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Double Bass Shen Willow Flatback

#21
I personally like the willow Shen 7/8 flatback quite a bit. It has the size and string length that I'm used to playing and sounds HUGE with a bow. The willow Shen Rogeri carved back model is the secret weapon for a player that wants a slightly shorter string length and slightly smaller lower bout. I think that this model makes a great combination orchestral/ jazz bass.

Steve Swan
 
#23
jmpiwonka said:
umm, that sounds like Pirastro Flexocor (new style, "regular" set with stark gauge E string) to me...
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Is that what you use? I liked flexocores on some of the other basses I've tried before.

BTW, I'm off to try out one of these basses right now. I'm so psyched. My Englehardt's a disaster - I broke my old D string the other night and had to replace it with a "super Sensitive":spit: :spit: :spit: The pleasure I was getting from that bass has been sucked out of it.
 
#24
noisemaker said:
Is that what you use? I liked flexocores on some of the other basses I've tried before.

BTW, I'm off to try out one of these basses right now. I'm so psyched. My Englehardt's a disaster - I broke my old D string the other night and had to replace it with a "super Sensitive":spit: :spit: :spit: The pleasure I was getting from that bass has been sucked out of it.
Click to expand...

yeah i have the regular flexocors on my shen, they are also regular gauge on the G through A and a stark gauge on the E that IS the setup IMO....arco is awesome and i like the pizz sound too. my FB has very little scoop so they still growl.
 
#29
Noob question alert!!




Why Round/Flat back?

What are disadvantages and advantages of either?

I have been looking to buy a Shen, it seems i havent seen anyone say anything bad about them. I also like the positiviness of the reviews of the Willows, but I dont know whether flat back or round back would be best.

Gracis
 
#31
Holly Wright said:
Why Round/Flat back?

What are disadvantages and advantages of either?
Click to expand...

Try one of each if you can. In my limited experience, the flat backs speak more quickly, and have something of a different sound (I'm incapable of explaining that further, someone else will certainly do better) but it seems to be more of a "bass by bass" issue.

Between the roundback and flatback Shen I tried, the roundback seemed to put out considerably more sound (that probably has more to do with the different wood than anything else though.) It's priced accordingly.

Try both, be open minded.
 
#32
noisemaker said:
Try one of each if you can. In my limited experience, the flat backs speak more quickly, and have something of a different sound (I'm incapable of explaining that further, someone else will certainly do better) but it seems to be more of a "bass by bass" issue.

Between the roundback and flatback Shen I tried, the roundback seemed to put out considerably more sound (that probably has more to do with the different wood than anything else though.) It's priced accordingly.

Try both, be open minded.
Click to expand...


I would love to try them out, but The Woodlands has few bass resources. I've played a Roundback since I picked up the little crappy 1/4 size 3 years ago, and I want to try something different :p

I am hopefully getting a lesson soon, and with that lesson I will question a few things, and leave you poor helpfull people alone :p
 
#33
KSB - Ken Smith said:
_______________________________________________________

"ar·co (är'kō) pronunciation
adv. & adj. Music.

With a bow. Used chiefly as a direction to indicate the resumption of bowing after a pizzicato passage."
_______________________________________________________
The Bass was meant to be played with a Bow. Those who can't only play part of the Bass!.. No smiley here fellas.:scowl:
Click to expand...

Thank you for your opinion.
 
#35
KSB - Ken Smith said:
_______________________________________________________

"ar·co (är'k?) pronunciation
adv. & adj. Music.

With a bow. Used chiefly as a direction to indicate the resumption of bowing after a pizzicato passage."
_______________________________________________________
The Bass was meant to be played with a Bow. Those who can't only play part of the Bass!.. No smiley here fellas.:scowl:
Click to expand...

snob |snäb| noun
a person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and dislikes people or activities regarded as lower-class.

[with adj. ] a person who believes that their tastes in a particular area are superior to those of other people : a musical snob.


winesn_c.jpg


:)
 
#37
Bingo

The bass wasn't "meant" to play most of the music it's used to play. It wasn't "meant" to play Wagner, Aaron Copeland, or movie music, or bluegrass, or jazz, it wasn't "meant" to be amplified, or provide backing for commercials; it wasn't "meant" to be played with steel strings.

By this logic, you can only play the music your bass was "meant" to play at the time basses were designed, which would be what--Handel?

I mean, yes, the bow is wonderful, but so is laying down a walking line and improvising. if you don't do that, are you only playing part of the instrument?
 
#39
Holly Wright said:
I am hopefully getting a lesson soon, and with that lesson I will question a few things, and leave you poor helpfull people alone :p
Click to expand...

Hmm there's gotta be violin and/or bass shops all over the Houston area. I know of Jim Scoggan for one he was at the last Austin bass jam a coupla weeks ago with lots of neat basses. There's also Gold Violin shop...maybe a few others?

I like the flat back because I think it looks cooler...and as a player I don't care about much but the cost and how cool it looks if I can play it. *shrug*

I hear flatbacks aren't as strong as round backs...we all take our chances. Plus, I think you might have to settle for roundback if you go the plywood route regardless...which isn't a bad deal at all if playing bass is important to you and the carved counterparts are beyond financial reach right now.

I had to save up bread for 4 years to score my first carved and a good bow...and a year to score my first ever bass with any stick that would cling to horsehair.

Anyway, have a good lesson!
 

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