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Double Bass What bass is this?

F

FranksCopula

Feb 23, 2013
13
0
#1
I'm an electric bass player looking to get a double bass. I came across the attached in a pawn shop. They claim its a Shen SB80, but I'm skeptical. The head appears to have been broken but repaired nicely. Any ideas what this might be?

Thanks
Mike

3E33G13Fa5Na5I65K4d2f1822a45156ca10a3.jpg

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#6
Definitely not a SB80. A shen with gamba corners would be a sb200 or similar, and it's not. From what I can see on the picture, the top appears to be carved, or else that's a pretty good faux finish. Better pictures would definitely help...
 
#10
This is the only other pic I have. You can kind of see the damage/repair at the very bottom. I'm grateful for the assistance. I don't want to make a mistake on my first double bass purchase.

Mike
 

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#11
I lied. One more. This shows the damage better. This really looks like a Sunrise from a google search. I'm nervous as to why the label has been removed and the claims of it being a Shen ... not to mention it being in a Pawn shop.

Mike
 

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#12
Mike,
Really need to see if from the side to see the side of the pegbox/nut area. The pic isn't clear enough to really see the damage but I see a faint crack that appears to be along the back of the scroll which separated the cheeks (sides) from the bottom of the pegbox. If that's it, it's serious and I don't know how it could be repaired. If it wasn't repaired well it probably won't hold. I had a student with a bass very similar to this and it was quite nice.
 
#18
FranksCopula said:
I'm an electric bass player looking to get a double bass. I came across the attached in a pawn shop. They claim its a Shen SB80, but I'm skeptical. The head appears to have been broken but repaired nicely. Any ideas what this might be?

Thanks
Mike

View attachment 320147

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That's an Eastman. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] I'm sure the guys in the pawn shop were told it was a Shen, so that's what they're calling it. It doesn't make them bad people.

Well-repaired breaks are part of a DB's life cycle, so don't let that put you off - probably 20% of Gibson electric guitars have repaired peghead breaks too and they can still be good guitars. ;)

To get a luthier to check it out before committing would be safest.

Good luck!
 
#19
An Eastman 305 quenoil would make sense (it's not really shaped like a regular 305). That sells in the 5k range brand new... But yeah, a luthier appraisal would confirm if that's a good buy! If it was within my driving range, I'd jump in my car for sure!
 

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