• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Shen Owner's Club

#621
Not trying to ‘veil.’
Here’s what I remember:
Just jumped into thread to learn what fellow Shenners already know.
I was asked where I bought my 88.
Then came a veiled dissing of Tom at FMI, which led me to another thread that described his alleged misdeeds.
Then I described my (positive) experiences with him.
Coincidentally I later spoke with a luthier and encountered another kind of proselytizing. I mentioned it here because I was just as offended by that political (and to my mind, irrational) intrusion as others are when confronted with unwanted religious pamphleteering.

I appreciate TB for what I’ve learned about basses, strings, amplification.

Though I don’t like the prospect of playing outdoors in the mid-50’s tomorrow night, I’m grateful to have this bass to get me through it.
Just seven more gigs like this one and the bass will have paid for itself.
Thanks to you folks - and to the craftsmen across the o-Shen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Skeet6, John Sprague and bassically_eli
#622
Richard Simon said:
Though I don’t like the prospect of playing outdoors in the mid-50’s tomorrow night, I’m grateful to have this bass to get me through it.
Just seven more gigs like this one and the bass will have paid for itself.
Thanks to you folks - and to the craftsmen across the o-Shen.
Click to expand...
LOL mid-50's and a gig that pays 1/7th of a bass??? That sounds fantastic! Only in So-Cal is mid-50's chilly gig weather :P

P.S.-Let's all please agree to not mention the P-word or R-word anymore. That's a surefire way to get this thread shut down.
 
#626
@Richard Simon I'm interested in hearing more about your Shen. I'm likely in the same boat you were in- looking for a backup bass that sounds good enough to want to gig without hesitation. I've got an American Standard for a backup that is just too big for me to enjoy playing. Did Tom have any other SB88s that spoke to you? I'd love to hear/see a clip of yours. Your experience and history have piqued my interest in this bass. Much respect!
You mentioned that FMI has a good price on these but the $1950 price listed on his site seems to be the going price all around. Does he have a discount for buying in the shop? I bought a bass from him around 2000, and although I believe it was drop shipped straight from Christopher, I had no issues with him and his business at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: robert_stuart
#627
Hey Dylan,
Tom’s Shen inventory changes often.
Mine was the last 3/4 available that day; he had a 5/8 that was tempting. I think he had at least one hybrid.
Sorry that I don’t have a reliable way to upload sound.
Like Apple, Shen seems to have a rigid retail price. My ‘deal’ at FMI wasn’t an MSRP discount; I just kept the additional costs down by not buying his cover or strings - and by paying in cash.

I think you’d find the playability and sound comparable to your Juzek. Once I raised the bridge a bit and installed Perastro Perpetuals, I might have failed a carved/laminated blindfold test. And the final touch was to unearth an old Fishman Platinum Pro preamp and an older Underwood pickup. Tonight is the first gig with that combination (last week’s test with a Revolution Solo pickup having been disappointing), and I’m looking forward to hearing it.

before I sold it to a student, I briefly owned a Shen hybrid. I might have given up on it too quickly, but it felt stiff and had a ‘nasal’ tone. Besides, I prefer the grainy look of the 88 to the uniformly dark appearance of the hybrid’s top. A superficial thing, yes, but the 88 also sounds more open to me.

There are used Shens listed here occasionally, less pricey than new ones, but someone else on this site would have to point you to a better price than I found.

Steve Swan in Burlingame advertises Shens, so you could play one there and see what your ears and hands tell you.
And check it out with your preferred pickup and amp plugged in, of course.

The only sad coda is: I think I have all the basses I need, and I’m proud of each one. With apologies to Mick Jagger: when the subject is basses, I can’t get no (more) satisfaction.

Enjoy the quest!
 

Attachments

  • 4B01F618-4655-4E8E-8F64-930481BF947E.jpeg
    4B01F618-4655-4E8E-8F64-930481BF947E.jpeg
    653.2 KB · Views: 101
  • Like
Reactions: robert_stuart, Inky13, John Sprague and 1 other person
#628
Richard Simon said:
Hey Dylan,
Tom’s Shen inventory changes often.
Mine was the last 3/4 available that day; he had a 5/8 that was tempting. I think he had at least one hybrid.
Sorry that I don’t have a reliable way to upload sound.
Like Apple, Shen seems to have a rigid retail price. My ‘deal’ at FMI wasn’t an MSRP discount; I just kept the additional costs down by not buying his cover or strings - and by paying in cash.

I think you’d find the playability and sound comparable to your Juzek. Once I raised the bridge a bit and installed Perastro Perpetuals, I might have failed a carved/laminated blindfold test. And the final touch was to unearth an old Fishman Platinum Pro preamp and an older Underwood pickup. Tonight is the first gig with that combination (last week’s test with a Revolution Solo pickup having been disappointing), and I’m looking forward to hearing it.

before I sold it to a student, I briefly owned a Shen hybrid. I might have given up on it too quickly, but it felt stiff and had a ‘nasal’ tone. Besides, I prefer the grainy look of the 88 to the uniformly dark appearance of the hybrid’s top. A superficial thing, yes, but the 88 also sounds more open to me.

There are used Shens listed here occasionally, less pricey than new ones, but someone else on this site would have to point you to a better price than I found.

Steve Swan in Burlingame advertises Shens, so you could play one there and see what your ears and hands tell you.
And check it out with your preferred pickup and amp plugged in, of course.

The only sad coda is: I think I have all the basses I need, and I’m proud of each one. With apologies to Mick Jagger: when the subject is basses, I can’t get no (more) satisfaction.

Enjoy the quest!
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing your experience, Richard. I appreciate you taking your time to share. I'm glad you are set in your bass needs. I hope your gig went well!
 
#633
Well, after an eternity of indecision I finally pulled the trigger, and traded in my SB80 for an SB200 - willow, flatback, gamba.

I had been thinking of doing an Upton for a long time, primarily to be able to get a *really super nice* hybrid as I was a little apprehensive about being able to keep an all-solid instrument nice, but the cost savings from getting the SB200 will cover plenty of whatever’s needed down the line.

Anyways, it’s nice!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Skeet6, robert_stuart, plong123 and 5 others
#639
  • Like
Reactions: robert_stuart and bassically_eli
#640
P1040617.JPG
About a month ago I made a trip in a snow storm, almost 4 hours each way, but it was worth it because I came home with a ten year old SB 100 in mint condition that came with a Realist Lifeline and a good case. Part of the deal included an Acoustic Image Coda S4 with the Clarus Series 4 Plus amp and the AI dust cover and padded case. Love the bass and the amp now all I need is for things to open up so I can get back to playing gigs.
The little black thing on the bridge is a D'Addario mini tuner.
 
  • Like
Reactions: strigidae, Inky13, Joshua and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back