Christopher 100 or Shen SB80

[el_mariachi]

I may be in the market in the near future for a double bass. I've been playing electric upright, but lately I've been wanting the more natural tone of a true acoustic double bass. now my funds are extremely limited so I've been looking at the Christopher 100 or the Shen SB80 mainly because I can get either of them from local reputable luthiers. The Shen, at least from reading here, seems to have a better following than the Christopher. But the aesthetic freak in me likes the Gamba body style better than the violin body style, although this is no deal breaker. And the luthier that sells the Christopher carries a very generous rental credit policy. What are people's opinions of these models? Please keep in mind too that I will be amped since I play in a latin/world group (no horns, just strings and drums/percussion). Also from a little research it seems the Shens come with a better bag than the Christophers, which is a fairly big deal as I would be traveling with this to rehearsals and shows.

BTW, i have searched and read the stickies, but didn't find a lot of info on the Christophers.

[dchan]

I currently play a Christopher 100 series bass, but have never played a Shen 80 or any Shen for that matter. So my advice is a bit limited.

The Chrissy is a decent bass. Both basses you mentioned have a maple plywood top (front). This makes the tone a little less sonorous and complex than if it had a spruce-plywood top.

When I first played it, it was a very loud bass as it was strung with some sort of pizzicato string. I have it currently strung with EAD Kolstein Varicores and G Pirastro Flexocors. Both are arco strings, but the bass is still decently loud with them.

The sound is pretty good both under the fingers and bow, but not very rich or complex.

Amped, the bass sounds okay. The sound is loud, but not complex or sonorous. I use a Revolution Solo I pickup, so the output isn't very good. I don't have much experience with pickups though to answer.

The construction of the bass is solid. I've had no problems with it despite banging it on doors, walls, and even jumping off the stage with it, though it never touched the floor. I don't recommend that at all, nor do I want to go further into it.

My only real problem? The endpin is terrible. It works well at first. Not terribly well, but it moves in and out without much of a hitch. But in the past 6 months, it has been a real pain to take it out. Sometimes, mainly in cold temperatures, I would need pliers to take it out.

I've had no problems with the gig bag. It's pretty easy to take out the bass and put it back on once you get the hang of it. Also, try to take the bag off after you take everything (music, folders, heavy items) out of the bag; it's much easier when it is lighter.

The Chrissy is a nice workable bass, but I imagine the Shen to be just as nice, if nicer. Try out both basses before you buy.

[rdwhit]

a student of mine is renting a chris 100. i had the same level/priced shen as a loaner while my better bass was in the shop, don't remember the model . we both played them side by side and agreed that the shen was better sounding and built stronger. both played fine. i played the shen every night for 2 weeks amped & it was fine. our side by side comparison concluded that the shen is better, though the chris is ok. i say go w/ shen.

[dfp]

i and several (2 or 3) of my friends owned the cheap plywood shens a few years ago. we all found the tops too thin and subject to warping where the sound post sat. perhaps the posts were all too long? it was plain to see the warping though, and this caused the bridge to sink slightly over the first couple months, which demanded bridge adjusters to remedy. you could also run your fingers over the top and feel a bump where the sound post was warping the top. happened to each of us. maybe they make the tops thicker now? also those shens weren't very loud, and had sorta stuffy tone. fairly even sounding, i will grant, and not bad looking, their upper level basses enjoy a good reputation i hear...

[Stan Haskins]

I've played bothof these as loaners or rentals, and honestly think they're very comparable as far as tone or playability. Either one is a good buy, IMO.

Which luthier/dealer do you want the relationship with? Who's going to provide a bag, or free follow-up service, or a deal on decent strings? that's what I would go with . . .

[sejarus]

"Which luthier/dealer do you want the relationship with? Who's going to provide a bag, or free follow-up service, or a deal on decent strings? that's what I would go with . . ."

I wholeheartedly agree. Go see Michelle Fiore at Classic Contrabass: http://www.allthingsbass.com/

Shen dealer, luthier, very nice person to deal with.

[Tejano Bass]

El Mariachi -

Have you seen the Gamba by E-L ?

http://www.engelhardtlink.com/basses.asp

I understand there are some great "deals" (money saved) to be had at the Factrory Outlet Store - which is located in the immediate Chicago-Metro area. The E-L is very competitive, price-wise (some would argue better quality) to the Chris and/or Shen plus made in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Engelhardt-Link
185 King Street
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Phone: 847-593-5850
Fax: 847-593-5894

It's worth a look-see . . . Good luck !

P.S. Oh, yeah here's a list of luthiers in your area as well:

IL, Chicago, Larson Lutherie, Brad Larson, 773.561.0588, members.aol.com/LarsonLutherie/
repairs, restorations, new instruments

IL, Chicago, Scott Henrie, 773.743.8738, fax 773.743.8130
Repairs and custom work.

IL, Chicago, Mark Hogan, A440, 773-348-4949 marc@a440violinshop.com, a440violinshop.com
Services and sells all bowed instruments.

