Christopher 500 Bass - Opinions Please

Leroy La Qua · #1 10-24-2008, 04:45 AM

I am looking at purchasing a Christopher 500 series bass as my first bass. Here are the specs and a couple of photos...

Christopher 500 Series "Performance"
3/4 Carved solid wood Violin shaped bass.

Fully carved with selected Spruce top and fine-flamed back & sides
Hand varnished Gold Brown w/shade
Ebony Fingerboard & tailpiece
106cm string length
German Rubner machine heads,
Adjustable bridge
Thomastic Weich strings
"D" neck

I would be keen to hear people's opinions on this bass?
Anyone played one?
Is this a quality instrument?

christ andronis · #2 10-24-2008, 08:48 AM

I've got a 600 series (fully carved) that has been great. Built in 2002, it's had one open seam (due to my clumsiness), been in a variety of climates (Chicago weather) with absolutely no issues, and has been complimented for its sound on more than one occasion. These are, IMO, a good value for your money. Mine is strung with Velvet Animas which really brought out the richness of the sound, moreso than other strings I've tried (Spirocores, EP's, Dominants, Helicores). I think you'll be very happy with your purchase. Let us know what you think.

Also, play alot of arco; long, slow open tones to help it open up.

Enjoy!

AMJBASS · #3 10-24-2008, 10:49 AM

I have a Christopher 500 series Flatback, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this bass to anyone. It is a great instrument for the money. Really loud, and full sounding. Obviously each one will sound a bit different, but I have been very impressed with Christopher instruments.

Leroy La Qua · #4 10-24-2008, 01:34 PM

Great. Thanks for the feedback. Was wondering also what these basses retail for new in the States? The asking price for the one on offer here works out at about $3100 USD.

Keyser Soze · #5 10-24-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leroy La Qua

Great. Thanks for the feedback. Was wondering also what these basses retail for new in the States? The asking price for the one on offer here works out at about $3100 USD.

You can contact the Concord Group in Chicago and, if you press them a bit and be specific about your exact model, they'll tell you the "MSRP."

I bought a 400 series about five years ago and the MSRP, with uprgaded tuners, was USD$3,400 then. I think it's gone up a few hundred bucks since then.

I paid substantially less than MSRP, put the "savings" into top-notch luthiery (and popped seam repairs, endpin re-reaming and replacement) and am very happy.

Your price seems to me to be a good deal. Once my bass "matured," I've been very happy with it.

Good luck.

brandonwong · #6 12-13-2008, 09:00 PM

The 500 and 600 series doesn't seem to have much difference in terms of description.
Does anyone has more experience in telling both apart?

LouisF · #7 12-13-2008, 11:52 PM

I THINK (it was explained to me once) that it had to do with the flame of the would and the quality of the finish, but that the difference was minimal. Not sure, but I think that's about it.

Louis

brandonwong · #8 12-14-2008, 08:57 AM

The difference in price is about $1k tho. Justifiable?

Barron · #9 12-14-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwong

The difference in price is about $1k tho. Justifiable?

That depends on the singular bass in question. You would have to compare and decide for yourself. It's like a mail-order bride or arranged marriage. They all look pretty on the internet, but personality is what really matters if you're going to be spending quality time with her.

fdeck · #10 12-14-2008, 11:03 AM

I agree. Faced with the $1k choice, I would ideally play a few basses of each model, in the dark, choose the best one, turn on the lights, and find out how much money I had just committed to spending. If I could not choose, then I would consider myself lucky to have saved $1k.

rprowse · #11 12-30-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leroy La Qua

I am looking at purchasing a Christopher 500 series bass as my first bass. Here are the specs and a couple of photos...

Christopher 500 Series "Performance"
3/4 Carved solid wood Violin shaped bass.

Fully carved with selected Spruce top and fine-flamed back & sides
Hand varnished Gold Brown w/shade
Ebony Fingerboard & tailpiece
106cm string length
German Rubner machine heads,
Adjustable bridge
Thomastic Weich strings
"D" neck

I would be keen to hear people's opinions on this bass?
Anyone played one?
Is this a quality instrument?

I know of this bass - I recognised the picture. I'm assuming that you didn't buy it, because it is still being advertised. I'd love to hear your story because I've been checking out this bass too. I live in Wellington. I see the price has just gone up on the website (by $NZ1000). That'd put me off.
Richard
I'll send a PM.

Peck_Time · #12 12-30-2008, 02:03 PM

Hi Richard! I seem to recall that this particular Christopher 500 has fluctuated in price for a while. It started out more expensive, then dropped and now is back to what it was.

I am liking my Christopher flatback a lot these days. I have Evah Pirazzis on it, and it bows very easily.

Richard, we should get together for a play again, I need more bowing help!

-Daniel Yeabsley

rprowse · #13 01-09-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peck_Time

Hi Richard! I seem to recall that this particular Christopher 500 has fluctuated in price for a while. It started out more expensive, then dropped and now is back to what it was.

I am liking my Christopher flatback a lot these days. I have Evah Pirazzis on it, and it bows very easily.

Richard, we should get together for a play again, I need more bowing help!

-Daniel Yeabsley

Hi Daniel.
I hope all is well.
I didn't realise that you had a Christopher. I'm going to get some Evah Pirazzis soon. I had some Bel Cantos, which were nice, but have Weichs back on at present.
Come around for a play any time.
Richard

KeepEmThumpin · #14 01-13-2009, 09:59 PM

Looks like a good call. I have a Christopher 320 series. Carved top, gamba shape, subtle flaming on the back. A beautiful bass longing for a better setup, which I can't quite seem to afford.

I have a set of Weichs on mine, too. It works well with them. Nice, dark, resonant body. I've owned it for as long as I've been playing, about a year (bought it used for $1500), and it's held up really well, aside from a freak accident involving the bridge.... No issues at all with anything opening up, even though it had been repaired once before. I love this thing, and expect years out of it.

rprowse · #15 01-24-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepEmThumpin

Looks like a good call. I have a Christopher 320 series. Carved top, gamba shape, subtle flaming on the back. A beautiful bass longing for a better setup, which I can't quite seem to afford.

I have a set of Weichs on mine, too. It works well with them. Nice, dark, resonant body. I've owned it for as long as I've been playing, about a year (bought it used for $1500), and it's held up really well, aside from a freak accident involving the bridge.... No issues at all with anything opening up, even though it had been repaired once before. I love this thing, and expect years out of it.

I bought the Christopher 503 and have put Evah Pirazzi strings on it. Unfortunately I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with it, but that will change. I have Weichs on my old German plywood, so maybe I can have the best of both worlds?