Description

Upton Bass “Tigerswing” Special Double Bass, 2008

This Upton Bass Tigerswing double bass represents the pinnacle of our foray into producing fine “blonde” laminated instruments. A super stylish slap-ready upright bass for all the Hepcats out there demanding them! (…all of Jack’s friends!)

About a decade ago we offered the Superswing as a regular model, a blonde version of our fully laminated instruments. Making a blonde bass requires clean, pretty wood all around, no dark varnish to even things out. The Superswings got flamed Maple veneers on the back and sides and Spruce veneer tops. Around the same time we offered “Tiger Tops” for other laminates which had figured Maple ply tops, with a darker tobacco finish.

This Tigerswing is a Superswing with a Tiger Top and clean figured maple throughout. As Eric recalls, barely any were built, for good reason: “The Superswing was the Upton Bass version of a blonde laminated bass – flame maple back, sides and neck with Spruce top. This Tigerswing was a fully laminated special with flamed maple top as well flamed maple all around. The maple veneers were very expensive, the Tigerswing being double with the top…there’s probably a thousand dollars worth of veneer on that bass, and it had a varnish that took twice as long as all the other basses. We were losing our shirts on them! …And this special version – I think it may be one of ONE.”

So Upton Bass probably would have gone out of business if we kept making these!  Pretty little bass though, huh?  Plus – it booms like a cannon, is very quick and easy to play, and looks like the day it left the shop. Give Eric a call to learn more about this unique bass! +1 (860) 535-9399. 

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.