IL, Chicago, Sonksen Strings, Mark Sonksen, (312) 421-6472, mark@sonksenstrings.com, sonksenstrings.com/
Repairs, basses, accessories

IL, Wheeling, Classic Contrabass, Michelle Fiore, 847-670-0322 Michelle@AllThingsBass.com • AllThingsBass.com
Repairs, sales and rentals (same as by sejarus above)

[Groove Theory]

Originally Posted by el_mariachi

I may be in the market in the near future for a double bass. I've been playing electric upright, but lately I've been wanting the more natural tone of a true acoustic double bass. now my funds are extremely limited so I've been looking at the Christopher 100 or the Shen SB80 mainly because I can get either of them from local reputable luthiers. The Shen, at least from reading here, seems to have a better following than the Christopher. But the aesthetic freak in me likes the Gamba body style better than the violin body style, although this is no deal breaker. And the luthier that sells the Christopher carries a very generous rental credit policy. What are people's opinions of these models? Please keep in mind too that I will be amped since I play in a latin/world group (no horns, just strings and drums/percussion). Also from a little research it seems the Shens come with a better bag than the Christophers, which is a fairly big deal as I would be traveling with this to rehearsals and shows.

BTW, i have searched and read the stickies, but didn't find a lot of info on the Christophers.

I run with a Chrissy 200, one of the last ones from norton customs before they went out of business. here's a link to some pics So it came...

I really enjoy it, it's solidly built and sounds great for my needs. although I haven't been able to gig with it too much as I need a pickup on 'er to compete with our drummer

[mojoluthier]

If you get a Christopher, upgrading to the 200 is smart. You get a spruce laminated top instead of hardwood, and it makes a huge difference for a couple of hundred dollars.

[Dave Irwin]

I've only played a Chistopher at the ISB but based on that, I preferred my Shen. Doublebass is one instrument in which should not be judged by looks IMO.


thx, Dave

[Groove Theory]

Originally Posted by Dave Irwin

I've only played a Chistopher at the ISB but based on that, I preferred my Shen. Doublebass is one instrument in which should not be judged by looks IMO.


thx, Dave

I don't think any instrument should be judged by looks alone. Playability, tone, overall sound, and feel are all far more important than looks. however all these are very subjective to personal taste and will vary greatly from person to person.
Dave likes the Shens, I like the christophers. I actually think you'd be happy with either as they compare fairly well to each other, however, if you at all have the option of trying both basses before buying you'll be glad you did.

There's also the factor of a proper setup too, which will be vital to the playability and feel of the instrument.

if you end up getting one, you do realize you have to post some pics, right?

[Mark Carlsen]

Originally Posted by mojoluthier

If you get a Christopher, upgrading to the 200 is smart. You get a spruce laminated top instead of hardwood, and it makes a huge difference for a couple of hundred dollars.

This is really good advice as I have dealt all of these models and the nex't level up lets a Luthier do their Magic in a better way.After all ,You do get what you pay for...

[Dave Irwin]

I knew I'd get a response with that statement . I was speaking in terms of say double bass vs. electric guitar where you can fix most any problem through set up and/or electronics. I also said it because there is such disconnect between looks and sound/playability with the bass. If you are new to the instrument that brand spanking new bass with the "2 ft" thick table looks great. I'm sure the same applies to any acoustic/wood intrument. Rough looking flutes on the other hand usually sound rough as well.

I'd just say, try to find a used Shen, Christopher, or anything else you are interested in since the used instrument will 1. have had time to open up a little and 2. time to see how the bass is going to behave re: cracks etc (less of a concern with laminated)., and probably better set up.

Originally Posted by Groove Theory

I don't think any instrument should be judged by looks alone. Playability, tone, overall sound, and feel are all far more important than looks. however all these are very subjective to personal taste and will vary greatly from person to person.
Dave likes the Shens, I like the christophers. I actually think you'd be happy with either as they compare fairly well to each other, however, if you at all have the option of trying both basses before buying you'll be glad you did.

There's also the factor of a proper setup too, which will be vital to the playability and feel of the instrument.

if you end up getting one, you do realize you have to post some pics, right?

[jmceachern36]

I was trying to decide between those 2 basses a couple of years ago and decided spend the extra $ and go with the solid top Shen 150 (because of advice gotten here and from a local luthier). Well worth it. It seemed like a lot of money at the time but looking back it was a great decision.

[ao'connor17]

i have a Christopher 400 series, its very nice. they're basses are loud and have very thick necks. they sound great though, and with a ply wood body a little beating won't hurt it, mines fully carved and they shipped in a "fabric-only" bag and its fine.

[bassplayer57]

Go with a shen!! THey rock!!

[mojoluthier]

It is SO easy to take material off a neck. I reshape and oil finish a Chrissy neck for about $100. I agree that they are a little bulky compared to some, but it is only a mm or 2. It is amazing how little is involved and yet it feels like a lot.