Our remarkable spalted Maple makes another appearance on this beautiful rounded cello-like Venetian pattern dating to the early 19th Century! A fully-carved flatback with long fingerboard swoop - this beautiful custom commission will be taking its place within the bass section of the New York Philarmonic. If you imagine a dream bass not covered by our standard model choices, maybe a custom route is in your future - call us to learn more +1 (860) 535-9399 or fill out an Instrument Inquiry! Gary comments: "Well, I might say this is one of the most special builds of our high end…
View Full PostWe love this new Karr build and are excited it’s going to a great school program for young bassists! This bass really captures the spirit of our collaboration with Gary Karr - a great, expressive string instrument at a sensible price. We know it will shine in the hands of the double bass section at Brigham Young University! This is a perfectly scaled 5/8ths size version of our Karr model. It’s a fully-carved round-back build of Northeastern domestic Maple back and sides with German Spruce top, a 40” scale length and a long solo fingerboard. The adjustable neck will allow…
View Full PostHere's a wonderful illustration of the staying power of big German gamba-pattern double basses. These three are all over a century old and have been kept in great playing shape with a range of modifications and replacements. These are historic instruments without the eye-popping price, having not stayed strictly original and without impeccable pedigree. They really are player's basses, set up to be responsive to 21st-Century hands with the resonance of vintage symphony instruments. New necks and/or setups keep them vital with playing comfort and adjustability. A quick tour of historic Germany with these three survivors! The Mittenwald (Left) came…
View Full PostTwo beautiful examples of "Andreas Morelli" double basses, both are playing great with recent Upton restorations! Andreas Morelli-labeled basses have a reputation of being perhaps a tick up from Juzek and being very good all-rounder basses. They have longer bodies than the typical Juzek and a longer string length. As built - and preserved as seen here in the darker bass at right - Morelli basses have a 43" string length. That extra string pull isn't for everybody, on the lighter restoration it's been brought down to 42" via a custom t-nut. Both necks are original and healthy! The lighter…
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