Published on 8 August 2026 by The Chadwick Folding Bass

I’ve been a professional musician all my life, and traveling gigs are a big part of my income. This creates a real dilemma for upright bass players, owing to our large and fragile instruments. Like many fellow bassists, I was frustrated that the only options for fly dates were rental basses, travel uprights that didn’t play or look like standard basses, or the expense and worry of shipping my bass in a large ‘coffin’ case.

In 2003, after years of using rental and loaner basses, I decided to build my own travel bass, one indistinguishable from a standard bass, and using no tools to setup or breakdown. I converted a bass so the neck was removable, and had a flight case made for it. By traveling with this bass, it became evident that removable necks were an inefficient way to solve the problem. The neck and fingerboard were large and needed a separate case to protect the tuners and keep the strings from tangling, and the setup time was too long to be practical. I kept thinking about the big empty box I was carrying around (the bass body), and wondered if I might be able to store the neck inside it, without affecting the sound.

Storing the neck and fingerboard inside the body presents a difficult problem, since the distance from the top of the scroll to the bottom of the fingerboard is longer than the body of the bass. To store these parts inside the bass would require the scroll and/or the fingerboard to be shortened. And the sound post, sitting nearly in the middle of the body, limits where the parts can go. Another problem was how to secure these heavy pieces inside, so they don’t come loose while traveling. The solution I came up with was to enter the bass through a narrow panel in the back (avoiding the sound post), hinging the neck joint, making the fingerboard removable, shortening the length of the neck heel, and using a shock-mounted holder to secured the parts inside while traveling. By storing the parts inside, vulnerable parts were protected, the case became smaller, and set up time was greatly reduced.

My folding bass design was completed in 2005. Believing the idea had commercial merit, I applied for and received a US patent. Many of my bass-playing friends asked if I’d make their basses fold like mine, but considering the time and labor involved, the cost would be far too high. My folding bass was easy to use, but not easy to build one bass at a time.

In 2008, I was playing my folding bass in Los Angeles at the Summer NAMM show. Sam Shen, the world’s largest producer of upright basses, took an interest in the bass I had modified, (it was a Shen). He really liked the folding design, and offered to make them for me. Making an affordable folding bass now became a possibility, since the necessary modifications would be simpler to do during assembly, using standardized parts. I visited his factory in Suzhou, China, and after a great week getting acquainted, ordered the first 50 basses. I didn’t have anyone lined up to buy even one, but I believed the design was solid, and the need was great.

Now, with hundreds of folding basses being played worldwide, I am proud of my part in creating a better option for traveling upright players. The folding bass is possible because of Sam Shen of Shen Musical Instruments, and Paul Strelau of CSC Products.

The Folding Mechanism in Detail

The heart of the Chadwick Folding Bass is a precision hinge that allows the neck to fold over the body, while a removable panel in the back provides access to the interior. This design was refined to ensure that the bass, when assembled, has the same structural integrity and acoustic properties as a traditional instrument. The hinge is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum and is recessed into the neck heel and the upper block of the body. When the bass is set up, the hinge is locked in place with two heavy-duty bolts that are easily tightened by hand, requiring no tools.

• Aircraft-grade aluminum hinge with locking bolts
• Removable dovetail fingerboard
• Custom back panel with thumb screws
• Shock-mounted storage cradle for neck and fingerboard
• Lightweight travel case with wheels

The fingerboard is attached with a snug dovetail joint that holds it firmly in place, yet allows it to be removed quickly for travel. The tailpiece and bridge are standard, and the sound post is positioned exactly as in a conventional bass, because the back panel is located away from the sound post, preserving the critical acoustic geometry. To prepare the bass for travel, the player removes the bridge, loosens the strings slightly, slides off the fingerboard, and then folds the neck into the upper bout. The neck assembly, including the scroll and tuners, folds into a custom shock-mounted cradle inside the body, while the fingerboard slides into a dedicated slot. Small parts are stored in a padded compartment, and the back panel is secured with thumb screws.

Once folded, the bass fits into a custom-designed case that is roughly half the size of a standard bass coffin case. The case is equipped with wheels and comfortable handles, making it easy to maneuver through airports and city streets. The folded bass weighs about the same as the bass itself, because the case is lightweight, so the total package is significantly lighter than shipping a full-size bass in a traditional case. The case is also designed to meet most airline checked baggage size restrictions, though it is always wise to check with individual airlines.

