Shen basses

GW in Ohio · #1 01-12-2007, 10:50 AM

I'm currently playing a Shen SB-100. I'm renting it on a monthly basis from The Loft in Columbus, OH. I love this bass. It's easy to play, sounds wonderful, stays in tune, and looks good.

I'll be ready to buy my own upright in a month or so, and I'm favorably disposed toward Shen basses. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Shens that they could share.

I could purchase the Shen SB-100 I'm currently playing. The Loft has it priced at $2100. I've seen a new Shen SB-100 for sale from Upton Bass for $1800. And Upton has an SB-80 for sale for $1450.

Anyone have any information or experience with Shen basses?

PB+J · #2 01-12-2007, 11:03 AM

I have a Shen SB 200, a fully carved, 7/8ths willow flatback. I love it.
I tried a bunch of basses in its price range, and half a dozen that cost 3-500 more, and it was far better than any of the others I tried. It's very responsive and has a particularly beautiful midrange, up around the heel of the neck. It's a good design, I think--speaks really clearly. I've had it well over a year now and it's opening up more and more--it really roars with the bow.

I don't know if I got a particularly good one, or one that particularly suits me, but it's a great bass

Things I don't like about it--I find the size a little bit of a pain. It's a little big to lug around and stash between sets at the kind of small venues I end up playing. The tuning gears are ok, not great--the "E" on mine has a lot of backlash. At firs it was a little too bright, maybe, but it's deepening over time

The Company rep, who posts here, was very responsive to every question I had. Overall. I'm very very impressed with Shen

Marc Piane · #3 01-12-2007, 11:25 AM

I love my Shen.

When I was shopping for a new bass I tried ones at a much higher price point but the Shen stood up to all of them. My bass takes a ton of abuse. It goes in and out of my car almost everyday. I gig in all manner of venues with all different conditions. A bass that sounds great but doesn't cost an arm and a leg is the ideal. I think the Shen fits that bill.

sejarus · #4 01-12-2007, 11:36 AM

Since you're thinking about buying a Shen bass, you should consider this: (Shen SB180 nice flamed hybrid..

The SB 180 is a very nice-sounding and nice-playing instrument, and the flaming on it makes it a beautiful-looking instrument as well.

I rented an SB-100 for a while before buying an SB-180. I thought the difference between the laminated SB-100 and hybrid SB-180 was pretty significant, especially after giving it some time to open up.

Stan Haskins · #5 01-12-2007, 11:58 AM

I've got a Willow 3/4 flatback. I love it. It's only about 7 or 8 months old, but seems to be holding up very nicely, thank you.

FWIW, I played a Maple Roundback while I was in the market (too pricey for me though) - these are worth looking into, if you can find one

GW in Ohio · #6 01-12-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sejarus

Since you're thinking about buying a Shen bass, you should consider this: (Shen SB180 nice flamed hybrid..

The SB 180 is a very nice-sounding and nice-playing instrument, and the flaming on it makes it a beautiful-looking instrument as well.

I rented an SB-100 for a while before buying an SB-180. I thought the difference between the laminated SB-100 and hybrid SB-180 was pretty significant, especially after giving it some time to open up.

$2600 for an SB-180 is a bit out of my price range. The SB-80 for $1450 would suit my budget better.

But everything I've heard so far confirms that the Shen is a very good buy.

Anybody else have a Shen story to tell?

**Freddels** · #7 01-12-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GW in Ohio

I'm currently playing a Shen SB-100. I'm renting it on a monthly basis from The Loft in Columbus, OH. I love this bass. It's easy to play, sounds wonderful, stays in tune, and looks good.

I'll be ready to buy my own upright in a month or so, and I'm favorably disposed toward Shen basses. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Shens that they could share.

I could purchase the Shen SB-100 I'm currently playing. The Loft has it priced at $2100. I've seen a new Shen SB-100 for sale from Upton Bass for $1800. And Upton has an SB-80 for sale for $1450.

Anyone have any information or experience with Shen basses?

If you like the bass that you are renting, then take the price list from Upton's to The Loft and show it to them. You'd be buying a used bass from them (the one you have) and they should be able to sell it for less than the Upton price. If not, call Upton's.

GW in Ohio · #8 01-12-2007, 12:50 PM

Freddels: Good sugestion. I'll do exactly that.

rdwhit · #9 01-12-2007, 12:57 PM

Check out Nick lloyd's prices on Shens. I can't speak about The place You are renting from. I Have bought a shen willow & a La Scala from Nick and recomend him highly. I played an sb-180 of his as a loaner for 2 weeks & it's a great ply bass. You may have perfectly good shops in Columbes, I'm not slamming anyone there. But if You want to look around a little more then check out Nicks Site. So

Quote:

Originally Posted by GW in Ohio

I'm currently playing a Shen SB-100. I'm renting it on a monthly basis from The Loft in Columbus, OH. I love this bass. It's easy to play, sounds wonderful, stays in tune, and looks good.

