Fifth Dimension – Revolutionizing Double Bass Tuning with Joel Quarrington!

Fifth Dimension – Revolutionizing Double Bass Tuning with Joel Quarrington!

Joel Quarrington sits down with Gary to examine in detail his tuning of the double bass in fifths and using it in all applications! If you dare to buck convention, Joel has compelling reasons why it enhances his role in the orchestra. For over forty years, Joel Quarrington has served as the Principal Double Bassist of many ensembles including the Canadian Opera Company, The Toronto Symphony and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and most recently, the famous London Symphony Orchestra. We've made a copy of his beloved 1660 Maggini, played here side-by-side as we get closer to a perfectly built…

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Mittenwald Opus 129 – What a Carved Back!

Mittenwald Opus 129 – What a Carved Back!

This Mittenwald Model Upton double bass displays all the simple functional beauty of the German basses that inspired it. But wow! Everybody in the shop wants to take this one home. Check out the center cut of the back, now ready to resonate for centuries. The lyrical ff-holes bring the whole shape together - pretty from every angle. Gorgeous varnish, Chris! This lovely Mittenwald double bass gets a hand-carved C-extension from Jack before going out! Dream about yours here or give the workshop a call: +1 (860) 535-9399

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Mittenwald Hybrid Double Bass

Mittenwald Hybrid Double Bass

Many of the staff at Upton Bass are veteran bass players and when we daydream about our own Upton bass, we'd most likely land in the performance/price sweet spot of a flat back hybrid. You get all of the stability and toughness of a hybrid with the remarkable response of our lightweight flatbacks with the tone-developed 'propeller' bracing. So you'd think that might narrow things down, but every one Jack puts the finishing touches on makes the choice harder! We'll feature a few of these outstanding hybrids over the next couple weeks - unlike any we've seen elsewhere and just…

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Upton Double Bass Top Conversion – Plywood to Hybrid

Upton Double Bass Top Conversion – Plywood to Hybrid

We've done this a few times now, to the point we can quantify it and offer as a product! this double bass top replacement service upgrades your existing fully-laminated Upton bass (UB Laminates and Bohemians) into a hybrid with an in-shop top swap. We made a huge number of plywoods over the years, if you love your bass but want to make the tonal jump to hybrid, you can with your same bass! Please note we require about a 90-day window to complete the conversion, depending on shop schedule. Purchase and we'll reach out to you, or let us know…

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Upton Bass String Instrumental Co.

159 Packer Road Mystic, CT 06355

Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10AM - 6PM


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