An extraordinarily dark and rich sounding double bass, a
projecting tone that cuts on stage, an award winning sound...we introduce the UB
Professor series.
The UB Professor is known for its volume and projection, with tonal color
abound. The UB Professor Deluxe is a more tonally dynamic bass than our hybrid
models, and has been known to hold its own un-amplified with jazz trios in small
clubs. Although its a "Step Down" from our concert model it should not be
underestimated for its value. The top is hand-carved from select German spruce,
while the flat back and sides can be of various woods from quarter-sawn,
well-seasoned figured maple to the rich, dark and creamy sounding poplar.
Originally, the UB Professor Deluxe Model was a special instrument made
for Gary (owner and founder of Upton Bass) which, when he wasn’t playing it, was
left at the shop. When customers inquired about the flat-back, we simply
replied, "Oh, That’s Gary's bass". Maybe it was the looks...maybe it was the
sound...maybe it was the unique UB model. Whatever the reason, people have
always loved to buy Gary's bass! So, it would sell and then he would
commission a new one. In fact, we’ve sold Gary’s bass so many times, he is
very hesitant to give up his
current one! So, if you want "Gary's
bass", you might just have to have to settle for a newly commissioned one.
However, he’d be happy to break it in on a few gigs for you, if you’d like.
An Upton Double Bass features our own unique design, constructed
under traditional methods, and using the finest quality materials. Our skilled
luthiers make each double bass tailored to your needs. We offer many upgrade
features and accessories, allowing you to custom create the instrument you’ve
always wanted. Our goal and purpose is crafting instruments below
the $20,000 price point and offering customizable double basses that are purpose
built, with exceptional sound and craftsmanship all within the Upton Bass
workshops standards. We are able to do this in the America by utilizing our
developed instrument making systems to stay within a given budget. Please
contact Gary about making your next dream bass at 860-535-9399
-Click on images for a close-up view-
The Professor Deluxe: Hand carved spruce top
with our best graduations and Italianesque re-curve, back, sides and neck of
moderately flamed maple (English Sycamore) Varnished to your liking with
gamba or violin corners Starting at $6,500...
-Click on images for a close-up view-
The Professor Poplar Deluxe:
Poplar has not been a common choice for recent commercial instrument making;
however, Cremona's masters of centuries ago recognized poplar's acoustical
merits. Amati, Stradivarius, Guarneri and others used
poplar to create masterful instruments during a truly golden age of instrument
making.
The UB Professor
POPLAR Deluxe pays homage to the master builders of yesteryear by sporting a
solid poplar flat-back and poplar sides. The Prof. Poplar Deluxe Double Bass
produces a warm, lush tone with incredible clarity and projection. The
flat-back construction with tone enhancing bracing coupled with a solid spruce
top with a fully re-curved Italianesque arching generates a
remarkable immediacy in response-both arco and pizzicato. The sum of all the
parts makes for an instrument that is equally impressive in orchestral, jazz,
and solo performance. Players comment on it's "old sound" long before it
can be considered played in. Starting at $6,000...
-Click on images for a close-up view-
The UB Professor Standard; Also known
as the “Flat-Back” bass, is an exclusive UB designed instrument constructed by
Upton Bass String Instrument Company and setup per player to meet your
performance demands. An extraordinarily dark and rich sounding double bass, the
Professor is known for its phenomenal volume and projection, with tonal color
abound. The UB Professor Standard is a more tonally dynamic bass than our
laminate and hybrid models but different from the deluxe model in that the wood
choice is on the plain side and does not feature our deluxe top graduations with
Italianesque recurve. However, don't judge a book by its cover this
is a working mans bass and has been known to hold its own unamplified with jazz
trios in small clubs. If your about sound and a utilitarian bass your
search can stop at the UB Professor Standard. The top is hand-carved from
select German spruce, while the flat back and sides are domestic, well-seasoned
maple. 5 string and many upgrade options available. Starting at
$5,000...
-Click on images for a close-up view-
The UB
Professor Poplar Standard: THE
BEST VALUED DOUBLE BASS IN THE WORLD? An American made solid wood
double bass that competes with European and Chinese basses in price pointThe NEW
UB Professor POPLAR Standard is truly CHAMPAGNE taste on a BEER budget.
Starting at $4,500...
Average Customer Rating
(See All 4 Reviews)
Rob Rainwater on 11/27/2007
I purchased a professor bass a little over a month ago. I ordered it with the hat peg tuners and preserve saddle. I was a little skeptical about the tuners, but they look cool and stay in tune really well. The ebony pegs seem to be easier on the strings as well.
