What’s in a name? Here at Upton Bass we name our bass models after the region that influenced them, as in the Brescian, Mittenwald, Bohemian and Concord. Here we’ll take a look at some notable Brescian-style instruments. Pictured – Giovanni Maggini early 1600s What do we mean when we use the term “Brescian?” Brescia is…
Choice Pre-Owned Upton Basses for Sale!
Two great Uptons have just become available, both previously detailed here: The fully-carved “Murray” Concord, with all the Prescott cues and adjustable/removable neck, and the “Swift” Brescian, a big roundback hybrid with precision Irving Sloane tuners. We’ll put up full sale listings if they stick around, but we wanted to give Upton subscribers first dibs…
“Deneen” Brescian Double Bass, Opus 130
High-gloss French red and hatpeg tuners adorn this carved roundback Brescian – we all took a pause to admire this one!
Upton “Bulkin” Brescian Hybrid Double Bass, Opus 769, 2021
This Upton Brescian Hybrid double bass, one of the first of the new year, is built with sugar maple veneers on the back and sides with matching neck. German spruce top. Upgraded tuners and “micro-dot” inlays. Spirocores and a Rev Solo pickup for reinforcement and recording. Somebody’s new gigging partner – what a great list…
“Camp” Brescian Model Double Bass
Yet another amazing Brescian build completed! The “Camp” Brescian double bass features deeply figured Big Leaf Maple and a very special back. One centered piece of this select tonewood makes up the vast majority of the carved back, including nearly all of the arching. Gary thoughts on the Camp Brescian: “This really reminds me of…
“Bullet” Brescian Model Double Bass
Luthier’s notes from Eric: “Most amazing Brescian yet! Deep ribs (almost 9″!) spalted big leaf Maple that kept ruining blades as it had a bullet in it!” We imagined several stories – was the tree outside Elvis’s window? Was the lumber in the trunk of Steve McQueen’s Mustang? The depth in the wood and pathless…
“Hull” Brescian Model Double Bass
Upton Bass Brescian Model Double Bass, 2020, Opus 203 This new Brescian was particularly rewarding to make, it’s a state-of-the-art fully carved version with exceptional wood – figured Spruce top and rippling Big Leaf Maple back and sides cut from the same board. The new owner knew he wanted a premium bass from the start,…
“Corbett” Brescian Model Double Bass
A mighty, well-mannered Brescian Model, built with some mild outline adaptations as we continue our pursuit of the ultimate double bass! Opus#716 may look “ordinary” to most, but this Bresscian is very important as it was #1 in a model upgrade succession (V3) that began with Gary’s very own Brescian in 2010! The upper bouts…
Booker on a Brescian
Bassist Adam Booker shared this video of his performance at BASSEURO2018 in Lucca, Italy at the San Romano church. The bass is a UB Brescian hybrid model Gary Upton generously donated to Bass Europe as a grant bass in 2012 at Copenhagen, which is gifted to deserving double bassists for two years. We’ve gotten to know…
“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…