Steve Swan Guitars: Xuechang Sun Basses

Xuechang Sun Basses

Xuechang Sun doublebasses come from three different small shops in China, with all quality control and design specifications controlled by the owner of the U.S. distributor in southern California. This consistently high quality line of instruments features primarily violin corner carved back instruments with high quality tops sourced from the former Soviet Union and fine Maples sourced primarily from China, but occasionally from eastern Europe. These instruments offer superior value in their various price range models of 120, 320, 420, 520, and 920. The recent addition earlier this year of a very popular 101 hybrid model has been a wonderful alternative to some of the other hybrid basses available in this price range. I handpick each instrument at the warehouse with an inspection for wood quality and an all-important tap test for the top. Custom orders for five string models and other configurations and sizes are possible.

Coming Soon: Two more of the popular 120 models.

For more complete description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net or call (650) 515-1014.

New 420 Model

An exceptional example of the mid-grade version of Sun's Gofriller shape model. Mildly flame figured Maple sides, Lightly flame figured Maple back, Fine grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Despiau bridge with adjusters added as part of Gael McKeon's comprehensive setup, Carbon graphite endpin, Dark red varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 27", Depth at tail 9", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 7/8", String length 41 3/4". A powerful bass with good focus and excellent tonal balance. With cover.

$4500

New 925 Model

A superb model with upgrade features of the 920 Gofriller. Flame figured Maple back and sides, Lightly flame figured Maple neck, Fine grain Spruce top, Deluxe Brass single unit tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Rosewood bridge, Despiau bridge with adjusters added as part of Gael McKeon's comprehensive setup, Carbon graphite endpin, Antiqued amber varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 27", Depth at tail 9", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 7/8", String length 41 1/2". An exceptionally responsive bass with a colorful and large mature voice. With cover.

$5750

New Amati model

A new model for Sun, this slightly longer body shape, larger upper bout, and slightly longer string length give this model a larger voice than the more standard size 120 or 320 models. Heavily flame figured Maple back and sides, Mildly figured Maple neck, Even grain spruce top, Rubner quarter plate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge fitted with adjusters as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Carbon Graphite endpin, Dark orange spirit varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4", Upper bout width 21 1/2", Center bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Depth at tail 8 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 5/8", Depth at neck 7 1/8", String length 41 5/8". A responsive, large-voiced instrument that will perform well in an orchestral setting a traditional jazz group. A better alternative to the heavier Romanian 7/8 basses. With cover.

$3950

New 920 Gofriller

Another great example of my favorite Xuechang Sun model. Fine to medium grain Spruce top, Moderately flame figured Maple back and sides, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Carbon Graphite endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of Mike Olivola's complete setup, Red spirit varnish, Strung with Spriocore mittel strings. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout 20 1/2", Middle bout 14", Lower bout 27", Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 7/8", String length 41 1/4". This bass is tonally complete and already has a nice richness in the lower parts of the voice. With cover.

$5250

New 920 Gofriller

Another great example of my favorite Sun model. Moderately flame figured Maple back and sides, Plain figure Maple neck, Fine to medium grain spruce top, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Ebony Gotz Hill style tailpiece, Carbon Fiber endpin, Despiau bridge with adjusters, Dark red spirit varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 45", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 27", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upper bout bend 7 3/4", Depth at tail 8 3/4", String length 41 1/4". Rich, bold voice with Spriocore mittel strings. With cover.

$5250

New 101 3/4 Hybrid

A rich voiced example of this very popular new hybrid model. Laminated flame figure Maple back and sides, Fine grain Spruce top from the Soviet Union, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Steel rod endpin, Maple bridge with aluminum adjusters added as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Medium orange varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 3/4", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Middle bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 3/4", String length 41 1/2". A particularly good student pizz bass with an easy response. Strung with D'Addario Helicore Hybrid strings. With cover.

$1750

New 101 7/8 Hybrid

This is my first example of the 7/8 size Hybrid model. I am so impressed that I put in an order for another two for the next shipment! Laminated flame figure Maple back and sides, Tight grain Spruce top from the Soviet Union, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Steel rod endpin, Maple bridge with aluminum adjusters as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Medium orange varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 45 7/8", Upper bout width 21 1/2", Middle bout width 15 3/4", Lower bout width 27 1/2", Depth at neck 7 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/8", Depth at tail 9 1/4", String length 43 1/4". This bass has a huge complex voice that will function well in an orchestra section or on the jazz bandstand for a taller player. With cover.

