I have a Bostonian, which is basically a 7/8 size bass, and a 3/4 size Standard. It is no more difficult for me to reach the end of the fingerboard with the larger bass. The difference in sitting length is about a half inch overall.
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Double Bass Upton Bass Club
- Thread starter kamakiriad7
- Start date
That’s what I was hoping to hear. I posed the same question to Eric, I think when he gets back to me I will change my order from a 4+C extension to a 5 string, and make it 7/8. With the deluxe top option I’m thinking that thing will bring the thunder and still sweetly sing melodies.
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That was supposed to be string length, but you got the gist. 
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I've owned two Uptons at the same time - one 3/4 hybrid; one 7/8ths full ply. The difference in string length is 1/2 inch. The difference in body is more pronounced. When laid back to back on the floor the lower bout was about a full inch or more wider, and the upper bout about the same. The rib depth was the same. Don't remember the overall body length, but perhaps a little longer.
To me there was no difference in playability. I could reach anywhere I wanted to, although I don't play thumb position.
Last year I added a Yamaha EUB to make it easier to get to gigs and jams; aging and a minor health issue made the decision for me. I put both up for sale, and the 7/8ths sold first, so I still have the hybrid.
Oh man - are you ever asking the wrong guy!
I'm basically a BG thumper. I asked them to build me a cannon, and that's what I got (tho I mostly have the 7/8 set up for bowing classical, and use my 3/4 ply w/ guts for most of my thumping.) I wield a mean tape measure, but as far as your specific question - anything much above the heel is pretty much terra incognita to me!
Nope. Once the ply sold, I'm keeping the hybrid. I like to play it at home, and there is the occasional gig where a traditional upright is required. Thanks for your interest.
Understandable! I sent you a PM the other day regarding those basses. I’m thinking of ordering one (Upton. Bohemian/hybrid) and would love your feedback and opinions. Thanks a lot!
Hello everyone,
I’m strongly considering purchasing a new Upton Bohemian 3/4 with a deluxe top. Can anyone with one of these offer some feedback/reviews? I already own two ply uprights:
‘53 Kay M-1 blonde
‘39 Epiphone B4
One will probably be on the market soon!
I had planned on buying a New Standard Hybrid but their prices are out of my range now ($7500). I’m primarily a bluegrass player and do some occasional bowing. I’d like a bass with clarity;volume;evenness and sustain. Would this Upton be a good choice for me? I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks!
I’m strongly considering purchasing a new Upton Bohemian 3/4 with a deluxe top. Can anyone with one of these offer some feedback/reviews? I already own two ply uprights:
‘53 Kay M-1 blonde
‘39 Epiphone B4
One will probably be on the market soon!
I had planned on buying a New Standard Hybrid but their prices are out of my range now ($7500). I’m primarily a bluegrass player and do some occasional bowing. I’d like a bass with clarity;volume;evenness and sustain. Would this Upton be a good choice for me? I’d be grateful for any advice. Thanks!
I've posted quite a bit around here about my purchase of a 7/8 Upton Bohemian hybrid w/ deluxe top. I think it is a fine bass - but my skills are limited, and I have not subjected it to a ton of side-by-side comparisons since getting it a couple of years ago. I suspect someone more talented than me could better bring out its potential, and better speak to any shortcomings.
As is usually the case, I suspect if you searched long and hard enough, you would likely find as good of a bass for somewhat cheaper. And the delay in delivery is a factor. For me, being able to choose the finish and fittings was of some not inconsiderable value.
Ed,
Thanks for the reply. I’m not in any rush so the build delay is no big deal to me. Why did you choose a 7/8 over 3/4? I like the idea of choosing finish etc as well.
Im a bit tired of purchasing used instruments (many times someone else’s problem) constant trips to luthiers hours away from me. The thought of starting new and fresh is very appealing. Thanks again. All the best,
Jon
I can’t answer a lot of your questions, but I have only ever owned a 1960 Kay and I just placed an order for a Bohemian. Eric and company have been awesome as I’ve asked a million and one questions and changed my mind about stuff several times over. My order has also ballooned as originally I was just gonna get a plain UB standard hybrid with an eye toward trading it in later to upgrade. I decided to cut out the middle step and just go get what I want to begin with, and I was adding too many upgrades to the standard so I just went with the Bohemian. Going deluxe top, mine too is 7/8 but that’s because I decided against the C extension and went 5-string. They only do 5’s in 7/8. Current wait time is about 6 months. At least it was last month when I got on this train.
