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Shen SB200 Willow 3/4 size carved flatback double / upright bass - $4,000 (Bay View)
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Relatively recent Evah Pirazzi strings. Leather bumpers from Gollihur. Fingerboard side dots are just stickers. Set up great. Tons of punch for pizz and can drive a big band no problem. Capable of a ton of volume with the bow and blends excellently in a section. Would include the Fishman Full Circle pickup, K&K preamp, really nice case, quiver, and Hercules instrument stand. Can include a basic german bow if you need one.
Around Christmas I discovered a significant amount of cracking on the back of the bass, and I took the bass to Andrew at Chicago Bass Works to get it fixed. The original ladder bracing on this particular bass was not done well. He suggested taking the back off and re-doing the bracing, with the option of X bracing *or* responsive bracing. He thought going responsive bracing would end up with a better instrument, so that’s what we did.
(If you’re not familiar: https://4ormat-asset.s3.amazonaws.com/vfs/853749/public_assets/54992433/responsive bracing article Amended Jan 20191.pdf)
All the cracks (and there were a lot) were patched with some maple veneer with the back off - shouldn’t be a problem going forward. The bass sounds incredible now with the updates - louder, clearer and more dynamic than it was before for sure - and after he gave it a full setup it plays great as well.
Here's what Steve Swan had to say about this bass when listed:
"This new Shen 200 willow 3/4 flatback (2019-11-64) is particularly useful as an orchestral bass, now strung with Flexocore 92 strings. The Spruce top is of medium density, fairly close grain, and has a rich and musical tap tone. The willow back and sides are of medium-dense wood with a very colorful tap tone. The maple neck has been fit with single unit mid-grade brass tuning machines. The nut and fingerboard are ebony. The replacement tailpiece and tailpiece saddle are ebony. The endpin is a New Harmony solid graphite unit. The replacement Despiau bridge has been fit with aluminum adjusters. The dark reddish brown oil varnish looks especially beautiful in sunlight. The strings have been changed to a Pirastro Flexocore 92 set. Dimensions are: Top length 41 3/4″, Upper bout width 20″, Middle bout width 14 1/4″, Lower bout 25 1/2″, Rib depth at tail 8 1/4″, Rib depth at upper bout crease 7 7/8″, Rib depth at neck 6″, String length 41 7/8″. This bass produces and arco voice that is strong and colorful. It will get even more rich and responsive with the first few months of play. With cover."
Pickup from my house in Bay View. Cash / Venmo / Paypal accepted. If the ad's up it's still available.