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…
Recently Made Uptons - A Gallery of Notable UB Builds
“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 flamed Big Leaf Maple from Gary Upton’s special stash of select woods. The bar was high here in the workshop as we…
“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,…
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…