This new Upton double bass is a direct tracing from the Tiny Martin Prescott, a fully-sized Abraham Prescott bass, perhaps one of the last built in the 1840s. That Prescott enjoyed a decades-long career filling Boston Symphony Hall under the bow of Leslie "Tiny" Martin. It exemplifies how a simple ingenious New England double bass is still the perfect design for a huge, remarkably clear low register. Another similar Prescott is still used by Lawrence Wolfe in the same chair. This is our first foray into copying a Prescott design that was not Busetto shape (Concord) or even violin-cornered! (Church…
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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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Updated listings for the end of September! The return-to-school and work season has left us with a lot of Upton upgrades in the works and a lot of re-sorting of customer quivers. Which means - we actually have quite an assortment of Upton basses ready to grab and go! For us, the jewel in the crown is the 2009 ultimate Karr build - this bass blew away a lot of our early expectations, winning an ISB Medal for Tone on one of our first original designs. Add two young Brescian jazz cannons, a carved Bohemian and two affordable gigging hybrids,…
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Another classic restored - this Czech double bass is ready for the next chapter with a complete refresh, taken down to the bare wood and restored with a patina befitting a century-old Bohemian. After sitting for ages in attics and finding its way to our loft, this great bass heads to the West Coast newly prepared to swing any bandstand! Rings like a bell! Original hat pegs and brasswork Vintage mojo courtesy time This bass was neglected and even spray-painted at some point, but underneath were the makings of a great Bohemian Czech instrument from the 1920-30s. Fully sorted with…
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