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Double Bass Used Eastman or new Shen
- Thread starter Ricker
- Start date
Condition of Eastman? Well, it matter greatly!
Setup on Eastman?
Pictures?
Go and play the Eastman.
Withe the amount of information you gave, the most useful answer to your question can be obtained right [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].
Setup on Eastman?
Pictures?
Go and play the Eastman.
Withe the amount of information you gave, the most useful answer to your question can be obtained right [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].
Okay Drurb- point well made my friend. To be more specific. The Eastman is a laminated top as is the Shen. I heard that Shen is one of the better (best) of the Chinese manufacturers. I don't know about Eastman basses. Do they build a good bass? The Shen SB-100 (deluxe laminated model) sells for $1950. The Eastman at $1000 is significantly less but may not be such a hot deal if it sold for $1100 new. The Shen will be professionally set-up. The Eastman may be in need of a set-up. That could cost a few hundred?? The Eastman is 100 miles away; the Shen 200 miles. I plan to go see each. But want to be prepared. Thanks for any info one of you experienced bass players can provide.
Hi Ricker!
Welcome to the forum!
There is no info in your profile- filling it out helps people to give you better advice. We don't know how long you've been playing, if you bow German or French, or what you think about drummers!
That said- do your best to compare "apples to apples". See if you can find out the model of the Eastman and how much they go for new. That should help keep things in perspective.
To answer your question- "Yes", Eastman does make some good basses- or I should say that all of the ones I've seen and played have been nice. They make one heck of a mandolin, and a buddy of mine has one of their arch top guitars- beautiful instrument! Plays and sounds amazing!
So it's going to be on the set up of each bass- and here is where your experience level is really important. If you are just starting out, or haven't been playing for very long PLEASE take an experienced player with you to check out both of these basses!
What kind of playing do you intend to do? Do you know if the bass is set up for that style? A Bluegrass setup will not perform well in a classical setting for example...etc.
As for Shen basses- I have an SB80- it's a great bass! I love it!!! Again- set up is important though!
Good luck!
Joe
Welcome to the forum!
There is no info in your profile- filling it out helps people to give you better advice. We don't know how long you've been playing, if you bow German or French, or what you think about drummers!
That said- do your best to compare "apples to apples". See if you can find out the model of the Eastman and how much they go for new. That should help keep things in perspective.
To answer your question- "Yes", Eastman does make some good basses- or I should say that all of the ones I've seen and played have been nice. They make one heck of a mandolin, and a buddy of mine has one of their arch top guitars- beautiful instrument! Plays and sounds amazing!
So it's going to be on the set up of each bass- and here is where your experience level is really important. If you are just starting out, or haven't been playing for very long PLEASE take an experienced player with you to check out both of these basses!
What kind of playing do you intend to do? Do you know if the bass is set up for that style? A Bluegrass setup will not perform well in a classical setting for example...etc.
As for Shen basses- I have an SB80- it's a great bass! I love it!!! Again- set up is important though!
Good luck!
Joe
Hey Joe- thanks for the response. I am a brand new bass player but have a few years experience playing bluegrass guitar and mandolin. The Eastman #80 laminated top sells for $1880 so $1000 is not a bad price if in good condition. Sounds like at this point condition is everything. And tingle factor. Some instruments just don't do anything for you. Right? Thanks for talking this out with me.
That does sound like a nice deal on the Eastman- as you say- all things considered. A "turn key" bass at that price point can be hard to find- depending on where you are of course.
Are you fixin to play Bluegrass? If so, the right strings will help a LOT! Synthetics strings might be worth looking into- if it already isn't stung up with them that is...
Read all the "newby" threads you can- some problems are worst than others. It would really suck to buy a bass for a grand and have to spend another thousand to make it worth five hundred dollars...if you know what I mean!
And please consider finding someone who's been playing for a little bit to ride shotgun. If for no other reason- it's nice to hear the bass from across the room- so you know how it projects.
Good luck, and Godspeed on your trip to the Dark Side!
Shout if ya need more!
Joe
Are you fixin to play Bluegrass? If so, the right strings will help a LOT! Synthetics strings might be worth looking into- if it already isn't stung up with them that is...
Read all the "newby" threads you can- some problems are worst than others. It would really suck to buy a bass for a grand and have to spend another thousand to make it worth five hundred dollars...if you know what I mean!
And please consider finding someone who's been playing for a little bit to ride shotgun. If for no other reason- it's nice to hear the bass from across the room- so you know how it projects.
Good luck, and Godspeed on your trip to the Dark Side!
Shout if ya need more!
Joe
If you mean thin depth wise, the fingerboard might be thinner than the other bass' boards, the neck may have been thinned for the owner, or by design. Taking measurements might help you to compare. Neck/fingerboards come in many sizes and can be shaped to the owners taste if there is enough wood to work with. Older fingerboards may have been planed a few times and get thinner with each dressing.
