Rabbie

True, it's great, it's hot and it's reliable. IMO nowadays there are better similar options like Upton and Blast Cult. Still, if it goes for half price, I'd be tempted myself indeed. Thanks for pointing this one out Paul. There'll probably be a bidding war now eh eh...

[quote name='cattytown' timestamp='1382274874' post='2249899']
I think US bass player Jimmy Sutton has one for sale.

Paul.
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I absolutely love what Jimmy does, both as player and producer. Didn't know he had a Chadwick. By the way, I've been gigging mine for a few weeks now and it's great. I was expecting to have more tuning issues with Lamberts, but it's not too bad if you don't mind checking your tuning in-between most songs.

It'd be nice to see a photo or video once they are ready. I'd give it a go at least to try it out. you could even have a couple going around for the basschatters to try like Daf does with innovation strings and Ehrlund p'ups. All the best to you, I love an entrepreneurial spirit me.

Check out the late great Dennis Irwin, legendary NYC jazz player. He had a wooden endpin on his old Amefican Standard ply: that's what I'd go for. You can check out a video on his bass on YouTube, there are a few seconds on his endpin. Sorry cant find you the link just now. Great idea though

Now sold

As it is on eBay for £400 plus postage from tonight at 8pm, I am gonna make it £380 for Basschatters including postage. It's just so you know it is the same amp, but cheaper for members of this fine forum! In my book, this is a bargain.

Sorry, posted this by mistake in the DB section too. It is indeed a fantastic DB amp, but it's proper location is this amp section, so apologies.
Great amp anyhow, now discontinued. Plenty enthusiastic reviews available on the net.
All the best

I do. Never ever used them but it makes me feel better. It's an old set of wackers anyway stuffed in the gig bag with all the other bits and bobs.

Clearing out strings drawer. Must have about 2-3 weeks of use, grab them for half price!

Now sold

Genz Benz Shuttle 3-10T.
Amazing little amp+ 10"cab (yet not a combo 'cause the head detatches to become a bona-fide genius head).
Comes with superb fitted cover.
Gigged very respectfully hence still in fantastic condition, no issues whatsoever.
Great with upright bass and of course great with bass guitar too. Will do cafe gigs, most pub gigs, add an extra cab if you are in a very noisy band. Amazing as a stage monitor if you play big gigs (I used it in theatres and got on really well).
Selling because I have a new amp coming, still Genz Benz though!
I am in Perth, Scotland if you want to pick it up, otherwise £380 posted to the UK, cover included.

All ply.

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1381000394' post='2233317']


dont be fooled by the name , the King company which morphed into Blast Cult had nothing to do with the old King Moretone company which folded many years earlier
[/quote]
Correct! However, Blast Cult is a great young company.

I have an estate now, which makes things easy, but for years I travelled up and down the UK in a Fiat Panda. Granted, it was only me, bass and wee amp. Even the overnight bags had to be very small...The process of watching me fitting the double bass back in the car was more successful with the punters than me playing the gig!

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1380981662' post='2233084']

How about Engelhardt - are these up there with the Blast Cults?
[/quote]

They are the modern version of the old Kays. In fact they are the direct descendant although not nearly as sough after because not vintage. Good basses too, lots of great people play one and make a great sound on them.

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1380918534' post='2232520']
Thanks for your answers Rabbie - can I ask why you went for the Duke?
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The expense of importing a US made bass was the first reason for me contacting Thomas (the guy who invented Dukes basses). I don't remember who told me about him, but at the time he was just in the process of "launching" the Duke. I communicated back and forward with him and we came up with a custom bass which sounded and looked the way I always wanted. Thomas's passion and love for what he does was apparent, so I took the leap of faith. The result is a bass I am in love with and it kicks the bahoochy of any bass I have ever tried before or since. It's even got my name on the wee label inside! Please remember it is a ply: it will never sound like a carved bass orchestral monument, BUT it sounds a trillion dollars to me. With guts and high action it gives you back an almighty muscular thump that just sends me weak at the knees! And to think that a while ago I had a 'weak moment' and toyed with the idea of selling it: that would have been the biggest mistake ever! I recently got myself a Chadwick folding bass for traveling, which is great, but my custom Duke is my pride and joy. Of course I have also been the owner of basses who didn't suit me at all, and one or two happened to be expensive carved ones, so it's really the sound you are after that makes the choice for you. In a nutshell, I went with the Duke because Thomas is a great guy and I was rewarded with a great bass!

