Christopher?

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Jeff Bollbach

Can't go wrong with a Chrissie but in my opinion[and Nnick Lloyd's] the Shens are quite a bit better for the same money. Mainly cuz a real bass player[Paul Stralau] has his thumbprint all over the design.

If opportunity allows, I'd definitely take a look at a Shen Hybrid before I bought the Christopher. I have played a couple of Christophers and they are certainly a good bass, but I also think you'd be tickled to death with a Shen.

My teacher has referred three of his other students to look at my bass. Even he can't get over how the bass is shaping up as it is played in.

Almost every one who has played it has wonderful things to say about it. (INCLUDING ME!!)

Plus, it's very nice looking. I guess you'd call it glossy, but far from offensive. I actually like it better now than when new. I think all the wiping of the rosin from the top has hazed it a bit.

You should be able to get into one that is done right for the same money as a Christopher.

I paid a little extra for the pretty wood, but Nnnnnnick says the common variety hybrids (the 150) offers the same build quality and sound.

Once again, gratuitous, low-budget, bass porn:

[Mark Carlsen]

I sell quite a few Christophers and they have been offering the low gloss on all their Busetto models and on some Violin shaped models also.Very popular.

[Don Higdon]

I played Michael Moore's $2K Christopher into a cheap Radio Shack tape recorder, transferred that to CD and was surprised at how ballsy it sounded. As Martha would say, "That's a good thing."

[FidgetStone]

My hybrid Christopher is the non-shiny finish made in 2003. It is still, however, a sprayed on finish. I think the 500 series and above are hand varnished.