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Double Bass Upton Bass Club
- Thread starter kamakiriad7
- Start date
Looks awesome Eric. I lust after the basses and then play mine to remind myself I already own an awesome Upton! Still, your new bass porn site is fantastic dude.
uptonbass
Proprietor, Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
Well guys, thanks for the support... back to the drawing board, the old site is back up for now.
Gary
Gary
Hi uptonbass/Gary,
Have you seen (or heard) the placement of the chromatic stops on this C-extension in the YT below?
The distances between the stops are very unusual and unconventional.
Are you able to describe your process for calculating both the overall C-ext. length and chromatic notes in between C and E?
Thanks for your time.
don kasper
Have you seen (or heard) the placement of the chromatic stops on this C-extension in the YT below?
The distances between the stops are very unusual and unconventional.
Are you able to describe your process for calculating both the overall C-ext. length and chromatic notes in between C and E?
Thanks for your time.
don kasper
uptonbass
Proprietor, Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
Hi Iona bass, it's 100% mathematical. I've been told
"Luthiers" figure it out by testing and moving the stops and nut.. Omg!!! That being said you are VERY correct, on the position of the c# and d on that bass, I remember once seeing it I had the guys pull the d stop, plug the holes and move the gate. Again 100% mathematical..fairly simple physics to establish the overall length and position of each 1/2 step.
"Luthiers" figure it out by testing and moving the stops and nut.. Omg!!! That being said you are VERY correct, on the position of the c# and d on that bass, I remember once seeing it I had the guys pull the d stop, plug the holes and move the gate. Again 100% mathematical..fairly simple physics to establish the overall length and position of each 1/2 step.
Gary,
Thanks for the quick reply.
So, for the length of the extension, do you use "25% of the E string length"?
Also - do you use a "Fret Calculation", similar to the one available at the Stewart/MacDonald website, (which is based on the 17.817 calculation often used by makers of fretted instruments) to generate the locations of the chromatic notes between C and E? Or can you be more specific as to the Physics that you're referring to?
Thanks, again.
don kasper
uptonbass
Proprietor, Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
No. Start here. I don't think it helps educate anyone if I just say X is the multiplier to establish vibrational length relative to given length of an instruments existing string length. We couldn't use a fret calculation unless it allows for a variable string length, then yes once you have the C or B you could work from there.
Start here; Invalid Link Removed
Start here; Invalid Link Removed
Hi Gary,
Thanks, Yes. I'm aware of the basic Physics of vibrating strings.
The Stew-Mac Fret Calculator DOES allow for variable string length (to ".000" decimal points). You can run a calculation for a C string length and it will provide the distances between all notes - you then add up the length of the first 4 "frets" ( C-C#, C#-D, D- Eb, Eb - E), subtract that from the overall C string length, and see if the remaining string length matches the length/mensure of the (original) E string length. (I've done the Math, longhand, with a calculator, before I found the Stew-Mac website!).
I still don't know what "fairly simple physics" you're using to calculate: the C-extension length and the subsequent chromatic note locations.
Thanks for your time and expertise.
don kasper
Last edited:
Just got off the phone with Eric at Upton, the order for my Standard Hybrid bass is officially placed! I have been on the hunt for purchasing my first bass for quite a while now, and have no hesitations I made the right call!
Also getting:
Rev Solo 2 pickup
Upton French bow ( I believe I wil get the black hair, but considering Silver)
Upton Deluxe Bag
Also still deciding on strings, but pretty confident I will go with Spirocore strings. I do not have much experience with different strings, but I feel as though they may be the best place to start.
The 6-8 weeks can not go by fast enough!
Also getting:
Rev Solo 2 pickup
Upton French bow ( I believe I wil get the black hair, but considering Silver)
Upton Deluxe Bag
Also still deciding on strings, but pretty confident I will go with Spirocore strings. I do not have much experience with different strings, but I feel as though they may be the best place to start.
The 6-8 weeks can not go by fast enough!
