescian, to my understanding, include the Deluxe top as standard, so that is included in the $6K, $8K, and $10K for the Hybrid Flatback, Solid Flatback, and Carved back, respectively.

I'm guessing the reasons for the $1.5K difference between the Bohemian and the other models can be accounted for by the following:

1) The Bohemian does not have an inlaid purfling, whereas the Brescian and Mittenwald do.

2) No outside linings on the ribs

3) Simple "shoe-polish" brown finish

4) Other amenities, like bridge adjusters, are extra.

5) Plain, basic wood choices

6) Limited options-- they'll do a 5-string version, a left-handed version, and maybe tailor the mensure a bit. That's probably about it, in terms of customization.

But, here's the thing-- what is listed on the website for the Bohemian's prices are probably within a few hundred dollars of what you're actually going to pay. The prices listed for the Mittenwald and Brescian are where those basses START-- depending on how much you "load up" on the options, you can EASILY get up to $12K+ for a "fully-loaded" carved version of the Mittenwald and Brescian.

To sum it up, the difference between the Bohemian and the other models is that the Bohemian would be comparable to a very nice "off the rack" suit one would buy at Men's Wearhouse or Joseph A. Bank-- it can be altered SLIGHTLY, but what you see is pretty much what you get, and I mean that in a good way.

In comparison, the Mittenwald and Brescian would be more comparable to a custom-tailored Hugo Boss or Giorgio Armani suit-- it is made for your specific preferences.

Again, I don't work at Upton, so don't take my word as gospel-- this is simply my understanding. I could be wrong. Heck, if Gary or company find fault in my explanation, I welcome their corrections. But I hope I didn't lead you astray here.

On that note, I can't wait to see what they come back with at ISB...
 
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#652
calypsocoral302 said:
I'm not one of the guys at Upton (though I certainly wish I was), but I've been watching this for a little bit now.

Regarding the Bohemian, a Flat Back Hybrid with the Deluxe top runs $4.5K, while the solid flat back and the carved back run $5.5K and $7.5K respectively.

The Mittenwald and Brescian, to my understanding, include the Deluxe top as standard, so that is included in the $6K, $8K, and $10K for the Hybrid Flatback, Solid Flatback, and Carved back, respectively.

I'm guessing the reasons for the $1.5K difference between the Bohemian and the other models can be accounted for by the following:

1) The Bohemian does not have an inlaid purfling, whereas the Brescian and Mittenwald do.

2) No outside linings on the ribs

3) Simple "shoe-polish" brown finish

4) Other amenities, like bridge adjusters, are extra.

5) Plain, basic wood choices

6) Limited options-- they'll do a 5-string version, a left-handed version, and maybe tailor the mensure a bit. That's probably about it, in terms of customization.

But, here's the thing-- what is listed on the website for the Bohemian's prices are probably within a few hundred dollars of what you're actually going to pay. The prices listed for the Mittenwald and Brescian are where those basses START-- depending on how much you "load up" on the options, you can EASILY get up to $12K+ for a "fully-loaded" carved version of the Mittenwald and Brescian.

To sum it up, the difference between the Bohemian and the other models is that the Bohemian would be comparable to a very nice "off the rack" suit one would buy at Men's Wearhouse or Joseph A. Bank-- it can be altered SLIGHTLY, but what you see is pretty much what you get, and I mean that in a good way.

In comparison, the Mittenwald and Brescian would be more comparable to a custom-tailored Hugo Boss or Giorgio Armani suit-- it is made for your specific preferences.

Again, I don't work at Upton, so don't take my word as gospel-- this is simply my understanding. I could be wrong. Heck, if Gary or company find fault in my explanation, I welcome their corrections. But I hope I didn't lead you astray here.

