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Double Bass Laminate Christopher, vs hybrid Chris, vs Hybrid Shen

L

Libersolis

Sep 9, 2004
180
2
45
Austin, TX
#1
Can someone who has some experience with these 3 bass "models" Provide a comparison between them ? I was on my way to buy a Hybrid Lascala, but had something very unexpected come up.

I can't make the immediate jump to either of these, and the current shop work with doesnt have any on display. I am much more interested in arco than i was when i bought my laminate christopher(amazing bass by the way)

Thank you for your help as always.
 
#2
Libersolis said:
I am much more interested in arco ...
Thank you for your help as always.
Click to expand...
If arco is your main preferred style then hybrid or carved is the way to go. Played Christopher carved and Shen carved and La Scala hybrid. This particular Christopher lacked oomph and character. The Shen had bags of low end and was the sweetest for aro. See if you can try both. There are quite a few other hybrids out there too. I wouldn't necessarily confine yourself to those two basses.
 
#6
jdombrow said:
It's not really fair for a Shen dealer to criticize another brand.
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With all respect, having a respected retailer who has played, bought, and sold more basses than most people around to comment on a thread about basses is one of the great things about this board.
Steve Swan is hardly the only person who comments on basses who may have a vested interest in the impressions made. That said, I think he and the others that regularly appear here have enough integrity to offer their own opinions about basses with which they have some experience without our needing to be concerned about a shill in our midst.
We are all free to decide whose opinions we value, and of course, those opinions may differ from ours or of others. It's the discourse that has value, and the knowledge of those participating determines its worth.
 
#8
Up until recently I played on a fully carved Christopher busetto model. I played on it for about 4 years, and in that time the sound grew immensely. In my ten person bass section at the U of M it was the loudest bass of them all (and that's going up against a couple basses in the 20K range). But, for as great as the low end was, the high end was pretty bad. It was hard to play solos on, but I got by on it and even made it to the final round of a solo competition against other instruments that were not the bass, so I guess the high end wasn't that bad.
I'm actually selling it now, so if you're in MN at any point drop me a message.
I can't comment on either of those other models, though. Never played them.
 
#9
Mesa said:
With all respect, having a respected retailer who has played, bought, and sold more basses than most people around to comment on a thread about basses is one of the great things about this board.
Steve Swan is hardly the only person who comments on basses who may have a vested interest in the impressions made. That said, I think he and the others that regularly appear here have enough integrity to offer their own opinions about basses with which they have some experience without our needing to be concerned about a shill in our midst.
We are all free to decide whose opinions we value, and of course, those opinions may differ from ours or of others. It's the discourse that has value, and the knowledge of those participating determines its worth.
Click to expand...

I also notice Steve carries Christopher's in his inventory as well as Shen's.
 
#13
crowsmengegus said:
The loudest in the pp passages.... :p
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:spit:

I mean no offense to your Kimmel bass, Rob. I'm sure when it's 4 years old it will be much louder than my Christopher is now. Actually, now that I remember back to playing on it yesterday it was really quite powerful sounding...

Getting back on topic, I don't think I've ever played on a chinese bass with as open of a sound as my fully carved Christopher. If the OP is mostly just interested in orchestral playing, I would say a Christopher would be a good match for you. And about the tone, I have played a couple Shens (not the ones you were asking about), and I have to say that I think the Christophers have a warmer and darker tone than the Shens I've played on. But that's just my opinion. Try and find people who own the models you're interested in so you can try them out for yourself.
 
#16
My experience is limited, but from what I've heard and played, I like the Shen basses. I once was lent a Shen 5/8ths laminated that just sang for a plywood instrument. Other Shens I've played have been very nice as well.
 
#18
I have recently played a Shen and fell in love with it.
I am a bit cautious because I heard that Shen basses sometimes have the neck hollowed out underneath the fingerboard and if a fingerboard has to be removed then there is a high likelyhood that the neck may warp.
Can anyone shed some light on this practice?
 

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