Cincinnati Bass Cellar - Shen Hybrid SB150

footprints89 · #1 12-18-2009, 08:20 PM

Im saving up to get a Shen Hybrid SB150 from Cincinnati Bass Cellar. Anyone have input on the instrument or shop?

Jake · #2 12-18-2009, 08:57 PM

I've heard only good things about the shop.

Eric Hochberg · #3 12-18-2009, 10:10 PM

Great shop, great luthiers and super nice guys. First class all the way.

Downright_Low · #4 12-19-2009, 08:19 AM

I believe the SB180 has a nicer look, other than I think they're the same.... don't know. Anyway, the 180, for a starter, is hard to beat, it's what I've played. I have played several Shens, owned by my friends, laminated and/or hybrid, and they are even and strong. A solid start.

What told you to get one? They happen to be, in my opinion, a decent bass at a good deal. But you should be open to other things, which might sound better, before you settle into one mode. That said, Shens are a safe default choice. As far as CBC, they seem to know what's up... much respect.

footprints89 · #5 12-19-2009, 01:46 PM

My teacher bought his basses from CBC and told me to check it out. I also live in Indiana so its a close drive. Im aiming for this bass because ive heard good things, it looks nice, and its in my price range. Obviously arranged weddings dont work so ill have to play it before i decide. I dont really know anywhere else to check for basses. Ive been looking on upton, but i personally dont know anyone who has purchased from them. Any input on other basses or places to buy?

Steve Swan · #6 12-19-2009, 02:35 PM

It's hard to go wrong with a good model from a fine company that has been serviced and sold by a well-respected shop. Let us know how it turns out!

mjt0229 · #7 12-19-2009, 03:11 PM

I bought a bow there a few years ago. Good people.

LouisF · #8 12-19-2009, 03:25 PM

Andy's a great guy, but you might also want to check out Frank's Violins in Indianapolis. Ask for Mark

http://www.franksviolins.com/violin.asp

Louis

ole Jason · #9 12-21-2009, 11:18 AM

You should check out Nick Lloyd's shop while you're in Cinci. I bought an SB150 from him earlier this year.

Eric Hochberg · #10 12-21-2009, 12:14 PM

Another good one.

Dave Irwin · #11 12-21-2009, 12:38 PM

All the shops mentioned above have good reputations and I've never played a bad Shen.
The only criticism I have for my sb200 7/8ths is that it isn't really a looker from the front but it plays and sounds to good to consider trading.

Dave

Schoolhouse · #12 12-21-2009, 06:56 PM

Both of the shops in Cincinnati are excellent. For a few bucks more the SB 180 is nicer looking and has better machines. You can't go wrong with either the bass or the shop. Tom

acubass · #13 12-22-2009, 11:15 AM

I recently purchased a SB150 as a starter bass and am very happy.

jon3673 · #14 12-22-2009, 01:17 PM

I went up to the Cincinnati Bass Cellar a few months ago to have them look at a 100+ year old bass that belonged to my son. They had worked on this bass back when affiliated with the Cincinnati Bass Viol Shop, back when I lived a lot closer to Cincinnati than I do now. Even though I have moved to a very distant location, I did respect the work and attention that I received and found the Cincinnati Bass Cellar to still continue very much in that manner. They are a couple of respectful and concerned cats! After all, they are bass players . . . . . . . !
During our conversation I brought up another problem that I encountered about 10 years ago when my Juzek’s neck broke and I needed to get a quick replacement while they were rebuilding it. I told them that the only inexpensive bass that I could find to use as a temporary replacement, and that no one (and that’s no one in the world that I contacted) would say anything bad about, was the Christopher bass. Infact, I told them that, after I got my Juzek back, I was so pleased with the sound of my new bass that I no longer took my Juzek out on gigs. I mean, why take a $15,000 bass out to a $100 gig when a $2000 bass covers the job? And, it really sounded pretty good! And it looked great!
Well, they showed me their Shen hybrid and I must admit that it is impressive. It appears to be of good quality and, like my Christopher; it also has a good sound. If it had been available when I was searching, I certainly would have seriously considered it. However, as it is not available as a 5 string, it would not have made it to the final choice.
That being said, buying something close at hand is a lot easier than having to transport your ax 800 miles to get it worked on. Especially when you need it for a gig the next day! So, I suggest that you give the Shen at the Cincinnati Bass Cellar serious consideration. I must admit that I am from the old school of thought that believes that the only important part of a bass is the top. So, if you get a good carved spruce top, you’ll probably get a good sounding ax that will do a wonderful job for a lot of years.
I say this, because a few years after I purchased my Christopher DB304 I purchased a DB604, which is absolutely the top of ther line. It is a beautiful fully carved bass! However, it really doesn’t sound that much better than my 304. It does sound almost as good as my Juzek, but it’s also in the same price range! So, it doesn’t go out on gigs either!
Therefore, I think you’ll enjoy your SB150 and will get many years of good sound and satisfaction from it.

longfinger · #15 12-23-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon3673

I went up to the Cincinnati Bass Cellar a few months ago to have them look at a 100+ year old bass that belonged to my son. They had worked on this bass back when affiliated with the Cincinnati Bass Viol Shop, back when I lived a lot closer to Cincinnati than I do now. Even though I have moved to a very distant location, I did respect the work and attention that I received and found the Cincinnati Bass Cellar to still continue very much in that manner. They are a couple of respectful and concerned cats! After all, they are bass players . . . . . . . !
During our conversation I brought up another problem that I encountered about 10 years ago when my Juzek’s neck broke and I needed to get a quick replacement while they were rebuilding it. I told them that the only inexpensive bass that I could find to use as a temporary replacement, and that no one (and that’s no one in the world that I contacted) would say anything bad about, was the Christopher bass. Infact, I told them that, after I got my Juzek back, I was so pleased with the sound of my new bass that I no longer took my Juzek out on gigs. I mean, why take a $15,000 bass out to a $100 gig when a $2000 bass covers the job? And, it really sounded pretty good! And it looked great!
Well, they showed me their Shen hybrid and I must admit that it is impressive. It appears to be of good quality and, like my Christopher; it also has a good sound. If it had been available when I was searching, I certainly would have seriously considered it. However, as it is not available as a 5 string, it would not have made it to the final choice.
That being said, buying something close at hand is a lot easier than having to transport your ax 800 miles to get it worked on. Especially when you need it for a gig the next day! So, I suggest that you give the Shen at the Cincinnati Bass Cellar serious consideration. I must admit that I am from the old school of thought that believes that the only important part of a bass is the top. So, if you get a good carved spruce top, you’ll probably get a good sounding ax that will do a wonderful job for a lot of years.
I say this, because a few years after I purchased my Christopher DB304 I purchased a DB604, which is absolutely the top of ther line. It is a beautiful fully carved bass! However, it really doesn’t sound that much better than my 304. It does sound almost as good as my Juzek, but it’s also in the same price range! So, it doesn’t go out on gigs either!
Therefore, I think you’ll enjoy your SB150 and will get many years of good sound and satisfaction from it.

thanks for sharing this with us!