Thanks! I’m very excited! Never owned a decent double bass. I think I would’ve stayed at 3/4 if I wasn’t going 5-string. My goals are kind of contradictory, I want a great orchestra bass and also a great soloist bass (not that I’m either but I’m trying, lol) A C-extension was my first solution but the costs started to pile up once you start adding all of the gates, and then of course the Ebony upgrade for the gates. I want those low notes though and the ability to play a low E in position instead of open and all that, and the 5-string option is the cheaper better way to do that. In addition to providing much better playability in that lower range, reaching across to the B string instead of up and over my head to the extension. I’m fine with the idea of being the “European-style” 5-string oddball, and I’ve been reassured any of the usual perceived negatives of 5-strings shouldn’t be an issue with a purpose built 5er with the deluxe hand graduated top instead of a converted 4 or something like that. As far as antiqued tuners, they look great, but I’m on the fence, I need the angled endpin upgrade, and wanted the side bumper upgrade…got the deluxe top upgrade, the 5-string upgrade…etc. etc. plus the Deluxe Upton bag because my current bag won’t fit a 7/8 and is likely going with my Kay when I sell it…and have you seen the price for a single B-string!?!? I nearly fainted, lol. I’ve taken the performance based upgrades all the way to the limit. I’m thinking about the antiqued tuners though, it would be a nice touch, but it’s purely cosmetic and I’m not sure how much further my budget can stretch. May be selling an electric bass soon.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.
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Double Bass Upton Bass Club
- Thread starter kamakiriad7
- Start date
FWIW, one of my few economies was to to save on the customer bumpers, and just use the inexpensive leather ones from Gollihur.
I have the Leather ones from Gollihur on my Kay, and they are excellent. That would be a good place to relocate some budget for tuner options.
Yeah, I’d recommend the Gollihur bumpers as well. I’m on the fence now between a 3/4 and 7/8.
I had originally wanted a New Standard but their prices are quite a bit higher (starting at $7500)
Does anyone have a comparison or opinion between the two brands? Thanks
I can't really compare the two basses, but the Gollihur bumpers are terrific and I have 4 sets on my LaScala (3 on the lower bout and one on the upper) so I can roll it down to and up from a lying down position. They are great and have been solid for years.
RE: Tuners...i have an Upton Standard Ply and Bohemian, the standard tuners work just fine. Personally i wouldn't spring for different tuners unless you just are a real stickler for the way they look.
I have the standard Rubner tuners on both my Upton basses. The ones on the Bostonian, the fancy carved bass, are antiqued. The ones on the plywood Standard are shiny. They work identically, both sets smooth and secure.
I got the fancy Upton bumpers on the Bostonian. I put Gollihur leather ones on the Standard. They both do the job excellently. Unless you’re paying close attention, you wouldn’t really notice the diff. If you’re looking to save some coin, bumpers might be a good place to do so.
I got the fancy Upton bumpers on the Bostonian. I put Gollihur leather ones on the Standard. They both do the job excellently. Unless you’re paying close attention, you wouldn’t really notice the diff. If you’re looking to save some coin, bumpers might be a good place to do so.
For the 5-string they recommend sticking with their stock tuners, so that’s what I’m gonna do.
Off topic:
In the course of my looking at tuners I came across these. They look beautiful and really really expensive! That brass and the flat black look real fancy.
Double Bass
Off topic:
In the course of my looking at tuners I came across these. They look beautiful and really really expensive! That brass and the flat black look real fancy.
Double Bass
Just brought my 7/8 Bohemian hybrid home. It was worth the 13 month wait! After twelve hours in the car i am too knackered to play much today but it is sure swell. The 1954 Epiphone B4 has been a superb instrument but after a month or so of transition I will find it another loving home. The angst of the wait is very very quickly fading! And thanks to those who responded to that earlier post describing such. Will post more photos soon.
Yeah, once you have that thing in your hands, the year-plus wait is a thing of the past! Enjoy that big old beast!
Frau Hollar and I are taking a lil trip to enjoy the fall foliage and we made the pilgrimage to Mystic Ct.
