Buying a new bass advice

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by david sumners

Hi all, great forum here. I'm a newbie upright player and need some advice. I want to get an inexpensive bass to play rockabilly. I've narrowed the choices down to a Shen SB 80 or a Thompson RM 100. Any thoughts ?

PS. anyone know about T.G. Pfretzschner basses ? There's one for sale locally for about $2K. Is it German or a Chinese with a fake label ?

Thx

Dave in Austin

Sounds like a Chinese bass using a German name that probably never made basses to begin with. I would go with the Shen 10 out of 10 times. I don't know who Thompson is, another made up name no doubt BUT, I do know Sam Shen and have met him a couple of times including a visit to my shop. If you are talking low-mid end Chinese, than Shen is my pick. Also, for a European made bass, I would go with Calin Wultur, sold and dist. by JR Music supply. So, Shen or JR Music/Calin Wultur. On the Shen, maybe go one model up.