The Upton Cello is our debut into the world of of the violoncello, a natural extension of our work on small solo contrabasses. It began with a simple idea – by approaching the building of the cello from a bass making perspective, instead of that of the violin maker. Who else to be inspired by than the great Venetian master Domenico Montagnana? We feel the “proof is in the pudding” and invite you to come in and experience the Upton Cello.
“Six weeks have passed and I’m still in awe of my Upton Cello. I have owned or still do own a Vuillaume, a Pier Fantoni and two beautiful English cellos. This cello brings together the best qualities of those instruments. It sings at the top, shakes earth at the bottom and combines ease of playing with over-all evenness. I find new colors each day. What a wonderful responsibility to be the one to bring out it’s voice.”
– John Ehrlich, Professor Emeritus of Cello, Drake University
The Upton Cello – Custom Commission
Commissioned American made cellos from Upton Bass – build a violoncello to your unique requirements
The Cello at Upton Bass
Wait a second….Why is a world renowned and internationally awarded double bass maker building cellos?
We asked ourselves the same question; and why would we not!? The cello and the double bass share such common musical ground. Just name a classical bassist that hasn’t had his way with the Bach Cello Suites. The second lowest string of the cello is literally that of the double basses highest string, and the cellos lowest string (C) drills down into the first position of a double bass players A string. They’re virtually stand mates, brothers in arms, and there is no doubt that cellos need “big wood,” and the list goes on. Upton Bass has spent years understanding our craft and perfecting the balance, clarity, and presence of these frequencies and understanding how they react with the player and the instrument. It would be waste to not apply our experience in the world of the bass clef…wouldn’t it?
Upton Bass Cellos are painstakingly made entirely by hand in our Mystic, Connecticut workshop; conveniently located between NYC and Boston, minutes off of Interstate 95.
The Upton Bass String Instrument Co. specializes in building award-winning custom double basses and offers accessories for the double bass. Upton Bass also services all instruments and bows of the violin family with world class restoration and repair, to view our online restoration portfolio visit stringrepair.com
Upton Bass is ready to offer advice and answer any questions regarding double basses or related bass topics. Please contact UB at sales@uptonbass.com or call the shop at +1 (860) 535-9399.
Hours of operation Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 6pm. The Workshop (The Barn) and showroom are located in Mystic, Connecticut conveniently between Boston and NYC.
