Published on 18 August 2026 by The Chadwick Folding Bass

Q: How is the folding bass different from a standard bass? A: The folding bass is essentially a standard 3/4 bass, except that it folds for travel. The scale is 41 1/2″, the fingerboard solid African ebony. The top is made with a spruce veneer, which gives it the pin-striped look of a carved top. The purfling is inlaid, front and back. The finish is a rich brown lacquer. The fiberglass flight case is lined with crushed velvet over foam. It has 2 recessed wheels, metal latches and 2 recessed handles.

Q: Why is the folding bass ‘the only upright bass you need to own’? A: Since it’s fully acoustic, it’s not just a ‘travel’ bass. Many of my customers have told me that the folding bass has become their main bass, and it doesn’t surprise me. It’s all I use around town for gigs and sessions. I leave it set up and carry it around in a regular bass bag when I’m at home, and only pack it up when I have a road date. Unless you point it out, no one can tell it isn’t a standard bass. And an added advantage is that when you travel, you’re playing your bass.

Q: Does the Folding Bass have a warranty? A: Yes, the bass is warranted against defects in workmanship for 1 year. Return it to me and I will repair or replace any part found defective for free. (Unauthorized repair or modification will void warranty). In addition, if you order a standard folding bass, and are dissatisfied with it for any reason, it can be returned within 7 days for a full refund of the purchase price.

Q: How do you keep the sound post from falling? A: The sound post has a short pin in either end, and this allows the post to vibrate freely, yet stay in position when traveling. The post can be moved if necessary.

Q: Since the bass comes apart, how do you prevent buzzes? A: I have designed all the fittings to be vibration-free. The back panel and the fingerboard use compression fittings, so that they are self adjusting and always snug. I use nylon, aluminum, and polycarbonate at the points of contact to minimize wear, and use a polyester gasket on the back panel to seal and cushion the wood surfaces.

Q: Is a carved model of the Folding Bass available? A: The Hybrid (carved top) model is no longer available

Q: Can you use any strings with the Folding Bass? A: Yes, though I have found that some brands last longer than others. Thomastik Spirocore are what I recommend. Any string will work, but these can last for years and tune up quickly. There are folding bass users that are happy with their Helicore, Nylon tape, Nils, Guts, Pirastro, Flexicore, Rotosound, etc.

Q: How would I get normal repairs or adjustments should they became necessary? A: Except for the neck joint, fingerboard attachment and the back door, the bass is a standard acoustic bass. Your local luthier could work on it like any other bass.

Q: Will you convert someone’s existing bass to folding bass? A: Although my design could be used to convert any bass to a folding bass, I don’t offer to convert basses. Among the many problems are the need for specialized jigs for the precision cuts, the time required to remove the neck and fingerboard, the modification of machined parts; not to mention making sure that the case fits. Shen modifies his SB-100 for me in his factory, keeping the cost affordable. The bass that I start with is one the best laminate basses available today. You would be better off financially to sell your existing bass and put the money toward a new folding bass.

Q: Do you offer endorsements or artist pricing? A: I’ve decided in my business model not to have endorsements, artist prices, or even dealer/wholesale pricing. Instead, I just price the folding bass as low as I can afford to sell it. This way, I can offer the folding bass option to as many players as possible, hopefully helping to make the difficult job of traveling with a double bass less stressful. There’s no store, middle men, or mark ups. I buy the basses straight from the maker and convert them myself.

Q: Is it possible to rent a folding bass? A: Yes. Information on rates is found on the “Rental” tab on my home page. I also have a rent-to-own program. To check bass availability, contact me at .

Q: What is your return policy? A: The folding bass can be returned within 7 days for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied with it for any reason.

Q: What are the dimensions of the fiberglass case? A: It is shaped like the bass body and arched, so it’s difficult to measure. At the longest points, the length is 46″, width 28.5″, and the depth 11″.

