• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Christopher Basses

eshears

eshears

Jul 30, 2001
664
31
Spokane, WA
www.instagram.com
#1
Like so many other threads on here, I am looking at buying a DB for around $2000. I have found some information on Engelhardt, Strunal, Kay, etc., but I have not heard anything about Christopher bases.

I have seen a couple of shops selling Christopher basses (one of them being Violins Etc http://www.violinsetc.com), but I can't seem to find any information on them. Both places seem to think that these are absolutely the best plywood basses for the money. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!
Eric
 
#4
I have played Michael Moore's Christopher bass. It's quite good sounding, and well made. Michael uses it almost exclusively, and he's buying another one from Gage. Michael has been using his with Dave Brubeck in concert and in recording studios.
It's all plywood, but the layout of the grain pattern would fool you. It has busetto corners, like Pollmann.
The appearance drawback is that they are ultra glossy; some customers have asked Gage to de-gloss them.
I played Michael's bass for an hour and a half. It strikes me as an excellent value.
 
#5
Originally posted by Don Higdon
I have played Michael Moore's Christopher bass. It's quite good sounding, and well made. Michael uses it almost exclusively, and he's buying another one from Gage. Michael has been using his with Dave Brubeck in concert and in recording studios.
It's all plywood, but the layout of the grain pattern would fool you. It has busetto corners, like Pollmann.
The appearance drawback is that they are ultra glossy; some customers have asked Gage to de-gloss them.
I played Michael's bass for an hour and a half. It strikes me as an excellent value.
Click to expand...


I'm sure there's a simple answer for this, but why would he use this bass "almost exclusively" when he has so many other nice carved basses...just so he won't have to worry about hurting it on the road? And is this one of the ones in the $2000 range, or are there higher end models that I don't know about?
 
#8
Originally posted by Mark Steel
Here are some good pics, along with an idea of what goes into setting them up;
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Mark,

The link you posted offered the price list with wholesale price and setup. I never remember, is wholesale price cheaper than retail, or more? Also, how extensive is Christopher's line of basses? Are they all "introductory" models?
 
#9
Originally posted by Don Higdon

He has one carved bass, a very modestly priced 19th century anonymous German. His Grunert is at Gage's, for sale. He sold his Kay. He's buying a 2nd Christopher.
Click to expand...


Damn. It just goes to show that it's more about how you play than what you're playing on. I guess I'll have to go on and admit that CENTRAL PARKER WEST must also be a pretty good player then...I was trying to secretly believe that he sucked and give all the credit to that Sirleto (sp?) of his, but you just shot that one down in flames. :D

You told me once, but I forgot: what was MM playing on that duo recording with Charlap? Whatever it was, the sound was amazing. If that was a Christopher, I'm placing my order NOW.
 
#11
Originally posted by jazzbo


Mark,

The link you posted offered the price list with wholesale price and setup. I never remember, is wholesale price cheaper than retail, or more? Also, how extensive is Christopher's line of basses? Are they all "introductory" models?
Click to expand...

Wholesale is generally what the retailers pay from the manufacturer; the retailers then tack on their "profit" and that's what you pay. 'Least, that's the way it worked when I was in retail. I don't know why HA lists it this way--it looks like they're not making a profit on the bass itself, just the setup part. Might be worth an email to clear that up.
I've never done business with them, by the way, just found the pix and thought it would help to visualize the subject of the thread.
As far as the rest of the Christopher line, in the words of Sgt. Schultz, "I know nuuuthing!"
They are shiny, though!
 
#12
Originally posted by Mark Steel


Wholesale is generally what the retailers pay from the manufacturer; the retailers then tack on their "profit" and that's what you pay. 'Least, that's the way it worked when I was in retail. I don't know why HA lists it this way--it looks like they're not making a profit on the bass itself, just the setup part. Might be worth an email to clear that up.
I've never done business with them, by the way, just found the pix and thought it would help to visualize the subject of the thread.
As far as the rest of the Christopher line, in the words of Sgt. Schultz, "I know nuuuthing!"
They are shiny, though!
Click to expand...

Thanks. Maybe I can take sandpaper to it. I heard that that would be good. Ooh! That would help dull it for stickers. Gotta have stickers.

So.... Christopher. Rave reviews.

I'm going to play a Strunal Hybrid this weekend, and it looks like I'm adding a Christopher to my list to look into for purchase.
 
#16
I was at the Midwest Clinic a couple of weeks ago (its a convention for band directors) and Christopher had a booth. They had plywood, hybrid and carved basses there as well as a couple of cellos.

I didn't get a chance to play them that long, but I was pretty impressed with all basses, though the previous comment about needing a post-market setup seems pretty accurate.

They instruments seemed very well-made and all had a rich, growly tone (except the hybrid 5-string -- very thuddy).

Christopher also makes the bodies for the Eminence bass, and the guy who created the Eminence (can't recall his name) was there.

My. $.02
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back