When discussing the setup, I told Josh that I wanted it to play like my 54 Kay that has a full Upton setup (ebony fingerboard, bridge, etc). Gary commented that the professor is a completely different instrument and boy was he right. People consistently comment on how great my Kay bass sounds, but the professor makes the Kay sound like a cardboard box.
My first gig was with the new bass was with my eclectic acoustic group, Gail Wade and Turning Point. My band mates commented right away how good the bass sounded. I had it set up with a set of Spirocores and the sound was very pronounced and projected great. My solos really cut though. Since that gig I have played everything from fiddle tunes to classical and the bass sounds great.
The real beauty of this bass shows when played arco. I have tried a number of strings on the bass including Evah Pirazzi, Belcantos, Corellis, Spirocores, and Permanents. I settled on the Permanents, because I liked the full, clear tone that they produce. The bass also sounded awesome with Pirazzis and Belcantos.
The professor is really a pleasure to play. I think this is a really good instrument for the money. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good jazz or classical bass at a reasonable price.
Mike Doyich on 08/08/2007
I recently purchased a Professor Model bass from Upton Bass, and I really love it! It has a deep and loud sound that really projects, and that is exactly what I was looking for. But man, what I had to do to get what I wanted! If you are looking for a new bass, and you live a long way from Mystic, CT like I do, you should read about what I just went through.
But first, just a little background info. I’ve been playing bass (both standup and electric) for about 38 years. My standup is a 30 year old German laminate that I got about 20 years ago for a good price. My old bass is alright, and obviously it ‘got me by’ for a long time. But, I always wanted to upgrade to something really nice…something that looks as good as it sounds and plays, and the Professor is just that.
I live in a small mountain foothill community in Northern California. The closest “big” cities are Stockton or Sacramento. Neither of which will ever be mistaken for the cultural capital of the United States. For me, driving to San Francisco is not a preferred option. Every music store I would go to never had a bass worth looking at. All I ever heard was …”if you tell us what you want, we’ll try and get it for you”… Sound familiar? Then, who knows what they’ll come up with, AND you have to pay their marked up price. Once I finally decided to seriously take the leap to upgrade, I decided to research the internet.
My due diligence research was impeccable. I even talked to Gary Upton once. We talked for about an hour, and he was very nice and knowledgeable. I told him about a hybrid I was considering purchasing from another company. He advised me not to buy it for a variety of reasons. I asked him if I bought that bass, if he would do the Upton setup work on it. He refused! At first I thought this was a little arrogant, but I came to realize he turned away a guaranteed sale because he is so proud of the quality of his basses and workmanship, he won’t be associated with an inferior instrument.
Being frugal minded, I went ahead and purchased the (other) hybrid anyway. What a mistake! I didn’t even have it out of the cardboard shipping box, and I could see the inferior quality, and that I had been had. I was so mad at myself for being so stupid! I never even took off the packing material or installed the bridge. I never even played it! Instantaneously all I knew was I wanted my $2000 back, and that I was going to call Gary back! My old laminate made that bass look like a child’s instrument.
I called Gary back and asked if he remembered me, and he did. It’s funny, he said …”I knew I’d hear from you again, I just didn’t think it would be so soon”. Gary is a perfectionist, and so am I. We talked at length many times so that I would get the exact bass and setup that I wanted. I upgraded to full-plate machine heads and dotted inlays on the fingerboard. I had heard (but really didn’t believe) that the more you play it, the more the sound waves resonating through the wood improves the sound of your bass. I have had my Professor for 2 months now, and lately that really seems to be happening.
If you are leery about buying a quality bass that you can’t see and play first hand like I was, don’t do what I did the first time. Do what I did the second time and do it right! You can’t find nicer or more knowledgeable people than the folks at Upton Bass. My sincere thanks to Jack, Josh, and especially Kristin and Gary for all they’ve done to finally provide me with the bass of my dreams!
Mike Doyich
Jackson, California
Jeffrey Joiner on 06/19/2007
Gary,
This is an awesome bass. The workmanship is superb, and after your's and Jack's patience while we got the strings and setup right for me I can only be extremely grateful for getting to own and play such an inspiring instrument. Give me a little time, I will have every bass player on the Cape playing your basses! Many thanks,
Jeffrey
Andrew Wrba on 03/13/2007
I purchased this bass exactly one month ago, and I have had the hardest time putting it down. The sound is full across the entire range of the bass......
I am currently playing on the UB Blacks for strings and I'm getting such a full sound and warm tone from them......
Also, the Rev II pickup has been great. Very natural sound. I would definately reccommend this bass for any player looking in this price range. Great buy!
Average Customer Rating
(See All 4 Reviews)
