Does anybody know if the Shen basses were constructed with hide glue? I've heard that the cheap Chinese basses are not and virtually impossible to repair due to PVA constuction. Not implying that the Shens are cheap/ inferior. I played one awhile ago and it played decent
The tops are not difficult to remove. Significant repairs due to serious injuries from gig accidents haven't shown any particular challenges.
I had for a year or so a Shen Rogeri, and was very happy with it; every luthier I showed it to was impressed with the quality of the workmanship and the sound.
I’ve been playing a Shen hybrid for the past 4 years for my undergrad and will probably keep using it for another year or 2 before I decide to uprage. It’s a super solid bass that’s give me little to no issues in the desert I go to school at. The only issue I’ve had is a small seam that pops once a year where the back meets the left side rib, but it is an easy and cheap repair. Shen’s can be really great Basses, especially if you have a great luthier do a setup on it.
I just had a neck reset done on my SB180. The luthier said they used "cheap white glue" for the neck joint. He cleaned it all out and reset with hide glue. I've had the bass for about three years. I noticed the neck joint separating about 2 weeks ago. watched it creep for a few days and took it in for repair.
Still very satisfied with the instrument overall. Kinda curious as to whether the issue I had is common with a Shen bass or if it was a one-off.
I have had my Shen for seven years now with no problems. There are some good basses being made in China, not just BSO's.
Shen’s problem is economies of scale. To make the numbers work you have to produce a LOT of widgets. I’ve owned two and liked them for what they were, but I’m part of a luthier’s group on facespace whose members have posted photos of some hinky **** they encountered in the wild.