Were you playing that through a B-100?
I used mine for acoustic bass a few weeks ago for the first time, and I don't know why I haven't done it sooner.
Yours must have sounded great
Yeah I have a beat up old B100. It's one of those pieces of gear I'll probably never part with. It does sound good with upright surprisingly despite the 15". I still put a preamp before it. I have a love hate relationship with the weight of it. There is some kind of mojo the old guard at Ampeg put into those things for 100 watts. It pushes like a 300 watt amp.
Similar story, with a bout of email exchanges with Eric and the final phone call to seal the deal, I have my name in the hat for my first upright. I wanted something awesome, and in talking with Eric, I quickly found out they're in the business of awesome. So there ya go, that was good enough for me. I needed a complete setup and feel once this bass arrives, my complete arsenal of low-end support will be complete. If you're reading the boards, thanks for the help Eric!
The full story and pics to follow once it's in my hot little hands.
Wanted to share a very positive experience regarding Upton CS. I had a minor issue on my new standard. A couple of emails and pictures with Eric, and a box was delivered to my door free of charge to remedy the problem. These guys really stand behind what they are doing/building. It still seems crazy in this day and age that guys were able to open a business like this and be successful, but once you have a chance to deal with them you understand why. Good instrument builders and good people from my experience.
Also I had my first real comfortable week of practice and gig with my new standard from an intonation stand point. The scale is just a little bit different than my old bass, and the setup different (as in better). The muscle memory is starting to settle in nicely again. Did a lot more playing last night, and a lot less thinking.
Also I had my first real comfortable week of practice and gig with my new standard from an intonation stand point. The scale is just a little bit different than my old bass, and the setup different (as in better). The muscle memory is starting to settle in nicely again. Did a lot more playing last night, and a lot less thinking.
Hey TB UB Club, I wanted to share my review of the Concord that I sent to Gary yesterday. I apologize in advance for the long read. I've always been wordy...
__________________________________________________________________________
After twenty years playing on a nice sounding fully carved bass, which had really high
shoulders, a too-vertical fingerboard (almost parallel to the top,) and a small neck
that was causing severe tendinitis, my choices were to quit playing altogether, or find a more ergonomic instrument. I found a plywood bass with a bigger neck, and other
dimensions that felt good, and played it for a while to be sure if the pain would subside,
so I could delay retirement. After a few months my hunch was confirmed, and the
search for my next great sounding carved bass began.
That search took me through 6 states, and too many basses to remember. Along the
way I found few instruments that felt good, but sticker shock kept me from bringing
them home. The upper limit of my budget was $20K, but nothing in that range was
really clicking for me. I continued on my search, and remembering my positive
impressions from ISB 2009, ventured up to the freshly raised Upton Bass Barn, where
Eric put his tools down and gave me the tour. The place was awesome - and smelled
like wood, which was most excellent . I played a few basses which were very nice, but not for sale. Then he pointed to a new bass in the center of the room - a stately
busetto, saying it was the first of a new model called "The Concord." Initially I was
ambivalent to it, as the whole “love-handles” shape was just not something I dug very
much. Then, I played a few notes..... hmmm.... then I continued to play...wow. Very quickly it was clear that I had found what I had been searching for. A huge warm tone, fast but not harsh attack, clear in every register, and the dimensions fit me just right. I feared that this, too would eclipse my budget, but as Eric and I talked, once he told me the price, I couldn't believe that the search was over! Well....sort of. That bass had been built for somebody else, so if I wanted one like it, I'd have to plunk down some big cash, and wait. Even with the addition of Upton’s awesome removable/adjustable neck option, the bass came in under budget! Although my gratification would be delayed, I
trusted that commissioning a build from Upton Bass was the best choice of all options to that point.
