Description

Upton Bass Busan Double Bass, NEW Domenico Busan Copy 2017

This remarkable Upton is a recent Custom Commissions project, based on a very rare Domenico Busan contrabass built in Venice, Italy in the mid 18th Century. Domenico Busan built many violins and violas but only several basses, in the shop once manned by Mateo Gofriller.

This Busan double bass was a technical challenge!  We were commissioned to “copy” the original Domenico Busan double bass, without having the bass in our possession…and only limited pictures and measurements.  The client was interested in seeing if we were capable of reproducing his bass before booking a trip here to the UB barn with his bass in hand.

It was agreed upon to copy all aspects of the bass, including the asymmetries.  Initial pictures we had were looking down at the bass, and we found other pictures looking up at the bass, but no straight on shots.  Using photoshop and some guidelines for proportion (body length, the width of c bout, upper and lower bout widths, etc)  we were able to use lens correction to get an accurate body outline.  We worked back from this point to get a rib outline and an inner form made.  Even ff-Hole placement became stressful on this build as the two ff-Holes varied widely from each other and the placement was asymmetrical…but we only had accurate measurements on ONE ff-Hole.

Domenico Busan Copy Bass Build

Having fun with the model, we choose nicely figured German Ash for the back and sides, and a tight grained German spruce top.  We coupled with an English Sycamore neck that we carved in a traditional style. No signature Upton Bass scroll on this one!  A first for us!

Not having a full set of geometries available on the build, we set the neck to our own standards.  The setup was done for solo playing, whether jazz or orchestral. The bass was completed for the June 2017 ISB and was brought for display, and used throughout the week by soloists for performances.  We have kept the bass privately for some time now, and as of the early Spring of 2018, we have decided to make it public and available for purchase.

Have your own special double bass project in mind?  Dream bass or copy?

Learn more about UB Custom Commissions or just give us a call! +1 (860) 535-9399.

Domenico Busan Copy Finished Double Bass

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.