Old website for reference String Instrument Company

Recently Made Uptons - A Gallery of Notable UB Builds

“Bullet” Brescian Model Double Bass

Luthier’s notes from Eric: “Most amazing Brescian yet! Deep ribs (almost 9″!) spalted big leaf Maple that kept ruining blades as it had a bullet in it!” We imagined several stories – was the tree outside Elvis’s window? Was the lumber in the trunk of Steve McQueen’s Mustang? The depth in the wood and pathless…

“Hull” Brescian Model Double Bass

Upton Bass Brescian Model Double Bass, 2020, Opus 203 This new Brescian was particularly rewarding to make, it’s a state-of-the-art fully carved version with exceptional wood – figured Spruce top and rippling Big Leaf Maple back and sides cut from the same board. The new owner knew he wanted a premium bass from the start,…

“Watts” Mittenwald Model Double Bass

This beautiful Mittenwald model Upton double bass was built as a big flatback five-string hybrid. The Mittenwald is a great gamba pattern for the low B, with plenty of depth and air volume. A classic build kept the straight fingerboard and antiqued hat pegs, plus rib bumpers and a custom angled endpin block. What really…

“Corbett” Brescian Model Double Bass

A mighty, well-mannered Brescian Model, built with some mild outline adaptations as we continue our pursuit of the ultimate double bass! Opus#716 may look “ordinary” to most, but this Bresscian is very important as it was #1 in a model upgrade succession (V3) that began with Gary’s very own Brescian in 2010! The upper bouts…

“Kirchner” Bohemian Model Double Bass

This is a pretty glorious Bohemian Hybrid Deluxe round back double bass, built as a 7/8ths! This moderately priced new Upton (came in under $6K) was built with some great upgrades: Deluxe top, Solo Extension fingerboard, upgraded Rubner tuners, edge bumpers and mother of pearl fingerboard markers. A big full-throated jazz cannon – very fun…

“France via England” Custom Commission Double Bass

This contrabass was built for an English musician, inspired by a 19th Century French bass. It is built with some of our finest highly-figured big leaf maple in a lean new design. The bass features a large upper bout, violin corners, flat back, ff-holes from the French bass, 41″ string length (could modify for 42)…

“Iwanicki” Cavani Upton Double Bass

This Cavani-inspired Custom Commission features an Italian shape with Karr-like fingerboard access. A straightforward build with a German spruce top and European Sycamore, a fixed neck, dark polish and rib bumpers. Apparently the older sister has the same bass in a Karr pattern, and as much as the younger sister wanted the bass sis had, she…

Old Meets New

With classic automobiles, you might call this a Retro Rod…vintage body with a new engine underneath. This early 20th Century Mittenwald double bass is ready for the next 100 thanks to some creative thinking and collaboration between its new owner and Upton Bass! Not long ago, this bass was cobbled together and overlooked, but had…