Shen SB150 Hybrid

[el_mariachi]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a carved top bass and there are a couple of local luthiers who deal Shen basses. I've searched and found *some* posts regarding this model, but thought I'd open up a new one to get people's opinions on them. Ever since I played a carved top bass, my ply just hasn't felt (or sounded) the same....curse this evil disease of GAS!!

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by el_mariachi

I'm thinking of upgrading to a carved top bass and there are a couple of local luthiers who deal Shen basses. I've searched and found *some* posts regarding this model, but thought I'd open up a new one to get people's opinions on them. Ever since I played a carved top bass, my ply just hasn't felt (or sounded) the same....curse this evil disease of GAS!!

I have the 180. It's the same bass with a little fancier wood. The differences between the 150 and the 180 were described to me as strictly cosmetic.

That said, I am happier and happier with my bass as it ages out. It doesn't have the complexity of tone of a fully carved bass, but it sounds really nice. Far more interesting than a full ply.

FWIW, my teacher, who is a professional symphony player, was very impressed with the bass for the $$.

[Marc Piane]

My dad has the 150 at his school. He bought it on my recommendation. I tried the 180 and the 200 when I was shopping. I ended up buying the 200 (Willow Flatback) but it was a tough choice. The 200 just had a little more of that 'thing' I was shopping for.

That said the bass my dad bought is a really good bass. Best hybrid that I've played at that price-point.

BTW I bought mine from Michelle Fiore (www.allthingsbass.com). She was great to deal with and she let me take the bass on loan for a few days to try it on some gigs. I understand Mark Sonksen (www.sonksenstrings.com), my bass doctor of choice, also has a Shen but I'm not sure which model.

[el_mariachi]

Fingers, Michelle and Mark are the two people I've been emailing with about the SB150. I happened to email Mark about a different bass and he mentioned that he is now selling Shen basses; told me he had lunch yesterday with our own John Sprague (hope I spelled that right). Both seem like great luthiers and it just may come down to personal preference if and when I buy one. One thing that Mark has going for him is that he said that with any new bass purchased from him, he offers 12 months of warranty service (open seem, etc) and 12 months of free setup adjustments. But we'll see, I've gotta hit up both shops and try out some basses. If anyone else can comment on these basses, it'd be much appreciated.

[Marc Piane]

Every tree is different. Try 'em both.

Both are good people too. You can't go wrong either way.

Michelle is great. It is actually a trio of mine playing the music on her website.

Mark's been my guy for years. I can't say enough good stuff about him.
It also helps that he is less than a mile from my house too

[Steve Swan]

These two hybrid Shen models, SB 150 and SB 180, are a solid step up from the really good all-laminate Shen models, SB 80, 90, and 100. You are definitely on the right rack working with this company and one of the two fine luthiers that you mentioned.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

[el_mariachi]

yea Mark's only about a 10 or 15 drive from my place on the northside. It'd be much easier to make it to his shop.

[christ andronis]

Mark works on my carved Chrissy. Be sure sure to try those out too. I believe he's got a couple at his shop. The last time I was there he brought out this old Kay he was restoring. This thing was like a cannon...REAL loud. See if he's still got that one too. I don't believe the price was out of line with what you may want to pay. He sold me my first hybrid that I've still got. It's nice to do business with people you can trust.