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Double Bass Shen Owner's Club

#321
guitar1969 said:
I just bought my son a used Shen SB-190 from another member that was in good condition with a few blemishes . In a few places however the finish seems a bit dull or has a milky appearance. I am a guitarist and have my various polishes for my guitars, but since this is an applied oil finish, not sure how to clean/maintain it and reapplyfeed the Oil finish if that is even needed. Can someone make recommendations on what I can/should use. It seems a reoiling would possibly help, such as lemon oil or a fine furniture polish but I don't dare try on my own. I also know there are some vintage instrument polishes out there. Do Oil finishes need to be reapplied or fed, or is polishing on top of them recommended. If you can also recommend what I can use on the ebony fretboard that would help as well - I usually use a special oil on my rosewood fretboards on my guitars to feed/clean them.
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I keep a microfiber cloth (typically used for dusting) in basket right by my bass. I wipe it down before and after every practice. I try to be gentle but still get all of the dust off. I have had a few spots where the rosin had built up from the previous owner. I was able to very gently urge those off over time with a slightly damp warm cloth. it took several tries but I didn't want to scrub at it or soak it.

I clean my strings with alcohol wipes I purchased from the drug store. This way there is barely any liquid to mar the bass surface in case of splash or drip. I haven't done anything to the fingerboard except the microfiber cloth before and after practice.

In the 6 months I have had the Shen, following this routine, it has slowly lost some of it's old grime without being abused in the process.

Good luck! What an exciting purchase!
 
#323
c0l0rx3 said:
I keep a microfiber cloth (typically used for dusting) in basket right by my bass. I wipe it down before and after every practice. I try to be gentle but still get all of the dust off. I have had a few spots where the rosin had built up from the previous owner. I was able to very gently urge those off over time with a slightly damp warm cloth. it took several tries but I didn't want to scrub at it or soak it.

I clean my strings with alcohol wipes I purchased from the drug store. This way there is barely any liquid to mar the bass surface in case of splash or drip. I haven't done anything to the fingerboard except the microfiber cloth before and after practice.

In the 6 months I have had the Shen, following this routine, it has slowly lost some of it's old grime without being abused in the process.

Good luck! What an exciting purchase!
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the tips. I believe one dull area might be rosin buildup close to the bridge under where the bow would hit the strings. I tried cleaning it with a warm moist cloth as recommended but it didn't really do anything. I guess I will keep trying. There is also an area on the side where the finish just isn't as glossy as the rest, but it almost looks like maybe the previous owner tried cleaning it with something that dulled the finish, so not sure how I can get it back to the same sheen as the rest. On my electrics its easy because a high quality auto polish is usually all you need and a little TLC, but on these instruments the finish is much different and scarier to work with. I guess I will proceed with caution.

I also noticed the tuning pegs don't tighten the string very well unless I push up wards while turning and then they creak a bit and tighten as they should. Is this notrmal for these tuners or do they maybe need to be oiled and tighened - Not sure if Oiling the gear with a sewing machine oil is recomended.
 
#324
I generally love Sam's basses but the machines on the lower-end models are pretty crude. If the gears aren't turning smoothly and everything is tight, put a drop or two of #10 machine oil on the gears and rotate to distribute.

Should the machines be stripped or damaged and on their way out I'd recommend replacing them with a set of Rubners, which are German-made and nice. Rubners are milled, not cast like Shen's Suzhou machines, and don't cost too much. You will have to have them professionally installed, though.
 
#325
My Shen SB200 Flatback Willow 7/8
 

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#328
Hey everyone, I'm new and not sure where my question should go, but this seemed like a decent place to start. feel free to shuffle me around, mods.
a local luthier gets Shen basses that were sold new, damaged in transit and returned. He buys them from the company and repairs them to sell from his shop. he has worked with my bass teacher for a long time and I went to check him out on my teacher's recommend. He offered me a Shen SB 80 with a bag, thomastik strings and a Werner german bow for $1750. Everywhere I've looked on the web, seems the Werner bows run about $400-500 and the SB 80 itself about $1500, so it seems like a decent deal.
Just thought I'd ask some objective-3rd-party types for a second opinion before I go dropping that kind of cash, since I don't really know all too much about it.
Thanks for any replies.
-Eli
 
#329
psycacti you don't tell us where you are located but suspect you may be in the northeast. There is a SB100 in the NY area with accy's asking $1k ttp://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/msg/3815545157.html I have no financial interest, just passing on info.

Best
 
#330
Can anyone tell me what is typically the valuation difference between a willow Shen and the identical model in maple? Need an idea for insurance purposes.

(When I bought the instrument, I thought I was getting a willow model, so I had it insured as such before I picked it up, based on current market prices. Discovered it was actually maple when I took possession.)

Thanks for the help!
 
#334
Link Removed

Call me 'Rip van Winkle'. I just started playing after a 25 year ( !! ) interlude to allow for 'real life' and a day job. Play professionally for 20 years prior to that. By the way, what ever happened to all the music gigs? (Just kidding - I've already seen the thread).

Just joined a great group called Straight Up Jazz NC and having a great time playing in some really nice local venues like G2B in Durham and the Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh

Rick in Raleigh

Assign me a number please.
 
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#336
Just got fitted with a KC Strings extension. It's awesome! (I'll soon post a personal review of the KC Strings extension in the TB forums.)

I've owned this instrument for about nine months, and it continues to knock my socks off—has far exceeded my expectations. Outfitted it with low-tension Helicore orchestral stings, and it is every bit as satisfying to play as many of the big-ticket basses I played as a student at IU years ago. My principal has commented that it has a powerful and very punchy presence in the section.

Glad to be a member of the Shen club!
 

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#337
I’m cross posting this in the Strings forum and the Shen Owners Club. Mod’s can kill one if you want but I wanted to get this to the right audience.

I need string advice recommendations. I’ve read all the sticky’s on the string forum and searched both forums and still don’t have a solid answer. I would like to know what players with similar gear have had success with.

I have a 4 year old Shen Rogeri SB200. It came with Belcanto’s and I love them. Even the E string that some have complained about speaks really well on my bass, but they are dying rapidly. I’ve been playing for nearly 30 years and I play 70-80% pizz jazz. I like a darker sound, with sustain, and good note definition. I don’t mind the tension of the Belcantos but might like to try something lighter. I’ve read completely different opinions of the Spiro Weichs and Mittels. Some love them, some hate them. My only experience first hand with Spiro Weichs was on a friends POS plywood bass, and a crappy amp. I hated them. But in my research here and talking to my former teacher I discovered a lot of players I dig use Weichs.

Opinions or advice please.
 

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