FS/FT Chadwick folding bass **WITHDRAWN** £2000

[Beedster]

Bought on BC from Rabbie a while back (original listing here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/272530-sold/page__p__2901922__hl__chadwick__fromsearch__1#entry2901922"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2901922[/url]) it's a beautiful and well designed instrument that is absolutely perfect for the travelling bass player who cares about how her or his bass sounds, plays, feels and looks. It's in very good condition and sounds glorious. Lots of info here [url="http://foldingbass.com"]http://foldingbass.com[/url] and here [url="https://www.talkbass.com/threads/the-chadwick-folding-bass.534179/."]https://www.talkbass...g-bass.534179/.[/url] I'm not likely too be travelling with DB anymore so think I may revert to an old-school/low-tech instrument that doesn't fold so will happily discuss trades, especially for a 4/4.

Unusually for a DB, this can of course be couriered

Chris

Edited May 26, 2016 by Beedster

[gyrus]

PM sent

[Jrdpearson]

This is lovely Chris! Is it the one you got to replace the one you sold me?

[Beedster]

[quote name='Jrdpearson' timestamp='1462650687' post='3044723']
This is lovely Chris! Is it the one you got to replace the one you sold me?
[/quote]

Hi Jack, yes it is, fancy another trip to Canterbury

[Beedster]

All PM's replied to. I have to admit I wasn't expecting so many people to be interested, so apologise for not having posted pics yet. Will do some this evening.

In answer to a few questions, yes the flightcase is included, I can string it with anything from a cheap set of steels up to Velvet Animas, although the final price will reflect the strings installed (it's currently wearing a full set of guts and sounds incredible), there are no issues, and no repairs have been made. It is a beautifully designed, engineered and maintained instrument and a joy to play. It's important to note that despite the fact that the bass folds and packs into a flight case about 1/3 the size of that required for a normal DB (and which is accepted as normal luggage on most airlines), there are no significant tone or mechanical compromises associated with the engineering, that is that unlike every other 'travel friendly' EUB or hybrid I've played, this is 100% double bass. I think it's fair to say that it requires a little more maintenance simply because there are more moving parts, but we're not talking lots. Finally, and no joke, it takes around 5 minutes to break down if done carefully and a little less to re-build. Unless of course it's strung with guts in which case it takes about 40 minutes to get it up to pitch!

I really would prefer trade to cash, ideally for a vintage/well played-in ply instrument of equal or greater value. If the latter I can put money in. I'm not all that keen on recently built carved basses to be honest but try me. especially if it's 4/4 or 7/8.

Whilst I can of course post this (that's what the flight case is for after all), I'd prefer collection as I increasingly find every courier-based transaction a source of stress that I don't need

Cheers

Chris

Edited May 9, 2016 by Beedster

[Beedster]

Some photos as promised
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[Beedster]

I should add that I would have taken some pics of the bass all folded and in the case but I really don't want the hassle of retuning the guts at present. I'll happily break it down and rebuild it face-to-face for any prospective buyer, and if I get bored one evening will do a youtube vid

Edited May 9, 2016 by Beedster

[dudi8]

this is perfect! a dream bass!
wish i had the cash! want my Fbass for it?

Edited May 9, 2016 by dudi8

[Beedster]

[quote name='dudi8' timestamp='1462809235' post='3045820']
this is perfect! a dream bass!
wish i had the cash! want my Fbass for it?
[/quote]

Hey mate, many thanks, but too many electric basses at present I'm afraid, sorry.

Dream bass? Yes' I think it's just that for pro/semi-pro players who travel a lot, or for players like me who find - or in my case found - themselves playing anything from dodgy pubs to festivals, and who just prefer to get their only DB the gig and home without too much space being required in the van, and in and out of the gig itself with little risk of damage. I never have to worry about mechanical issues either, let's face it, I can stick my hand right in there and sort any soundpost problems

So why am I selling? I've sacked both bands I was in, and these days I just need a double bass to sit in the studio. In short, the only things that really matter are tone and playability. The occasional gigs pop up for sure, but I'll just have to be a real man and take a DB in one piece to those! In short the Chadwick is in part overkill and perhaps a little too clinical an instrument for my needs now. Probably fair to say that I prefer my basses a little older and dirtier; I imagine most would think the opposite!

I'll happily keep this if no-one wants it or if I can afford to buy an old ply instrument without selling - I'd just stick the Velvets back on for the occasional jazzier moments. Happy days

[Beedster]

I've a few offers of very nice double basses, many thanks. I'm a pretty crude bluegrass/roots player, so am really looking for an old ply instrument that will produce the required sound with ease, and which will fit the aesthetic in question - perhaps the later shouldn't be important, but at times it is. In short, I'm really not looking for anything new or recent, or an instrument best suited to orchestral/jazz.

Something old, beaten-up and American would however work very well indeed

[Beedster]

Just thought I'd post a quick reminder to folks who've PM'd re this bass, specifically regarding the need to collect or meet-up, that this can be posted. In fact, that's kinda the whole point really. It's not only within the dimensions for air travel, but also for most couriers. I'd say that given the quality of both the instrument and the case, I'd even hand this over the Parcelforce with little hesitation

The main problem I have with selling it at present is that I've yet to find an instrument to replace it. I'm really after a big, loud and relatively unsophisticated 3/4 or 4/4 ply instrument. If you have one to trade or PX, I'd be happy to discuss further

[Muzomatt]

Hi,
could you tell me what pick up is currently fitted on the bass. Also, in terms of feedback is it pretty much the same as a 'regular' db or does the folding nature alter this at all?
Thanks
Matt

[Beedster]

[quote name='Muzomatt' timestamp='1464041542' post='3056108']
Hi,
could you tell me what pick up is currently fitted on the bass. Also, in terms of feedback is it pretty much the same as a 'regular' db or does the folding nature alter this at all?
Thanks
Matt
[/quote]

Hi Matt, there' no pickup fitted. Feedback? Pretty much the same issue as with all DBs, although being ply it's less susceptible than a carved instrument. I doubt that the construction makes feedback more likely and certainly haven't read anything in any of the reviews or threads on Talkbass that suggest that this might be an issue (there's quite a few pros using these on big stages with little apparent problem, for example Ed Friedland in the Mavericks https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ed-friedland-on-tour-with-the-mavericks.1173722/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns3U4z0VY-Q).

Cheers

Chris

[Walker]

Hi Chris,
Hope you are well.
Do you still travel to Wales regularly?

Cheers

Chris

[Beedster]

[quote name='Walker' timestamp='1464078826' post='3056286']
Hi Chris,
Hope you are well.
Do you still travel to Wales regularly?

Cheers

Chris
[/quote]

All good thanks Chris, but very much down in the SE these days. Hope all's well mate

C

[Beedster]

Folks, I bought this bass on its reputation and had it delivered by courier. This is exactly what you'd have to do if you ordered one from Chadwick in the USA, albeit a whole lot cheaper. I can understand that it's a lot of money for an instrument, but my commitments don't allow me to travel to meet people on spec, or to make arrangements for people to come and play it (especially as they may or may not show - speaking from experience here). So, as I've probably spent about a day to date on PMs, phone calls and emails about this bass already, I think the simpler solution is to keep it.