Sometimes it feels like we've seen every single Kay bass on the face of the Earth come through here - turns out, we're not even close! BUT, with the market bouncing back on the value of Kays, the really good ones are coming out of hiding. Add to that, with so many on the market (and most in poor condition), we only accept the exceptional ones. If the classic, mid-20th-Century hot-rod vibe of the original Kay Bass Viol still pulls at your heartstrings, we have something for you. Four examples of premium Kay history: a prime early example, a blonde…
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Jason Heath wrote a really cool post about his day at the Upton Bass barn when he recorded his podcast with Gary and Eric. If you haven't already, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of all the amazing resources Jason has compiled for double bassists! Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog Jason has devoted himself to the double bass and his unique online platform for bassists of all levels. As well as keeping his site brimming with new material, he gigs, teaches and serves as Board Chair of the ISB! A Day at Upton Bass Jason Heath I’ve been…
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Contrabass Conversations features interviews and performances from top leaders in the world of the double bass. Podcast host Jason Heath dives deep into what makes these world-class artists tick. With 2 million downloads and counting, Contrabass Conversations is the most popular podcast for double bassists. One of my all-time top interview requests has been to chat with Gary Upton and Eric Roy of Upton Bass. As I was booking my trip to New York City, I knew that spending a day at the Upton barn in Mystic, Connecticut was a must-do. Eric, Gary, and I had a great conversation about all…
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After receiving an eMail where someone was trying to show how there must be an internal problem with their bass by pressing on the top, I started explaining to Bryan how this phenomenon works, and why its not telling the whole story. I got about 1 minute into my explanation and Bryan said, "wait, start over, this is a video!". We setup the camera quick and I started over (hence the bad audio...should have grabbed a better mic too!). Take a look at what we've been saying for years, and add your questions or comments as we always read them.…
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