Shen Sb80. Should I get one?

engedi1 · #1 01-23-2011, 03:47 PM

Here is my story:
I have played upright for 15 years, and at one point had a 100 yr old Czech bass that I painfully had to sell last year for survival purposes. I desperately need another upright, and my local string shop has a neat program:

$75 per month to rent a Shen sb80. At the end of 12 month, the full amount of the rent is credited to the purchase price of $1600. Then, at any time later, I can trade the Shen in for the full $1600 to upgrade the bass to a better one.

Does this sound like a good deal to y'all? Does anyone have experience with these basses, can I use them on pro level jazz or country gigs, or recording sessions? Do they have technical challenges, like the endpin not working and slipping down in the middle of gigs, that I should know about.

Any thoughts would be great!

fdeck · #2 01-23-2011, 05:31 PM

I played some Shen ply basses. They seem to be high quality instruments in terms of materials and workmanship. Some of that is the setup. If I was considering ply, I'd definitely have a Shen on my short list of options.

kmanley_29649 · #3 01-23-2011, 05:38 PM

I play one and I really like it.

Jason Sypher · #4 01-23-2011, 05:45 PM

If that's the only way you can keep playing the bass then do it. It's a decent plywood bass and you can get some work to help you out.

Steve Swan · #5 01-23-2011, 05:47 PM

Do it. If your string shop sets up basses well, it's going to be an instrument that's hard to beat at that price and rent-to-own arrangement.

Tony G · #6 01-23-2011, 05:54 PM

I've only had my Shen SB80 since Aug 2010, purchased from Upton Bass in Boston, MA. I'm very happy with my purchase. It is really a solid instrument, set up well, and has very decent tone. Granted, I've only been playing URB for a short time, but I still think anyone would be very happy with the quality of the SB80.

Stev187 · #7 01-23-2011, 05:56 PM

While you can probably get that bass cheaper somewhere else, you can't beat the rental program you outlined, and it's always good to buy locally. I'd go for it--what do you have to lose?

And while I've never played one of these, I've heard good things about them and if you're renting, any issues that crop up should be handled by your local shop. A properly set up ply bass can be a great instrument for all the jobs you mention.

Steve

Eric Swanson · #8 01-23-2011, 06:19 PM

Sounds reasonable. As Jason says, continuing to play the bass is the key thing. Even if you get another bass, some other day, having a nice ply bass is a handy thing.

I rented a Shen for a few months. It was great, frankly.

The only variable is the setup, as others have said. Make sure that it is set up by a bass luthier...

engedi1 · #9 01-23-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

Sounds reasonable. As Jason says, continuing to play the bass is the key thing. Even if you get another bass, some other day, having a nice ply bass is a handy thing.

I rented a Shen for a few months. It was great, frankly.

The only variable is the setup, as others have said. Make sure that it is set up by a bass luthier...

thanks for the good input guys! The good news is that the Shen is being offered by Nashville Fine Violins which is owned by Dustin-who is a bass player and bass enthusiast. I am sure the setup will be good.

Jsn · #10 01-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engedi1

Does this sound like a good deal to y'all? Does anyone have experience with these basses, can I use them on pro level jazz or country gigs, or recording sessions?

Depending on the venue and genre, a ply can actually be preferable to a carved in an amplified setting. Less feedback issues, more durable, etc. Certainly in a country, bluegrass or rockabilly setting, yours won't be the only ply they're used to hearing. Play the Shen with pride.

Recording sessions are another matter entirely. Again, so much depends on the desired effect. But if you're good enough to wrangle recording gigs, I bet you can rent an even better bass for the occasion in Nashville.

M Ramsey · #11 01-24-2011, 10:20 AM

I tried out a Shen SB80 years ago, as I dropped off my bass for a neck reset. It was amazing, especially on the E string and was still strung with the cheaper strings that were on it when shipped to the shop.

When I went back a month later to pick up my bass, I took my son Aaron, so he could hear this amazing, and reasonably affordable bass.

The shop owner didn't have one in the shop. He told me he couldn't hardly keep them in stock. Needing to cater to many varied customers in a symphony town, he usually only keeps one SB80 at any given time.

If I were in the market to buy a new ply bass, this model would probably be one of the first basses I would try out!

**Joshua** · #12 01-24-2011, 08:34 PM

I'm quickly coming up on the 5 year mark with my SB80, and have been very pleased.

John_Madere · #13 01-25-2011, 08:25 AM

Do it. A couple of my students have Shen basses and they are great instruments.

michaeln · #14 01-26-2011, 07:59 AM

I have an SB90 (basically the blonde version of the SB80) and I have been delighted with it.