New: Version 2
Chester
The Microphone That Makes Your Upright Bass Sound Like YOUR Bass!
Lighter. Faster to install. Tuned specifically for upright bass, on stage or in the studio.
Built by an Upright Bassist Who Got Tired of Compromising
Every bassist knows the struggle. Pickups don't sound natural and they quack. Clip-on mics are flimsy. Cheap condensers sound thin. Studio mics sound great, unless you're moving.
Chester V2 solves all of that. In under 30 seconds.
I rebuilt Chester to be lighter, faster to install, and tuned with a flat response specifically for the upright bass. The 40 Hz low cut and a natural high cut are built into the circuit, so all you need is 48V phantom power. It's plug and play and ready for the stage.
$650
with free shipping
2 in stock and ready to ship
Buy NowWhen the in-stock units are gone, get on the list and I'll let you know when the next batch is ready.
Simple to Mount. Simple to Use.
- ● Mounts between the strings below the bridge. No velcro strap. No bulky body.
- ● Installed in less than 30 seconds, every time
- ● Keyed swivel locks in your favorite mic angle
- ● Included cable clip secures the cable to the mic itself. Nothing extra touches the tailpiece.
- ● Just needs 48V phantom power. No fancy preamps or board EQ tweaking.
You play. Chester handles the tone.
What's New
What Changed in V2
Every change came from gigging the original Chester and listening to bassists who actually use one.
190 grams
Just under 7 oz. About half the weight of most stage condensers. Your bass barely notices it.
Installs in Under 30 Seconds
No more velcro strap. No bulky body. It mounts between the strings below the bridge in seconds.
Tuned for Upright Bass
The circuit is tuned to upright bass. Flat response through the fundamentals, with a gentle high cut after 7k. No surprise EQ peaks.
40 Hz Low Cut
A built-in filter cuts stage rumble before it hits the board. Cleaner low end. More gain before feedback.
Keyed Swivel
Aim the capsule wherever you want it. Set the angle once and it stays put.
Medium Cardioid Capsule
A medium-size cardioid capsule resists stage feedback better than a large-diaphragm condenser, while staying round and even across the whole register of the bass.
Neutrik XLR Connector
A high-quality Neutrik male XLR connector. The included clip secures the cable directly to the mic, so it stays put through the gig with nothing extra touching the tailpiece.
Plug and Play
The low and high cut filters live inside the circuit, so all you need is 48V phantom power. No fancy preamps. No drastic EQ tweaks at the board.
Air-Tight Hard Case
Every Chester ships in an air-tight hard-shell carrying case.
The Natural Tone You've Been Chasing
A balanced, consistent, round sound of your bass. No hidden EQ tricks.
The fundamental warmth of the bass
The wooden resonance
The growl and air
The clarity without harshness
The fullness without boom
The same tone every night
"This is the closest thing to 'studio mic tone' you can use on stage."
Chester in a Live Mix
Musicians Tell Me the Same Thing
They stop fighting their sound.
They relax.
They play better because they hear themselves clearly.
There's a moment, usually on the first note, where they smile.
It sounded so good I didn't want to stop playing. So much so that when the concert was over I stayed playing alone in the hall just to listen more.
That moment is what this mic was built for.
Made by Hand. Tuned by Ear.
Every Chester is assembled by hand. Medium cardioid capsule, custom-tuned circuit, and a copper and brass body with a brass mesh grille. I tune each one individually so the sound is consistent from one mic to the next. Only the body itself may vary slightly, because it's built by hand.
Chester V2 Technical Specs
Capsule
Medium-size cardioid condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Tuning
Flat upright-bass response with a gentle high cut after 7k
Low Cut
Built-in 40 Hz filter to prevent stage rumble
Mounting
Mounts between the strings below the bridge with a keyed swivel for precise angle
Install Time
Under 30 seconds
Connector
Neutrik male XLR
Power
48V phantom power required
Weight
190 g (just under 7 oz)
Build
Hand-built copper and brass body with a brass mesh grille
Includes
Mic, XLR cable clip, and air-tight hard-shell carrying case
Warranty
Lifetime manufacturing. 30-day audition.
Ready to Get a Chester?
Buy One Today
2 Chesters are built and ready to ship. First come, first served.
- ✓ Ships within 1 to 3 business days
- ✓ Free U.S. shipping with tracking
- ✓ 30-day audition period
Sold out?
Built by hand, not pulled off a shelf.
Final Units. While Supplies Last.
Original Chester (V1): $299
The Chester that started it all. Same warm, woody tone. Mounted under the bridge with the original velcro tailpiece strap. Chester V1 has been sunset, but I still have a small number left at a closeout price.
$299
Only 2 units remain
- ✓ Large-diaphragm condenser (26mm) in a 3" copper-pipe body
- ✓ Mounts below the bridge with included velcro tailpiece strap
- ✓ 48V phantom power. Ships with a hard flight case.
- ✓ Same 30-day audition period and lifetime build warranty
Only 2 left at this price. When they're gone, they're gone.
Your Bass Has a Voice. Chester Lets It Speak.
If you're ready to finally hear your upright the way you always wished it sounded:
Buy a Chester V2Sold out? Get on the list and I'll email you when the next batch ships.