Bringing New Life to Your Instrument: The Art of Double Bass Restoration

When your treasured upright bass shows signs of age – cracks, worn varnish, structural shifts – there’s one path to preserving both form and tone: double bass restoration. At Upton Bass String Instrument Co., repair and restoration aren’t afterthoughts, they’re a core service built on transparency, craftsmanship, and respect for each instrument’s history.

What Makes Restoration Different from Simple Repairs?

While repairs tend to focus on specific, functional fixes (e.g. a cracked top, re-gluing a seam), double bass restoration encompasses a holistic return to optimal condition. It may involve:

  • Structural stabilization
  • Re-varnishing
  • Re-setting bridges
  • Reworking internal components
  • Custom adjustments to string length or setup

At Upton, restored basses, even those in “pre-restoration state” with serious wear, are shown to clients so they can follow the process and have input. That level of involvement reflects how thoughtful restoration differs from off-the-shelf fixes.

Upton’s Approach to Double Bass Restoration & Repair

1. Transparency from Start to Finish

Because restoration is often a long, intricate process, Upton Bass launched their repair workshop in 2005 to open a window into what happens behind the scenes. Clients can monitor progress, understand the steps, and stay informed throughout the restoration.

2. Treating Each Case Individually

No two double basses are exactly alike. Especially those needing major restoration. Some may require minimal adjustment, while others are essentially rebuilt. Upton keeps vintage and used basses in a “before” state on their site so prospective owners or restorers can see what’s required and weigh in on decisions like string length or varnish color.

They explicitly invite client input: for example, if you want a nonstandard string length or a particular varnish tone (within reason), those preferences can be accommodated.

3. Handling Vintage & Extreme Cases

Upton’s workshop processes basses in all states of repair. Their “Vintage & Used Basses” section includes instruments that “look like they’ve been hit by a train.” Some require modest work; others call for thorough restoration, even stripping and refinishing. One particularly striking example is an Alcoa Aluminum Bass (c.1930), restored and set up after arriving in rough condition.

Additionally, they’ve worked on historically significant instruments, such as a Martini Oreste Mantova double bass from 1925. The story behind these restorations highlights how restoration isn’t just technical work, but deeply respectful preservation of musical heritage.

What to Expect During a Restoration

  1. Evaluation & Quotation
    The instrument is examined; the needed repairs and restoration scope are outlined. You’ll see before photos and a plan.
  2. Disassembly & Stabilization
    Open seams, structural cracks, or degraded internal parts are addressed. The bass is cleaned and stabilized.
  3. Reconstruction & Adjustments
    Bridges, soundposts, ribs, tops, and varnish are worked on. Internal braces or linings may be replaced or reshaped.
  4. Refinishing & Varnishing
    Surface work – polishing, filling, varnishing – brings aesthetics and protective coating back.
  5. Setup & Final Voicing
    After structural work is done, the bridge is set, the soundpost adjusted, string lengths and tensions selected, and final tonal adjustments made.
  6. Client Review & Delivery
    You review the work, request tweaks, and take the instrument back in its restored form.

This full path is much more than patching; it’s double bass restoration in its truest form.

If your upright bass is showing its age or needs revival, double bass restoration isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment in sound, structure, and heritage. What sets Upton Bass apart is not just their technical skill, but their open workshop model, client collaboration, and willingness to embrace instruments in any condition.

Whether you’ve got a battered vintage bass or a more modest instrument needing tune-ups, entrusting a professional restorer ensures the spirit and voice of the bass endure.