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09-18-2006, 07:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Allen, TX | | | Per Jim Carr's response, you might get the local guy to meet you half or even most of the way. That is exactly what I did when I bought my Christopher 303 from my local luthier.
I was on a tight budget but his added value was undeniable, and I am glad I bought from him. (David Graham in Arlington, TX)
I wish I had the bucks to do a trade-up deal with him. The possiblity of a trade-up in the future is also a good reason to deal with a luthier.
Good Luck . . .
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09-18-2006, 09:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Los Angeles | | | Christopher basses come with an unpadded bag. |
09-18-2006, 10:01 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ferndale, WA | | | Well, unfortunately, the shop I'm dealing with in Seattle tells me the bag and the bow are NOT included. The cheapest unpadded bag they have is $100! I will have to chat with them about all this, needless to say.
I think the Christopher 103 comes w/ "factory" steel strings and that's another item we might ask them to throw in - different strings? I'm told Obligatos are a good all purpose string w/ great sound? Would it noticeably improve the sound coming out of this Christopher 103? Thanks! |
09-18-2006, 10:19 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City area | | | It seems to me that a cheap black nylon bag is standard with these basses. Mine came to me used, so I'm not sure.
The standard strings are Helicore Orchestras and they aren't too bad for an all purpose string. I use Spirocores on mine but wouldn't recommend them for bowing. No experience with Obligatos, but there is a lot written on them here. |
09-19-2006, 12:39 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA | | | FMI
Hi,
I don't know what Jimmy's experience was, but I've had just the opposite with Tom at FMI - I bought a Christopher 300 a few years back as a travel bass - the price was right and the instrument was in excellent shape. I've order a dozen or so cellos and violas from Tom (student level stuff) for schools in in LA Unified and they's all been good. He's also shipped instruments and cases for me at various times.
Granted I live in LA and have visited his shop (in Pasadena) so I guess we have a relationship of some sort. His prices have always been good and - as far as I know - he's delivered on what he promised.
He's got a couple of Christopher's in stock plus a couple of Korean and Chinese instruments; the rest he gets directly from the warehouse. His set-ups are basic at best, so there's a good chance that you'd be walking into Hammond Ashley or whomever to get the bass set-up properly anyway.
Louis
PS: Jimmy - if you want to contact me privately, I'd be interested in knowing what happened. Thanks |
09-19-2006, 07:02 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Chicago | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Yukon4 Well, unfortunately, the shop I'm dealing with in Seattle tells me the bag and the bow are NOT included. The cheapest unpadded bag they have is $100! I will have to chat with them about all this, needless to say.
I think the Christopher 103 comes w/ "factory" steel strings and that's another item we might ask them to throw in - different strings? I'm told Obligatos are a good all purpose string w/ great sound? Would it noticeably improve the sound coming out of this Christopher 103? Thanks! |
If you go here, you'll see that their basses come with an unpadded bag. This is the Christopher distributor for the United States. If they still don't want to give you one, I can sell you mine for REAL cheap. Good luck.
__________________
....the notes are not the music. The spirit behind the notes is the music.
Bob Moses
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09-19-2006, 10:25 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ferndale, WA | | | Yes - I see that! Actually, it says it comes with a PADDED bag, both the 100 and 200s. |
09-19-2006, 10:36 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Chicago | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Yukon4 Yes - I see that! Actually, it says it comes with a PADDED bag, both the 100 and 200s. | Trust me, they use that description loosely. 
__________________
....the notes are not the music. The spirit behind the notes is the music.
Bob Moses
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09-19-2006, 12:07 PM
|  | Journeyman Clam Artist Moderator | | Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, baby | | | My Chrissie hybrid came with the standard lightly padded bag. It was OK but wasn't up to the work of doing much travelling about. My 2 or 3 outings a week cashed in that bag within 3 or 4 months.
I bought mine mail order from an Ontario luthier/dealer. No complaints whatsoever about the transaction.
__________________
There's a joker in every deck... |
10-18-2006, 11:21 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: nashville, tn | | | Are you dealing with Hammond Ashley in Seattle? If not, I would consider talking to them.
One thing they do, and this is what I'm presently doing, is that they will rent you a Christopher 103. And they will credit you 100% of your rental fees up to one year's worth towards the purchase of any bass from them. Since the plywood Christopher is something that will likely be outgrown, this will let your son grow while playing the 103, but then after a year you'll have about $1000 to apply toward purchasing a better bass. Or, you can choose to apply whatever rent you've paid at any time within that first year, if you decide to purchase before the year is up.
I have no affiliation with this store ... I'm just very happy with the rental policy, the instruments they stock, and the service and advice I've gotten from the experienced players and luthiers on their staff.
Just one more thing to consider!
Best wishes,
Liam |  | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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