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Double Bass Upton Bass Club

#661
I've had my Bohemian for 3 months now... I'm glad I went for some extras like the deluxe top & so on... as a result I have no regrets regarding my purchase.

A year ago I'd fumble my reading and was playing a slab... today what phrasing I can't read exactly I can hack my way through... nobody even knows I've taken a line down an octave or something along those lines... (although my familiarity with the fingerboard is light years above what it was just three months ago)...

I still can't wipe the smile off my face when my "Sweetie" takes both myself and fellow players to "another" place... what a joy !

I hardly play my slabs anymore... the organic nature of the UB is just overwhelming. I really thank the folks at Upton for making "my" bass "mine"... yes, it makes a difference.

Gotta practice (doodle around some too)...

Art Fahie
Maine
 
#662
All right, it's time for me to join this club. Earlier this year I commissioned a bass from Gary and Eric, and here are the results:

Brescian model, op. 98
One piece willow back & sides
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108919296157806892604/albums/5890919211925848241

This was one of the basses at the ISB--perhaps some of you saw it and/or played it. My gigging schedule prevented me from going to Rochester to pick it up, so now I'm waiting for a ship date. This bass is a HUGE step up from my current bass and I can't wait for it to get to me! I'll follow up with impressions on tone later on this summer.
 
#663
artfahie said:
...I really thank the folks at Upton for making "my" bass "mine"... yes, it makes a difference.
Click to expand...

Indeed, it does. Having the design of the bass, both from the standpoint of ergonomics and sound, tweaked to your tastes really does add to the enjoyment.
 
#664
I would have to think so. If I can ever develp my chops on the upright to justify it I will probably go back to Upton and have them build me a dream bass. When I was initially shopping and still a noob, never even played a upright bass; I had visited the upton Shop in Stonington. Dave at the shop spent about 2 hours with me & my wife, no pressure at all; showing me different things about the instruments and what to look for etc. I was able to compare a Kay, a couple of Shen's and an Upton standard bass that they had just completed but not yet shipped out.

While I eventually bought my hybrid used locally (got a great deal); Having one built to order would have to be really awesome. Congrats to you on your new baby.
 
#665
Okay, I'll say it before someone else does. No, we're not saying that, in order to enjoy the full DB experience, gain great joy from playing the DB, and have a great bass, that it must be made to order. After all, the overwhelming majority of players are not playing made-to-order DBs and some of them (players and basses alike) are downright spectacular. It's just a treat to be able to do it, especially at price-points where such customization was once unheard of.
 
#669
The bass now pictured on the website was a special "one-off" produced for the ISB show (now available on the Upton website). That particular bass had exotic woods and some "special" treatment... assumingly the tail piece being part of the custom build.

Eric mentioned to me that you could actually stand my Bohemian on-end because of the flat bottom of it.... the "new" designed has been tweaked based on a classic design they had access to (to the best of my understanding).

I would doubt if they would switch designs on an existing order without consulting you first.

Admittedly the photo now posted is an eye-catcher, between the new shape, the colorful finish, the new (and I think beautiful) tuning gears, and the tailpiece this bass is a far cry from mine.

I love what I have , and with the exception of the tuning machines would not have changed a thing.... but then again what we're seeing isn't the new "standard" (pardon the expression) for the Bohemian by a long shot. I would imagine a more traditional coloring approach and a less flamboyant tail piece is what you could expect. As for the shape ?.... that discussion will remain between you and the boys at Upton.

BTW, if you check out YouTube there is a video of the actual bass pictured being played... typically "lo-fi" in sound quality, but still an interesting clip.

Keep us posted on this !

Art Fahie
Maine
 
#671
Picked up my Concord today. What a beautiful instrument. I am honored to be the first owner.
 

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#677
Thanx! It is beautiful. In fact, it's elegant. Not sure that it's a "standard" finish, I just know that I asked for a close duplicate of the original Concord which I had the pleasure of playing last January. That bass had several upgrades, which were incorporated in my bass, plus I added a few things like a removable neck, uncut ffs, ebony hat peg tuners, bumpers and the source pickup.
Growing old and making music with this bass will be a joy :)
I've got a few recording sessions in the near future and will post samples as soon as possible.
 

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