Upton Bass is proud to have just completed a very cool commission for legendary bass guitarist Victor Wooten! Over the next few posts, we’ll walk you through this whole Victor Wooten double bass project. It began with the idea for a collaboration at the 2015 ISB show in Rochester. Victor asked to bring us his 18th Century instrument labeled as a Vincenzo Carcassi, a stout wide-ribbed 5/8ths-time traveler with a strong and clear voice. Victor got this bass from Stanley Clarke! Try to imagine the Italian Vincenzo working by lantern, no concept that this bass would be played by some of the world’s best electric bass guitarists in its third century!? Victor loves the sound and feel of his Carcassi and hoped we could capture that in some new basses.
But First – to restore the Carcassi! This would also give us a perfect chance to take precise measurements for the Wooten Uptons to follow. Pictured below is this instrument ready to play. Continue below for detail on the restoration!
Now, pictured below is a catalog of the trouble spots – first outside view – then inside. Not for the faint of heart! Cracks, ancient repairs, even rot… Final pic is buttoned back up ready for the top on! Stay tuned for more posts on building the Victor Wooten double basses.
