Opinions on Shen SB100?

GeneralElectric · #1 03-22-2010, 06:20 PM

I have the chance to pick up a Shen SB100. Its an older model, about 10 years old. I won't get a chance to play the bass beforehand unfortunately. It looks to be in fantastic shape though.

I don't know much about uprights in all honesty. I'm looking for a good model to learn on, and take lessons with. If I decide to stick with it, it'd become a beater bass (unless I traded it in for an upgrade)

Are there any issues with these basses? Anything I should worry about? More than one person has told me that Chinese uprights like this one have a tendency to explode. Should I steer clear lest I be showered in a hail of splinters?

RD · #2 03-22-2010, 06:34 PM

Shens are good quality basses in my experience. I've owned both a ply and a carved Shen, both solid instruments.
RD

IdealWay · #3 03-22-2010, 06:35 PM

In my experience, and from reading lots of reviews, the general consensus is that Shen basses widely represent some of the best Chinese-made uprights around. They've received much praise here and on other sites and are all-around great basses, especially for a student. I own an SB80 (almost identical to SB100) and love it. It;s comfortable to play, is solid as a rock, and I've gotten many compliments on the tone from other bassists I respect. If you have an opportunity to pick up a used one for a good price, I say go for it, you won't be disappointed as long as its in good shape and is properly setup. What are they asking for it?

GeneralElectric · #4 03-22-2010, 06:52 PM

I was offered it to trade. I'd probably be offering up my Sage Set Neck 4 for it and asking it for cash on his end as well (or counting towards a trade for his electric and adding cash on my end)

Herbie 80's · #5 03-22-2010, 06:57 PM

I've heard very good things about the Shen's. It is unfortunate that you can't try it out beforehand. How are you going about acquiring this? Mail?

GeneralElectric · #6 03-22-2010, 07:25 PM

I'm getting it from a fellow NYer but he lives far away. He might drive down a bit and meet me here, but I personally would feel terrible to agree to the trade and have him drive down to NYC for nothing.

drurb · #7 03-22-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I'm getting it from a fellow NYer but he lives far away. He might drive down a bit and meet me here, but I personally would feel terrible to agree to the trade and have him drive down to NYC for nothing.

Two guys agree to a trade on items unseen by both. In my experience, it's usually implicit (or even explicit) that the agreement is contingent on each item being as described and its condition actually being as it's understood to be. I hope that's the case with your deal. I'm guessing that what you're really saying is that, so long as the Shen is in the condition you think it is, you won't reject it for not fitting some of your preferences.

GeneralElectric · #8 03-22-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Two guys agree to a trade on items unseen by both. In my experience, it's usually implicit (or even explicit) that the agreement is contingent on each item being as described and its condition actually being as it's understood to be. I hope that's the case with your deal. I'm guessing that what you're really saying is that, so long as the Shen is in the condition you think it is, you won't reject it for not fitting some of your preferences.

Exactly. The bass looks pretty much brand new and wasn't played very much. He's asking me the equivalent of $1750 for it. Its currently listed in the TB classifieds.

drurb · #9 03-22-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Exactly. The bass looks pretty much brand new and wasn't played very much. He's asking me the equivalent of $1750 for it. Its currently listed in the TB classifieds.

Hmm... now if you could really get $1750 in cash for what you're trading, IMO that's not a great deal for a 10-year-old Shen SB-100. For example, check Nick Lloyd's site for his price on a brand new SB-100 with a fine setup. On the other hand, if you'd be hard pressed to find a buyer for the stuff you'll trade...

GeneralElectric · #10 03-22-2010, 09:46 PM

I'd be trading my Sage SN4. It was made by Sage for 06 NAMM. Its a really nice bass and it'd sell for slightly more than $4,000 new. Its my nicest electric by far, but its very modern sounding (even though it has a million tones) and everything I'm doing now, I do on a P-bass. Since the bass is a soapbar in the neck position and a single coil in the bridge position, its basically a modern PJ according to the builder. I usually solo the soap bar and I love the tone of it. So does every engineer whose heard it and I've gotten a ton of compliments on it. Its the only modern sounding bass I own. If I got rid of it, I probably wouldn't have an electric of the same caliber ever again.

The resale on this isn't that great because Sage isn't the best known of bass builders. I value my bass to be worth a little more than 2 grand roughly. I'm thinking of trading this and my last $400 of 'free money' (aka money that isn't earmarked for bills) for the Shen and his G&L and he'd meet me in NYC to deliver it.

GeneralElectric · #11 03-22-2010, 10:22 PM

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/1647316350.html

Just found this on my local CL

drurb · #12 03-23-2010, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/1647316350.html

Just found this on my local CL

Ah, seek and ye shall find-- all good things come to those who wait-- haste makes waste... and a bunch of other half-truths.

Now, for a $1000, that seems like a MUCH better deal.

LeslieD · #13 03-23-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/1647316350.html

Just found this on my local CL

You're going to drive yourself crazy if you've already made a decision to trade for the Shen. That said, I'd definitely check out the CL bass if you've got the cash on hand.

One thing that bothers me in your post is your comment "Its the only modern sounding bass I own. If I got rid of it, I probably wouldn't have an electric of the same caliber ever again." You really sound reluctant to give up your Sage SN4 (and for something that is an unknown).

But I'd have to agree with Drurb on this one, (that the 10 yr old Shen may not be the best deal--at least for cash). This really nice SB100 sold a few months back for the same amount, and it was a real beauty: *SOLD* New Shen SB100 3/4 Double Bass - *PRICE DROP*.

GeneralElectric · #14 03-24-2010, 07:05 AM

My main problem is, is that I don't have any cash to my name really. The only money I spend on music gear is money from music. I have $400 to spend however I will (Fedex lost a bass in shipping, so the refund goes into my music fund)

I told the guy I'd pass. Excuse me while I sit on my hands some more...

drurb · #15 03-24-2010, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

My main problem is, is that I don't have any cash to my name really. The only money I spend on music gear is money from music. I have $400 to spend however I will (Fedex lost a bass in shipping, so the refund goes into my music fund)

I told the guy I'd pass. Excuse me while I sit on my hands some more...

We're here to help.

Herbie 80's · #16 03-24-2010, 03:26 PM

I think you made a good decision. Try selling the Sage if you're feeling less reluctant about it, and while you wait, eventually, you will find the deal for you.