Shen SB180 or Christopher DB401?

BassPlayer3187 · #1 01-21-2010, 11:38 PM

I've narrowed it down to either the Christopher DB401 model, which is fully carved with a flat back, or the Shen SB180 which is a hybrid. Which would you choose?

Here are the 2 sites I found them on...

http://store.gotofmi.com/dbchrispromg.html

http://www.nicklloydbasses.com/

Jake · #2 01-21-2010, 11:49 PM

Well going with Lloyd you would have a great set up job and a very good luthier if and when your bass needs some work. I would rather buy from Nick Lloyd than from some big company or importer.

Jake deVilliers · #3 01-22-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

Well going with Lloyd you would have a great set up job and a very good luthier if and when your bass needs some work. I would rather buy from Nick Lloyd than from some big company or importer.

+1

drurb · #4 01-22-2010, 07:37 AM

+1. Avoid buying from a musical mass merchandiser; seek a real bass shop and a qualified luthier. The choice is clear.

Chasarms · #5 01-22-2010, 09:04 AM

I don't have any experience with the Christopher, but I can say that Nick did an SB180 for me about 6-7 years ago, and the bass has been absolutely wonderful to own.

The bass looks, plays and sounds very nice. (You can see a bit of the bass in my avatar) I have gotten countless comments on the instrument. It was wholely endorsed by my teacher who plays a late 18th century Italian and an early 19th century German. I believe that the new ones are now oil finished, so they are likely far more attractive than even mine.

Further, Nick is very professional and easy to work with. I expect your bass would arrive in excellent order.

Chasarms · #6 01-22-2010, 06:57 PM

I also forgot to mention that you should budget $200-300 to spend on the Christopher with a local luthier for a set up. I wouldn't expect it to play right fresh out of the box.

Here are a few pics of my Shen. I took them when I got it. It is SHINY. I have since rubbed out the finish with 0000 steel wool and PGA. It matted it very nicely.

Paul Warburton · #7 01-22-2010, 07:07 PM

+3 on Nnick.

mjt0229 · #8 01-23-2010, 10:29 AM

That Shen is way, way prettier than the pictures of the Christopher on the website. I played a couple of Shens at Hammond-Ashley and thought they were pretty nice, if you set them up and put decent strings on them. Hammond-Ashley had, um, different taste in strings than me.

I have never worked with Nick, but I've only heard good things.

LeslieD · #9 01-24-2010, 09:37 AM

I just saw & played a very nice Shen SB180 yesterday. I've already got more than enough basses (including a nice Shen Willow Rogeri), but the SB180 was so sweet that it's tempting!!! In general, I think the finish on most of the Shens is prettier than the Christophers. That's just personal preference of course. Good luck w/ your decision!

BassPlayer3187 · #10 01-29-2010, 06:22 PM

I'm waiting on a call back from Nick to place an order for my new SB180!

Rick Auvil · #11 01-31-2010, 07:16 PM

I have a Nick Lloyd Shen 180 too! He brought the best out in my Shen, and does quite the sweet setup! The Shen sound seems to have more body and power. I recently played in a church with a choir, unamplified, and received comments on the big volume! I play musical gigs, jazz, and orchestral work, so I can also speak to it's versatility.

I also have a Christopher 304 hybrid (for sale). It can also sound beautiful with the right set of strings. I suppose the biggest difference is that the Christoper sound seems more edgy and bright. I have Helicore hybrids on the Chrissy, and Orchestras on the Shen, so I'm sure that makes a big difference.

Jason Sypher · #12 01-31-2010, 07:51 PM

Go with Nick.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #13 01-31-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPlayer3187

I'm waiting on a call back from Nick to place an order for my new SB180!

Nnick is overseas setting up a bunch of basses in the UK, so be patient I don't think he'll be gone long.

61pollmann · #14 01-31-2010, 09:31 PM

I got an email from Nick about two weeks ago. He said he would be back in the shop on Feb. 16. I'm going down to try out a Shen SB-190. That's the hybrid flatback with the larger Rogeri body. I'm hoping it will work out to have a big enough sound for amp-less gigs with a grand piano.

George

drurb · #15 02-01-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chasarms

Here are a few pics of my Shen. I took them when I got it. It is SHINY. I have since rubbed out the finish with 0000 steel wool and PGA.

PGA?

Paul Warburton · #16 02-01-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Nnick is overseas setting up a bunch of basses in the UK, so be patient I don't think he'll be gone long.

Not withstanding the Bbeer.

Rick Auvil · #17 02-01-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 61pollmann

I got an email from Nick about two weeks ago. He said he would be back in the shop on Feb. 16. I'm going down to try out a Shen SB-190. That's the hybrid flatback with the larger Rogeri body. I'm hoping it will work out to have a big enough sound for amp-less gigs with a grand piano.

George

Let me know how the 190 works for you. I thought about getting a five-string SB 190. I'm exploring all options. I'll bet it will be a boomer. I played my 180 (pizz) in a church with a choir and a baby grand, and it was heard!

jdombrow · #18 02-02-2010, 05:20 PM

subscribed

jacochops · #19 03-07-2011, 04:50 AM

I know this is an old thread, but I can add that the Shen Rogeri bass I own (the 190) is an incredibly full, loud bass. I have tried several of them, and they have seemed to share the same basic tonal characteristics. Very loud, great unamplified. A very nice jazz bass, and sounds dark under the bow.
Mine started life with a RS pickup, but I abandoned that in favor of the Underwood, as the added midrange inherent in that pickup helped me cut through a bit more amplified, although I don't use a lot of the amp.

I'm curious to hear what you found in your search. A new bass is gonna sound like a new bass, but inquiring minds want to know!