How are Christopher Basses?

Bassboysmom · #1 04-03-2010, 11:55 AM

My son has been playing upright since he was nine and is now thirteen. He plays very well and is currently in a youth orchestra in NYC. We are shopping for a 3/4 for him now and we were introduced to a Christopher hybrid at David Gage in NYC. How are the Christophers? We need to know kind of soon as we need to make a decision? Any advice on shopping for a bass in general and is a hybrid necessary at this point? OR would a good plywood do? Please chime in. We're waiting to hear.

Marton · #2 04-03-2010, 11:57 AM

One of my friend had a Christopher plywood bass and it sounded pretty good for a cheap plywood bass.

MR PC · #3 04-03-2010, 01:43 PM

I played some nice Christopher's, mostly Hybrid models, when I was searching for a gigging bass some years ago. I thought they were very good for the money.

Bassboysmom · #4 04-03-2010, 03:56 PM

Thanks to those who've replied to my question about Christopher Basses. Is the Upton better do you think? Or are they comparable? And how does the Englehardt fit in to the mix? About the same? Better?

Peck_Time · #5 04-03-2010, 04:33 PM

For orchestral playing, carved basses are highly recommended. That takes plywood basses (like the Engelhardt) out of the equation.

What's your budget?
What does your childs teacher recommend? Can he/she come bass shopping with you?

Depending on the bass your child is playing now, it may be worthwhile waiting and saving up for a better bass than a hybrid Christopher.

Don Higdon · #6 04-03-2010, 06:49 PM

My sense of it is that you've explained your situation in more detail to David Gage than to us. That would include long term as well as short term goals. Gage has basses of all levels available for sale. My inclination is to accept his recommendation as far as price is concerned, and then see what that gets you at AES and Upton, for starters. I don't know enough about your situation to advise you on carved vs. hybrid vs. plywood.
Christophers are good basses, fairly priced.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #7 04-03-2010, 09:20 PM

I had a student with a carved Chrissy that sounded very dark and rich. It had that pipe organ tone that was unexpected for the price he paid.
My first bass was a plywood Chrissy and was nice for the price.
Every bass is different though, so don't buy based on what anybody tells you on the internet. Buy the bass that you like when you play it-period.

crowsmengegus · #8 04-03-2010, 11:35 PM

When I was shopping (about 8 years ago) for a bass to upgrade from my ply engelhardt, I tried some Christophers, carved and hybrid. I ended up liking a carved Eastman better, and I still have it and really like it. Try an Eastman if you get a chance, and maybe a Shen too, they are quite comparable quality Chinese basses, and tend to have a bit different tonal character than Christopher, IMO.

If your budget allows, think about getting a carved bass. I think a decent quality carved bass will have some basic advantages over a decent quality hybrid, especially for orchestra.

I agree with peck_time that you might do well to consult with your son's bass teacher a bit about the appropriate level of bass to buy. Good luck, have fun!

Marcus Johnson · #9 04-04-2010, 05:28 AM

I always have to wonder how the original Christopher feels about being repeatedly referred to as "Chrissy".

Eric Swanson · #10 04-04-2010, 05:55 AM

I have had several luthiers tell me that they felt that the Shen bass' construction/structural integrity was better than the Christophers, once they opened up the instruments to work on them.

Based on that professional perspective alone (theirs, not mine) I would head toward Shen and away from Christopher, if I were looking at basses from China. I have played basses by both makers and been well impressed by the sound of both brands.

That said, +1 to Don Higdon's post; I would start with your budget and shop around. I wouldn't buy without a conversation to AES, at least.

I would resist any urge one might feel to have the matter "decided;" this is truly a case of "marry in haste and repent at your leisure."

Basses are easier to buy than to sell/trade, in my limited experience.

Finally, whatever you buy, insure the thing. It will go a long way toward making a transition to something else easier if the first bass becomes unplayable.

Just my 2c.

fdeck · #11 04-04-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I always have to wonder how the original Christopher feels about being repeatedly referred to as "Chrissy".

Probably the same way Stradivarius would have felt about "Stradivarius Copy" in entry level basses.

