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Double Bass Shen SB150 vs Krutz 200

#2
My limited experience with these 2 companies has been that Shen basses appear to be more consistent in both construction and sound quality. That said, I have played 2 Krutz basses that sounded really great for the money. Sorry, I don't have thoughts on the specific models you mentioned...
 
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#5
acook396 said:
I am looking for someone who has played the Shen SB 150 and the Krutz 200 and could offer an unbiased comparison between the two. Thanks!
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I am a new owner of a Shen SB 150 and am quite happy with it. Plays beautifully, and really projects. I will admit that I'm coming off a terrible two-year stint with a Palatino VB 004, so I can't give you an accurate comparison with a like-quality instrument as the Shen, but I have seen a bunch of positives regarding the Shen instruments.
 
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#6
If I understand correctly, the 150 is a hybrid instrument. I have an SB80 that I just love and I agree Shen basses are great instruments. One time, I was subbing at the Anchor Bar with my upright and the drummer mention that my bass had a darker tone than the regular guy's 1940 Kay Concert model.
 
#7
BassmanI said:
If I understand correctly, the 150 is a hybrid instrument. I have an SB80 that I just love and I agree Shen basses are great instruments. One time, I was subbing at the Anchor Bar with my upright and the drummer mention that my bass had a darker tone than the regular guy's 1940 Kay Concert model.
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Correct...the 150 is a hybrid....I was originally headed towards getting an Upton hybrid, but my luthier had the 150 available at a price I just couldn't pass up. Having said that, I firmly believe that any bass at the price point of a SB-150 can be worked with by a qualified luthier, and/or outfitted with the proper series of mic/amplification for any given situation. Having come off of playing on a really inferior instrument, I must say that I'm enjoying being able to finally be "instinctive" as to my playing for a change. Yeah, these might still be entry level instruments, but they have the bare bones that can be manipulated in the correct manner.
 
#8
inrharmony said:
Correct...the 150 is a hybrid....I was originally headed towards getting an Upton hybrid, but my luthier had the 150 available at a price I just couldn't pass up. Having said that, I firmly believe that any bass at the price point of a SB-150 can be worked with by a qualified luthier, and/or outfitted with the proper series of mic/amplification for any given situation. Having come off of playing on a really inferior instrument, I must say that I'm enjoying being able to finally be "instinctive" as to my playing for a change. Yeah, these might still be entry level instruments, but they have the bare bones that can be manipulated in the correct manner.
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I have the same experience with the SB80. It's a great bass for the work I am doing, and being a laminated bass, stands up to temperature variances quite well.
 
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#9
BassmanI said:
I have the same experience with the SB80. It's a great bass for the work I am doing, and being a laminated bass, stands up to temperature variances quite well.
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I was in Nashville for a conference. Talked with a guy playing upright at The Station Inn. He was pro. He plays an old Kay laminate. Nothing fancy.

Listened to a Missy Raines interview. She plays her first bass - an old Kay laminate.

I suspect today's Shens with be tomorrow's "Old Shen laminate" that people speak fondly of.

Point being - I think the SB-80 is the Honda Civic of basses and could probably serve an amateur for a lifetime.
 
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#10
I would say hybrids will be the future "old laminate" there is no reason for anyone suffer with a ply bass anymore unless they are after a specific one dimensional sound.
Back on topic: These Krutz basses are great for the money! St. Louis strings does my rehairs and they are amazing. I am recommening a Krutz for a student and it turns out I've recorded on one in the early 2000s.

sixpants said:
I was in Nashville for a conference. Talked with a guy playing upright at The Station Inn. He was pro. He plays an old Kay laminate. Nothing fancy.

Listened to a Missy Raines interview. She plays her first bass - an old Kay laminate.

I suspect today's Shens with be tomorrow's "Old Shen laminate" that people speak fondly of.

Point being - I think the SB-80 is the Honda Civic of basses and could probably serve an amateur for a lifetime.
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#13
AGCurry said:
I have a Krutz 100 (fully plywood) and a fully-carved bass made in the Krutz shop in KC some years ago, and, like Damon, I like their rehairs (quick, good, and reasonable).

The 100 serves me fine for pizz-only purposes, but I'm thinking about trading up for a 200 hybrid.
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I have done most of the Krutz setups for the last several years and prefer the 100 to the 200 for pizz. You don’t gain much with the carved top other than the risk of cracks. Dance with the one you know.
 
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#14
My teaching is arco based, so he needs at least a hybrid. He has a ply now that is holding him back a bit.
The set ups were fantastic!!!!!
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
I have done most of the Krutz setups for the last several years and prefer the 100 to the 200 for pizz. You don’t gain much with the carved top other than the risk of cracks. Dance with the one you know.
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#15
With due respect for your expertise, I've lived in the North East (dry winters and nasty humidity) and Houston, Texas (nasty humidity year round) and toured extensively. It is time for a major top off repair after a few decades of heavy use, but, that is part of bass playing and owning. Beyond that I've had only handful of major repairs in 25 years of owning my bass. Climate is a thing, but, we don't keep our basses outside!!
In general the indoor climates are fine for basses, we need to mindful in extreme weather moving from our home to transit to venue, thankfully, most adults can handle such things!
The ONLY reason a ply bass should be chosen by a serious musician is if they need THAT sound. A few repairs over the years is not worth any musical compromise.

Steve Swan said:
People who live in torturous climates or who tour through extremes of humidity often have no reasonable choice other than an all-laminate instrument. Within that large group of well-made instruments, there are various quality differences in the manufacturing companies.
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#16
See all the ply basses in the background, all beat to $#!*, but still holding together fine??????

DSCN8562.JPG




Are the Krutz ply models made in the KC strings shop like the carved models?

ANYTHING that is not made in China is a huge priority for me as a consumer...
 
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#20
I wish that the Romanian ply basses were lighter than they usually are. Years ago JR Music Supply offered a large 3/4 size laminate bass from Romania that was a big bruiser, a fine laminate bass for a larger student that doesn't mid giving it some stick. It left smaller and more lightly built students out of the mix, though.
 

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