Testimonials
The Chadwick Folding bass is a reliable workhorse of an instrument. It plugs in through my David Gauge Realist pickup for a warm, round tone and a big robust amplified arco sound. It slaps loud and even for bluegrass and rockabilly. I recommend this bass as an outstanding touring bass. The instrument folds into a solid, compact travel piece that will protect the bass, and leave room for the banjo player. At its price, it is a great deal for a fine instrument.
-F.M. Turner
String Bass Instructor, San Jacinto College (South Campus)
The Chadwick is the solution I have been hoping for ever since I was touring Europe and the USA with Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys in the 1980's, playing borrowed or rented basses whenever I needed to fly. I never knew what the condition of a borrowed or rented bass would be, and I had to hope that the owner of a bass would let me use my own adjustable bridge and strings. Now that I am again traveling regularly (with Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters), with the Chadwick I can arrive by air with my own bass, or I can load it folded in its soft case into our very small van and make room for a fifth seat for a fiddle player. The Chadwick sounds good, plays easily, and holds tuning very reliably after unfolding.
-Eric Levenson
Everyone I've met loves it, the band loves it, Steve loves it, it sounds awesome, and I haven't been charged one overage fee yet. On our Steve Martin world tour which has been selling out, we now pull a banana out of the bass during the show.
-Charles R. Humphreys
Steep Canyon Rangers
Overall, I was thrilled with the instrument. As somebody who has never embraced the electric upright, this is the instrument for me. It's incredibly easy to travel with. It can fit in any car you may have to rent...no minivan required! It is an actual bass! It can be set up to your standards and with your string preference. As someone who has played Kay basses exclusively for years, this instrument is every bit as good if not better. I have flown my bass alot over the last 15 years or so and it has gotten to only flying Southwest airlines where it is easily accepted and is affordable ($50 each way). The Folding Bass opens many more possiblities as far as flying on other airlines, renting smaller vehicles, going to the remote destinations that music events can bring you, rehearsing at the hotel, etc. The money saved in travel expenses alone will pay for the bass eventually. The bottom line is that I highly recommend them to anyone who travels and is tired of the "borrowed bass" syndrome which is a morale and performance killer. Charlie is a fantastic bassist and has worked for several years developing this instrument. He has traveled the world and played this instrument with great success. It won't be long til you start seeing them as commonplace in the Bluegrass scene.
-Mike Bub
Nashville Bassist
www.myspace.com/mikebub
I have one! It sounds great; it fits in our van without taking up all the leg room; it has made life much easier. Last job, people came out early just to see me unfold it!
It sounded great. Not only was the sound mellow, it was definitely loud enough without a pick-up and a hit with other bass players.
-Nisi Pozderac
Å arena
So here I am recording Charlie's bass again. It sounds great
as usual. I record a lot of upright bass here in Nashvile, and
Charlie's bass always sounds great. Then I discover the instrument is
not only new, it folds up! I was in shock. This is a great sounding
instrument first and foremost. I'm still trying wrap my head around
the fact that an upright can sound that good and fold up for travel.
Amazing.
Paul Alfred Hart
palfredhart@mac.com
Although there was some initial eye-rolling from my band mates about "that ridiculous contraption", their skepticism was quickly shattered when they realized I had a real live upright in my hands. Not one of those jammy sticks or some malformed pygmy, but a proper double bass. And it doesn’t sound half-bad to boot! Whenever we travel too far or wide, I am usually forced to rent or beg one of the more decrepit high school orchestra reject basses that pepper the live music underworld, and I am always disappointed (and sometimes embarrassed) to haul that monstrosity on stage and play a whole show with it. Now, when I can’t take my "A" bass, I can still take my bass anywhere in the world and feel confident doing so. It’s easy to build and take down, it sounds good coming through the PA, and you don’t need to remove 3 benches from a van to take it from the airport to the gig. Charlie has done something truly ingenious and special for the world of upright bassists, and I’m proud to have one of his inventions in my arsenal.
D. Morgan Jahnig
Old Crow Medicine Show
Chadwick Folding Bass © 2010
