Another Santagiuliana double bass build! This pattern is becoming a favorite with its early-era Italian long and broad upper bout. Gary selected some of our most breathtaking figured maple for O239, which seems to go on forever throughout the canted back and wide ribs. Just strung with Gary's Blended set of clear low and flexible top strings, the big sound was clear and lively at first touch, already getting sweeter as it settles in under tension in the loft. This remarkable bookmatched back of maple stretches the full width and length the broad back and ribs. This much quilted maple…
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Gary shows off this piece of American bassmaking history in this new video! https://youtu.be/u0I_3I7INoI?si=QRplUJ-Yoog_ekXF This form is a piece of Kay Bass history - it was used to build most of the deluxe Kays, blonde S-7s and S-9s. Perhaps your Kay was built on it? If the thought of a new Upton Kay double bass interests you, Let us know! We're in the planning stages of a limited run of laminated instruments off this very form and would love feedback from bass players. Submit An Inquiry and select Upton Kay Project for the Instrument or email sales@uptonbass.com with Upton Kay…
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Gary's auditions three classic JTL-lineage French double basses from the late 19th Century! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2QiGbKYrnQ These three beautiful late-19th Century French guild double basses are currently available for side-by-side comparison at Upton Bass! Large format J. Thibouville-Lamys (and JTL-related Jacquot) with rounded upper bouts, all are in excellent playing condition and thrive in orchestral or jazz settings. Left to Right: JTL c1890, JTL c1900, Charles Jacquot Paris (Mid-19th Century) Left and Middle JTLs produced around 1880s-1900s, Jacquot bass on right perhaps a generation older. Take a day at the bass loft to audition all three or call Gary for more details!…
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We've just gotten a beautiful variety of French and German grip Pernambuco bows from the Arcos Brazil collective of bowmakers. New bows going up daily, but here's a quick selection of several of them with silver or nickel, snakewood and mother-of-pearl accents. We've found them to be of excellent quality for this price point - this is a great time to audition at your leisure in the bass loft and take your pick! Many more will be going up on the website - for more detail please email sales@uptonbass.com or call the shop +1 (860) 535-9399 German Grip, Snakewood Frog -…
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