Double Bass Shen Owner's Club

[plong123]

I have two questions about Shens, maybe this would be the right place to ask.
1) Can you get the SB180 with gamba outline, or is it violin-only?
2) what is the difference between a SB180 and SB190?
thanks

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

1. Not sure. I think so. They change designs a lot.

2. The 180 is a 150 with fancy maple outer veneers. Classic hybrid design. The 190 has solid ribs and a ply flat back, a less common design.

 

[John Sprague]

Some of this I answered in a PM with plong123, but I'll put it down here for public use as well.
The SB180 can be had in the gamba outline. Your dealer can order it for you.
The main difference between the two is the 190 is no longer being made, and will be replaced by something that is currently under the radar. The 190 is a larger Rogeri outline, and it has a flat back and willow ribs. So the two are very different acting basses. Same machines. If there's one on the floor nearby I would recommend you A-B the two. They're both very successful, and very different from each other.

 

[armybass]

Just wanted to bump up this thread. Shens not getting enough love. Been giggin the heck out of my little ole SB90 lately. She’s a true trooper.

 

[guitarpath]

I just joined the club. I am a bluegrass guitar and mandolin player and I wanted to expand my horizons with a bass. Purchased at JR Judd Violins in Williamsport, PA, who provided outstanding service and set-up. Wonderful shop.

Shen SB88

 

[BassJuju]

I just joined the club. I am a bluegrass guitar and mandolin player and I wanted to expand my horizons with a bass. Purchased at JR Judd Violins in Williamsport, PA, who provided outstanding service and set-up. Wonderful shop.

Shen SB88

View attachment 3996078

Love the 88's! I played one in Tennessee a few years ago and I almost bought it. Grats!!

 

[armybass]

I love the 88’s too. I went to get one a few weeks ago and they had sold both of the ones in stock before I got there. I wound up getting a 150 instead but I still lov the 88’s.

 

[armybass]

Here are a few pictures of my humble SB-150. Been a little bit since anyone posted in this club so I wanted to update my Shen membership. Maybe one day I’ll have a fully carved bass but this one is surely filling my needs now. Sounds big and articulate.

 

[Richard Blair]

I just joined the club. I am a bluegrass guitar and mandolin player and I wanted to expand my horizons with a bass. Purchased at JR Judd Violins in Williamsport, PA, who provided outstanding service and set-up. Wonderful shop.

Shen SB88

View attachment 3996078

I love my 88. I had a carved bass that was lovely but needed repair and was just too climate and gig fragile for me. The 88 plays well, sounds good, and is worry free. My be heresy to some, but I’m happy!

 

[HateyMcAmp]

New Shen SB88! It plays great, has a nice dark sound, and is really quite striking looking.

 

[GeraldB]

I'm joining the club! I bought an SB88 today! It is a beautiful instrument and has a lovely sound, even under my unskilled hands. I'm looking forward to learning how to play it better.

 

[strigidae]

Picked up my Shen SB80 rental a few days ago. Thank you all for the great advice thus far in my endeavor to learn this instrument.

 

[jasonbraatz]

Did the SB200 Willow basses change from ply ribs to solid ribs at some point? The CSC site (and plenty of random listings) say they're 3-ply, but lots of other places are saying they're solid.

 

[Matt Ides]

I have had lots of basses and the 88 is so underrated for ply bass. Great starter bass and good gigging bass for the working prof. Also, they look great to boot. Shen has a real winner with the 88.

 

[Inky13]

I played an SB90 today while I was in the shop getting seams glued up. Wow. Really liked it. But anything is going to play and sound better than my POS. Still waiting for that bag of money to land in the backyard.

 

[Inky13]

There are two SB80’s for sale near me. With my budget, they are probably the best I’m going to get. Anything to look for? My luthier says the older ones aren’t that great and the new ones he sells get an immediate bridge replacement. How do they bow?
D-neck and radius FB are foreign to me. Thanks for any input.

 

[RSBBass]

There are two SB80’s for sale near me. With my budget, they are probably the best I’m going to get. Anything to look for? My luthier says the older ones aren’t that great and the new ones he sells get an immediate bridge replacement. How do they bow?
D-neck and radius FB are foreign to me. Thanks for any input.

Mine is ten years old now. As I recall it needed minor dressing of the finger board (there was a slight bump at the G on the E string). My teacher said there was a very slight twist to the bridge and it should be replaced when it got worse. It hasn't.
It bows just fine. It isn't a carved top and isn't going to sound as good but it is plenty good enough to learn on. I have gigged mine but bowing has been fairly minimal. It records much better than I would have expected for an entry level ply.
It has been a good bass for me and I think they are very a very good value.

 

[Inky13]

Bought a 2013 SB80 today. The adjustable bridge might need some help but it plays and sounds good. I know it’s just an entry level ply, but it’s a big improvement over my old Juzek.
An NBD is always an exciting day! Don’t know how much viewership this thread is getting but wanted to post just the same.

 

[Paul New]

Did the SB200 Willow basses change from ply ribs to solid ribs at some point? The CSC site (and plenty of random listings) say they're 3-ply, but lots of other places are saying they're solid.

Mine has a 2007 build date, and it has solid ribs.

 

[BassJuju]

I bought an SB-90 as my birthday present 2 years ago. She’s amazing to me.