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Double Bass Upton Bass Club

#1,281
I'm considering an Upton Hybrid. Do they keep some stocked so you can just walk in and buy one or is it a "per order" type of thing?

I go up north during the summer and I think I'll have the bread saved up for summer 2019. I'd like to walk in and play a few uptons but if they are made only on a case by case basis then I'll have to figure something else out.
 
#1,285
Sam Dingle said:
I'm considering an Upton Hybrid. Do they keep some stocked so you can just walk in and buy one or is it a "per order" type of thing?

I go up north during the summer and I think I'll have the bread saved up for summer 2019. I'd like to walk in and play a few uptons but if they are made only on a case by case basis then I'll have to figure something else out.
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To answer your specific question - no, they don't keep them in stock. You order and wait. That said, they have many other basses, and their inventory of used may well include one of their own hybrids. Plus, it's a cool shop and well worth the visit. If you find one you really like, and think is "the one," I suggest you ask if you can play it outside. Their showroom is wood-floored, in a post and beam barn, and filled with lots of basses, some quite expensive. You could put strings on a packing crate and it would sound great in their showroom. Of course since I own two of their basses, one hybrid and one ply, I think anything they sell is reasonable and would work for the right person's needs.
 
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#1,287
Finally got my Upton Standard Ply home today. I went to the barn to pick it up this weekend. Long story short, the bass is amazing and so was the service the guys at Upton gave me. I posted a NBD thread about it here and here's a picture!
Upton.jpg
 
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#1,288
Mine's a 2007 Romanian-made "Hawkes" with a beautifully flamed back. I got it for an embarrassingly cheap price with a splintered fingerboard and tweaked neck. I do all sorts of instrument repairs and restoration, and for several reasons needed to do work myself (there was no other option). The Upton folks provided outstanding support even though I acquired it used - they worked with m to come up with workable (and reversible) repair methods that got it playing again.

I also took down the Romburg Bevel (I know some like it but I flat can't play a bass that has it - something about my old. decrepit, bad left wrist and thumb joint!:woot:), carved in the appropriate amount of relief and (since this picture was taken) shaped/fitted/installed a new adjustable bridge and a set of Eurosonics.

It has a deep, growly tone a bit on the "loose" side, which works fine for the limited amount of playing time I can put in (bass is not my 1st, 2nd or even 3rd...or 4th...instrument) - and my decidedly lame. amateurish "death grip" skills!:roflmao:

I used to have an old Englehardt, a Kay (model I don't recall - YEARS ago) and played a band-owned Kay S-9 Swingmaster for about 8 or 9 years - this one easily rates up there with the S-9. I play pretty basic "swingy" country-rock and other acoustic music with no slap. Perfect upright bass for me.

full front.jpg


...and yes, the dings have ben touched up.....
flamey - deep.jpg
 
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#1,289
Sam Dingle said:
I'm considering an Upton Hybrid. Do they keep some stocked so you can just walk in and buy one or is it a "per order" type of thing?

I go up north during the summer and I think I'll have the bread saved up for summer 2019. I'd like to walk in and play a few uptons but if they are made only on a case by case basis then I'll have to figure something else out.
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I was in a similar position as you; walked into the shop, played a few Uptons, and was ready to buy the one I liked, but they only build to order (unless they happen to have a used one in the inventory). I had to take it on faith that the one they would build for me would sound as a good as the shop model I played. I wasn't disappointed!
 
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#1,291
Bigbassguy said:
Speaking of rattles, my end pin rattles bit until really have it settled the groove. Its an Upton bass. Suggestions?
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Bigbassguy said:
Speaking of rattles, my end pin rattles bit until really have it settled the groove. Its an Upton bass. Suggestions?
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A trick I found out that ends endpin rattles is, use some Teflon Tape. Don’t wrap it too thick obviously and it stays in place and makes a nice tight fit. A roll is dirt cheap and if it wears out, put a little more on.
 
#1,293
I've had my hybrid with the deluxe top (SO worth the extra bucks) for 2 1/2 years now, and just love it. As stated above, well worth the trip to the shop as they will usually have something that you can get a good idea of what they will be able to build for you, and maybe one that they just completed for a client that you can check out. Eric is great at listening to what you want (and sometimes "what you mean") to get you the right bass.
 
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#1,294
Bigbassguy said:
Well....where do I use the tape?
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I would suggest pulling the endpin, clean it off of any residue, dirt, grime etc. then wrap the teflon tape around the shaft the endpin such that it builds up the diameter (think of it as a round shim) of the pin where it goes into the endpin jack; and re-insert the pin.

You may have to tweak / adjust it once or twice to get it just right. Too much tape and it will tend to push it back out at you as you try and insert the pin, too little and it wont work as a shim
 

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