Double Bass Shen Owner's Club

[groooooove]

this is my third shen bass. I've played almost literally countless others.

one owner before me, bought it new. it is allegedly the first production model of this gemunder shape.

I was prepared to go into a much higher price range when shopping (makers instruments included) and i'm really glad I found this gem. I just can't say enough good things about it. Huge low end, nice and even top to bottom, beautiful to look at, and so on. It's a shame they don't make these in maple anymore.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I've been playing my shen willow for just shy of 3 weeks. I love it. It sounds great and is a perfect little backup bass. I think I have a major issue with it though...

Its just too small. I am a big lanky guy and the shoulders of this bass are too narrow IMO. Not in a "bad for everyone" but for me they are jarring. Especially since I play a huge 7/8 juzek as my main axe. its a quick adjustment after playing on the shen for a bit I can happily get though a gig, but I long for that big bass feel.

I obviously don't wanna jump ship. I do very much like the shen and would advise people to look into getting one...but I may search and see if anyone needs to trade their 7/8 willow. I'm going mad haha.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Still loving my Shen but listed it in case theres someone who wants to downsize from their 7/8ths. It is awesome and I love playing it. I'm just loving big basses!!

 

[rknea]

Shen lovers...how would you compare the neck on your Shen to another bass? Is it narrower? Thinner (like an old Kay)? I'm currently playing a Krutz hybrid but the neck feels really "fat" to me and I'm looking for a UB with a different neck profile. Thanks! Rick

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The reason that the necks on Chinese basses tend to be thick is because their local maple isn’t terribly stiff.

 

[Lee Moses]

Shen lovers...how would you compare the neck on your Shen to another bass? Is it narrower? Thinner (like an old Kay)? I'm currently playing a Krutz hybrid but the neck feels really "fat" to me and I'm looking for a UB with a different neck profile. Thanks! Rick

You might like an Engelhardt. I personally don't care for those skinny necks, but some folks do.

 

[Rod Sroufe]

Shen lovers...how would you compare the neck on your Shen to another bass? Is it narrower? Thinner (like an old Kay)? I'm currently playing a Krutz hybrid but the neck feels really "fat" to me and I'm looking for a UB with a different neck profile. Thanks! Rick

The neck on my Shen Rogeri Willow is definitely thicker than the Kay and Englehardt basses I’ve played but actually thinner than the neck on my King Mortone. I have a Romanian Hybrid that has a similar neck thickness to my Shen.

I find the thicker necks more comfortable than the thinner Kay and Englehardt necks and I don’t have large hands. Like other bass attributes affecting posture, there is some personal preferences involved.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The necks on Kay and Engel basses are small because they were meant to be played by kid hands.

 

[Sam Dingle]

My shen is gone to a local bassist who very much needed an upgrade. While it was a nice bass it just wasn't for me. I highly recommend them for bassists not my height haha. The 7/8ths version feels much nicer to me.

 

[El Thumpo]

My shen is gone to a local bassist who very much needed an upgrade. While it was a nice bass it just wasn't for me. I highly recommend them for bassists not my height haha. The 7/8ths version feels much nicer to me.[/QUOTE

How tall are you again, Sam?

 

[Sam Dingle]

How tall are you again, Sam?

6’4 and 210 maybe. I would really just advise someone to try this bass before buying it because it felt small compared to others. I’d consider the upper bout to be closer to a large 5/8ths size. The Upton Bass I have now feels much better and my old German bass was in between the two

 

[Sam Dingle]

IMMMM BAAACK....

will this be the end to my bass trading/manic phase? Tried the upton bass and have no bad things to say other than the scale length was not to my liking. Rather than change the neck or the bridge length I found someone with a 7/8 shen willow who wants to do a straight trade for my upton hybrid. That'll happen this weekend. Upton was fun but I'm excited to be back with the shen club.

 

[The Biz]

I find the thicker necks more comfortable than the thinner Kay and Englehardt necks and I don’t have large hands.

I sold an Epiphone *mainly) for this very reason. I'm a small guy, but the thin neck was tougher on my left hand.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Shen willow 7/8. Currently with Spiro mediums and a Carlos chorda G

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Yeah, that’s you.

 

[Sam Dingle]

It sounds great. Endpin is cut so the D tuning peg is where the nut should be on me but I’m getting that all fixed tomorrow

 

[David Jaxzen]

Members List:

#1 - Skabasskid - Gemunder 7/8 Willow Five-String Flatback
#2 - chris1125 - Gemunder 7/8 Willow Flatback
#3 - Justin Rister - SB80
#pi - fingers - SB200
#4 - glenfong - SB200 Willow
#5 - James Gibson - SB200 3/4 Flatback
#6 - Patton - Gemunder 7/8 Willow Flatback
#7 - RSBBass - SB80
#8 - tstone - SB180
#9 - Hqubed - SB300, SB180, SB180 w/ C Extension (WOW!)
#10 - kmanley_29649 - SB80

I just wanted to say hello and join the the Shen Bass owners club. I just bought my first upright acoustic, a Shen SB88. I have only had it a short time and so far I am loving it. I will post pics later after I take them. Is it possible to be #13 in the club as that is my favorite number.

 

[groooooove]

Shen willow 7/8. Currently with Spiro mediums and a Carlos chorda G

the willow 7/8 is a killer bass. I'm not a big guy but i like big basses, and i have a Gemunder in maple (pictured above.) it's such a fine instrument if you like a true 7/8.

enjoy it!!

 

[Sam Dingle]

the willow 7/8 is a killer bass. I'm not a big guy but i like big basses, and i have a Gemunder in maple (pictured above.) it's such a fine instrument if you like a true 7/8.

enjoy it!!

Its a great bass. I've been playing it mostly now on gigs and it is doing the job just fine.

 

[BassJuju]

I’ve always been a bit of fan of blonde basses. I thought about a few and finally decide to go with the SB90. I just got it home tonight and couldn’t spend too much time with her, but she’s pretty sweet.

Are there still #’s to be had?