But seriously, +1 to Don's post too. A ply bass could be just fine, for a couple of reasons. First, a school orchestra simply won't be playing at the strength of a more advanced group, so I think that a ply bass would keep up just fine. Second, a school is not exactly a climate controlled, sheltered environment for a bass. That instrument will be going in and out of cars, etc. As a parent of kids taking string lessons, I think that if there was room in my budget for "more" of anything, I would make sure that I got a decent bow.

drurb · #12 04-04-2010, 08:42 AM

I also agree with Don's post. See what the money you're expecting to spend buys you outside NYC. We have an embarrassment of bass riches in the northeast. By all means, check out Upton and check out AES.

As for Christophers (okay, I'll use the formal name), the ones I've played have sounded okay but I was never happy with the build quality. Granted, it was a while back when I looked but my evaluation seems to be supported here.

fdeck, as usual, raises an important point. Will this bass be left at school? How often will it be traveling? Unless you have a very unusual 13-year-old (both physically and in general "teenager" terms), the bass just is gonna get bumped around. I'd suggest not going fully carved but, as it seems you have a dedicated student, my bias would be for a hybrid based on the very limited info you've given. I agree that your son's teacher(s) should be consulted and his/her opinion weighed heavily.

christ andronis · #13 04-04-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I always have to wonder how the original Christopher feels about being repeatedly referred to as "Chrissy".

...other than an overwhelming desire to hit someone with a purse he's probably cool....

all seriousness aside though, I've had a carved Christopher for over 4 years now. Plenty of compliments on sound, no structural problems and overall, I feel, a good value for the price point. However, to paraphrase most of what you've already been hearing, it's best to go out and try as many as possible, consult with players, luthiers and not let the internet make the decision for you. My opinion is you'll do okay with a Christopher but if you're willing to dig a little deeper there are many rewards.

drurb · #14 04-04-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christ andronis

all seriousness aside though...

Bassboysmom · #15 04-04-2010, 08:17 PM

Wow. Thanks to all who have weighed in here. This is the deal. We have consulted with my son's teacher. She has not offered to actually come shopping with us, so I haven't pushed that. We tried a fully carved 3/4 today, made in Korea but it has already been treated for a crack on the front. My feeling is that although my son is unusually attentive and responsible for a thirteen year-old boy, stuff happens, and I'm a bit nervous buying a fully-carved bass for him at this point. I agree they sound beautiful and there's really no comparison. It's just the money thing. We don't have thousands to throw at repairs. So... I am looking to spend no more than 3500. tops on a durable good sounding bass. And wait, can someone tell me what AES is? Sorry, don't get the abbreviation. Oh.. the bass will not be left at school, but it will be transported back and forth by car for orchestra rehearsals here in NYC. School offers him a bass to play while he's there. His bass will be left at home mainly except for the orchestra rehearsals once a week.

Thanks for all the info. Do you think it's worth a trip to Boston or thereabouts to try the Upton and others? Does anyone have any places on the east coast close to NY, Conn, Mass. PA that we can drive to? You'd be surprised. Gage in NYC has a lot of basses but not in the price range we're looking. So any help in that matter would be great.

christ andronis · #16 04-04-2010, 09:00 PM

AES=Arnold E Schnitzer, one of the many fine bass maker/luthiers who post here on occasion.

Don Higdon · #17 04-05-2010, 05:26 AM

AES is here:
http://www.aesbass.com/
You want to look at New Standard basses.
Available in plywood, hybrid, or fully carved.
Worth every penny.

Eric Swanson · #18 04-05-2010, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

AES is here:
http://www.aesbass.com/
You want to look at New Standard basses.
Available in plywood, hybrid, or fully carved.
Worth every penny.

+1.

Also make a point of asking about the Schnitzer - De Sola Gambas and Ruggieri (sp?) models. These are not as apparent on the website, but really round out the product offerings. They also sell Shen instruments, if desired.

Their ply and hybrid instruments outstrip the sound, volume, and playability of many carved basses I have seen that exist in the same (or higher) price ranges. They also have very good resale value.

Bass · #19 04-05-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassboysmom

......Do you think it's worth a trip to Boston or thereabouts to try the Upton and others?...

Yes! I would suggest that Upton should be given serious consideration. And I imagine that a visit to their shop would be most rewarding.

Bassboysmom · #20 04-05-2010, 01:06 PM

Thanks a million. We're going to check out the Uptons in Stonington Conn. Can't afford AES unfortunately. $3500 is my top. So we're continuing to look and shop. If someone comes across something that seems great and I can drive to check it out,(willing to drive up to 4 hours. No more.) then please let me know.

Again. Thanks so much to everyone who has shared their thoughts. It's so helpful.