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Shen Owners - String Question

Discussion in 'Strings [DB]' started by jdepriest, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 #1
    jdepriest

    jdepriest

    Sep 20, 2005
    Waynesburg, Pa
    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.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    jacopnut2

    jacopnut2

    Jun 30, 2007
    I have a Shen and have had great luck with just about every string D'addario makes particularly the Zyex.
    I should ad that I have the 80 model ply but man it sounds good.
    I play mostly old blues with some Dixie jazz and bluegrass. I like how it sounds with the Zyex best and the tension is easy on the hands.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    jacopnut2

    jacopnut2

    Jun 30, 2007
    I should also add that they sound pretty old school after their on the bass about a week or two, never had a good feeling with the weichs
     
  4. Jul 11, 2013 #4
    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    Feb 8, 2002
    Upstate NY
    I had a 150 for a while and tried a bunch of strings before settling on a played-in set of Spiro Mittels. The Weichs weren't as powerful, and that bass was so easy to play after I dialed in the setup that the extra tension wasn't an issue. Arco was a little screechy at times but most of that was sloppy technique. I've found that black bow hair and Pops' Rosin will go a long way toward taming Spiro screech.
     
  5. Jul 11, 2013 #5
    Michael Eisenman

    Michael Eisenman Supporting Member

    Jun 21, 2006
    Eugene, Oregon
    I also have a Shen SB200 Rogeri (2007, I think), which I use in orchestra and in a big band. I started with a full set of Evah Regulars, which were fine, but I switched out the G and D for Olivs after a couple of years. Even finer.
     
  6. Sep 9, 2013 #6
    jdepriest

    jdepriest

    Sep 20, 2005
    Waynesburg, Pa
    UPDATE: I went with the Weichs. I've had them on for about 3 weeks. So far, I love the pizz tone and hate the bowed tone. At first I thought I had made a mistake buying them but they are getting a little darker so maybe that will improve the bowed tone in time.
     
  7. Sep 9, 2013 #7
    Dave Irwin

    Dave Irwin

    May 11, 2002
    Alexandria, Ohio
    My Sb200 willow and my old 2007/8ths like evah orch gauge
    Havent tried weich
     
  8. Sep 9, 2013 #8
    Hector Wolff

    Hector Wolff

    Jun 7, 2003
    East Norwich, Long Island, NY
    I have a Shen SB180 and have used both the Evah Regulars and the Belcanto. I used the Evahs in orchestra, jazz quartet, and Latin big band.

    For mostly pizz work with good sustain and a dark tone, In my opinion you can't beat the Evah Regulars (I haven't tried the newer Evah Lights).

    They are loud, dark, good sustain, good attack, great bowing. The only drawback I found was they tended to get a little muddy when apmplified. Though I imagine that has a lot to do with the equipment.

    I am mostly an orchestra player, but am going to be playing a gig doing standards with a singer, and I wish I had my Evahs back for that gig.