Christopher Basses

[Ken McKay]

Richard,

I have a good customer who plays a nice shiny Christopher. I don't know the number or model but he gets a great amount of tone from that bass. He uses Helicore strings and has the height of his strings a bit high by my standards. The neck is a bit thick and it is heavy bass overall. The finish is very nice with not a flaw anywhere. The fingerboard is high quality ebony and is dressed well.

They are a nice instrument similar to some Shen models and X Sun.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Richard,

I have a good customer who plays a nice shiny Christopher. I don't know the number or model but he gets a great amount of tone from that bass. He uses Helicore strings and has the height of his strings a bit high by my standards. The neck is a bit thick and it is heavy bass overall. The finish is very nice with not a flaw anywhere. The fingerboard is high quality ebony and is dressed well.
They are a nice instrument similar to some Shen models and X Sun.

Thanks Ken,
It was getting a bit lonely on this thread. Luthiers in NZ seem to like setting up basses too high - none of the local ones play a bass, could be the reason. After mine came back from three luthiers, I read Ken's (Smith) advice and wound my adjustible bridge right down. It's not a perfect set up now, but it's pretty good. Mine is a 503 violin shape - 2nd to top model. They do have a thick neck, but I'm really enjoying playing mine. It has a good tone and seems to love the Bel Canto strings. Mine doesn't seem too shiny, but I seem to be scratching it quite a bit - my bass gets a lot of playing and moving around.

[Richard Prowse]

I took my Christopher out on a gig tonight - it was very, very slightly amplified. The room was big and empty. The bass filled the space. I really like my Christopher.

[Richard Prowse]

I've had a busy week at work and only got to put my hands on my Christopher for about 10 min. last night. I wish I could have stayed longer as it felt so good.
Hey, this thread is mainly me.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

I've had a busy week at work and only got to put my hands on my Christopher for about 10 min. last night. I wish I could have stayed longer as it felt so good.
Hey, this thread is mainly me.

Richard, not everyone who reads the Forum has something to say. For what it's worth, my practice bass is a Shen which actually belongs to my son. Since he rarely plays DB, he leaves it at home so I can use it to practice with. Otherwise I have to bring something else back to the house.

I try to get my hands on a bass every day even if only for a few minutes. I keep this practice bass at home downstairs near my personal TV. If while watching tv a cool song comes on in a movie, I jump up and play along with it. Lots of Sinatra tunes in the movies today and stuff like that.

[Richard Prowse]

Ken, you need to keep a good bass at home.
Home is where the bass is and, of course, the wife.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Ken, you need to keep a good bass at home.
Home is where the bass is and, of course, the wife.

My Shen is a good bass. It's just not worth the price of the house.. lol

It is as good as many basses in the 5-10k range. Depending on the sound you are looking for. I once used this bass in an Orchestra concert as it was in town a block from where my son was and didn't want to haul a bass down there. I borrowed it from him and it worked just fine.

Thanks for your concern though..