Mr. Seaton,

Do you know of a place in Texas (the closer to Austin the better) where I may be able to try a Czech Ease bass? In the research I've done, it seems like the closest place is in Arizona. I have the potential for some serious travel coming up, and I'm looking into these, but I don't want to put $5k on my credit card without at least playing one first and then having to send it back if it's not was I was expecting. Any light you may be able to shed would be greatly appreciated. Toward that end, other than portability, what are some of the pros and cons you've experienced with this instrument?

Thanks,
Pat Harris

Hi Pat,
I don't know of a shop that carries them in stock in TX. Maybe you could contact David Gage's shop and find out if they know of anyone in Austin that bought one. You might ask that same question to John Fremgen at UT.
I like the bass very much. John Fedchock used me on 1/2 of his last big band record and I played the travel bass on that. Only a microphone was used for the CD. I had a luthier set it up so the string length and spacing is the same as my main bass. Airlines still can charge for checking the instrument, but so far nonone has been denied checking it. Some people have been denied checking their regular upright (including me). I have talked with David Gage about finding a way to have a removeable neck on the travel bass to make it even easier to check, but so far no solution yet.

Thanks for all of the info. I'll look into all of the avenues you suggested.

Best,
Pat