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Chowny SWB-1 info please

timber22

timber22

Dec 15, 2007
1,617
1,929
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania US
#1
In one of my current bands, I've been playing a short scale - my Fender Starcaster. I'm interested in another short scale and am intrigued by the Chowny SWB-1. Of course there is nowhere to try one near me, in the USA.
Can anyone here who owns one and/or have played one give me some info on it? I've seen some internet reviews but would appreciate personal experience here.
What's the neck like? Seems to have a narrow (37mm at nut) jazz style taper? Profile?
How is the weight? That may depend on the body wood - ash or mahogany.
How is the balance on a strap? The top strap button is up around the 16th fret. On some basses that can work, but could also mean neck dive.
Tone? I typically prefer passive electronics. Reviews I've seen indicate it is much more "jazz bass-like" than most short scales.
Where do you buy these? (I'm in the US) Only online from the Chowney site?
Thanks!
 
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#2
timber22 said:
In one of my current bands, I've been playing a short scale - my Fender Starcaster. I'm interested in another short scale and am intrigued by the Chowney SWB-1. Of course there is nowhere to try one near me, in the USA.
Can anyone here who owns one and/or have played one give me some info on it? I've seen some internet reviews but would appreciate personal experience here.
What's the neck like? Seems to have a narrow (37mm at nut) jazz style taper? Profile?
How is the weight? That may depend on the body wood - ash or mahogany.
How is the balance on a strap? The top strap button is up around the 16th fret. On some basses that can work, but could also mean neck dive.
Tone? I typically prefer passive electronics. Reviews I've seen indicate it is much more "jazz bass-like" than most short scales.
Where do you buy these? (I'm in the US) Only online from the Chowney site?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Stop in here:)
Chow Down! Chowny & Retrovibe Bass Club!'

Or ask Stephen directly

@chowny
 
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#8
timber22 said:
In one of my current bands, I've been playing a short scale - my Fender Starcaster. I'm interested in another short scale and am intrigued by the Chowney SWB-1. Of course there is nowhere to try one near me, in the USA.
Can anyone here who owns one and/or have played one give me some info on it? I've seen some internet reviews but would appreciate personal experience here.
What's the neck like? Seems to have a narrow (37mm at nut) jazz style taper? Profile?
How is the weight? That may depend on the body wood - ash or mahogany.
How is the balance on a strap? The top strap button is up around the 16th fret. On some basses that can work, but could also mean neck dive.
Tone? I typically prefer passive electronics. Reviews I've seen indicate it is much more "jazz bass-like" than most short scales.
Where do you buy these? (I'm in the US) Only online from the Chowney site?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think you’ll be getting a bunch of answers

Chow Down! Chowny & Retrovibe Bass Club! Post # 106
 
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#9
timber22 said:
In one of my current bands, I've been playing a short scale - my Fender Starcaster. I'm interested in another short scale and am intrigued by the Chowney SWB-1. Of course there is nowhere to try one near me, in the USA.
Can anyone here who owns one and/or have played one give me some info on it? I've seen some internet reviews but would appreciate personal experience here.
What's the neck like? Seems to have a narrow (37mm at nut) jazz style taper? Profile?
Click to expand...

The nut on my 2018 CHB-1 is 40 mm. The bass was set up perfectly on arrival. The setup with new strings is no more difficult than any setup, in my experience.
Feels like a D profile to me <shrug> and very comfortable for me.

How is the weight? That may depend on the body wood - ash or mahogany.
Click to expand...

Haven't weighed mine. It feels lighter than my 10# Ray, but not considerably so. I didn't think I just picked up a Mikro. Believe mine is all maple. It's got a block of wood right down the middle and that's the bit that keeps the bass from feeding back. Good with that.

How is the balance on a strap? The top strap button is up around the 16th fret. On some basses that can work, but could also mean neck dive.
Click to expand...

