Christopher Hybrid DB303???

Every individual bass is different, due to variations in wood, graduations, fit of parts, varnish, set-up, quality of accessories, etc., etc. Ten instruments off the same assembly line will all be different. Generalizing about what bass is better than another is fruitless.

 

I second what Arnold has to say, some instruments manufactures are more constant than others. From this end of the business we really have to sort through many of the same basses to uphold quality. I can't let every new bass out the door that comes in but have been able to work with some better makers that lower the ratio of bad instruments.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

As the replies state, the bass is highly subjective so I'd be reluctant to give an unqualified recommendation for one over another. What I can tell you is that I bought a Christopher hybrid late last year and I'm happy with it. I don't have the experience of playing a Strunal against the Christopher and from the looks of it, not too many other people do either.

There have been a few times during my lessons when I've struggled with a passage and my teacher thought it may have been due to the bass. In each of those cases he played the passage and ruled out the bass (it was me ;-)). He did mention that he noticed some slight 'wolf tone'. I don't know how common wolf tone is so it might be a good idea you to do some thread research on that for the Strunal and Christopher. I think wolf tone can usually be remedied by those plastic string dampers (std equipment on Spirocores).

I got mine for 2k from The String Bass Shop.

 

About wolf tones: 1) nearly every bass has one (or more) 2) the plastic sleeve will do absolutely nothing to cure a wolf tone 3) some adjustment to the wolf is possible via soundpost, tailpiece, and saddle fiddling. Not for the DIY-er.

 

I can't compare it to a Strunal, but I also own a Christopher hybrid bass (a 7/8), and I like it a lot. I don't think anyone's gonna win a Chicago Symphony audition with it, but it has a much nicer tone than my old Englehardt plywood, it seems to be well-built (its a little over a year old) and its easy to play. I paid under $2000 for mine at a reputable dealer in the Chicago area.