Recently Made Uptons - A Gallery of Notable UB Builds

“Feigenbaum” Bohemian Model 7/8ths 5-String Double Bass

“Feigenbaum” Bohemian Model 7/8ths 5-String Double Bass “Upton consistently makes incredible basses. This instrument is truly one of the best I’ve had the pleasure to play” It’s always fun to work with a repeat customer, and we’ve enjoyed watching Mr. Feigenbaum go from a teenage beginner to an adult professional. This bass was created to…

“Marvin” Bohemian Model 7/8 Double Bass

This custom order is a giant 7/8ths fully laminated Bohemian Model double bass. What a blast to play! Enormous presence, big woody tone, moves tons of air and LOUD. Can hang with many acoustic situations unamplified. A great jazz or swing band instrument, also can power any roots music situation – fans of old American…

“Bozarth” Klotz Model Double Bass

It’s easy to work at Upton Bass and daydream about the instrument you might order for yourself one day. This latest Klotz double bass has us all taking note in this regard. It’s just gorgeous! Compact, begging to be played, light and responsive, pretty from every angle. Our Klotz copy started as a special Custom…

Victor Wooten Double Bass Project Part 2: Designing and Building the First Prototype

(Read part ONE in the series if you missed it) To build our first Victor Wooten double bass we started with tracings of his centuries-old Carcassi instrument. The outline was so asymmetrical, we thought it would be better as a NEW instrument to correct the outline, and we created two mirror images, yielding very different basses,…

Victor Wooten Double Bass Project Part 1: The “Wooten” Carcassi

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…

“Wilson” Bostonian Model 5-String Double Bass

Here’s a fully carved round back five-string Bostonian that is pleasing to the eye from every angle. The warm amber finish really shows off the woodgrain with a beautifully arched and recurved poplar back. The low B string is very responsive and playable – even this young it sounds warm and full. What a cool…

“Parris” Brescian Model Double Bass

Here’s a very special Brescian in our shop, a beautiful instrument that awaits it’s owner. We want to send him a special photo montage for Thanksgiving. We love the dark hand rubbed varnish on this bass, it’s been a reference for many more to follow. It awaits a Navy sailor who was stationed out of Newport…

“Cataldi” Brescian Model Double Bass

Fully carved Brescian with rippling figured maple back and sides. Deep reddish amber varnish brings out the historic cues on this bass, and the stunning wood continues to the top of the scroll. Custom brass scroll plates complete the bass along with edge bumpers. Pics don’t really do it justice! A very special instrument with…

“Bean” Upton Bass Bostonian 5’er

Gary Karr Special ISB 50th Anniversary Upton Double Bass

In 1967, Gary Karr started what has become the International Society of Bassists, and this year’s 2017 ISB Convention in Ithaca, New York marked its 50th anniversary with a very special performance by its founder. This instrument is for sale! Gary wrote to us several months ago to let us know what a joy it…