The bass speaks easily, with a smooth, responsive pizzicato and a clear sense of immediacy to the sound. It projects well without feeling stiff or aggressive, striking a balance that works in a wide range of musical contexts.

As always, the bass has been fully inspected and set up by our shop before being offered for sale.

This model was originally created to outperform the typical “economy” carved basses on the market. The Standard Carved was designed to blow those away: a fully carved, American-made bass built here in our shop.

This example features poplar back and sides with a spruce top. The poplar back is constructed from a center plate with two wings, a technique we use frequently for its stability and tonal consistency.

It has bumpers, bridge adjusters, a RevSolo pickup, quiver, bag and bow, and a set of Evah Pirazzi strings (a bit tired at this point. Still fine under the bow, but darker than ideal for pizz). The neck is maple with German antiqued tuners, and a long, clean ebony fingerboard.

Tonally, the bass has a big, round presence. A fresh set of Spirocores, if you ask us, would wake it up even more. Alex Svensen recently bowed this bass for a video demo, which will be posted soon; he always comments on how much value these Standard Carved basses deliver.

The full outfit is $8,000, including all accessories. For anyone comparing this to older German shop basses or vintage instruments, this is a healthy, crack-free, stable carved bass that’s seven years old and fully broken in. It’s been well cared-for and will stay that way with proper attention to humidity (we recommend 45%).

As with all basses leaving our shop, we’ll put it on the bench for a personalized setup to suit your playing style. If you prefer a played-in instrument over a brand-new build, this bass offers the best of both worlds: mature wood, stable structure, and the reliability of a modern Upton.

Unlike traditional builds, the Ergo Model is intentionally asymmetrical, with carefully placed sound ports in the upper bout, distinctive F-holes, and dimensional adjustments that give it remarkable clarity and projection. The result is an instrument that looks as striking as it sounds—designed for serious performance, and stays true to both Arnold’s and our own high standards.

Finished in a warm amber varnish, this bass features a beautifully figured Haselfichte spruce top, big leaf maple back and sides with long flamed ribs, and a flamed maple neck. Outfitted with Rubner tuners, ebony fingerboard, and bumpers, it shows only light signs of playing wear.

This is an instrument priced far below a $40,000–$50,000 Schnitzer but still carrying the pedigree, sound, and playability that make his instruments so sought after. At $24,000, it represents an opportunity to own a distinctive, collaborative bass with exceptional character and versatility.

Whether you’re seeking a modern orchestral instrument (well suited for a C-extension), a strong solo voice, or a bass with amplified potential, the Ergo Model offers an exciting extension of what a double bass can be.

Set up in its current condition with a Spirocore string set, the bass delivers a full-bodied sound that’s surprisingly rich and responsive, whether you’re playing pizzicato, slap, or straight jazz lines. The action is comfortable and forgiving, making it ideal for long practice sessions, folk jams, or bluegrass and jazz performances.
This Standard Plywood embodies the hallmark Upton quality: well-balanced, resilient, and ready for any player who wants a dependable instrument that feels good under the fingers and sounds great across styles.

This bass comes with ebony hat peg tuners. It has a little bit of gentle wear. It was Gary’s personal bass for a short time, until he switched to a five string.

Solid carved spruce top, laminated ribs and back.
41.5″ string length.
Adjustable bridge.
Strung with Spirocore Solos.
Includes Deluxe Upton Bass bag.

This bass was personally signed by Gary, representing the vision we worked with him on: an economical instrument that could play comfortably in any setting. It’s equally at home in jazz combos, symphony halls, or pit orchestras.

Excellent overall condition with only light wear. Structurally and sonically, it’s in perfect playing shape.

This bass is available now — no waitlist, no build time. If you’re looking for a reliable, flexible instrument that carries the Karr Model’s legacy, this is a great opportunity.

Body: Standard plywood with a striking poplar ply visible on the round back
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Ebony
String length: 41.5” (three-quarter size)
Equipped with Rev Solo pickup, bow quiver and bumpers.

The finish is slightly shiny but can be dulled down upon request to a darker tone if preferred.

This bass offers quick attack and a lively tone, perfect for players looking for a straightforward, workhorse instrument. It’s in excellent shape—almost too perfect—so someone should definitely enjoy putting it through its paces.
Note: These Standard Laminate plywood basses are no longer in production, making this a rare find for anyone who appreciates the classic Upton plywood design.

If you want a dependable bass that sounds great and is ready to play, this Standard Laminate is a smart choice.

This model was foundational in the early days of Upton Bass, and has remained a popular workhorse bass. These days we make much fewer of them, and when they occasionally come through the shop on trade they tend to go fast. This one is in excellent condition and fully set up, with the sound and ergonomics we are known for.

Specifications:

3/4 size
All-plywood construction, round back
Maple neck with ebony fingerboard
French bridge, Rubner tuners, quality tailpiece and endpin
Zyex strings installed
String length: 41 1/2″
Opus #643

These basses have served gigging pros and serious students alike—great for bluegrass, jazz, Americana, and beyond. A dependable, road-tested tool that doesn’t skimp on quality.

Built with big leaf maple (ribs, back, and neck) with a spruce top and fitted with Sloane tuners. It was owned by renowned bassist Craig Butterfield, and is well taken care of. While the Karr can handle jazz, it’s truly designed for classical and solo performance. The very sloped shoulder gives great accessibility.

We want to make this bass yours, and adjustments that can be done to it include

Replacing the tailpiece.
Top coating the varnish to add depth.
Replacing the fingerboard (currently has inlays).
Fully customized setup, including overstand, string length, etc.

This instrument is sentimental for us. We’re looking for someone who appreciates what it is—a piece of our history, made in collaboration with one of the greatest bassists of our time.

Specs:
• Model: Upton Gary Karr, Opus 26
• Year: 2011
• Hand-signed by Gary Karr
• 41.5″ string length
• 23.6 lbs / 10.8kg
• Big leaf maple back, sides, and neck
• Spruce top
• Sloane tuners
• Adjustable/removable neck
• Round back
• Customization options available