First time buyer, two basses, your thoughts?

Both options are overpriced.

 

I think the year 2014 Eastman VB95, with setup, pickup, gig bag, bow, and stand for $2900CAD all in, no tax is a great choice. It's over $1000CAD less than the Shen, once you add a similar pickup + tax.

Play them both, but V95 looks like a winner.

(BTW The VP95 pickup install looks normal. The luthier just tied the cable to limit flapping around. Sometimes the jack is mounted lower though. Not an issue either way.)

 

I'd agree, both are a bit high. Eastmans have a good rep, I wouldn't the spend 1k more for a Shen. A pick up is a good to not have to worry about for a while. If you are patient you can find a better deal, either bass will be solid if you just want a bass now!

 

The pricing is very dependant on location in Canada. I'm in a town of 100 000 in Ontario, number of basses for sale within a two hour drive is zero. As a general rule everything up here is more expensive, cars, houses, instruments, you name. The prices shown don't seem out of line with what I've seen.
OP, where are you located?

 

A new Eastman is about $2700 USD in the US, plus bag, etc. So if the used one is well cared for and set up properly, its probably the better deal. There have been many posts on TB about this model bass and from what I recall, they've been positive. You'll have a better idea when you try them. If you are not experienced with DB, it might be helpful if you know someone who is to go along with you.

 

Easy pick for me...get the Eastman! Not a horrible price but IMHO you'll enjoy the Eastman more. But that's just my opinion. As was previously stated...go play them both first if you can! Good luck and happy playing!

 

That's a Realist Copperhead from David Gage. They're designed to sit underneath one foot of the bridge, as you see in that photo.

 

Used can be better as any wood crack or open seam issues that might have come up with a brand new instrument, would have done so already and been fixed. It's 6 years old, and by your OP, was recently worked on by a luthier. It's a safer bet in that sense.
The first buyer also took the price depreciation hit, not you. Realistically, you might be able to sell this bass in 5 years for roughly the same price that you'll buy it for this month. That's never true with a new bass. So it's a safer bet financially too.

Do you have a double bassist teacher who can play this bass with you and give an opinion? Do you know the luthier shop who did the work 6 months ago and check out what comparison sales are offered there?

 

A big part of it is how it feels in your hands. Is it comfortable? That's as much a part of it as anything. Take your time when you try them out, not unreasonable to spend 30 minutes or so just holding and playing a bass.

 

neither of those seem overpriced to me, especially the shen. I paid $450 more for my new shen sb150 three years ago and i bought it from arguably the most reputable/honest Luthier around Denver (Bob Ross for those that are wondering)

my teacher (also not an idiot) bought a used shen sb150 on CL last year for $2500. so if the true cost is $2450 i think that's actually quite a good deal. anecdotally i've heard that the fit and finish on Eastmans isn't quite as nice as shens, just something to keep in mind.

 

based on new prices in usa i think they are fairly priced. the shen sb150 new is around $2800. i say get the shen

 

yeah mine was $2900 3 years ago. the tariffs with china have made prices go up too.

 

Stupid, minor issue, but DAY-UM! - them's A LOT of dots on the Eastman!

(And I'm in the pro-dot faction, having 3 placed on the side of the fb of the new bass I've commissioned!)

THAT many dots on the fb is pretty ridiculous, and would likely sway me away from that bass. I would be leery of ANY dots past the heel, as I'd worry that they would cause folk to suspect I has some ability to DO ANYTHING down there! And don't folk who have such dots generally have them between the D and G strings? The reverse of that bass?