Happy Jack

Tempted as I am, I score a mere 9/20 on that multiple choice test, so I'd best pass!

I forgot to mention ... the three brands I've heard associated with Kent are Teisco, Guyatone and Kawai.

Here's something you don't see every day. The Kent brand was used on instruments from at least two, probably three, Japanese manufacturers throughout the 1960s, which means that quality can vary. This is an interesting take on the classic Hofner Violin bass, probably from the late 60s despite the two-saddle bridge, and with some very high-class touches. The triple binding on the sides is particularly nice. The horn flares are really cool, the sunburst on the back is a beauty, and the controls are a significant step up from the Hofner! The neck is true, with no warp or banana to it, which is always a good thing on these old basses. Being a Violin bass, it is of course a shortscale with a scale length of 30.5". A nice 'thuddy' sound which works well with 1960s pop music, as you'd expect, but is also remarkably good for both reggae and blues. As far as I can see, there was originally a finger-pull on the small piece of scratchplate material below the pickups, now replaced by a couple of screwheads. That finger-pull was then re-positioned above the pickups as a thumb-rest, but is now gone, leaving a couple of holes. Similarly, I'm pretty sure that the tuners haven't just been re-positioned slightly, but are in fact a serious upgrade on the originals that would have been there when this bass was new. These old Kents are getting steadily rarer, and it's quite unusual to find one as playable as this! I always prefer basses to be collected in person by the buyer. It has to be best to hold the bass in your hands and check it out properly before parting with your cash! This one can be collected from either HA1 3RG or W1T 2RE.

At this price point? Not really, I'm afraid - I'm trying to downsize!

Title amended for accuracy ...

If you can cope with the weight (I couldn't - too old ) then this is all the bass you'll ever need. I had two of 'em. If they were 1kg lighter then they would still be my go-to basses.