My Christopher Bass

[kid_squanto]

Hi,

I have what I think to be one of the higher end Christophers available. When I bought it two years ago it was about $3800. It's a fully carved 7/8 size with busetto corners.

I'm going to be a junior in high school this year, and I've been getting a lot of use out of this bass, and it seems to be really breaking in. It's been on two tours overseas and I play in Elgin Youth Symphony and Chicago Youth Symphony, as well as a regular gigging jazz quartet.

The question I have is, should I upgrade some things on the bass before I go to college and keep it (I'm thinking a C extension, fingerboard extension, possible new tailpiece, etc...) Or should I look to get another bass? I know that instruments only get better with time, but I'm guessing that another two years isn't going to make my bass sound like it's 100 years old...

so if I were to get the aforementioned things, would it be worth keeping and play it through college and just continue to work in a good sound, or should I try and rake up enough money for another bass?

btw, I'm hopefully going to major in music in college.

Thanks!

[jasonheath]

Hi Alex! I hope your audition went well a few days ago. I think that your Christopher bass is very nice, and I would stick with it until you get to college. It is always nice to upgrade, but I don't think that your instrument is holding you back at this point.

[clink]

Originally Posted by kid_squanto

Hi,

When I bought it two years ago it was about $3800. It's a fully carved 7/8 size with busetto corners.

I'm going to be a junior in high school this year....Should I look to get another bass?
Thanks!

I'm 44 years old and playing a Christopher 103 Which is the entry level Christopher.
I think you should keep your bass for another 30 years.

[kid_squanto]

Originally Posted by jasonheath

Hi Alex! I hope your audition went well a few days ago.

audition went great --- I couldn't believe how good the other bass players were though haha. I think our section is going to be awesome.

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

Photos?

[Eric Swanson]

+1 to Jason and Clink.

I played a pretty crude German hybrid before/during conservatory and several years of working. Funny, that bass just sounded better and better, the more I improved .

For me, my bass was never the logjam...my technique and musical knowledge was. A upper-end Christopher is a pretty nice bass for any student without:
- A trust fund
- An incredibly successful Net-based company that they started
- Very wealthy and indulgent and/or supportive parents
- Deceased relatives who left you a ton of dough
- Professional musician and/or really well-connected parents
- A teacher who adores you enough to sell you a great bass for short cash

Getting a new instrument is a stunning amount of time, money, and effort. Not to say that it isn't warranted from time to time, but it is never a magic bullet...

Know anyone with a Marvin tailpiece? How do you like your strings? How do you like your bow? How is your setup? Carbon fiber endpin? Lots of loving tweaks can make things better, and you won't have to learn a new bass....

Congratulations on playing well at your audition!