NBD Christopher DBG Double Bass Guitar

[bholder]

Just arrived, a Christopher DBG Double Bass Guitar from our very own @smithcreek - thanks Dave! Seller's pic, I'll get my own in a bit.

Initial impressions: As gorgeous as in the pics if not better. Sound is indeed more like an upright (even / especially plugged in) than any BG or ABG I've ever heard. Plays like a big semi-hollow fretless (it's fully hollow, but with a thin(ish) front to back depth like a semi), but sounds huge. Sounds very much like an upright but with ease of play very much in fretless BG territory. Very impressed. Acoustic volume is good for solo practice as intended, and is very nice sounding, but it's plugged in that it really starts to sing.

 

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A little sample, my usual sawhorse "St James Infirmary Blues".

 

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More clumsy playing This Year's Girl Elvis Costello:

 

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Thin Lizzy Dancing in the Moonlight noodling.

 

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Samples so far all plugged in direct Scarlett 2i4 Audacity no effects. Will try some acoustic ones too. All played with fingers, no pick, controls on bass wide open.

 

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Acoustic St James Infirmary - a little clacky, sorry, but really shows the upright tone. Plenty of flubs no charge

 

[Spidey2112]

I like what you're doing and I think it sounds great @bholder ... that's a beautiful bass, as well!

 

[bholder]

I like what you're doing and I think it sounds great @bholder ... that's a beautiful bass, as well!

All credit to the builder! @smithcreek rocks!

 

[bholder]

Fiddling with the volume balance between the body and bridge saddle pickups really gives a variety of sounds too. The body pickup is definitely bassier, making the pair kind of like an analogue of "neck / bridge" pickups on a regular electric.

 

[Anachronism]

Sexy

 

[Crusher47]

Congrats!

 

[bholder]

Noodling on Mountain's Nantucket Sleighride

 

[JRA]

wow! very nice/beautiful/unique! sounds great! congrats on your new instrument!

 

[bholder]

So my conclusion on the pickups is that the under saddle pickup is a very nice typical ABG piezo sound, but the archtop soundboard pickup (and the carving of the top itself of course) is what really sets this apart and gives it the upright sounding "woody breath" of a full acoustic instrument. Though sounds best with both to really get the most of the attack "thump". Really remarkable.

 

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Worked up a more complete version of "Nantucket Sleighride" for solo bass and voice on this. Need to re-do vocals when my throats isn't sore, but I thought I'd post here as a better example of the sound of this beastie. Added a touch of chorus and reverb to the bass (mostly clean signal though). Still need to tighten up intonation on the double stops - sliding power chords on fretless are tough.

 

[cnltb]

Just arrived, a Christopher DBG Double Bass Guitar from our very own @smithcreek - thanks Dave! Seller's pic, I'll get my own in a bit.

Initial impressions: As gorgeous as in the pics if not better. Sound is indeed more like an upright (even / especially plugged in) than any BG or ABG I've ever heard. Plays like a big semi-hollow fretless (it's fully hollow, but with a thin(ish) front to back depth like a semi), but sounds huge. Sounds very much like an upright but with ease of play very much in fretless BG territory. Very impressed. Acoustic volume is good for solo practice as intended, and is very nice sounding, but it's plugged in that it really starts to sing.

Is there a website?

 

[bholder]

Is there a website?

Answered in the other thread too, but just so this isn't left as a loose end - Link Removed

 

[cnltb]

Answered in the other thread too, but just so this isn't left as a loose end - Link Removed

 

[ole Jason]

I don't think it sounds anything remotely like an upright but it does sound pretty cool. Definitely unique and different from a typical ABG.

 

[TomB]

Do you mind sharing the list price of this axe (not necessarily what you paid)? Thx.