Peter Chandler Bass

playanaco · #1 04-15-2008, 09:14 PM

Anyone own, had experience playing or have any opinions on Peter Chandler's basses? I am thinking of buying one, so all the views I can get good or bad will be helpful.
Thanks,

GerardSamija · #2 04-17-2008, 01:41 AM

You'll get quite a lot of information by searching these forums for Peter Chandler, as there have been several discussions here on the man and his work.

I have done setup work or repairs on 5 of his basses, and have seen 6 in total. Generally speaking, he tended to use good quality West Coast woods, used a lot of machines for the bulk removal stages, followed as closely as he could the patterns of some great old master instruments, and for the prices he asked his basses were a good deal. Somewhat inconsistent in tone, and he willingly admitted he was not great at the setup side of things. This brief commentary in no way does justice to a generous and kind man. As for bass hunting... your ears should be your first priority. If it makes a sound you like that is a fine beginning.

bejoyous · #3 04-17-2008, 02:31 AM

I have a William Tarr model Chandler bass. It's a large 3/4 gamba shaped bass with a short string length (39.5"). I play in Orchestra London and am principal bassist with the Stratford Civic Orchestra. I like the bass just fine. It's probably his 3rd or 4th best one. It has a nice tone and is quite loud. I have no complaints now that is played in.

The older instruments, like mine, have an orangey finish but the newer ones have a matte brown finish.

I have been out to his place several times and tried all his instruments there. As Gerard pointed out, the basses are inconsistent in tone due to his inexact construction techniques. Some sound great, sound mediocre, most in the upper middle-of-the-road.

You should contact Jeff Stokes, bass teacher at University of Western Ontario. He's much more of an expert on Peter's basses than I.

His wife, Sybil can be contacted here: http://www.peterchandler.net/

The plans of the different models can be seen here: http://www.violins.ca/books/bass_making_plans.html

PM me if you would like me to take you out to his house to view the instruments.

neal davis · #4 04-17-2008, 10:26 AM

+1 with what everyone has said, I've played 5 or so of his basses, 1 out of them was great, the others were ok, hope you can find a good one

playanaco · #5 04-17-2008, 10:29 AM

Thank you for the insight guys. It's a good start. I spoke with Jeff last night and he gave me similar views. I also spoke with a fellow in Georgia that had the back of his crack on him, but it was fixed and he still likes the bass. I think it was the busan model.
I appreciate all the input I can get.
Thanks,
K

Bass Boy · #6 04-17-2008, 10:30 AM

I've played some really nice Chandlers and some ok ones. If you find a good one the price is right. Peter was a very nice man and generous with his time. He loved to show you around his workshop and talk shop. I wish I could have gone there more often.

Dr Rod · #7 04-17-2008, 02:22 PM

it's all in the setup

GerardSamija · #8 04-17-2008, 04:02 PM

Well... a lot of it is in the setup... but as a guy known fairly well for his setups, I have to say there are basses with a lot to work with, and basses where no matter how one struggles the sound just is never going to be all that great. Loud enough, maybe, but depth of character comes from a good setup on a properly made bass.

And cracks; flat backed basses are going to crack pretty well all the time, unless some very special bracing is used, and sometimes even then. With a flat plank in direct contradiction to the horizontal bracing of most such basses, winter dryness takes its toll on both the pack panel and on the glue joints to the braces, along with the rib seams at the corners and lower bouts. When a plank 25" or wider across shrinks by 1/4" or more in width over a month or two, something's got to give,and it's usually the centre seam or a weak year of growth somewhere in the plank. See current discussions in these forums regarding humidifiers for more on this subject, where most everybody seems to have an opinion.

playanaco · #9 04-17-2008, 05:54 PM

Keep it coming guys, I'm learning lots. This is a whole new ball game for me. I've played mostly custom made electrics for many years now and about the most you have to worry about is the battery. Plug and play! A new era has dawn for me.
Thanks,
K

Anonymous75966 · #10 04-18-2008, 04:58 PM

I have an Amati model from 2000, and I'm very happy with it. I've played quite a lot of Chandlers, between visits to his shop and other people's basses. I've played a few that have been great instruments - really responsive, good tone, lots of volume (I modestly include mine in that bunch). I have seen a couple with structural problems or that sounded kind of muffled, but most of them seemed like decent instruments for the price range, once the mandatory setup adjustments have been made. Great value if you get a good one.

playanaco · #11 04-19-2008, 05:30 AM

Bejoyous, I may take you up on your offer if I can get the time to get down there. Something always seems to come up. Thanks for the offer by the way.
K

bejoyous · #12 04-23-2008, 03:53 PM

Hey Playanaco;

If you are going to visit, sooner would be better than later. Keep in mind she is 82 years old.

bribass · #13 04-23-2008, 04:43 PM

anyone know anything about his removable neck model bass? I understand there were several left after his death. I believe they were smaller scale instruments.

BG

**Damon Rondeau** · #14 04-23-2008, 06:32 PM

I've played only one Chandler -- I was told it was his first bass. The setup was really quite, errr, not to my taste -- as was the finish. But it was a solid and resonant-feeling bass when I played it. I listened to the owner play a couple of sets of quiet trio jazz standards and he sounded great.

Dr Rod · #15 04-24-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

anyone know anything about his removable neck model bass? I understand there were several left after his death. I believe they were smaller scale instruments.

BG

he made some travel basses with at a smaller scale, but there are also some "normal" instruments of his with detachable necks as well. he basically bolted the neck instead of gluing it.

bejoyous · #16 04-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Here's the link to the detachable neck page: http://www.peterchandler.net/collapsiblebass.html

playanaco · #17 04-24-2008, 02:09 PM

Hi Bejoyous,
I would really like to get down there soon, but things keep popping up. Strange gigs with too much prep,spring yard duty and a to do list a mile long. I spoke with Mrs. Chandler and she seems to be a very nice lady.
So you are doing some teaching. I stopped 30 years of that last year. Good luck with it.
By the way, what price range are his basses???
Thanks,

bribass · #18 04-25-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyous

Here's the link to the detachable neck page: http://www.peterchandler.net/collapsiblebass.html

Yes, that's the model I was referring to. Anyone play one?

BG

bejoyous · #19 04-26-2008, 04:09 PM

I'm pretty sure Andrew Downing in Toronto had one for a while. I've tried them and they sound quite nice for their size.

anonymous12251111 · #20 04-26-2008, 05:28 PM

Bejoyous, why such a short string length though? You seem to be a big guy. I'm 5'6" and I manage 42" with no problem for solo and orchestral work. A bass with a string length under 40.5 " AT THE LEAST usually just doesn't have the sound. I studied with David Currie and he believed a bass should be at the minimum 42", I kind of agree to be honest. You need that extra inch for the instrument to be able to resonate properly at 16'.