Recently Made Uptons - A Gallery of Notable UB Builds

“Rector” Bohemian Model Double Bass

There’s bells and whistles, then there’s purity of form. And an amber varnish really brings out that form. This Upton Bohemian model double bass features a flat back, with a deluxe top. That’s it – BOOM. And some dot markers. And a Rev Solo – okay, one bell, one whistle. DONE – commence playing!

“Brock” Mittenwald Model Double Bass

This impressive Upton Mittenwald double bass was built as a hybrid with birch wood veneers on the back and sides. The birch upgrade lends a buttery undertone to the lighter varnish. Brass antiqued scroll plates and tuners and a Rev Solo pickup complete the package.

“Galperin” UB Standard Carved Double Bass

This “Galperin” UB Standard Carved Double Bass is another example of this remarkable value in a fully American built carved double bass. The UB Standard “rules” still apply in this sub-$5000 instrument, not much in the way of custom choices – other than darker or lighter in finish and antiqued tuners if you like. Regardless,…

“Patterson” Concord Model Double Bass

Just because Abraham Prescott didn’t make a fully carved bass, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t! This was a “first” for us. Now, don’t get us wrong…we’ve made plenty of fully carved basses over the years…almost 100 as of writing this blog post, but this is the first fully carved Concord model Upton Bass. Using the same stock…

“Spencer” Karr Model Double Bass

This Karr model double bass features stunning wood choices and an adjustable/removable neck. We were commissioned to make a copy of the Gary Karr Special ISB 50th Anniversary Upton Double Bass out of similarly flammed Big Leaf Maple from Gary Upton’s special stash of select woods. The bar was high here in the workshop as we all…

“Murphy” Bohemian Model Double Bass

This Upton Bohemian double bass was built for the pit! We’re referring to the substage area musicians working on Broadway and touring musicals work. Pit musicians need reliable instruments that can perform night after night for weeks on end without fuss. The instruments they use must play extremely well and sound phenomenal, all while being subjected to ever-changing…

“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,…