I've been looking critically at basses coming from China for over 20 years. What I have most often seen has been instruments with odd designs, poor workmanship, and unstable green wood. Working with bassist Paul Strelau to develope a complete line of basses, Sam Shen is dedicated to making fine student and professional grade instruments. I've been very impressed with the solidly conceived designs, the clean and accurate workmanship, and the fully seasoned woods used in Shen basses.
Coming soon: SB 80, SB 100, SB 150, SB 180, SB 200 Willow 3/4, SB 200 Gemunder 7/8 Willow, SB 200 Willow Rogeri carved back 3/4, SB 800 Rogeri 3/4.
For
more complete description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net or
call (650) 515-1014. |
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| 2004 SB 180 hybrid (2004-4-28) | A clean and great sounding example of Shen's deluxe 3/4 hybrid solid top model. Medium flame figured Maple back and sides, Medium to tight grain spruce top, Plain figure Maple neck, Gold plated halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Dyed maple tailpiece, Replacement Maple bridge with adjusters as part of the original complete setup by Lemur. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 3/8", Depth at upper bout bend 7", Depth at tail 8 5/8", String length 41 1/2". Full Circle pickup added for stage used. The nice setup, developed voice from play, and pickup make this bass performance ready. With Shen cover. | $2100.00 |
 2002 SB 300 7/8 (2002-2-4) |
A magnificent early period gamba shaped carved back orchestral 7/8 instrument. Medium flame figure Maple neck and carved back (sides have lighter figure), Even medium-fine grain spruce top, Gold plated half plate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and tailpiece, Beautiful red-brown oil varnish, Gotz endpin, Adjustable bridge, set up for arco playing by Hammond Ashley of Seattle. Dimensions are: Top length 45 1/2", Upper bout width 21", Middle bout width 16 1/4", Lower bout width 27 1/2", Depth at tail 8 3/4", Depth at upper bout corner 8 3/4", Depth at neck 7 1/8", String length 42". Huge voice with a lot of power and depth for orchestral section work. The bottom string will speak with great authority when run down to a C note. Purchased by a student and not used very much, this bass remains in very clean condition with only a few small scratches and no edge wear on the plates. The grand voice will probably develope even more with another year of regualr play. Potentially a great jazz instrument for a larger player. With original Shen cover. | $5500.00 |
New SB 200 7/8 (2008-3-92) |
Willow back and sides, Medium grain Spruce top, Maple neck, Single unit brass tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters, Full setup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 45 5/8", Upper bout bout width 21 1/8", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 27 3/8", Depth at neck 7 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7 1/4", Depth at tail 9 1/4", String length 42". A huge voiced example that works equally well in the orchestra section or as a dark-voiced jazz instrument. With cover. | Call or Email for Price |
New SB 200 3/4 (2008-8-90) |
Willow back and sides, Medium grain spruce top, Maple neck, Single unit brass tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters, Full setup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout 20", Middle bout 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 7/8", String length 41 1/2". A well balanced voice capable of expressive solo work as well as solid foundation playing. With cover. | Call or Email for Price |
Used SB 200 7/8 Willow (2008-3-89) |
Willow back and sides, Medium to fine
grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple neck, Slightly arched X-brace flatback,
Single unit Brass french-style tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard and Hill
style tailpiece, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs setup. Dimensions
are: Top length 45 5/8", Upper bout width 21 1/8", Center bout
width 15", Lower bout width 27 3/8", Depth at tail 9 1/4",
Depth at upper bout bend 7 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/4", String
length 42". Strung with Helicore Hybrid strings, this responsive
bass has a huge voice. It is equally at home in jazz or orchestral settings.
Especially rich tone in the bottom end. With cover. |
$3900 |
New SB 200 3/4 Willow (2008-3-86) |
This is my best selling all-solid woods
Shen model. Medium grain Spruce top with wings at lower bout edges, Willow
back and sides, Maple neck, Medium brown oil varnish, Brass quarter plate
tuners, Ebony nut and fingerboard, Ebony tailpiece, Notched adjustable
endpin, Bridge adjusters added by Jeff Sahs as part of the complete setup.
Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center
bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 3/8", Depth at tail 9",
Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length
41 1/2". This bass has the rich, dark vintage voice of a mature
bass. Equally at home on the jazz bandstand as it is in the orchestra,
this is
another very versatile Shen. With cover. |
Call or Email for Discount price |
Previous Offerings
Used SB 200 3/4 (2008-8-91) |
Medium grain Spruce top, Willow back and sides, Maple neck, Single unit brass tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters, Full setup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 7/8", String length 41 1/2". Very clean except for abrasion on middle bout. Very full, deep tone from play. A very broad vintage voice. with cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New SB 80 (2008-2-25) |
By far my best-selling entry level
bass. Maple plywood top, back, and sides, Maple neck, Single unit tuners,
Ebony nut and fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece. Dimensions are: Top length
43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 1/4",
Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 7/8", Depth at upper
bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 41 1/2".
Set up by Matt Bohn, which includes final fitting nut, planing the fingerboard,
final fit of bridge feet, addition of bridge adjusters, recrowning the
bridge, Final setting of soundpost, Final setting of endpin. This bass
plays quite easily and has a clear, harmonically rich tone throughout.
With free cover. |
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New SB 80 3/4 (2008-4-33) |
My most popular Shen model.
Laminated body, Maple neck, Quarter plate tuners, Dark red-brown finish,
Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Notched
adjustable endpin, Bridge adjusters added as part of the complete setup
by Matt Bohn. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width
20", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4",
Depth at tail 8 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at
Neck joint 6 1/2", String length 41 1/2". Strung with Helicore
Hybrid strings, this bass has all the clarity, sustain, and growl that
you could want on the jazz bandstand. With cover. |
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| New SB 80 3/4 (2008-4-32) |
My best-selling Shen model.
Laminated body, Maple neck, Quarter plate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard,
and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Notched adjustable endpin,
Bridge adjusters added by Matt Bohn as part of his complete setup. Dimensions
are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout
width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 7/8",
Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length
41 1/2". Strung with Helicore Hybrid strings, this bass has a deep,
resonant voice that will carry the day in the orchestra or bandstand.
With cover. |
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New SB 150 (2008-6-70) |
The entry level hybrid model with solid
spruce top. Maple plywood back and sides, Solid Spruce top, Maple neck,
Quarter plate tuners, |
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New SB 300 Rogeri (2007-3-92) |
Carved back Maple version of the violin corner large 3/4 size Rogeri shape. Figured Maple back and sides, Medium grain Spruce top, Flame figured Maple neck, Deluxe brass single unit tuners, Ebony nut, tailpiece, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup. Rogeri dimensions are: Top length 44 3/4", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/4", String length 41 1/4". The carved Maple back and deep ribs give this bass a larger voice than one might expect from a large 3/4 size doublebass with an easy playing string length of 41 1/4". Set up with Pirastro Obligato strings for a strong and complete pizz voice and a clear, projective arco voice. A greatly rewarding versatile instrument. With cover. |
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Used SB 90 (2006-9-41) |
Spruce plywood top, Maple plywood back and sides, Maple neck, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut and fingerboard, Maple bridge with adjusters, Full setup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 7/8", string length 41 1/2". Well developed voice from play. Kept at home, it remians in nearly new condition. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Used SB 80 (2008-5-32) |
Maple plywood body, Maple neck, Gold quarter plate tuners, Ebony nut and fingerboard, Maple bridge with adjusters, Full setup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 1/2, Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 7/8", String length 41 1/2". Developed voice from play, very clean condition. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 SB 180 (2007-8-72) | A mint condition hybrid bass that I sold 2 1/2 years ago. Flame figure Maple ply back and sides, Fine grain Sitka Spruce top, Maple neck, Single unit brass tuners, Ebony fingerboard, nut, and tailpiece saddle, and tailpiece, Shen endpin, Originally set up by Jeff Sahs. Revolution pickup added. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at neck 6 3/8", Depth at upper bout bend 7", Depth at tail 8 5/8", String length 41 1/2". Strung with Spirocore weich strings, this bass has a very easy response. A fine jazz instrument. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New SB 90 3/4 (2008-4-48) |
The popular blonde finish version of the SB 100 with
special embossed goldplate halfplate tuners. Laminated body with spruce
outer ply on the top, Maple neck, Blonde finish, Embossed gold halfplate
tuners specific to this model, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece
saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Notched adjustable endpin, Bridge adjusters
added by Matt Bohn as part of the complete setup. Dimensions are: Top
length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14
1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 7/8",
Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck joint 6 1/2", String
