Double Bass Christopher styles?

[Greywoulf]

Looking at the beginner's models Christophers, I see they come in two styles; Gamba, and Violin. ILTM like there's only slight differences in these two styles, with the violin model perhaps being a bit more compact...
For those of you who know Christophers, are there any significant differences in the sound and playability of these two different styles?

Thanks,
Greywoulf

 

[Mike Goodbar]

These differences are strictly cosmetic. Some educators prefer the gamba model because the violin corners are apt to get banged up by students.

I chose a Busetto Christopher, just because I think they look cool (and that bass happened to sound the best out of the ones I tried).

 

[esvsteamship]

The Lutheir in my area said that glueing violin-cornered basses' corners back on kept his kids in shoes So I guess I would go for the other shapes on that advice alone!

Beth

 

[FidgetStone]

I am in agreement with Mike & Beth. The sound of the individual bass has little or anything to do with the style of the corners.

The upper bout of my 3/4 Christopher Busetto is a little narrower than some of the 3/4 violin corners I have played. This means to me that PERHAPS a smaller person could handle a 3/4 Christopher Busetto easier than some other 3/4s with wider upper bouts.

At any rate, play before you pay . . . Enjoy the search.

 

[Chasarms]

In looking at the photos I could find on the web, it appears as if the two have different geometry in the shoulders. Both the Busetto and the Gamba have a much steeper slope to the shoulder than does the Viol shape, and as mentioned a little narrower upper bout.

How that impacts sound, I wouldn't begin to guess, but it would make some difference in the feel and balance of the bass.