Admittedly, some times the wait was tough to bear, but now that I've had my Concord
for almost 2 years, I can say without hesitation that the journey was worth it. This bass does everything I need. The tone is clear and singing, with a lovely earth shaking growl on the bottom. Whether in an acoustic or amplified setting, the sound is absolutely
glorious! I have recorded several studio projects with this bass, and continue to be
blown away with the sound. It has been the rule (not the exception) that other
musicians ask me about the bass, and remark on it's mesmerizing sonic properties.
Plus, it is beautiful to look at! But even more importantly, because it's made to order,
the string length and neck diameter are exactly what I need to keep the tendinitis away. The profile of the shoulders provides unparalleled access in thumb position. It's a
dream come true. And, another amazing thing, it regularly allows me to get to that
wonderful and elusive “zone” where “self and instrument disappear” and it’s just music
coming through. That alone, my friends, is worth the price of admission!
Along the way there have been a few issues, and some modifications needed to be
done. At every step, Gary, Eric and the fine craftsmen at the big red barn did whatever
was necessary to take care of me and my beloved instrument. I couldn't be happier.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
After twenty years playing on a nice sounding fully carved bass, which had really high
shoulders, a too-vertical fingerboard (almost parallel to the top,) and a small neck
that was causing severe tendinitis, my choices were to quit playing altogether, or find a more ergonomic instrument. I found a plywood bass with a bigger neck, and other
dimensions that felt good, and played it for a while to be sure if the pain would subside,
so I could delay retirement. After a few months my hunch was confirmed, and the
search for my next great sounding carved bass began.
That search took me through 6 states, and too many basses to remember. Along the
way I found few instruments that felt good, but sticker shock kept me from bringing
them home. The upper limit of my budget was $20K, but nothing in that range was
really clicking for me. I continued on my search, and remembering my positive
impressions from ISB 2009, ventured up to the freshly raised Upton Bass Barn, where
Eric put his tools down and gave me the tour. The place was awesome - and smelled
like wood, which was most excellent . I played a few basses which were very nice, but not for sale. Then he pointed to a new bass in the center of the room - a stately
busetto, saying it was the first of a new model called "The Concord." Initially I was
ambivalent to it, as the whole “love-handles” shape was just not something I dug very
much. Then, I played a few notes..... hmmm.... then I continued to play...wow. Very quickly it was clear that I had found what I had been searching for. A huge warm tone, fast but not harsh attack, clear in every register, and the dimensions fit me just right. I feared that this, too would eclipse my budget, but as Eric and I talked, once he told me the price, I couldn't believe that the search was over! Well....sort of. That bass had been built for somebody else, so if I wanted one like it, I'd have to plunk down some big cash, and wait. Even with the addition of Upton’s awesome removable/adjustable neck option, the bass came in under budget! Although my gratification would be delayed, I
trusted that commissioning a build from Upton Bass was the best choice of all options to that point.
Admittedly, some times the wait was tough to bear, but now that I've had my Concord
for almost 2 years, I can say without hesitation that the journey was worth it. This bass does everything I need. The tone is clear and singing, with a lovely earth shaking growl on the bottom. Whether in an acoustic or amplified setting, the sound is absolutely
glorious! I have recorded several studio projects with this bass, and continue to be
blown away with the sound. It has been the rule (not the exception) that other
musicians ask me about the bass, and remark on it's mesmerizing sonic properties.
Plus, it is beautiful to look at! But even more importantly, because it's made to order,
the string length and neck diameter are exactly what I need to keep the tendinitis away. The profile of the shoulders provides unparalleled access in thumb position. It's a
dream come true. And, another amazing thing, it regularly allows me to get to that
wonderful and elusive “zone” where “self and instrument disappear” and it’s just music
coming through. That alone, my friends, is worth the price of admission!
Along the way there have been a few issues, and some modifications needed to be
done. At every step, Gary, Eric and the fine craftsmen at the big red barn did whatever
was necessary to take care of me and my beloved instrument. I couldn't be happier.
__________________________________________________________________________
Last edited:
- Mar 19, 2002
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- Disclosures
- President: Upton Bass String Instrument Co.
