christopher finish & busetto model ?

[rdwhit]

I've heard that new christophers now come w/ either a satin finish or the standard glossy one which I don't like. Anybody know if this is true? I'm still looking for a back-up bass. One of my students has a ply chris which happens to sound great for a ply, the arco sound is paticularly good. Maybe he got the best one by chance. Also,I can't tell by the photos, but do the shoulders of the busetto model slope a little more than the other models and make thumb possition easier to reach? thanks,
Rob W(not Your president)

[hdiddy]

Yes, my 304T hybrid Bussetto is very slender at the top. I would say it's smaller than the typical 3/4. Pretty easy to reach for TP. I think the satin finishes are available for the higher end basses (400+) but I'm not sure about it. The lacquer can be annoying, but I like that it's a sorta extra layer of protection for a clutz like me.

[rdwhit]

Thanks hdiddy. The shoulders do seem to slope a little more on the pics I see on various sites. In addition to hdiddy's info, has anyone played or seen a chris busetto vs a chris gamba or violin shaped bass "in person". If so, what is Your opinion of the shoulders and overall playing comfort --tx, Rob

[Heifetzbass]

I own the 7/8 hybrid 5-string matte finish busetto, and have no trouble getting into thumb position. It is a great back up bass, and the finish looks good. I also got it with the upgraded tuners. I am only 5-9", so not really tall, but no worries on the upper notes.

For the money, a really nice bass. I would highly recommend it.

FWIW

Brian

[COUNT ZACULA]

I have a highly customized christopher laminate.( http://www.nortoncustoms.com/mini_galleries/vlad.htm )
while i was waiting for it to be completed I rented a christopher Gamba for a year. The shoulders on the busetto are more sloped and I find it much easier to get in and out of thumb position. The busetto also sounds extremely good arco,way better than a laminate should. So maybe you'll get lucky too. The gamba had a little more fundamental on the E string but by all accounts did not project nearly as well. Before these two I had another christopher for a couple years so feel free to PM me if you have anymore questions.

[rdwhit]

Thanks Brian. Now I'll be picky. The only specks I can find are for the 7/8ths violin shape. The rib depth given is 8- 8 1/2", not huge like a Prescott. Is this about the same size as Yours? I've emailed the US distributer w/these questions and hope they will respond. We'll see. BTW, I'm also 5-9" and only want a 3/4. It may be a good fit. I wish there were a dealer in my area so I could compare them myself side by side.Any more info out there in TB land?

[rdwhit]

Thanks CZ. I'll get back to You. I'm off to bed --later

[Jake deVilliers]

Where's John when you need him?

John Sprague is the man you should be talking with; just cut right to the chase and quiz the distributor.

Do a forum search RD.

[Heifetzbass]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Where's John when you need him?

John Sprague is the man you should be talking with; just cut right to the chase and quiz the distributor.

Do a forum search RD.

I thought John was the distributor for Shen, not Christopher?
BG

[rdwhit]

Originally Posted by Heifetzbass

I thought John was the distributor for Shen, not Christopher?
BG

Correct, John is w/ Shen, but thanks. Concord International is a distributer that I've found. I've requested info about the busetto specs and am waiting for an answer.

I may have left this out. My main bass is a New Standard La Scala w/flatchrome steel sts as a jazz/crossover bass.It will remain my main working bass. It replaced an 1880s carved german bass. My objective is to keep 1 bass for arco & 1 for pizz/crossover. The arco bass will be for keeping up w/ my students and playing at home for my own pleasure. I don't play many orch gigs these days. Aside from being a great bass, The LS happens to be very comfortable for me to play. I can't afford a second LS. I have an injured left arm and need easier access to thumb possition. The LS works well, maybe the Chris busetto shoulders would be as good or even better.

[Groove Theory]

Originally Posted by rdwhit

I've heard that new christophers now come w/ either a satin finish or the standard glossy one which I don't like. Anybody know if this is true? I'm still looking for a back-up bass. One of my students has a ply chris which happens to sound great for a ply, the arco sound is paticularly good. Maybe he got the best one by chance. Also,I can't tell by the photos, but do the shoulders of the busetto model slope a little more than the other models and make thumb possition easier to reach? thanks,
Rob W(not Your president)

Yup, I've got a Christopher 200 busetto, and it has a factory satin finish, I dig the satin look and feel, I had a few things customized when I got 'er from norton customs, but the finish is factory. the busetto and satin finishes are only available in the 200 and up models.

I just tried to upload some pics of it but the site won't let me, so here is a link to my old thread when I got it w/pics...
So it came...

[mojoluthier]

I have been dealing Christopher Basses for about eight years now. Their Ply and Hybrid basses originally came in Gloss only. Perhaps 5 years ago they started offering satin as an option. I have noticed that most customers choose satin if I have one around, but when I don't they buy the gloss anyway! This year they have come out with something new which is in between the two patinas. The goal is to have less of a production look to the finish, I believe.

Christopher also makes fully carved basses, and these basses do have less of a production finish. They showed a bass at NAMM two years ago which was a contender for the best distressed new finish I've ever seen. On purpose.

[flint]

So where can we see pics of this "distressed" finish?

[jisbass]

has anyone deglossed a shiny Christopher w/ success? I've read that a few people have deglossed their shiny basses and were satisfied. Could you post some pictures?