Also, just curious, and I know the “real” answer is just to ask the Upton folks, but does anyone know what the available tuners are? How are the standard Rubners?
At the time, I was seeking a bluegrass cannon, and Eric persuaded me that going to 7/8 was the biggest incremental "bang for the buck."
I was fortunate enough that I didn't have to count every penny, and I wanted to make sure I didn't regret scrimping on one thing or another, so I kinda went crazy and got the upgraded top, and a nicely flamed neck.
You don't say where you are at, but it would be optimal if you were able to pick it up, which would give you the option of having them tweak the setup. Give a lot of thought to your desired bridge profile and other setup factors, just to minimize the need for fine tuning. If you were able to go to their place up front, you could compare what they have and say you wanted a bridge like this one, string height like that one, etc...
The standard Rubners are perfectly fine. You can choose to have them antiqued, and plated or not. I chose to go with these instead, which I REALLY dig. Pic doesn't really do them justice. The tuners are textured and wonderfully meaty. Definitely don't contribute to the sound, but I really appreciate them every time I look at or touch them.
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I was fortunate enough that I didn't have to count every penny, and I wanted to make sure I didn't regret scrimping on one thing or another, so I kinda went crazy and got the upgraded top, and a nicely flamed neck.
You don't say where you are at, but it would be optimal if you were able to pick it up, which would give you the option of having them tweak the setup. Give a lot of thought to your desired bridge profile and other setup factors, just to minimize the need for fine tuning. If you were able to go to their place up front, you could compare what they have and say you wanted a bridge like this one, string height like that one, etc...
The standard Rubners are perfectly fine. You can choose to have them antiqued, and plated or not. I chose to go with these instead, which I REALLY dig. Pic doesn't really do them justice. The tuners are textured and wonderfully meaty. Definitely don't contribute to the sound, but I really appreciate them every time I look at or touch them.
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Ed,
Beautiful tuners. I really like those! Gary said the antique upgrade adds about $125. If possible, would you send a few pix of the bass as well? If you’d prefer I can PM you my cell number.
I don’t want to “break the bank” but I also don’t plan to do this again for a long time, if ever, so I’d like the bass to be exactly what I like and need. I would like a great bluegrass bass as well.
Do you recall how much extra the 7/8 upgrade was? Gary didn’t mention that to me but it might be a good way for me to go.
I’m in Savannah, Ga so getting all the way to Upton is a long shot. I wish I knew someone in the Southeast that owned one that I could check out.
BassFalcon,
Congrats on the new bass! That’s really exciting. Did you decide on stain color etc? How about strings? My reasons for wanting a new one are much the same as yours
Again, thank you both for your replies!
Jon
Thanks! I really like the maple syrupy color of the Watts Mittenwald, so that’s what I chose. For strings I am going with Evah Pirazzi Weich and a Evah Pirazzi Mittel B-string. I’ve never played them before, I’ve been a Corelli guy for a long time but the synthetic gut thing is really interesting to me and being good with a bow and lower tension is what I want in a string. Also, the upgrade to 7/8 is $250, I believe that is buried in the end of the Bohemian description.Ed,
Beautiful tuners. I really like those! Gary said the antique upgrade adds about $125. If possible, would you send a few pix of the bass as well? If you’d prefer I can PM you my cell number.
I don’t want to “break the bank” but I also don’t plan to do this again for a long time, if ever, so I’d like the bass to be exactly what I like and need. I would like a great bluegrass bass as well.
Do you recall how much extra the 7/8 upgrade was? Gary didn’t mention that to me but it might be a good way for me to go.
I’m in Savannah, Ga so getting all the way to Upton is a long shot. I wish I knew someone in the Southeast that owned one that I could check out.
BassFalcon,
Congrats on the new bass! That’s really exciting. Did you decide on stain color etc? How about strings? My reasons for wanting a new one are much the same as yours
Again, thank you both for your replies!
Jon
"Watts" Mittenwald Model Double Bass
Great color. I like that a lot as well. So basically you are going with a Bohemian 7/8 with a deluxe top (5 sting of course)? Are you antiquing tuners etc? Would you have gone 7/8 if you didn’t have to? Now I’m thinking I should head in that direction as well
That’s gonna be a killer bass.