$1950

New 920 Gofriller model

Another large voiced example of the highest model in the Xuechang Sun line. Flame figured Maple back and sides, Fine grain Spruce top from the Soviet Union, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Steel rod endpin, Maple bridge with aluminum adjusters added as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Dark red varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 45", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 27", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upper bout bend 7 3/4", Depth at tail 8 3/4", String length 41 1/2. This bass has a strong and complex voice that will develope with into a huge presence with regular play. A fine choice for arco play or pizz as strung with D'Addario Helicore Hybrid strings. With cover.

$5250.00

Used Sun 320

Moderately flame figured Maple, Fine grain Spruce top with some hazel figure, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Graphite endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added by Michael Olivola as part of his complete setup. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout width 20 1/2", Middle bout width 15 3/8", Lower bout width 27", Depth at neck 7 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 9 1/8", String length 40 7/8". This well cared for trade-in bass has been played in a little and has started the tonal "opening up" process. I currently have it strung with Evah Pirazzi strings for a rich voice in jazz or orchestral settings. With cover.

$3150.00

New 7/8 Gamba 5 string

Moderately flame figured Maple back and sides, Plain figured Maple neck, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gold halfplate tuners, Dark brown varnish, Non-adjustable bridge made by Jeff Sahs as part of a comprehensive setup, Gotz endpin, Strung with Thomastik Bel Canto strings. Dimensions are: Top length 46", Upper bout width 21 1/4", Middle bout width 15 1/2", Lower bout width 27", Depth at neck 7 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 5/8", Depth at tail 9 1/4", String length 42 1/2". A strong voiced, solidly built 5 string model that will speak with great depth and authority in an orchestral setting. With cover.

$6500.00

New 420 Gofriller

This model has the same Gofriller dimensions as the 920 models, but with a more moderate 41 1/4" string length. Medium flame figure Maple back and sides, Maple neck, Halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and tailpiece saddle, Gotz endpin, Aubert bridge with adjusters added as part of a full setup by Michael Olivola. Dimensions are: Top length 44 3/4", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Center bout width 14", Lower bout width 26 3/4", Depth at neck 7 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 9", String length 41 1/4". Specially voiced for a lush tone and responsiveness for the shorter string length, this model is a fine choice for those not quite as comfortable with the 42" string length. With cover.

$4250.00

Used 920 Carved back violin corner large 3/4 (nsn)

This is my favorite Xuechang Sun model, using top notch woods and using a large 3/4 size that borders being a 7/8. Flame figured Maple, Extremely tight and even grain Siberian Spruce, Flame Maple neck with medium profile shape, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard and tailpiece, Dark red-brown oil varnish, Bridge adjusters added as part of Matt Bohn's complete setup. Dimensions are: Top length 45", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Center bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 27", depth at tail 8 3/4", depth at upper bout bend 7 3/4", Depth at neck 7", String length 41 1/2". Typical of this model, this bass has a large, lush voice that is great for traditional jazz playing. These also make a really good orchestral instrument with plenty of carrying power. With cover.

$4500.00

Previous Offerings

Recent 120 Model

A clean used example of Sun's most affordable model. Mildly flame figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Fine grain Spruce top, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Wittner composite tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of Mike Olivola's complete setup, Dark red spirit varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 5/8", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 7/8", Depth at tail 9 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 7", String length 40 7/8". Only very slight signs of having been used. This rich, deep voiced bass is equally at home with pizz or arco play. With cover.

New 120 model

An extra responsive example of my best selling Sun model. Mildly figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Fine even grain Spruce top, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Wittner tailpiece, Carbon graphite adjustable endpin, Maple bridge fitted with adjusters as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Reddish orange spirit varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 5/8", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Center bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 7/8", Depth at tail 9 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 7", string length 40 7/8". Even as a new instrument, this bass has an easy response and a rich, colorful voice. The shorter string length makes the most difficult passages easier to negotiate. A fine pizz or arco instrument. With cover.

New 120 Model

A huge sounding 7/8 version of the all-solid woods budget model from Xuechang Sun. Dark red spirit varnish, Plain to lightly figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Fine to medium grain Spruce top, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony tailpiece, tailpiece saddle, nut, and fingerboard, Maple bridge with adjusters added by Jeff Sahs as part of the complete setup. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 44 3/4", Upper bout width 20 1/2", Middle bout width 14 1/8", Lower bout width 26 7/8", Depth at tail 9", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck 7 3/4", String length 41 1/4". Very large voice, especially on the bottom strings, with good tonal definition in the upper ranges. A great choice for the same price as the Shen SB 200 3/4 flatback willow, by best-selling all-solid doublebass model. With cover.

