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In the past 10 years I've owned 3 mid-priced carved basses
and a few really nice plywoods as well. I have also rented countless others
while on the road. Gary' Professor Bass is the finest instrument I have ever
seen for 5 grand or less. I've had mine less than a year and I'm already using
it on sessions. I've played it on 3 records since October and have been
complimented thus far on the even tone and clear wide bottom end. I had a
student this summer at Mark O'Connor's string conference that had one of Lemur's
Brian Bromberg basses. It was a very nice instrument and a steal for what he
paid for it. I still feel that Gary's Professor is a more mature sounding
instrument and simply can't be beat for even low end response. Upton's hybrid
and plywood models are also top notch and impossible to beat for the price. The
most common response in NYC from other bassist is them wondering out loud how
Gary could be selling this bass for only around 5 grand. I'd recommend them to
students and professionals alike.
Kyle Kegerreis
Carrie Rodriguez
Mark O'Connor
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
Gary-
I just brought home my new Hawkes laminate bass from Upton
Bass and it is absolutely terrific. My other bass is a 1907 Hawkes Concert
model which I often use for traditional jazz. It’s a great bass but it has its
drawbacks that Gary’s bass really compensates for.The Upton bass has a huge
sound first and foremost but that’s not its only astonishing characteristic.
The playability, response, warmth, and setup are all truly top-notch. The notes
seem to just leap from the instrument with a clarity and singing quality that
helps me to express myself more fluidly. This bass has an overall flexibility
that allows me to use it in diverse settings. Whether it’s a conventional jazz
gig, a more pop-oriented set, subbing on Broadway or performing a sonata- Gary’s
bass can do it all. Everyone at Upton Bass is extremely knowledgeable and
helpful and the luthiers really take great care in maintaining the highest
quality of work. If something isn’t up to their rigorous standards, they won’t
just let it “slip by”, they’ll do it right instead.The look of the bass is
beautiful with a gorgeous varnish and a pleasing and comfortable shape. While
playing the bass at a Jazz at Lincoln Center Professional Development today I
was complimented on both the look and the sound of this superb instrument.
Thank you, Gary, for a great bass!
Sincerely,
Matthew Rybicki
Dear Gary,
It has now been about a year since I purchased my UB Hybrid from you. I am writing to let you know that I simply could not be happier with the instrument and your service. From the outset it was quite clear to me that you are extremely knowledgeable and honest and that you take great pride in the instruments you offer and in the relationships you build with your customers. I was especially impressed with your "no pressure" approach to the sale including your encouragement that I visit other dealers. You were quite confident that I simply would not find a better value and you were correct! It certainly was apparent that what was of utmost importance to you was that you put the correct instrument in my hands and that I be completely pleased with the purchase.
As far as the instrument itself goes, it certainly has seemed to "blossom" just as you predicted. At times I find myself thinking that it sounds far better than it has a right to sound! Just about everywhere I play, it draws compliments. It is beautiful. The more basses I examine the more I appreciate the workmanship on my UB Hybrid.
Finally, I want to thank you for so cheerfully taking care of the very, very, minor issues of adjustment/correction after the sale. On more than one occasion, you went far beyond the call. We would all be better off if all those who operated businesses did so while adhering to your principles. After three-plus decades of playing upright bass, I'm glad I found you!
Sincerely,
Les B.
Hello again, Gary.
I just want to thank you again for all of your help. I can't even describe to you how much I love this bass. You are absolutely right about the Jazz/Bluegrass outplaying the other basses I looked at. I spent about 4 hours on it today after having the sound post readjusted and it really just sings. The only problem is that now it makes me look at my other basses like they are somebody else's unruly kids. For the record, the folks at Gage String Repair felt that I had gotten a really good laminated bass and considering some of the stuff I saw in their shop, that's saying something. Everything from the fingerboard to the string height is just perfect for me and I have already found myself doing a little improve. Not bad considering I have never played a fret less ANYTHING before much less an upright bass.
Again, thanks. For not ripping me off (which others seemed more than willing to do) and for taking the time to explain what I was buying and why and what I was avoiding by doing so. I look forward to doing business with you on all of my bass accessories (when i get a few more bucks to buy them). Talk to you soon.
Gary Glinski
Gary,
My bass arrived today, they were located close to me so my friend picked it up. I PLAYED it tonight. Great sounding bass, Its set up just the way I wanted it. Cant say enough about it. My bluegrass friends love it, its got that boom,plus action is low, you gotta love that bridge. Beautiful bass. Thanks it everything you said it would be. We love it.
Richard
Hi Gary, just a note to let you know how my bass is doing here in Nevada. Everyone that has heard it thinks it is a very fine instrument. So far 2 of the bass players in the Reno Philharmonic and 3 members of the local symphony orchestra's think it is one of the best they have heard. The principal bass player in my orchestra says it sounds better now than his 80 year old bass and can only improve in sound as it gets older. Our local luthier says it sounds as good as a Pollman. I think that is a great recommendation and considering that I paid much less than a Pollman I am obviously very pleased and happy with my purchase.
Also note that the more I play the bass the better it resonates and is already one of the best sounding basses in the orchestra. Since your attitude seems to be to make and keep your customers happy I would certainly recommend you to any one interested in buying a quality instrument at a very good price. I have been well satisfied in dealing with your company and will continue to deal with you as my needs arise.
Thanks again, Tom
(member Reno Pops Orchestra and Carson City Symphony)
Dear Gary,
I'd like to express my appreciation for your time and help with the purchase of my new instrument. The instrument itself is beautiful and plays wonderfully at a very reasonable price. You also spent much time with me and allowed me many visits to evaluate the instrument. Your knowledge and enthusiasm for the double bass is very apparent. I also appreciate the set-up and adjustment time that you have spent on my instrument. I look forward to a continued relationship and wish you the best of luck with your business.
Lou Bocciarell |
Customer
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