Double Bass Shen Owner's Club

[vanderbrook]

I bought a new (actually, it had been rented out briefly) SB88 a couple of weeks ago. Used to have a 2015 SB150, and a carved German bass before that, but I hadn't been playing for several years (mostly due to injuries). Set up with Spirocores and a Full Circle by Denver bass wizard Robert Ross, it sounds fantastic. Love the violin corners. What a great value, too. I only wish it weren't quite so shiny.

 

[Inky13]

Played my first job with the Shen. I’m not sure about the endpin.
The spur went through the cane end/tip. I reversed it but it still shredded apart. Thoughts from anybody? Other than that, I’m pleased with the bass so far.

 

[Up and Away]

Played my first job with the Shen. I’m not sure about the endpin.
The spur went through the cane end/tip. I reversed it but it still shredded apart. Thoughts from anybody? Other than that, I’m pleased with the bass so far.

Try a washer or a metal disc (coin?) in the cane tip, works for me.

 

[Inky13]

Try a washer or a metal disc (coin?) in the cane tip, works for me.

I’ve done that with other Basses but the screw on tip is goofy.

 

[Matt Ides]

I replaced my endpin with CF one and works great. Love the SB88's.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Played my first job with the Shen. I’m not sure about the endpin.
The spur went through the cane end/tip. I reversed it but it still shredded apart. Thoughts from anybody? Other than that, I’m pleased with the bass so far.

A carbon fiber endpin like a New Harmony is expensive, but well worth it.

 

[Inky13]

My guy couldn’t get a 12mm screw on tip so he cobbled together a wood plug with a crutch end. Kinda clunky but cheaper than a new endpin. No big.

 

[groooooove]

A carbon fiber endpin like a New Harmony is expensive, but well worth it.

expensive compared to other endpins, but considering it's $150, good lord is it worth it..

every bass i buy I insist on that endpin, and on used basses immediately install one. best endpin on the market.

 

[John Sprague]

My guy couldn’t get a 12mm screw on tip so he cobbled together a wood plug with a crutch end. Kinda clunky but cheaper than a new endpin. No big.

I get this, you have the older model end pin with the 12 mm rod. It looks threaded, but it's not, so there are no screw-on tips. The press-on tip has a pretty short life, hence being discontinued. I have press-on tips on backorder, PM me your address and I'll mail one to you when they get here. Fair warning, with today's supply issues it could be a while.

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

SB200 Willow Flatback

I picked up this beauty a few weeks ago from Bob Ross in Denver. My first carved bass. Started with Spiro Weichs, and then switched to a full set of Perpetuals, which are a bit warmer on this bass.

A nice upgrade from my Christopher hybrid. However, I put a full set of Gamut guts on the Christopher, and now I have a hard time deciding which bass to play.

 

[vanderbrook]

Congrats, Jim. Hope it gives you many years of pleasure.

Not being able to decide which bass to play ...nice problem to have!

 

[robert_stuart]

SB200 Willow Flatback

I picked up this beauty a few weeks ago from Bob Ross in Denver.

I've been in the shop every week for a couple of months now, I think. I missed this one, but did try an SB200 Mirecourt that was also a honey color and it had a very nice balanced sound.

 

[John Sprague]

SB200 Willow Flatback

I picked up this beauty a few weeks ago from Bob Ross in Denver. My first carved bass. Started with Spiro Weichs, and then switched to a full set of Perpetuals, which are a bit warmer on this bass.

A nice upgrade from my Christopher hybrid. However, I put a full set of Gamut guts on the Christopher, and now I have a hard time deciding which bass to play.

View attachment 4464831 View attachment 4464832

Congratulations, Jim! That top has an insane amount of bear claw!

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Bear claw?

 

[John Sprague]

Bear claw?

All those squiggly lines in the top, named for looking like a bear clawed the tree. It's considered a premium feature, like flame in maple.

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Thanks

 

[mindwell]

Has anybody seen in person or played the new SB200 Busetto? If so, any comments you'd like to share?

 

[Brilee]

Hi,

I saw it in person yesterday at J. R. Judd Violins in Pennsylvania when I picked up my new bass. It is really pretty, even though it's not my style. I didn't play it. But Jeff (owner) says it has a great sound.

Cheers.

 

[Brilee]

Hi y'all,

Two days ago I brought home a SB300 Mirecourt from JR Judd in Pennsylvania. Jeff spent over an hour with me as I tried four Shens there - two SB200 willow roundbacks, a Rogeri model (a beautiful cannon!), and the one I brought home. They were all very good instruments. I'm not loving the Zyex on the A and E; I saw on this thread that others have had the same observation. I'm going to try Kaplans on it. But holy moly, what a beautiful bass this is. Nice full harmonically rich sound. I am coming back to the bass after a 20 year break and am going to enjoy having better gear this time around. I love this shape - easy shoulders, big bottom. Between it and the SB200s this won easily for me.

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Stunning!