I'll be ready to buy my own upright in a month or so, and I'm favorably disposed toward Shen basses. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Shens that they could share.

I could purchase the Shen SB-100 I'm currently playing. The Loft has it priced at $2100. I've seen a new Shen SB-100 for sale from Upton Bass for $1800. And Upton has an SB-80 for sale for $1450.

Anyone have any information or experience with Shen basses?

PB+J · #10 01-12-2007, 01:02 PM

Ken Smith posted a bunch of times about his Shen--he has a 7/8 fully carved model, made with fancier woods than most. More than once he described it as sounding much better than its price would suggest. Those posts may still be in the archive if you search

Uncletoad · #11 01-12-2007, 01:07 PM

Shen's are a great bang for the buck.

Both The Loft and Nick Lloyd Basses are excellent. I'd recommend either place.

When I want my fingerboard planed for fantastic playing I drive to Cincinnati and see Nick. His setup work is exceptional.

I would talk to both places about what you want and what you can afford and see what they are willing to do.

Then come by my shop and show off what you bought.

GW in Ohio · #12 01-12-2007, 01:17 PM

Good suggestion about Nick Lloyd. I'll certainly visit him. I'm in Columbus, a couple hours from Cincinnati.

Phil: I've been to the Fifth Avenue Fret Shop a number of times about my banjos and guitars. You run a righteous shop.

**Freddels** · #13 01-12-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GW in Ohio

Phil: I've been to the Fifth Avenue Fret Shop a number of times about my banjos and guitars. You run a righteous shop.

Now wait a minute. You didn't disclose that you played banjo before. I think that changes everything and we need to take back our suggestions.

GW in Ohio · #14 01-12-2007, 01:28 PM

The banjo is a good thing to play when you're resting your hands from the more demanding rigors of the upright bass.

Uncletoad · #15 01-12-2007, 01:30 PM

Banjos make excellent oatmeal bowls.

In a pinch they will row you out of danger.

fish slapper · #16 01-12-2007, 02:47 PM

I got one of the first SB-"90"s. Basically its a blonde SB-100 (the label reads SB-100). I continue to be more and more happy with this bass. I've had it for about a year now and its really starting to "play in". I know plys aren't supposed to "break in" as much as a carved but I've noticed a difference. I think I played almost every bass I could get my hands on in the under $2k range and all the Shens were impressive. My only regret is if I could have been a little more patient, I would have gone for either a 150 or 180 hybrid. I played one at Hammond Ashley and the tone that came off of that bass is still in my head.

Right now a ply suits my playing ability and needs (hobby player, jazz and bluegrass). Perhaps a carved or hybrid is in my future and I definately will consider Shen's again. I just haven't broken it to the wife yet!

Baird · #17 01-12-2007, 03:20 PM

I have a 3/4 Willow Flatback Shen.
I bought it about 2 years ago from Robertson's and it has truly amazed me with how much it has opened up over time! I absolutely love the sound I get with this bass all the time.

As far as durability goes, it is fantastic. Only two open seams after year 1 and nothing since. Only thing is there is a buzz that may have been there since I bought the bass which I noticed a while back. It's not a big deal, in fact I only noticed it when my ex-teacher (he moved) mentioned he heard something buzzing ever so slightly from inside the bass. I am going to have Robertson's look at it at TMEA this year. It hasn't gotten worse since I first noticed it about a year ago so I don't think my bass is going to explode any time soon!

Like the others, I would highly recommend this bass to anyone looking in this price range and even people looking well above this price range.

**Adrian Cho** · #18 01-12-2007, 07:07 PM

I have a Shen 7/8 Willow flatback which you can see here and I am very happy with it. For the money it's a great bass. I bought mine from Arnold Schnitzer who did a great job setting it up and installing an extension. I owned this bass before the Shen and while the Shen was about 1/2 the price, it competes very well and is better in some respects. I always said I would never buy a Chinese bass but after trying out and then getting my Shen, I was quite happy to eat my words.

mpoppitt · #19 01-13-2007, 02:13 AM

I've had my SB-100 over a year now, and think it's great. Shens are solid, durable, and good sounding basses.

gems07111 · #20 01-13-2007, 11:31 AM

man, i am SOOOO jealous of all you guys right now!