As 2024 comes to a close, we at Upton Bass have been reflecting on what has been an incredible year for our team and our community. From new projects to exciting collaborations, this year has been a great one. Here are some highlights that made 2024 special. Collaborations and Craftsmanship We’ve had the honor of working with esteemed musicians and luthiers throughout the year. Highlights include refining our manufacturing process in collaboration with a master luthier. We have created bespoke instruments for top level musicians, such as the Gagliano copy for Blake Hinson, and the two copies of Max Zeugner’s…
View Full PostThis 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! Dream about yours here or give the workshop a call: +1 (860) 535-9399
View Full PostFinally a book for grade-schoolers that centers on the double bass! Do you know a young person who may be interested the largest member of the violin family? This new book from (UB's own!) author Antonia Aviles is both an introduction to the bass and a fun story about trying something different. There's a lot of factual information about the bass delivered with great illustrations for the musical kid in your life! Buy it directly from Upton Bass here! Also available on Amazon. Antonia Aviles, Author It is show-and-tell day at school and Catalina is nervous about sharing her knowledge…
View Full PostMany 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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