The standard upright was designed to be as much like a double bass as possible within the constraints of body size. Most bassists find that they can play a Clifton Upright in the same way as their double bass, both pizzicato and arco, standing or sitting. This has been achieved by making 'bolt-on' body supports which enable the instrument to rest against the player's body in a similar position to a double bass. The fingerboard , bridge, pickup and strings are all standard DB parts and the sounds are similar to an amplified double bass but without any feedback at high volume levels.
Clifton Uprights are being used for jazz, classical, drum 'n' bass, country and various forms of project music. The standard bass fitted with Gage 'Realist' bridge transducer and supplied with padded gig-bag is priced at £1900. Most players find that this meets all their requirements but custom variations can be accommodated at extra cost. The bass is designed to hang on a standard cymbal stand.
Until 2007, most Clifton uprights have been made from Brazilian mahogany but as this timber has now become an endangered species, American poplar is now used for the standard model
The review in Bassist magazine (April '97) described it as 'an awful lot of bass for the price when compared with other manufacturers'. Paul Scott, the reviewer, was sufficiently impressed to buy one for himself! Originally designed in 1990 for Simon Woolf, the Clifton Uprights have stood the test of time and remain one of the most popular instruments from this workshop.