New 120 model

An especially fine example of the most popular all-solid Xuechang Sun model. Medium flame figured Maple back and sides, Fine even grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Wittner composite tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Steel rod endpin, Red spirit varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/2", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 7/8", Depth at tail 9 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 7 1/4", String length 41". Strung with Thomastik Superflexible strings, this bass really sings in the upper registers and is fully supported with colorful basses. The easy playing string length makes this large voiced bass a joy to play. With cover.

New 101 3/4 Hybrid Model

My second example of this great performing budget model. Antique orange spirit varnish finish, Flame figured Maple ply back and sides, Lightly flame figured Maple neck, Medium grain Spruce top with moderate hazel figuring throughout, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony tailpiece, tailpiece saddle, nut, and fingerboard, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of full setup by Jeff Sahs. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 43 3/4", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Middle bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upperbout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 3/4", String length 41 1/2". A large-voiced solid sounding instrument that speaks with authority and depth. An excellent budget performance instrument. With cover.

New 420 model

Mildly flame figured Maple neck, Moderately flame figured Maple back, Perfectly quartersawn Maple sides showing prominent cross-grain ray figure, Very even fine grain Spruce top, Gold plated halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters added by Michael Olivola as part of his complete setup. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 15 1/4", 27", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upper bout 8", Depth at tail 9 1/4", String length 41". This bass is very powerful for the string length and exceptionally easy to play. The voice is rich and colorful, appropriate for both arco and pizz play. With cover.

7/8 Model 920

Violin corner, carved back top line model. Flame figure Chinese Maple sides, and carved back with black-white-black purfling, Tight grain Chinese Maple top with hazel figure, Plain figure Chinese Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and Gotz tailpiece, German maple bridge with adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' setup, Dark brown varnish. Displayed at the winter NAMM show, this top was removed and revoiced by the bass shop foreman, who I got to meet. Not able to speak each other's native tongue, I gave him a big smile and a thumbs up sign for the sound. Dimensions are: Top length 45", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 27", Depth at tail 9", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at neck 7 1/8", String length 41 1/2". This bass has a voice that is simply huge under fingers or bow. Currently strung with Spirocore mittel strings. With cover.

New 7/8 520 model

Heavily flame figured Maple back and sides, Mildly flame figured Maple neck, Fine grain Spruce top with bearclaw figure, Gold plated halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of a complete setup by Michael Olivola. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 15 1/4", Lower bout width 27", Depth at neck 7", Upper bout depth 8", Depth at tail 9 1/4", String length 41". Bold, rich voice with a very strong midrange. Ideal for pizz play. With cover.

7/8 model 520

Violin corner, carved back 7/8 midprice model. Flame figured Chinese Maple sides and carved back with black-white-black purfling, Medium grain Chinese Spruce top, Flame figure Chinese Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and tailpiece, Boxwood collar endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup, Red varnish. Dimensions are: 44 1/2" top length, 20 1/2 upper bout width, 15 1/2" center bout width, 27" lower bout width, 9 1/4" depth at tail, 8 1/4" depth at upper bout bend, 7 1/4" depth at neck, 41 1/2" string length. Rich, full voice, especially nice for jazz playing. Currently strung with Spirocore weich strings. With cover.

3/4 Model 520

Violin corner, carved back mid-priced model. Flame figure chinese Maple sides and violin corner carved back with black-white-black purfling, Fine grain Spruce top, Plain figure Chinese Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and tailpiece, Boxwood collar endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup, Red varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/2", Center bout width 15 1/2", Lower bout width 27", String length 41 1/2". Smooth, rich voice equally suited for jazz and arco playing. With cover.

7/8 Model 920

Violin corner carved back 7/8 model. Moderate to heavy tight curl flame figure in the maple back and sides, Light flame figure in the Maple neck, Extremely tight, even, and straight grain in the beautifully carved Spruce top, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece, Gotz endpin, Rich luminous reddish orange oil varnish, Bridge adjusters added by Jeff Sahs as part of his usual great general setup. Dimensions are: Body Length 45", Upper bout width 20 1/2", C bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 27", Depth at tail, 8 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7 3/4", Depth at neck 7", String length 42". This is my kind of bass. The gigantic pizz sound is even and balanced, without some of the muddiness that can occur in a 7/8 carved back bass. The arco tone is rich and clear in the top registers and thunderous down low. Winding the bottom string down to a C, the bass remains stong and full under a bow. As fine a professional level Chinese as I've heard. With free cover.