Upton Bass proudly offers the Martin bass line at both our Stonington Connecticut and Boston Massachusetts shops. Classic English design and great sound pour from the basses made by Tom and George in their quaint English shop. This Model is huge in size...until you play it, then it becomes even bigger BUT only in tone. The proportions make it easy to play all across the instruments voice, and watch out for ƒƒƒ!! Please call Gary at 860-535-9399 for details on Martin Double Basses.
How the "Martin Ruggeri" Came to be:
Several years ago now the Martins were asked by the Dutch player, John Van Lierop, to make a copy of his Vincenzo Ruggeri bass. He needed a five stringer for his Orchestra. Tom had sold him the original a few years before — a real Cremonese masterpiece from around 1695. It probably had 'cello like shoulders originally and was cut down by the English player/connoisseur Edward Stansfield. It was very playable for a big bass (29"/74cm across the bottom) with a string length of 42" (106.5cm).
The resulting copy was such a big success that the Martins began to get orders for the copies. It is now one of their best-selling double basses. It combines playability and response with a really huge sound. Although the original had a flat back, it sounds very well with a round back, and this example is of fine Maple. It makes a great four or five stringed instrument and examples are now in a number of top orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra.
Gary with George and Tom Martin on his recent trip to the Martin Bass Shop in England
