Double Bass New Bass Day: Christopher 303

[Sera Wohldmann]

Okay, so technically she came home a couple of months ago, but almost as soon as she did, the school semester started again, and I haven't had much time to take pics.

Christopher 303, made in 2001, the 7/8 scale 5 string hybrid with violin corners.

Lisa Gass at LA Bass Works was amazing to work with. She helped me find what I was looking for and set the bass up beautifully with a set of strings that was partly my own preference merged with her assistant's recommendation: a full set of Kaplans and a Permanent B (Kaplans don't come in 5). Nicely balanced.

So far this bass is doing heavy duty in the school Orchestra and chamber orchestra, playing my solo rep for class, playing melody in a bass trio chamber piece, and blasting it next to the tuba in the school Wind Ensemble.

On the way home from the shop, my wife and I both talked about names, and for some reason, more so in person than the photos, she has a distinctly caramel look to her. So, "Cara" it is.

 

[lorianb]

Looks great - congrats. Any sound clips?

 

[theStink]

Neat bass. I have a 2001 Christopher b305 which is the gamba style 5 string. Can't remember what's on there but it's a 5string set (I don't like to mix sets). Plays great, a little dark because of the thicker top.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Congrats! Nice bass, and you look like a proud parent.

 

[geoffbassist]

Congratulations. Looks like a great instrument!

 

[Holdsg]

Nice, been contemplating a Christopher myself, any issues a few months in?

 

[Sera Wohldmann]

I'm afraid individual sound clips are out - all I've got's a netbook, and I doubt it could handle it with any dignity.

Any issues: None I can find. I just took her up on a chamber music retreat to the Lake Arrowhead/Running Springs region this past weekend, which is up in the mountain area during a very dry season. Very cold and windy and part of the playing was outside. Still handled it very well, and still sounds great now that she's home again.

This has been my personal experience. This instrument is very thick (top plate to back) compared to others and can get a little heavy. That's probably due to the larger scale. I've acclimated fine, but there are days of transport that my arms wish I could spring for a wheel at this moment. Maybe in a few weeks. Fortunately, the stock bag that came with the instrument is very well padded and the handles are sturdy and with a bit of leather in the grip for comfort.

 

[StayLow]

Great smile!

May that bass keep you, and your audience, smiling similarly for a long time to come.

 

[eerbrev]

Congrats on the Bouncing Baby Bass - May you find every excuse to use the low B!! I know I do.

How's the permanent with the Kaplans?

 

[Sera Wohldmann]

I personally found the combination to be a good match. The Kaplan E feels about the same to start under the bow as the Perm B, and as for timbre my other section mates can't hear a discernible difference in sectionals (where we all turn to face each other and can compare better). As a student, of course, I haven't tried very many combinations yet.

I have taken a few opportunities for that B. Most recently the school's Symphony Orchestra did the Overture to Vaughan-Williams The Wasps and I took the liberty on the opening pizz notes. Since I also read Wind Ensemble Repertoire that occasionally only has Tuba/Bass Clarinet/Bari Sax parts, I've been known to drop if I think it will help and if I can avoid weird octave jumps in the phrase.

Pictured are two photos from the mountain retreat, outdoor Bass Duet with another Applied Music student who plays a school-owned 3/4 (I think the tag said "Lang") for comparison. And of course, some other players are in the shot, and as par for a junior college, only one is watching (Our librarian and Principal Horn).

 

[artfahie]

Those complacent horn players have yet to figure out that you'll be in more demand than they will !

I personally found the combination to be a good match. The Kaplan E feels about the same to start under the bow as the Perm B, and as for timbre my other section mates can't hear a discernible difference in sectionals (where we all turn to face each other and can compare better). As a student, of course, I haven't tried very many combinations yet.

I have taken a few opportunities for that B. Most recently the school's Symphony Orchestra did the Overture to Vaughan-Williams The Wasps and I took the liberty on the opening pizz notes. Since I also read Wind Ensemble Repertoire that occasionally only has Tuba/Bass Clarinet/Bari Sax parts, I've been known to drop if I think it will help and if I can avoid weird octave jumps in the phrase.

Pictured are two photos from the mountain retreat, outdoor Bass Duet with another Applied Music student who plays a school-owned 3/4 (I think the tag said "Lang") for comparison. And of course, some other players are in the shot, and as par for a junior college, only one is watching (Our librarian and Principal Horn).

 

[TroyK]

You two look like you were made for one another. Go forth and play those low notes!