Nathan, I don't know. You may be right. My only (overly complicated!) point was that they were two sets of different basses. They may have replaced the Wan Bernadels with these: https://www.stringemporium.com/affordable-carved-bass.htm (@$3K)
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Double Bass Wan/Bernadel basses
- Thread starter dragonetti11
- Start date
It could very well be a misunderstanding. I believe they essentially buy in bulk. So every so often they get a big lot of basses in. Eventually they sell through the inventory and there are no more until the next lot arrives. I have seen posts in the past that they are out of the Wan Bernadel model but expect more at some date in the future.
Also I am pretty sure either Steve or his wife make regular trips to China; or at least they did pre covid. It quite possibly that given recent political pressures and the covid crisis that there is an interruption in their Chinese supply chain. I don't think we can assume that means these basses are permanently discontinued, but they may be.
Since we don't know one way or the other, maybe we should refrain from posting information that could damage the business. If you really feel the need to say something, call and get the facts.
Agreed
If 10% of the world had your level of forethought, the world would be a much better place
Hey all thanks for all your input. I just pulled the trigger. Put a used set or perpetuals on it and sounds way way better. Lots of sustain, note definition, very comfortable, bows surprising easily and even - despite me not being good at it. Sounds decently loud. Even sounding across the range on first take. Not a ton of growl, but solid tone that seems fairly even with no frequency being overly emphasized.
Compared to my plywood Shen, it a step up in most ways, and has a much better resonance and tones, particularly on the E string as you move up the neck. Maybe it is a little less punchy but that could be strings or set up, nothing dramatic. Compared to my carved Cedar / Mahogany Robles it feel a little amateurish, but that is a great unusual bass.
I had been looking to eventually simplify to a single mid tier bass instead of having a decent plywood one, and a great carved one. I think it will fit the bill. Nothing amazing, but solid, resonate enough, and it continues to grow on me each time I play it. It takes time to learn a bass, and luckily I have two patio gigs in March, so I can try it out and report back.
No pics = no bass. So here they are. Really beautiful. Flame maple back and sides that does have some rising and bumps when I rub my hand over it, nice bridge, turner, and thick fingerboard with some discoloration and light spots near the end, but that is fine with me. Fairly close grain on the top.
Now the fun and expense quest of finding the best strings for it. The perpetuals sound pretty good and I was surprised how easily they bow on my first crack at it. I have been loving Zyex on the Shen for pizz, but they bow much harder than the Evah's on the Robles. Two basses for sale in Colorado, if you are local and want to see them, let me know. My music room can't handle three basses and my skill doesn't warrant it. I think this Wan carry me for what I do for the foreseeable future. Like the rest of you, I keep my eye out for a New Standard Lascala Hybrid (blame Chris F. great videos and playing for that) at a great price. For what I paid for the Wan Bernadel, it feels like steal even if you add in the eventual cost of a set up.
Compared to my plywood Shen, it a step up in most ways, and has a much better resonance and tones, particularly on the E string as you move up the neck. Maybe it is a little less punchy but that could be strings or set up, nothing dramatic. Compared to my carved Cedar / Mahogany Robles it feel a little amateurish, but that is a great unusual bass.
I had been looking to eventually simplify to a single mid tier bass instead of having a decent plywood one, and a great carved one. I think it will fit the bill. Nothing amazing, but solid, resonate enough, and it continues to grow on me each time I play it. It takes time to learn a bass, and luckily I have two patio gigs in March, so I can try it out and report back.
No pics = no bass. So here they are. Really beautiful. Flame maple back and sides that does have some rising and bumps when I rub my hand over it, nice bridge, turner, and thick fingerboard with some discoloration and light spots near the end, but that is fine with me. Fairly close grain on the top.
Now the fun and expense quest of finding the best strings for it. The perpetuals sound pretty good and I was surprised how easily they bow on my first crack at it. I have been loving Zyex on the Shen for pizz, but they bow much harder than the Evah's on the Robles. Two basses for sale in Colorado, if you are local and want to see them, let me know. My music room can't handle three basses and my skill doesn't warrant it. I think this Wan carry me for what I do for the foreseeable future. Like the rest of you, I keep my eye out for a New Standard Lascala Hybrid (blame Chris F. great videos and playing for that) at a great price. For what I paid for the Wan Bernadel, it feels like steal even if you add in the eventual cost of a set up.
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Great to hear so many good reviews about these Wan Bernadel Basses.
So, we have Wan Bernadel, Shen and Jay Haide.
Are any of these stand-out favourite Chinese basses, or are they much the same?
I'd be very interested if anyone with experience of the top Chinese basses could compare and contrast them.
The top end Jay Haide's and Shen's seem more expensive, maybe the materials and quality is even better?
Another thing I have noticed is there aren't as many new Shen's available at the moment with many suppliers out of stock.
So, we have Wan Bernadel, Shen and Jay Haide.
Are any of these stand-out favourite Chinese basses, or are they much the same?
I'd be very interested if anyone with experience of the top Chinese basses could compare and contrast them.
The top end Jay Haide's and Shen's seem more expensive, maybe the materials and quality is even better?
Another thing I have noticed is there aren't as many new Shen's available at the moment with many suppliers out of stock.
Hi @Monabass , I have a 3/4 Jay Haide l`ancienne Panormo model, but ( here in Finland etc ) haven`t tried the others you mention. Other than the awful name, bigger size than 3/4 suggests ( deep ribs ), and wolfy A string, it`s a good workhorse bass that sounds and plays great. Some might not like the antiqued finish, but I think it`s good for constant gigging hazard as dings and scratches doesn`t really show on it. It`s all the bass I need for the rest of my life, if the size doesn`t become a problem when I get older.
edit: I bought mine new from a local luthier for 4500€ some 6 years ago. It was a great deal and so I jumped on it.
edit: I bought mine new from a local luthier for 4500€ some 6 years ago. It was a great deal and so I jumped on it.
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Also, the Wan Bernadel basses aren't available anymore so you have to find one used.
Yes they are now made in Romania and as such are a few thousand more.
I was able to play the Chinese and Romanian models of these and other SE models side by side , and found the Romanian models to definitely be worth far and above the extra few thousand tho…
