The Brescian Model Double Bass was being designed and prototyped at the same time we were raising our post-and-beam workshop in 2012. From the original Upton Hawkes pattern, our gravitational pull was always towards giant Italy-via-England contrabasses – violin patterns with broad proportions built enormous for lavish orchestra sections. The Upton Brescian Model was our new push to create a wide-ribbed bass in this classic style, while applying all of our invention in construction and ergonomics. When we think of a ‘Brescian’ style (from Northern Italy), we reference the masters such as Gasparo da Salo, Maggini, and Rogeri. Vincenzo Panormo…
View Full PostFor well over a decade we’ve been building instruments from a large delivery of Pacific Northwest lumber – a single tree trunk in particular is responsible for some of the most striking spalted grain patterns we’ve ever featured! As we get towards the end of this wood stock, here’s a gallery of just a few of the amazing basses we’ve produced with it – click through the pics for more galleries and info.. Bozart Kloz Bullet Brescian Spalted Concord “Tutu” Concord Santagiuliana Commission A “spalted” woodgrain is one where the first traces of fungi in decomposing lumber has painted outlines…
View Full PostThis Brescian double bass from 2021 has just become available – with some choice upgrades! C-Extension, flat back and a Rev Solo pickup really put the oomph in this cannon – super fun to play and ready to ship.
View Full PostThis 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. patina of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder Eric wrote on aluminum bass history, 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…
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