Of course sir, pm me your address and they'll be on your way.

Sorry, missed out your actual question: there are people out there who buy these aplenty: normally those who play rockabilly, bluegrass, country, roots Americana, some folk, psychobilly etc, trad jazz, swing. Not really on the shopping list of any post-bebop jazzer or especially not found in orchestra pits.

I own a custom made Duke. And I use Blast Cult gear. These people are enormously passionate about making plys that are truly outstanding instruments. High end plywood basses are the only kind of bass you need to play a certain style of music, better still to make a certain kind of sound. Listen to A LOT of music and find the bass sound that makes you jump for joy. If that sound was made on an old Kay or King Moretones or American Standard, you need a high end ply. If you dig the complex sound of a carved bass, whether bowed or pizz, I'd look elsewhere. Hope this helps.

Clarky, you are a gentleman, a legend AND you speak the truth.

Set of used Spiro Mittels. I really have no idea how old they are but judging by the growl thee are less than a year. I found them on my Chadwick folding bass which was pre-owned and refurbished so I don't really have any info on the strings. The windings are pretty frayed as you can imagine given the regular winding/unwinding a folding bass requires.
Yet, a growly set of the ever popular Spiros at less than half price which will last another million years or thereabouts...
£45 posted

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1380634442' post='2228181']
Musicians Union membership gives me £2,000 non specified insurance. OK, it doesn't cover everything but enough to pay for a DB repair following gig damage (I've claimed once for a split in the table after a sax player knocked my bass over) or my Clarus head getting nicked. Stuff at home is only partially covered but I've always taken the more unlikely risks on the chin.
[/quote]
+1 for this but if you have an instrument worth a lot more than 2k it is worth insuring separately

[quote name='BurritoBass' timestamp='1380732603' post='2229724']
Interesting review Rabbie, I'd seen the bass before but think I am happy lugging mine around as is - an opinion that occasionally changes at the end of the night!
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Nothing wrong at all with that, I have done for years but for the occasions when you are travelling with a band or flying, or simply to protect you main bass, the Chadwick is priceless IMO.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1380700546' post='2228991']
Enjoyed that - they produce a great sound together ( but doesnt the guitarist bear an uncanny resemblance to Frank Gallagher from Shameless )!

Rabbie, I have "Chadwick Envy' here so a few questions ...

Whats the deal with the Chadwick and string life? - just wondering if the tension going from loose to taught over a few set ups and crunch downs weakens them at the peg box end?

Do the strings take time to settle into tune each time you set up?

Can you get in through the neck slot at the back to refit the sound post if it drops out?

Do you get a consistent sound each time you place the bridge ?

Just wondering if the advantages of a collapsible bass mean that you have to be patient with other things ( as above) ?

Always been 'Chadwick curious' since seeing Christian McBride endorsing them as 'the way forward' when on the road - I guess that on its own makes you sit up and pay attention!
[/quote]
Ok, here we go:
String life should be the same as normal if you use nylon wackers or Spiros. Hybrid-made strings like Evah Pirazzi are supposed to last less and go dead faster.
Personally, as a gut strings player I will have to deal with lots of tuning up, even during gigs, especially on festival stages where there is no time to let the strings settle in. I believe that Spiros are ready to play and stay in tune within minutes of setting up and tuning.
The sound post is pinned, so it won't fall.
The bridge position is indelibly marked on the body so you do get a consistent placement and therefore sound.
Yes indeed the travel advantages of the Chadwick mean other compromises (time to set up, string issues above and of course playing a plywood which is a bit heavier and less resonant). Personally these are non-issues to me, because I will only use it in live situation where there is no way the subtle nuances between my main bass and this will be picked up. In saying that, the bass sounds very good acoustically and is just as loud as any other plywood bass.
Finally, setting up takes me about 2 minutes, but it's about 10 minutes once I factor in all the tuning up that gut strings need. Still ok in my book.
Hope this is helpful.

Chadwick folding bass. I have one and it is the bees knees. I have only had mine for a couple of days but I love it already. I'll have more to say about it in a few weeks when I have a few gigs under my belt, but so far I am beyond excited.