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Double Bass Upton Bass Club
- Thread starter kamakiriad7
- Start date
I should be a third one in a few weeks/months.
I also went for the birch top veneer in a hybrid bohemian they're currently building for me. I really liked the varnish in the recently-finished "Brock" build they show up in their web site; that required the birch top veneer upgrade.
The issue with the usual top veneer is that poplar sometimes has greenish/purplish appearance and that's why they have to use such dark varnish tone on the Standard models.
In bright lighting you can see much more, in dark lighting it remains a dark brown. I have actually had people think i have two different basses due to this. Never bothered me much, as it is a pretty economical american ply bass, no frills but solid basic components.
@jmain - I think Seanto has the concept nailed here. The Upton Standard is a functional solid bass at a frugal price point. The dark brown finish lets them produce a respectable instrument and save some time in the finishing steps, as a brighter, lighter colored finish would not be as forgiving and involves allot more labor intensive hand rubbing to bring out the luster. If the allure and eye candy of figured wood and visible grain are important to you, then maybe you want to step up to one of the other build levels that allow for customization. There's no shame in that !
Here is a photo of my Upton Hybrid. This was built in 2008, one of the first of the USA made basses.
I bought it off Craigslist in 2012, so I don't have the original build specs, but if you were interested, I'm sure one of the guys at Upton could look it up for you.
Its Opus 201.
I appreciate the info! Makes sense on the dark finish for the poplar. Had heard of it sometimes being greenish purple related to BGs. And that it would be much more labor intensive in the finishing process to do it lighter.
I could see what @Seanto is saying from searching for pics. Some outdoor pics show that swirling grain and indoor pics look very dark brown. That's good intel to have. No doubt it's still a great instrument with top notch components. I am a bit of a sucker for the wood grain eye candy.
@Holdsg - Is that a Birch ply top or hybrid? Little lighter than I may go for, but get what your saying. Think the Birch is more punchy than Poplar? What's your thoughts on the flat back?
@s0707 - That Brock finish is really nice! So it's a Birch ply top Bohemian? Were you able to get that top at the base Bohemian price point? I could see me going that route if that's the case.
@jefff100 - That's an nice looking hybrid. Yes, I do like the grain to pop, even if it is a plywood; but that solid grain is kicking!
I think given the humidity changes here in NoVA (Northern VA) in the winter (radiators and small humidifiers to try and keep filled) and wanting to tote it to festivals in the RV, I'm gunning for a laminate top. So a minimal upgrade top to get a little bit more caramel than chocolate finish would be doable. I'd love ebony hatpeg tuners too, but that's like putting fat rims on my Element!
I could see what @Seanto is saying from searching for pics. Some outdoor pics show that swirling grain and indoor pics look very dark brown. That's good intel to have. No doubt it's still a great instrument with top notch components. I am a bit of a sucker for the wood grain eye candy.
@Holdsg - Is that a Birch ply top or hybrid? Little lighter than I may go for, but get what your saying. Think the Birch is more punchy than Poplar? What's your thoughts on the flat back?
@s0707 - That Brock finish is really nice! So it's a Birch ply top Bohemian? Were you able to get that top at the base Bohemian price point? I could see me going that route if that's the case.
@jefff100 - That's an nice looking hybrid. Yes, I do like the grain to pop, even if it is a plywood; but that solid grain is kicking!
I think given the humidity changes here in NoVA (Northern VA) in the winter (radiators and small humidifiers to try and keep filled) and wanting to tote it to festivals in the RV, I'm gunning for a laminate top. So a minimal upgrade top to get a little bit more caramel than chocolate finish would be doable. I'd love ebony hatpeg tuners too, but that's like putting fat rims on my Element!
Right, so given the finish and my want for a different finish, I'm may be in Bohemian land.
I've been emailing with Bryan over the last couple months. May have to give him or Eric a shout about what that means. Whether I'd need to upgrade the top (keeping it ply) to get a lighter finish; and what that would run.
I have been exposed to a number of ply and hybrid Uptons over the last decade or so that students have brought to lessons. My impression - small sample size - is that the newer ones are better than the older. It's wonderful that a young player can get instruments of this quality at these prices.
No, my build is a hybrid bohemian with a deluxe top (i.e. the top is solid). The birch veneer is for the top ply on the sides and back so they can try to replicate the lighter tone of the Brock build. IIRC it was $500 for the birch veneer upgrade. I thought long and hard about it but decided I'm a sucker for wood grain and went for it...
WRT to flatback vs round, my build is flatback. I didn't have any strong opinion one way or another so I took Eric's recommendation on it. For scientific info, google the doctoral dissertation "Acoustical Studies on the Flat-backed and Round-backed Double Bass"; the basic conclusion of this paper, IIRC, is that though they're different in measured acoustics, psycho-acoustically they seem to be a tie.
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Thanks for the clarification and ballpark cost on the upgrade. That Brock finish is really nice, man. That's going to be killer with the solid spruce top! I also like the finish on the "Murphy" w/out the 'antiquing'. Seen some other basses with the Poplar all around with the grain showing like on the back shot. I'd think it'd be like a Standard with a flat back and different finish. Checking with Eric on that. Just getting excited and can't keep my brain focused!
I'm down either way on the flat or round. I'm going to take your IIRC on the conclusion. Will probably ask Eric in the back and forth.
I'm down either way on the flat or round. I'm going to take your IIRC on the conclusion. Will probably ask Eric in the back and forth.
After a good bit of Q & A, we're a go! Dropped the deposit about 5 minute ago.
Been playing BG in the church orchestra. I get handed string bass, rhythm and/or bass guitar parts. Will be cool to do some arco and pizz on those those parts, and still do the BG parts. We do some old hymns but also some jazz-influenced tunes (a lot of Mark Hayes arrangements). Also looking to do some jazz on the side. Finally, wanted something to bring it to music festivals in the RV.
7/8 Bohemian Laminate Canted Flat Back
Been playing BG in the church orchestra. I get handed string bass, rhythm and/or bass guitar parts. Will be cool to do some arco and pizz on those those parts, and still do the BG parts. We do some old hymns but also some jazz-influenced tunes (a lot of Mark Hayes arrangements). Also looking to do some jazz on the side. Finally, wanted something to bring it to music festivals in the RV.
7/8 Bohemian Laminate Canted Flat Back
- Poplar top, back and side face veneers
- Varnish: like the Upton 'Murphy'
- Zyex and Bridge Adjusters
Cool- congratulations on the new bass. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with it.
One of my Uptons is a laminated Bohemian 7/8ths with flat back. As noted before, I upgraded to the birch on all surfaces to allow a lighter finish. I think you will like it.
Thanks Bob! I think I remember seeing it. Or, always an excuse to post pics! Sounds nice.
I went with the Poplar b/c I wanted a 'middle of the road' finish. I really like the 'Murphy' so it will be like that without the antiquing of the finish.