Q: Do you sell the case separately? A: Yes. The cost of the fiberglass flight case is $1000 plus shipping. The interior dimensions are: Length: 43.5” Upper Bout width: 20” Lower Bout width: 26” Thickness: 9”

Q: How well does it stay in tune? A: I tune mine to pitch, then give the strings a little tug and tune again. After that, the strings drift about as much as they normally would while playing.

Q: Does it have an adjustable bridge? A: Yes, it has aluminium wheels.

Q: What does the bass and case weigh? A: Together, under 50lbs.

Q: Is the Folding Bass difficult to put together or take apart? A: With a little practice, the bass can be assembled or torn down in less than 2 minutes.

Q: Is the bass loud enough to use unamplified? A: The short answer is yes. Your playing style, choice of strings and action effect the volume in strictly acoustic settings. It is as loud as any average plywood bass.

Q: How is it different than other travel basses? A: The most important difference is the sound chamber. The Folding Bass has a standard sized body, all the other travel basses have sound chambers that are down-sized or non-existent. The sound chamber not only produces the sound, but affects the way the string responds. It makes the bass feel right to the player, and look right to the audience. This is why I designed my travel bass. I couldn’t find one that looked, felt and sounded like a regular bass.

Q: Is this instrument suitable for orchestral music? A: This bass bows beautifully, and is suitable for any style of music

How does the folding mechanism work?

The folding bass is designed to collapse into its own body for travel. The neck is attached with a precision hinge that locks securely in playing position; when you're ready to pack, you release the lock, fold the neck down against the body, and secure it with a padded clamp. The fingerboard is removed and stored inside the body cavity, and the back panel is unlatched and placed into the case separately. The sound post remains in place thanks to the small centering pins, so there's no need to reset it after travel.

The key to the design is that all fittings use compression rather than simple screws or bolts. This means the neck joint, fingerboard attachment, and back panel are always snug and buzz-free, even after repeated assembly and disassembly. The use of nylon, aluminum, and polycarbonate at contact points minimizes wear, and the polyester gasket on the back panel creates a tight seal that also cushions the wood surfaces.

Packing and unpacking: step by step

Packing the bass takes about ten minutes once you're familiar with the process. Here's a typical sequence:

• Loosen the strings slightly to relieve tension on the neck.
• Remove the bridge and place it in its dedicated pocket in the case.
• Detach the fingerboard by releasing the compression fittings at the top and bottom.
• Fold the neck down against the body and secure it with the provided clamp.
• Unlatch the back panel and set it aside.
• Place the folded body into the fiberglass case, then lay the back panel and fingerboard in their designated slots.

Unpacking is simply the reverse. Most players find that after a few tries, it becomes second nature. Because every part has a specific place in the case, there's no guesswork about how everything fits together.

Durability and care

Despite its collapsible design, the folding bass is built to withstand the rigors of regular travel. The fiberglass flight case is rugged and lined with crushed velvet over foam, protecting the instrument from bumps and vibration. The case has recessed wheels, metal latches, and two handles, making it easy to maneuver through airports or load into a car.

For day-to-day care, treat the folding bass like any fine acoustic instrument. Wipe down the strings and body after playing, keep it out of extreme heat or cold for prolonged periods, and check the compression fittings occasionally to ensure they remain tight. If you travel frequently, you may want to have your local luthier do a general setup once a year, just as you would with a standard bass.

Shipping and delivery

Every folding bass ships in its own fiberglass case, packed inside a sturdy cardboard carton with additional padding. The total shipping weight is approximately 85 pounds, and delivery is typically via freight carrier to your door. You will need to be present to sign for the delivery.

Once you receive the bass, it will be partially assembled: the neck will be folded and the fingerboard and back panel will be inside the case. You'll find detailed instructions for unpacking and setting up, and you can always contact me if you have questions. Many customers report that the bass arrives perfectly in tune after the initial setup, requiring only minor tuning adjustments.

More information

For a deeper look at the folding bass, see the Specifications page for exact measurements and materials. If you're comparing the folding bass to other travel options, the Travel Bass Comparison page offers a side-by-side analysis. And to learn how the folding bass came to be, visit The CFB Story.

Written by The Chadwick Folding Bass