length 41 1/2". Strung with Helicore Hybrid strings, this bass responds
with a rich, clear voice and is very easy to play. With cover. |
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| Used SB 200 3/4 (2008-2-82) | This very clean example of my best-selling all-solid doublebass comes broken in and well cared for by a professional player who got a larger Shen model. Willow back and sides, Spruce top, Brass french style gears, Plain figure Maple neck, Ebony nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' great setup. Played for eight months in a jazz context with Spirocore strings, I've restrung it with D'Addario Hybrid strings for combination arco and pizz play. The voice has developed from nearly a year of regular restaurant gigs. A great bass at a really attractive price. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SB 180 (2008-5-83) |
Middle level hybrid model. Maple plywood back and sides, Stiff Spruce top, Maple neck, Single unit brass tuners, Oil varnish, Ebonized tailpiece, Ebony nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup. Dimensions are standard Shen 3/4 size. This bass has great definition in the highs and makes an excellent all-around arco bass or a pizz bass oriented toward a growling low end and bright, clear upper end. With cover. |
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New SB 100 (2008-6-61) |
The deluxe laminated model. Maple plywood back and sides, Spruce plywood top, Maple neck, Brass single unit tuners, Oil varnish, Ebonized tailpiece, Ebony nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Matt Bohn's complete setup. Dimensions are standard Shen 3/4 size. This bass has an especially rich sounding midrange and is quite versatile for either pizz or arco play. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New SB
200 7/8 (2007-10-92) |
Another huge sounding example of the 7/8 willow flatback model. Willow back and sides, Spruce top Maple neck, Brass single unit tuners, Shen X-brace on back plate, Oil varnish, Ebony tailpiece, nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup. Dimensions standard for this 7/8 Gemunder model. Although this model performs extremely well as a section doublebass in an orchestral setting, I sell most of these to jazz players. With the Pirastro Obligato strings giving a solid but elastic feeling low end, this bass will make you feel like you really could have subbed for Ray Brown on a few recording or bandstand dates. With cover. |
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New SB 200 3/4 (2008-6-65) |
My most popular all-solid doublebass from any manufacturer. Willow back and sides, Spruce top, Maple neck, Brass single unit tuners, Shen X-brace on back plate, Oil varnish, Ebony tailpiece, nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup. Dimensions standard for this 3/4 model. This is another great example that performs wonderfully either arco or pizz with Spirocore mittle strings. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New SB 200W Rogeri (2007-8-87) |
Carved back Willow version of the violin corner large 3/4 size Rogeri shape. Willow back and sides, Spruce top, Maple neck, Brass single unit tuners, Ebony nut, tailpiece, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Bridge adjusters added as part of Jeff Sahs' complete setup. Rogeri dimensions are: Top length 44 3/4", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 1/2", Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/4", String length 41 1/4". The carved Willow back and deep ribs help to give this bass a stronger fundamental and larger voice than one might expect in a large 3/4 size doublebass with the easy playing string length of 41 1/4". Set up with D'Addario hybrid strings this instrument is exceptionally effective as an arco instrument that can credibly double as a dark voiced jazz bass. With cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New SB 180 3/4 hybrid (2008-2-78) | This is the best sounding Shen hybrid that I have
had in the shop. Medium grain width 4-piece Spruce top, Laminated back
and sides with nice flame Maple as the outer ply, Nicely flame figured
Maple neck, Indivicual brass french style tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard
and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Bridge adjusters added as part
of Matt Bohn's complete setup. Dimensions: Same as for all SB 80, 90,
100, 150 models. This bass sounds great with D'Addario Helicore hybrid
strings. The looser response of this particular top put it head and shoulders
above any other hybrid Shen bass that I've had in the shop. A cosmetic
second for some spots on the back wheere the stain didn't penetrate as
deeply, giving a mottled appearance. With cover. . |
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New SB 100 3/4 (2008-2-53) |
Upgraded features on this perennial favorite make
it an outstanding value. Laminted body with Spruce outer ply on top,
Maple neck, Brass Suzhou individual French style tuner, Ebony nut, fingerboard,
and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Notched adjustable tailpiece,
Red varnish finish, Bridge adjusters added by Matt Bohn as part of the
complete setup. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width
20", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4",
Depth at tail 8 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at
neck joint 6 1/2", String length 41 1/2". Strung with Helicore
Hybrid strings, this an unusually responsive and colorful sounding bass.
Another great example from Shen! With cover. |
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| New SB
200 3/4 flatback willow |
My most popular solid wood Shen model. Willow back
and sides, Fine grain Spruce top, Maple neck, Brass single unit tuners,
Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and tailpiece, Ebony collar
endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added by Jeff Sahs as part of his
complete setup, Dark red-brown oil vernish. Dimensions are: Top length
43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14 1/4",
Lower bout width 25 3/8", Depth at tail 9", Depth at upper
bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 41 1/2".
