Published on 28 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 would use 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. 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 either the scroll 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. Reproducing the folding bass now became a possibility, since it’s pretty straightforward if done during assembly with 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 them, 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.

How the Folding Bass Works

At its core, the folding bass is a standard double bass that has been ingeniously modified to break down into a compact package without sacrificing acoustic integrity or playability. The key components are a hinged neck joint, a removable fingerboard, and a storage compartment inside the body. No tools are required for assembly or disassembly; the entire process takes only a few minutes once you're familiar with it.

When you receive your folding bass, it arrives in a flight case roughly the size of a large suitcase. To set it up, you simply open the back panel, release the internal securing mechanism, and remove the neck and fingerboard. The neck is attached to the body via a precision hinge that locks securely into playing position with a cam-lock mechanism. The fingerboard slides into a dovetail slot at the top of the neck and is held in place by two thumb screws. The strings, which remain attached to the tailpiece and tuning machines, are carefully laid into their grooves on the bridge and nut. Tighten the strings to pitch, and you're ready to play.

To break the bass down for travel, reverse the process: loosen the strings, remove the fingerboard, fold the neck against the body (it fits neatly along the upper bout), and slide both parts into the shock-mounted storage compartment inside the body. Close the back panel, and the bass is ready to go into its case. The entire process is designed to be intuitive and foolproof, even after a long flight.

Travelling with the Folding Bass

One of the greatest advantages of the folding bass is its portability. The flight case is compact enough to meet most airline checked baggage size limits, and it is light enough for one person to handle comfortably. Many players have reported checking it as standard luggage without incurring oversized baggage fees, though policies vary by airline. I always recommend checking with your carrier in advance and considering a hard-shell case for maximum protection.

When traveling by car, the folding bass is a game-changer. It easily fits in the trunk of a compact sedan or even the back seat, and it can be carried by one person using the built-in handle and shoulder strap. No more renting a van or borrowing a friend's SUV for that out-of-town gig. For local performances, you can leave the bass assembled and treat it like any other double bass, but the ability to break it down for cramped backstages or small elevators is a bonus.

Of course, the real test is how the bass holds up under the rigors of airline handling. The internal shock-mounted system protects the neck and fingerboard from jostling, and the case itself is reinforced at stress points. I've personally flown with my folding bass dozens of times, and it has always arrived ready to play. Some players add extra padding or use a soft case inside the hard case for additional peace of mind.

The Folding Bass vs. Other Travel Options

Before the folding bass, traveling upright bassists had three main choices: rent an instrument at the destination, use a removable-neck travel bass, or play an electric upright bass (EUB). Each has significant drawbacks. Rental basses are often of inconsistent quality, poorly set up, and may not be available in every city. Removable-neck basses require a separate case for the neck and a longer setup time, and the neck joint can be a weak point. EUBs, while portable, do not produce the same acoustic sound or feel as a double bass and are often not accepted in orchestral or traditional jazz settings.

The folding bass solves these problems. It is a full-size acoustic double bass with a standard scale length, string spacing, and body dimensions, so it plays and sounds like the bass you're used to. The folding mechanism adds negligible weight to the instrument when assembled, and the setup time is minimal. Because the neck and fingerboard are stored inside the body, there are no extra cases to carry or lose. For more details, see our Travel Bass Comparison page.

Sound and Playability

A common concern among bassists is whether the folding mechanism compromises the acoustic sound. The answer is no. The hinged neck joint is engineered with a solid maple block and a locking cam that creates a rigid connection, transmitting string vibrations to the body just as effectively as a traditional glued neck. The sound post is positioned normally, and the internal storage compartment is designed not to interfere with the bass's resonance. In fact, many players report that the bass sounds just as good as a comparable non-folding instrument.

The fingerboard is made of ebony and attaches securely to the neck with a dovetail joint and thumb screws. When assembled, it is virtually indistinguishable from a standard fingerboard in feel and stability. The bass is set up with professional-grade strings and a quality bridge, ensuring excellent playability across all registers. Whether you're bowing arco passages in a symphony or laying down walking lines in a jazz combo, the folding bass responds with the depth and richness you expect.

I've had the pleasure of hearing folding basses in a wide variety of musical contexts, from solo performances to large ensembles, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Players appreciate that they don't have to adjust their technique or compromise their sound just because they're on the road.

Maintenance and Care

Like any fine instrument, the folding bass benefits from regular maintenance. The hinge mechanism should be checked periodically for tightness and lubricated sparingly with a dry lubricant. The thumb screws on the fingerboard should be snug but not over-tightened to avoid stripping the threads. The back panel seal should be kept clean and free of debris to ensure a proper fit. If you have any concerns, consult our FAQs or contact a qualified luthier familiar with the design.

When traveling, always use the flight case or a suitable gig bag. If you're shipping the bass, I recommend loosening the strings slightly (but not completely) and ensuring the internal parts are securely fastened. The bass can be stored in its case in a cool, dry place, just like any other double bass. With proper care, your folding bass will provide years of reliable service.

The Future of the Folding Bass

Since the first folding basses rolled off the production line, the design has continued to evolve. We've made improvements to the hinge mechanism, the fingerboard attachment, and the internal storage system based on feedback from players around the world. The bass is now available in a variety of finishes and can be customized to suit individual preferences. I'm proud to see a growing community of folding bass players who share tips, modifications, and travel stories.

One thing that hasn't changed is the core idea: that traveling with a double bass should not be a burden. The folding bass allows you to focus on the music, not the logistics. Whether you're a touring professional, a student heading to a summer festival, or a weekend warrior playing out-of-town gigs, the folding bass offers a practical and elegant solution. I hope you'll consider joining the many bassists who have made the switch.

Written by The Chadwick Folding Bass