New Shen 180

[ldekoning]

After much deliberation, I'm pleased to announce that I've just purchased a Shen 180 bass with evah pirazzi strings. This is the upgraded hybrid model with flamed laminates. It looks and sounds beautiful!

The pizzicato sound is just as people said it would be with pirazzis - very full and gut like, but with a nice amount of attack. For arco, it is tremendous. VERY loud, especially the A and D strings which I've read are the strengths of this set (regulars). It's a huge improvement over my rental Shen 80 with helicore hybrid strings. The spruce top really makes all the difference for arco...it allows the bass to resonate like crazy - so much that it is almost uncomfortable for me to handle when playing hard. The ribs buzz into my stomach and sides which tickles a bit!

I decided to get this bass because (1) Shen hybrids have a solid reputation and are widely known, (2) they have good resale value and the shop I purchased at (Rutman's Violins Boston) has a 100% trade-in policy and allowed me to use my rental equity toward the price, and (3) it's a great bass!

Other options I was seriously considering included a Korean 606 bass (carved top and back), a used Upton Hybrid (an awesome package deal which was sold before I could grab it), and String Emporium's Hybrid Thompson. I was seriously tempted by the Thompson and Steve's deals but in the end I decided to buy a bass locally that I could audition first, and didn't want to wait for a bass to be built for me.

My observations so far are these: for the money, it's difficult to beat. Everyone I asked recommended Shen hybrids, and now I see why. They are just solid instruments. I paid just over 3K for it with strings and a basic bag. Tomorrow I will purchase a better bow and take my new baby home. Pictures to follow!

Thanks for your advice and helpful posts, talkbassers. Right now I'm pretty pumped about my new instrument!

[longfinger]

Congratulations.
pics?

[ole Jason]

I'd be interested in hearing your impressions of the strings once they break in.

Congrats!

[tomshepp]

Congrats! Let's see it!

[Monte]

Is this the large 3/4-7/8 based on Ruggeri flatback? If so I played one today that was very impressive....especially for the money

[ldekoning]

Here's the eye candy. FYI this is not the Willow bass I think you are describing, Monte. It is a standard 3/4 roundback hybrid. You can find more details on it here: http://www.cscproducts.com/

In these pics you can see the nice grain on this model. The back is nicely flamed.





As for the strings, I really like them. Evah pirazzis are very 'squishy' and you can REALLY dig in. I got the regulars rather than the weichs because I heard they produce a bigger sound, and they don't disappoint. They have a lot of bass as well as attack.

The owner of the shop I purchased at said he really liked the pizzicato sound - it's not clear and electric bassy like spirocores. Instead, it has a huge 'oomph' after the aggressive 'scratch' or 'ping' that precedes each note.

Like I said before, arco is very powerful....it maybe doesn't have the warmth of Flexocors, but there is a ton of bass and volume combined with the initial pop. I think these would work either solo or in an orchestra!

[ldekoning]

Here's a couple more. I really like the woodwork on the scroll.

[Steve Swan]

This is the SB180 model? I think that the "180B" name used might have been confusing to some.