Upton Bass String Instrument Company

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Alcoa Aluminum Bass c1930, #92

This big crazy Alcoa has been hanging at the shop, now fully sorted with a fresh setup and for sale on our vintage page!

alcoa aluminum double bass
droid!

Shiny underneath, with weathered paint. Very few come through in original condition – it’s pretty cool! Many have been stripped and polished to hot rod chrome, they definitely have a cult following.

Alcoa double bass aluminum
alcoa aluminum double bass 1930
patina of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder

Eric wrote on aluminum bass history here, going back to 2005. These Alcoas actually were prewar, and may have been built for Interlochen music camp so they were easily stored. The Alcoa basses differ from the Pfretzchner versions in that aluminum is used throughout. Super rare, we’ve only seen a handful of either in over 20 years.

While the Pfretzchner basses were used for the military, these Alcoas (ALCOA – Aluminum Company of America) went out of production before the war effort ramped up. Never really caught on either – but a double bass unlike almost any other. Loud and…different, not too unlike plywood in tone and certainly tough. Indestructible pit or weather bass!

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Upton Bass
String Instrument Company

159 Packer Road
Mystic, CT 06355

Hours: Tues–Sat, 10 am–6 pm
Telephone: +1 (860) 535-9399
Email: Sales@UptonBass.com

Ted and his Standard Laminate

Everyday Upton Bass Players: Ted

Hello!  This is me…and my Upton Standard Double Bass named Buela Bay… My name is Ted, AKA neddyrow on TalkBass, and I play an Upton Standard Double Bass.  I am making this post to show that you don’t have to be Christian McBride or Travis Book to play an Upton.  Not just the pros play…

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New Arrivals in the Bass Loft! March Vintage Update

We’re busy in the middle of a big build cycle, but want to give our subscribers the early heads up on these new arrivals! A late-model Upton Bohemian with all the extras, and a trio of mid-century basses in various fettle. More pics and details to follow – call us at the shop for more…

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