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Double Bass Upton v Christopher?

D

Demens

Apr 23, 2005
100
0
39
Waco, Texas
www.myspace.com
#1
Well, I did a search on Christopher basses (the lower end... like 100 series) and the last post in it was from like 2003. And everyone seemed to be really enjoying them.

So, I was wondering how they compare to the Upton Plywood basses, like the Hawkes model. I am going to be taking a road trip to Austin to look at some Christophers (the plywood models) and they are about the same price as an Upton, so I was wondering which people think is the better deal.

(If this thread has been posted already, please direct me to it... I searched and didn't find it)

Thanks
Lloyd
 
#2
Demens said:
Well, I did a search on Christopher basses (the lower end... like 100 series) and the last post in it was from like 2003. And everyone seemed to be really enjoying them.

So, I was wondering how they compare to the Upton Plywood basses, like the Hawkes model. I am going to be taking a road trip to Austin to look at some Christophers (the plywood models) and they are about the same price as an Upton, so I was wondering which people think is the better deal.

(If this thread has been posted already, please direct me to it... I searched and didn't find it)

Thanks
Lloyd
Click to expand...


Well, a few searches of the posts should yield useful info. That being said, I personally have never been impressed with the build-quality of the Christophers. On the other hand, I have been very positively impressed with the build-quality of the Uptons. They sound great too! ;)
 
#7
I haven't gotten the opportunity to play either, but Upton has a cult-level following here at this point, and Christopher supporters seem to be in the minority (they are not bad basses though). This is an open and shut case if you are asking here on TB, you'll get a long list of Upton votes. I'd like to try one myself, as I would like to do away with my engelhardt in the next year or so.
 
#10
5stringDNA said:
I haven't gotten the opportunity to play either, but Upton has a cult-level following here at this point, and Christopher supporters seem to be in the minority (they are not bad basses though). This is an open and shut case if you are asking here on TB, you'll get a long list of Upton votes. I'd like to try one myself, as I would like to do away with my engelhardt in the next year or so.
Click to expand...
When I bought a bass, I had no other options but to buy one over the net because the only place around here that has affordable plywood basses carries only CCB's. So after about 2 months of research I went with Upton. Since that time, I've got to try a lot of upright basses out between rentals and a September visit to the Upton shop, and I'm 100% fully convinced that I made the right decision. It's better than even a couple lower end carved basses I've tried, and out of all the plywoods I've tried in its price range, the Upton is by far the best, and the second best was a Shen I tried while at Upton.

So while I wouldn't disagree that the best way to buy one is to try a lot of them, if you have no other options than to buy off the net sight unseen (or even if you do), Upton is about as close to a sure thing as you can get.
 
#11
I got my Christopher 200 series in August and I've been very pleased. If I had to purchase sight unseen without meeting the person setting up the instrument, I'd be inclined to go with Upton. In your case, the chance to (1) play the bass before buying and (2) deal directly with the person doing the setup would point me toward the Christopher (or better yet, the bass in my price range that sounded and felt best). Remember, regardless of the comparisons of average quality that people make here, you are pitting a randomly selected Upton against the best bass you can find.
 
#12
Well, I have had a fully carved Christopher for about two
years now I think. Brought in for me by a local dealer, then
had it setup right here in Portland. I have loved it since
day 1, and it just keeps sounding better as time goes by.

Its not gonna compete with a Juzek or some vintage
bass, and I'm not good enough for one yet anyway :)
But its got great sound for an entry bass, and it keeps
me in love with playing :)

I noticed that since I bought mine the price on the fully
carved has gone up, so if the day comes for me to
upgrade this one should sell easily enough.

Cheers,
 
#13
Someone seems to be missing the original point here...the question was low-end Chrisses v. Uptons. Now there are posts about fully carved, much more expensive basses, and how much we all love them...well whoop-de-do. So would I, but let's stick to the point here shall we.

Why ask a question when all you get is narcissism.

whew...I hope I don't have to do that again.

gomez
_______________________
four strings, four fingers...is that evolution or what?
 
#18
Interesting that Upton gets so much good press (which I also agree with in my own experience with them), but I don't see their name in the list of DB merchants on the newbies part of this forum.
Why's that?



5stringDNA said:
I haven't gotten the opportunity to play either, but Upton has a cult-level following here at this point, and Christopher supporters seem to be in the minority (they are not bad basses though). This is an open and shut case if you are asking here on TB, you'll get a long list of Upton votes. I'd like to try one myself, as I would like to do away with my engelhardt in the next year or so.
Click to expand...
 
#19
Heres a brief update...

After checking finding info on various stores in Austin and Dallas... I am pretty sure I am going to go with Blackerby Violin Shop in Austin. I can rent for $50 a month plus a $55 initial setup fee.

I called and asked what they rented, and they said they usually have in Christopher or Eastman basses in the $1800 range for rental.

Here is a link to their shop if anyone wants to check it out: Blackerby Violin Shop

Has anyone done business with them before? They were very helpful over the phone.

Thanks for the help
-Lloyd
 
#20
Ken Lloyd said:
Interesting that Upton gets so much good press (which I also agree with in my own experience with them), but I don't see their name in the list of DB merchants on the newbies part of this forum.
Why's that?
Click to expand...
Has to be an oversight. They advertise here so it would have to be an oversight.
 

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