Traveling with the Folding Bass

As a professional musician who flies frequently, I have put the folding bass through rigorous testing on every major airline and in all kinds of weather. The bass has accompanied me on tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, and it has proven to be remarkably resilient. The interior padding and shock mounts keep the neck and fingerboard absolutely secure, even when the case is handled roughly by baggage crews. I have never experienced any damage to the instrument during transit, and the setup remains consistent from one city to the next.

One of the greatest advantages of the folding bass is that it can be checked as regular baggage, avoiding the exorbitant fees and logistical nightmares associated with shipping a full-size bass as freight. Most airlines will accept the folding bass case as a standard checked item, though some may classify it as oversized due to its length. In my experience, the majority of airlines treat it as a normal suitcase, especially if you have elite status or a friendly check-in agent. The case is designed to be as compact as possible, with dimensions that fall just under the typical oversized threshold. For those who prefer to avoid any risk, there is also the option to ship the bass ahead via ground services, but that defeats the purpose of having a travel instrument.

Setup and breakdown are so quick that I can arrive at a venue, open the case, assemble the bass, and be warming up within ten minutes. This is a fraction of the time it takes to deal with a rental bass, and it ensures that I am always playing an instrument that I know and trust. The folding bass has eliminated the anxiety of whether the rental bass will be playable, and it has saved me thousands of dollars in rental fees and shipping costs over the years.

Sound and Playability

A common question is whether folding the bass compromises its sound. The answer is no: the acoustic design has been carefully engineered to ensure that the folding bass sounds indistinguishable from a standard bass of the same quality. The back panel, when secured, is rigid and airtight, so the body resonates exactly as if it were solid. The hinge and locking mechanism add minimal mass and are positioned in a way that does not interfere with the vibrating surfaces. The neck joint is rock-solid, providing the same energy transfer as a traditional neck joint. As a result, the folding bass produces a full, rich tone with excellent projection and clarity across all registers.

Professional bassists who have played the folding bass are often surprised by how natural it feels and sounds. Several prominent jazz and classical players have used the folding bass on tour and have reported that their audiences cannot tell the difference. In fact, some players have chosen to use the folding bass as their primary instrument at home as well, because it is so convenient to store and transport to local gigs. The bass is available in several models, with options for different wood combinations and finishes, allowing players to choose a sound that suits their style. Full details can be found on the Specifications page.

The playability of the folding bass is identical to a standard bass, as the fingerboard, string height, and overall geometry are set to professional standards. The folding mechanism does not affect the action or intonation, and the bass holds its setup through multiple folding cycles. The dovetail fingerboard joint is machined to tight tolerances, ensuring that the fingerboard aligns perfectly every time it is reattached. Players who are accustomed to a particular setup will find that the folding bass can be adjusted to their preferences by any competent luthier, just like a normal bass.

Community and Support

The folding bass has been embraced by a growing community of traveling bassists around the world. From symphony musicians who fly to guest appearances, to jazz artists on international tours, to bluegrass players heading to festivals, the folding bass has become a trusted companion. Many players have shared their stories of how the folding bass has transformed their travel experience, allowing them to bring their own instrument without compromise. The instrument has also been adopted by schools and universities that need to transport basses between campuses or on performance trips.

As the maker of the folding bass, I am committed to providing exceptional customer support. Every bass is carefully inspected before it leaves the factory, and I personally play-test each instrument to ensure that it meets high standards. I am available to answer questions and offer guidance on travel, setup, and maintenance. There is also a comprehensive FAQ page that addresses the most common inquiries, and a comparison page that explains the differences between the folding bass and other travel bass options. The bass community is a close-knit one, and I am grateful for the feedback and suggestions that have helped improve the design over the years.

Looking Ahead

The folding bass is the result of many years of trial and error, and I continue to explore ways to make it even better. The collaboration with Shen Musical Instruments has been instrumental in achieving consistent quality and affordability, and I am proud that the folding bass is now accessible to a wide range of players. As the demand grows, we are exploring new models and options, including five-string versions and left-handed basses. My goal has always been to solve the problem of traveling with an upright bass, and I am thrilled that the folding bass has become a viable solution for so many. I invite you to explore the rest of this site to learn more, and I hope you will consider making the Chadwick Folding Bass your travel companion.

Written by The Chadwick Folding Bass