You may wish to find a similar semi-hollowbody bass to try before considering neck dive. This is a big bass. Sure the neck isn't all that long but that's a 17 inch lower bout. If your build is about Chas Chandler build, maybe you'll find it comfortable to play it where he does in all those The Animals videos. Otherwise look where Jack Casidy holds his and that's a better idea of how the bass plays in relation to the rest of your body.

There is a strap button at the heel of the neck, so figure on more length for your strap than might be used on a [small f] fender-style bass with the 12th fret blah blah blah The 335-style hollowbody is a different beast. Neckdive? It's possible to shave a few ounces off with some ultralight tuning machines but that won't alter the essential design. And those tuning machines are not a direct drop-in. The stockers work perfectly well.

Tone? I typically prefer passive electronics. Reviews I've seen indicate it is much more "jazz bass-like" than most short scales.
Click to expand...

The intent (as I understand it) is homage to the Epiphone Rivoli, and (to my ear) they nailed it. It comes with D'Addario rounds. Scott Whitley states he slapped some flats on his stock CHB-1 to tour with The Animals. My CHB-1 sports D'Addario tapes.

Where do you buy these? (I'm in the US) Only online from the Chowney sitei
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yup

Edit, ah you play a Starcaster, neck dive is pretty relative if you have the Starcaster thing down.
 
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#10
GwenOnBass said:
..........

You may wish to find a similar semi-hollowbody bass to try before considering neck dive. This is a big bass. Sure the neck isn't all that long but that's a 17 inch lower bout. If your build is about Chas Chandler build, maybe you'll find it comfortable to play it where he does in all those The Animals videos. Otherwise look where Jack Casidy holds his and that's a better idea of how the bass plays in relation to the rest of your body.

.......
The intent (as I understand it) is homage to the Epiphone Rivoli,
Click to expand...

Aren't you referring to the CHB-1 Morrighan? OP asked about the SHB-1, unless I'm dreadfully confused.
 
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#11
CHB
tobacco-glow-4.jpg

SWB
preview.jpg
 
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#12
timber22 said:
In one of my current bands, I've been playing a short scale - my Fender Starcaster. I'm interested in another short scale and am intrigued by the Chowney SWB-1. Of course there is nowhere to try one near me, in the USA.
Can anyone here who owns one and/or have played one give me some info on it? I've seen some internet reviews but would appreciate personal experience here.
What's the neck like? Seems to have a narrow (37mm at nut) jazz style taper? Profile?
How is the weight? That may depend on the body wood - ash or mahogany.
How is the balance on a strap? The top strap button is up around the 16th fret. On some basses that can work, but could also mean neck dive.
Tone? I typically prefer passive electronics. Reviews I've seen indicate it is much more "jazz bass-like" than most short scales.
Where do you buy these? (I'm in the US) Only online from the Chowney site?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Given the apparent two jazz style pups in the familiar territory, I would assume it sounds pretty much like a jazz bass does.
 
#18
Thanks. That thread was very helpful.

I saw in the thread that the "bridge to nut" length is 32.75" on the E and A strings. I'd appreciate if someone would confirm that, please. My favorite short scale strings are GHS Pressurewounds, and the winding length is 32.75. So the distance from the ball end of the string when seated in the bridge to the nut needs to be at least that long. Can someone confirm that length, both toploaded or strung through the body (if they are different}?
 
#19
timber22 said:
Thanks. That thread was very helpful.

I saw in the thread that the "bridge to nut" length is 32.75" on the E and A strings. I'd appreciate if someone would confirm that, please. My favorite short scale strings are GHS Pressurewounds, and the winding length is 32.75. So the distance from the ball end of the string when seated in the bridge to the nut needs to be at least that long. Can someone confirm that length, both toploaded or strung through the body (if they are different}?
Click to expand...

Whether you string to bridge, or string through body, you want MEDIUM SCALE LENGTH STRINGS! Short scale strings are too short!
 

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