On that note, I can't wait to see what they come back with at ISB...
Click to expand...

ok, so i guess the main question is does the price for the solid wood flatback bohemian include the deluxe top as the website seems to indicate?
and in the video when he said that the bohemian doesnt include purfling he was holding a fully laminate bass. i seriously doubt that anyone would make a solid top or back without purfling (although i could be wrong, but sure wouldnt want to own it. purfling does serve a purpose) , and if im not mistaken, the brescian solid flat back doesnt have outside linings eiher, so again, the question is, what accounts for the price difference? just wondering. alot of guys are getting into the bigger basses, but ive play some small basses with shallow ribs lately that are cannons. could the price difference be accounted for just with the size difference between them?
 
#654
My "Bohemian".... deluxe top... has purfling and as good a finish as any other bass I've seen in the Upton line (to my knowledge)... I picked out the color and requested a certain "neck" treatment... both of which Upton took care of at no additional charge. With any bass strings are an additional cost... I also had "antiqued tuners".... a $125 upcharge (I believe on ANY Upton bass) and adjustable tuners (a fairly inexpensive upcharge). I truly believe that the Bohemian is the best value in the line, although the Brescian (when all is said & done) can be had for only $1200 +/- more than what I spent for a similar configuration (the deluxe top is not an additional charge on the Brescian, although the strings & antiqued tuners would be). The stand-out bass in terms of cost is the Concord... given how often you buy a bass another couple of thousand dollars (one way or the other) on what could well be a lifetime purchase is chicken feed. BTW, my Bohemian also had the upper bout widened slightly... here again no charge. I left the back flat (my preference) and ply (again my preference) for what I do.
As I prefer the Gamba style I'm a little gun-shy about moving into a Brecian... and I've spoken to Eric about the Mittenwald and it doesn't come across as the sound I'd be looking for (jazz oriented)... I'll know better when I have a chance to listen to it.
 
#655
artfahie said:
My "Bohemian".... deluxe top... has purfling and as good a finish as any other bass I've seen in the Upton line (to my knowledge)... I picked out the color and requested a certain "neck" treatment... both of which Upton took care of at no additional charge. With any bass strings are an additional cost... I also had "antiqued tuners".... a $125 upcharge (I believe on ANY Upton bass) and adjustable tuners (a fairly inexpensive upcharge). I truly believe that the Bohemian is the best value in the line, although the Brescian (when all is said & done) can be had for only $1200 +/- more than what I spent for a similar configuration (the deluxe top is not an additional charge on the Brescian, although the strings & antiqued tuners would be). The stand-out bass in terms of cost is the Concord... given how often you buy a bass another couple of thousand dollars (one way or the other) on what could well be a lifetime purchase is chicken feed. BTW, my Bohemian also had the upper bout widened slightly... here again no charge. I left the back flat (my preference) and ply (again my preference) for what I do.
As I prefer the Gamba style I'm a little gun-shy about moving into a Brecian... and I've spoken to Eric about the Mittenwald and it doesn't come across as the sound I'd be looking for (jazz oriented)... I'll know better when I have a chance to listen to it.
Click to expand...

so how does it sound?
 
#656
Hey All,

I've been posting in this thread for a while, but never got around to taking photos of my bass. Bought it about a year ago, but this is the first I've taken photos. I decided she was due for a good cleaining and TLC regimen, so I bought the Kolstiens 2 step cleaning / polishing kit from Golihur Music. Came out really nice I think.

If the keeper of the numbers could kindly send me one.

thanks,

Jeff


If you want to see before & after photos, check out this link



So here's my upton:
bass5.jpg


bass8.jpg

bass9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
#658
Very nice indeed !


jefff100 said:
Hey All,

I've been posting in this thread for a while, but never got around to taking photos of my bass. Bought it about a year ago, but this is the first I've taken photos. I decided she was due for a good cleaining and TLC regimen, so I bought the Kolstiens 2 step cleaning / polishing kit from Golihur Music. Came out really nice I think.

If the keeper of the numbers could kindly send me one.

thanks,

Jeff


If you want to see before & after photos, check out this link



So here's my upton:
bass5.jpg


bass8.jpg

bass9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
Click to expand...
 

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