Carved Busetto: A. Eastman vs. Christopher

[agaetis.byrjun]

I have been looking for an upgrade from my silly laminate half-size Johannes Kohr bass for a while now.

For a while I've been almost set on ordering a Christopher DB504. But when I called the woman from whom I rent my bass, she told me she was more than happy to get her previous Christophers off her hands five or six years ago. She said the quality may have changed, but she never really liked them.

Lately, I've been looking at the Andreas Eastman model 605 (Busetto). From what I've read on here and on other places in the mostly un-trustworthy internet, Eastmans generally seem to out-play Christophers.

LONG STORY SHORT, as far as carved basses go: Andreas Eastman, or Christopher?

(Price range: 4000 to 7000 USD)

[TPugh]

Sorry, I don't have experience with neither Eastman nor Christopher, but with your price range, you should be able to carefully play several basses to consider. Tell us where you're located and perhaps someone can recommend a shop (or shops) to visit.

TPugh

[PJFbass]

im looking for a bass right now as an upgrade. I played a full carved eastman for about 6 weeks when i went to the wintergreen summer music festival 2 years ago. I enjoyed playing it because it was alot better than what I am currently using. However, I wouldn't ever buy one. I went to a violin shop nearby and played alot of the older basses that were the same price as the eastman and they responded and sounded much better. I am advising you to look into older basses. You can find a great older bass in your price range. What you have to think about is that if you get a new bass, you dont know how that bass is going to sound in 5 years. With an older bass, the sound you hear is the sound you will keep. If anything, it will just get better.

[Gornick]

I would highly advise against ordering a bass, especially in that price range. Get out there and try as many as you can until one pops up that speaks to you. I own an Eastman 305, and it's a fine bass, not particularly loud, but fine nonetheless. But I wouldn't suggest one over a Chris especially when an old European bass might be out there for the same cost.

I agree with Pffbass, you can get something that has matured very nicely for that price. New is not necessarily better.

Where are you located?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by PJFbass

What you have to think about is that if you get a new bass, you dont know how that bass is going to sound in 5 years. With an older bass, the sound you hear is the sound you will keep. If anything, it will just get better.

A new bass will only get better as well. In the price range $4000 to $7000 there are several fine new basses that, IMO, will out-play an Eastman or a Chrissie. Many of those will also outplay quite a number of "older" basses. We're not talking about $40,000 venerable instruments here. While it is quite true that it's best to play quite a number of basses and that an older bass may turn out to be the best one, I wouldn't dismiss a new bass at all. There are some real winners out there.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Brand names in that price range are irrelevant. Play as many basses as you can and choose from that, ignoring the label inside. You want a healthy bass that feels good and works with you to make the music you want to make. Nothing else counts.
Unless you live 1000 miles from a reputable shop, there is no excuse for considering buying over the internet.
If you will fill out your profile, we can better help you find what you are looking for.
You're not buying a car and this isn't Consumer Reports.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by Gornick

I would highly advise against ordering a bass, especially in that price range. Get out there and try as many as you can until one pops up that speaks to you. I own an Eastman 305, and it's a fine bass, not particularly loud, but fine nonetheless. But I wouldn't suggest one over a Chris especially when an old European bass might be out there for the same cost.

I agree with Pffbass, you can get something that has matured very nicely for that price. New is not necessarily better.

Where are you located?

You beat me to it.
One of my former students had a carved Eastman fiver and I was amazed at it's dark, mature tone. Mellow and deep, deep low end.
That's his particular bass though and I believe every bass is different.

[Gornick]

Yeah, I was sold on the darkness and richness of the bass. It had about 5 years under it's belt before I got to it, so that might be something. I love arco on it, but I wouldn't mind a little more pop for jazz.

I have played Calin Wulter's in the lower end of his price range that rattled the room and played very nicey. That might be a new bass to check out, now that we are talking about it. But he isn't going to know till he gets his hands on as many as possible.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I may have overstated the irrelevance of brand names. Sure, there are similarities within brands and their models, but one Chrissy DB504 might be great and another a dog.
You have to spend time with a bass to know.

[crowsmengegus]

I have been playing an Eastman (maybe 605, it never had a label) for several years and I'm very happy with it. It has a very dark and loud low end and IMO sounds as good as basses I've played in the 10k range. That said, I've also played other comparable Eastmans that I didn't like, and admittedly, mine took a little while to break in.

At the risk of making this thread sound like an echo chamber: with your price range you have many great options! Go out and play basses and ignore the brand and shape.

Also, where do you live? Somebody can probably recommend some bass shops to visit (in addition to wherever you are renting). Good luck!

[agaetis.byrjun]

I live in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. I can't believe I pressed a 7 instead of a 6! Cut the range down one thousand and that's what I meant, lol. I know of the Guarneri House in Grand Rapids, but the biggest problem with going to stores is that half-sizes are pretty difficult to find.

Thanks to all who replied! I really appreciate the feedback. I'm probably going to try out some Eastmans (and others) before I make my decision.

[crowsmengegus]

Originally Posted by agaetis.byrjun

I live in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. I can't believe I pressed a 7 instead of a 6! Cut the range down one thousand and that's what I meant, lol. I know of the Guarneri House in Grand Rapids, but the biggest problem with going to stores is that half-sizes are pretty difficult to find.

Thanks to all who replied! I really appreciate the feedback. I'm probably going to try out some Eastmans (and others) before I make my decision.

A half size does limit your options very significantly, and perhaps you don't really need a half size.... Are you within two standard deviations of an average size adult? Just kidding...tell us why you are set on half size, perhaps we can confirm it or talk you into trying something bigger.

EDIT: for laughs

[agaetis.byrjun]

Originally Posted by crowsmengegus

A half size does limit your options very significantly, and perhaps you don't really need a half size.... Are you within two standard deviations of an average size adult? Just kidding...tell us why you are set on half size, perhaps we can confirm it or talk you into trying something bigger.

EDIT: for laughs

Well, I'm just under 5' 3" and my hands are pretty small, even for my size. I'm so used to a half sized fingerboard, too. I think, although with practice it could go away, it may be too hard to adjust from half to three quarters. I've played 5/8 and 3/4 before... no such luck.

[Jack Clark]

You're in Detroit so you should be able to find the longtime bassist-teacher Dan Pliskow. He'll know the local stores and the best people, as well as the instruments. I would think he'd have some suggestions for you.