I Need Some Advice

[Eric Swanson]

Originally Posted by Phil Maneri

I never got around to trying Ken's new string basses.

I'm sure they are great, Ken has excellent taste.

Again, what he said. I haven't played Ken's Calin Wultur basses either. Neither have I tried his bows, but I trust his judgment, experience, and taste completely. If he says they are good value, I would believe it.

If you are sticking between AES and Ken Smith you are in good hands, IMHO.

[John Perrin]

I guess the other option would be to get a Sam Shen SB200 Willow and a Coda Bow Metropolitan. That would add up to just about $5,000 I think.

[Eric Hochberg]

All of your ideas are good in terms of bass choice, although I'm not familiar with the Gillet bass. This bow might be a good option for you since you are considering carbon fiber.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by John Perrin

I guess the other option would be to get a Sam Shen SB200 Willow and a Coda Bow Metropolitan. That would add up to just about $5,000 I think.

Sorry to butt in but I just wanna say that this is a good choice as well, my stock aside. One thing I want to mention is that my shop does NOT depend on DB sales to pay the bills. I do this as a personal hobby aside from the Smith Electric Bass business and just need to make a bit over cost to cover expenses with the DBs like these. I have several Basses in stock within in your price range and can make some Special deals. I can do better with the New Amati models than the Wultur stuff but with Bow included, I can make it interesting either way.

The best thing I can suggest is that you fly here and try out the Basses I have and pick one out. I think the savings will off set your travel expenses for the most part. Also, buying the wrong Bass (for you) mail-order, will cost you even more money to sell it and find the one that really suits you better.

Coming here will Not allow you to try every Bass in the world that is available but will let you see if one of them fits your needs. The same model of Bass by brand or maker does not make them equal in sound or feel. Wood, exact thicknessing and workmanship varies in every Bass even if it's the exact same model.

[John Perrin]

How would you compare the Shen SB200 Willow to the Amati KSB and Calin Wultur Corsini? Do any of them stand out as being better made in any way?

I probably will end up having to make a vacation of getting around to try out basses.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by John Perrin

How would you compare the Shen SB200 Willow to the Amati KSB and Calin Wultur Corsini? Do any of them stand out as being better made in any way?

I probably will end up having to make a vacation of getting around to try out basses.

Arnold has the Amati in his shop. It is deeper and to me better sounding than any of the Shens he has in stock, all carved. This opinion was shared by a pro Orch. Bassist visiting from Denmark that picked up my Loveri at the shop so Arnold could tweak the set-up. He said the Amati sounded better.

The Wulter is again not as deep as the Amati but I only have the Panormo model in stock now to compare and that is a bigger and deeper sounding bass than even the Corsini is so take that as a Yes.. better deeper tone than the Corsini.

The Shen willow I have played was a 3/4 and I think it was nice but not as nice as the Corsini bass.

Why not PM Arnold of his candid opinion since he knows 2 of the 3 choices if not all 3. If you visit Arnold, you can play some Shen's a swell. I have the Wultur and Amati here but not the Shen, sorry.