This big crazy Alcoa has been hanging at the shop, now fully sorted with a fresh setup and for sale on our vintage page! 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. 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.…
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What's in a name? Here at Upton Bass we name our bass models after the region that influenced them, as in the Brescian, Mittenwald, Bohemian and Concord. Here we'll take a look at some notable Brescian-style instruments. Pictured - Giovanni Maggini early 1600s What do we mean when we use the term "Brescian?" Brescia is a region of northern Italy which was home to hugely influential makers such as Gasparo da Salo, Vincenzo Panormo and Giovanni Maggini. Panormo would emigrate to England in the 1700's and brought this style of double bass with him. His influence became so widespread that…
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Reverb = Rando! In addition to listing used basses and bows on our Reverb page, we often post electric uprights, guitars and other string instruments that deserve good homes. The Upton Bass Reverb page changes all the time - it's a good outlet for the many non-basses that we end up with! Recent offerings have included Walter Woods amps, Acoustic Image amps, fine vintage Gibsons and Martin Guitars, even a century-old banjo. And as always - if you're searching for a certain bass or bass accessory that you can't find - let us know! +1 (860) 535-9399.
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Two great Uptons have just become available, both previously detailed here: The fully-carved "Murray" Concord, with all the Prescott cues and adjustable/removable neck, and the "Swift" Brescian, a big roundback hybrid with precision Irving Sloane tuners. "Murray" Concord "Swift" Brescian We'll put up full sale listings if they stick around, but we wanted to give Upton subscribers first dibs if either of these check all boxes for you! Both basses are on the premises, available for audition and comparison in our showroom - call Eric at the shop for more details: +1 (860) 535-9399.
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