This bass is a jazz monster with a dark bottom end and rich, singing
highs with Spirocore strings. With cover. |
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| New SB 80 (2008-2-26) | By far my best-selling entry level
bass. Maple plywood top, back, and sides, Maple neck, single unit tuners,
Ebony nut and fingerboard, Ebonized
tailpiece. Dimensions are: Top length: 43 1/2", Upper bout 20",
Middle bout 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail
8 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/2",
String length 41 1/2". Set up by Matt Bohn, which includes final
fitting of the nut, planing the fingerbaord, final fit of bridge feet,
addition
of bridge adjusters, recrowning the bridge, final setting of the soundpost,
final fitting of the endpin. This bass plays likie butter and has a deep,
rich low end. Unbelievable bass-range presence for a plywood instrument.
With free cover. |
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| New SB 80 (2007-8-50) | Maple plywood top, sides, and back, Single unit
tuners, Maple Neck, Ebony fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece, Adjusters
added by Jeff Sahs as part of the post-NAMM Show setup. Dimensions are:
Top length 43 1/2, Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14 1/4",
Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 7/8", Depth at upper
bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 41 1/2".
exhibited at the 2008 anaheim NAMM Show, this bass has a clear and complete
tone. The great Setup by Jeff Sahs, including bridge adjusters, makes
this one very easy to play. Another fantastic entry-level bass by Sam
Shen. With free cover. |
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| New SB 100 |
Dark finish version of the SB 90 plywood body, Single
unit tuners, Maple neck, Ebony fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece, Shen
bridge adjusters, Post-NAMM show setyup by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are:
Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width
14 1/2", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 7/8",
Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length
41 1/2". I don't know what it is about these SB 100s, but my ex-wife
chose on over an SB 180! With free cover. |
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New SB200W 7/8 Flatback Willow model |
Willow back and sides, Maple neck,
Spruce top, Gold plated french style tuners, Oil varnish, X-braced flatback,
42" string length. Patterned after a Gemunder flatback, the dimensions are: Body length 45 5/8", Upper bout width 21 1/8", Center bout width 15", Lower bout width 27 3/8", Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout 8 1/2", Depth at neck 7 1/4".
Adjusters added to bridge. This bass has a very commanding presence with
a solid, deep voice when played pizzicato, and an immense section-filling
voice when played arco. The rich, buttery tone is easily coaxed out of
this open sounding bass. With Shen cover. |
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SB80 3/4 (2006-2-20) |
Maple plywood top, back, and sides, Gold quarter plate tuners, Maple neck, Ebony nut and fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece, Standard endpin, Maple bridge. Dimensions are: Top length 43 3/4", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 5/8", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Depth at tail 8 5/8", Depth at upper bout angle 7 7/8", Depth at neck 6 3/8", String length 41 1/2". Bridge adjusters added and complete setup performed by Jeff Sahs. This bass has a fuller tonal depth with a broader dimension in the lower registers. With Shen cover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SB 90 Laminated 3/4 |
Laminated Spruce top, Laminated Maple
back and sides, Gold halfplate tuners, Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece,
Wooden bridge adjusters added. Dimensions are : Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", String length 41 1/2".
The Spruce top lamination and blonde finish reminds many players of the
classic blonde Kays. This model has a punchier, fuller voice than any
Kay that I've ever played. Special setup by Shen for the 2007 NAMM show.
With free cover. |
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| New SB 200 willow 3/4 flatback |
Spruce top, Willow back and sides,
Oil varnish finish, X-braced flatback design, Brass Frech style individual
tuners, Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece,
Wooden bridge adjusters added. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2",
Upper bout width 20", Center bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width
25 3/8", Body depth at tail 9", Body depth at upper bout bend
8", Body depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 41 1/2".
The deep body and willow back and sides give this model a full bass-resonant
for for its moderate body size and string length. Equally at home in
the
jazz club or in the orchestra pit. Special setup by Shen for the 2007
NAMM show. With free cover. |
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| New SB 80 Laminated 3/4 | Laminated Maple top, back, and sides, Gold quarter
plate unit tuners, Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece, Wooden bridge adjusters
added. Dimensions
are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Center bout width
14 1/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", String length 41 1/2".
This is a great student level bass or durable gigging instrument. Special
setup by Shen for the 2007 NAMM show. With free cover. |
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