Spent a little time with Eric and tried a few basses and talked about a possible ~40” scale build.
Great folks and a beautiful shop!
I have had my new Bohemian 7/8 hybred for just over two months now and love it. Lighter thqn my old Epiphone but still getting used to getting around doors and such due to the size. It has some power.
Great to hear! Was that something on their website or a custom design that you came up with? Also, did you have them ship it to you or did you pick it up at Upton? Thanks for all of your help.
Jon
Ps- would you mind sharing some pictures? My cell phone is 912-713-7896 if that’s an easier way to send them. Have a great day.
Jon
Ps- would you mind sharing some pictures? My cell phone is 912-713-7896 if that’s an easier way to send them. Have a great day.
Jon, will get some pics together for you and for here also. I went down to Mystic, a long day drive from mid-coast Maine. Took the Epiphone with me and with Eric came up with the 7/8 flat back hybred. I was playing a good bit of acoustic folk and bluegrass then and wanted more power un amplified among other things. Of course now doing much less of that and more jazz. It is such a sweet thing to play. The old Epi is a great bass, more old timey and mellow sound but the more I play the Upton the more in love with the sound I am! I assume you saw my first photo back a page or two? Thanks for asking.
Take a ride to Maine and give it a try!By the way,
I’m looking to replace an Epiphone too! I want a nice, powerful, bluegrass bass
That’s about what I’m looking for as well!
I have an old Kay as well. It sounds fine amplified but I don’t care for the sound and volume acoustically. I was at IBMA in Raleigh a couple weeks ago and a gentleman there also had an upton hybrid. He let me try it and it’s a wonderful instrument. It’s also a 7/8.
It’s actually on uptons website as the “Kircher” model. His is about like yours but with a round back. Is there a preference with flat back? how long did it take after you ordered it approximately? And would you mind telling me a ballpark range of what it cost?
I would love to come to Maine to try it, but unfortunately I’m in Savannah, Georgia!
We are hosting our first bluegrass festival in November. How about you come down here?
Ha ha.!!!
Headinhomefest.com
I have an old Kay as well. It sounds fine amplified but I don’t care for the sound and volume acoustically. I was at IBMA in Raleigh a couple weeks ago and a gentleman there also had an upton hybrid. He let me try it and it’s a wonderful instrument. It’s also a 7/8.
It’s actually on uptons website as the “Kircher” model. His is about like yours but with a round back. Is there a preference with flat back? how long did it take after you ordered it approximately? And would you mind telling me a ballpark range of what it cost?
I would love to come to Maine to try it, but unfortunately I’m in Savannah, Georgia!
We are hosting our first bluegrass festival in November. How about you come down here?
Ha ha.!!!
Headinhomefest.com
This one?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
that’s just a regular bohemian model bass with some upgrades, someone named Kirchner ordered it. it says it came in under $5k, but it was probably pretty darn close. it looks to be a bit more expensive today.
The Bohemian
A bohemian hybrid is $4,250. That Kitchener has a deluxe top which is a $1,000 upgrade.
It also has the solo swoop $100
7/8 size upgrade $250
Upgraded tuners $???
Edge bumpers $200
Dot inlays $20 per dot I think….
UB Double Bass Upgrade Options Archives
So for an identical bass today it could come in under $6k. Plus your choice of strings and shipping. There’s cheaper ways of doing it though, you can save money going with a Standard, but you lose choices and upgradability. Or you just pull back on the options and deluxe top, or go full plywood. It can be whatever you want.
for what it’s worth, I paid my deposit in June, got the call from Eric on Friday for final payment so they can get started. My estimated delivery date is actually Christmas Day. Which isn’t likely, that’s just how the math worked. I’m expecting first or second week of January after the holidays.
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My bass Bohemian model Hybrid Spruce top deluxe $5,250
7/8 upgrade $250.
then the upgrades and added stuff and deluxe bag brought it to just under $6,900
hope this helps
Forgot canted flat back
7/8 upgrade $250.
then the upgrades and added stuff and deluxe bag brought it to just under $6,900
hope this helps
Forgot canted flat back
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