“… the bass has become my main bass, the setup is really great! It’s the first bass I’ve had that has no really annoying buzzes somewhere on the fingerboard. Harry Stinson’s seen us twice now with the bass and both times he’s been raving about how good it sounds. Our soundguy also really likes it. He says it sounds way better than the Eminence that we used to tour with. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on my sound from house soundtechs and other bassplayers as well, one soundtech actually said that’s the best Upright bass sound I’ve ever heard! And lot’s of people have commented on how good it looks. It always causes a stir when people see me setting it up and people are extra blown away when I explain to them how you can fold it up to travel with it. Quite a few bass players have said they are very interested in getting one! And with the foam taped to the inside of the F holes there is virtually no Feedback! We did a festival with 25,000 people a couple weeks ago and it sounded great!”
- Kurt Ciesla
Corb Lund and the Hurtin Albertan’s
“The Chadwick folding bass is great. it’s loud, even, and a pleasure to pizz, bow, and slap. for the first time ever i have checked my bass CURBSIDE for a flight with NO charges.”
- Jim Singleton
New Orleans, LA
“…get hold of Charlie Chadwick and try out his folding bass. It is not an American Standard, but if for travel purposes you are willing to play a bass no larger than a Kay, Charlie may have come up with the greatest invention since sliced bread. Bubby was so effusive in his praise of the one he flew with a couple of weeks ago as an instrument that I ordered one immediately. I was tempted to post his reply, but I figured he would do that himself if he wanted to. I believe Bales now has a Chadwick, but I never asked his opinion once I heard from Mike.
I have never had a band with roadies and a truck and storage, so an 80-pound bass trunk has never been an option for me. The new Chadwicks will come with wheeled fiberglass cases instead of the current wood ones…Weight is promised at under 50 pounds, and the combined linear dimensions around 80 inches.
I just managed a play with two giant robots that went to Japan, and a strict 82 inches seems to be what baggage needs to be under to avoid oversize charges. As of June, neither American or JAL charged for an 80″ parcel that didn’t exceed the two per passenger for international travel…
I believe the Chadwicks have just gone up to $3500, but amortize anticipated baggage fees, wear and tear on your back, and the fact that you can rent a Prius rather than a van at the airport.”
- Eric Thorin
Boulder, CO
“First, the difference in portability as compared to a standard 3/4 size flight case is just amazing. The Chadwick Folding Bass is so much lighter and easier to travel with. The bass is well protected in its travel case and I’ve had no difficulty whatsoever checking it with airlines or transporting it in different sized vehicles.
Second, I love how easily and quickly it can be set up. It only takes a few minutes and I have a real staqndard 3/4 sized bass. For me, nothing compares to the feel of a full neck set at the correct angle to a properly sized acoustic sound chamber.
Third, I’m very impressed with how smoothly the Chadwick Bass plays, and it posesses quite an excellent acoustic tone. And then, it’s so beautifully finished on top of these qualities! I believe that any professional musician would be proud to present this instrument to an audience. In all of these regards, it’s superior to basses I’ve previously used for traveling, not to mention the vast majority of the ones I’ve had to hire or borrow when on the road.
Finally, I’ll just say, I wish I had one of these years ago! The Chadwick Folding Bass is a revolution for the traveling double bassist. Thank you, Charlie, for your innovative and excellent design. It’s really making my job easier and even more enjoyable.”
- Jake Erwin
Hot Club of Cowtown
Austin, TX
“The Chadwick Folding bass is a reliable workhorse of an instrument. Besides being an ingenious folding contraption for travel and storage, it is already a well crafted musical instrument, a Shen SB-100, specially modified at the Shen factory. It is an excellent bass for jazz, pop,folk, and country. With the right strings (Pirastro Flexacores for me), the bass can function as a student orchestral instrument. It plugs in through my David Gauge Realist pickup for a warm, round tone and a big robust amplified arco sound. It slaps loud and even for bluegrass and rockabilly.
Charlie Chadwick himself is one of the best features of the product. Throughout my purchase, he was available to answer my questions, and helped talk me through the finer parts of selecting an instrument. He’s an obviously creative man that loves discovering the way things work. Chadwick gives good guarantees, and is a square dealer (hard to find in Nashville, TN!).
The folding features of the bass are surprising and functional. The neck literally swings on a hinge into the interior of the bass, which is accessible through a removable panel in the back of the instrument. Once the interior is accessed, the instrument’s fretboard, end-pin, strings, bridge, and neck all store in comfortable clips and boxes that hold them snugly for transport. In addition, the CFB comes in a hard flight case that can be checked as luggage on an airplane.
I recommend this bass as an outstanding touring bass. The instrument folds into a solid, compact travel piece that will protect the bass, and leave room for the banjo player. At its price, it is a great deal for a fine instrument.”
- F.M. Turner
Houston, TX
Freelance bassist
String Bass Instructor, San Jacinto College (South Campus)
Author of Sonic Vitamins, Flat 5 Press, 2010