sifi2112 Posted January 17, 2008 Posted January 17, 2008 Hi all, looking for a portable backup bass .. anyone recommend both/either of these ? cheers Si Quote
King Tut Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 I've got a Spirit and have had several B2's in various incarnations. The Hohners were a while ago and were damn good instruments - there's been several variations inc drop D tuners and XLR outs but.............. My steiny is my 'just in case bass' - it travels to every gig as a back up because it's small. It doesn't hang too well on a strap so I've made a bracket to make it hang better - do a search and you'll find some stuff - but other than that it's a lovely bass with a real bite on the bridge pickup - lots of depth on the neck and a supremely playable neck - I will keep mine for sure!! Quote
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 I have a Hohner B2A, which I've had from new (waaaaay back in the 80s!) and it's my permanent gigging backup. Ebay is always full of Hohner B2s, they do tend to be quite pricey - usually the less comfortable side of £200. Often they're listed as new - I think they're still available outside of the UK - as far as I know the Hohner brand isn't currently available here. I've never played a Steinberger Spirit, so I can't really comment - but I always assumed it was the same bass rebadged - after all the Hohner is a licensed copy. Another alternative is the H&S brand - a German importer which sells through Ebay, they frequently have a nice-looking set-neck Steinberger copy which sells for about £120-ish. I've seen one of these in the flesh, in a music shop in Barcelona (unfortunately didn't get the chance of a play) and it looked solid & well put together. They don't currently have this listed on Ebay - but they do have a twin-neck (!) which might give you some idea: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H-S-Headless-Doubleneck-Double-Neck-Bass-headless_W0QQitemZ360013012274"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/H-S-Headless-Doublen...emZ360013012274[/url] Jon. Quote
David Nimrod Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 I have a 5 string neck thru Hohner B2AV, strung E A D G C. It's beautifully made and sounds punchy as hell (especially in passive mode). Speaking of which, it needs no battery to run in passive, so it's a great back up. Definately recommeded Quote
bass_ferret Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 Whats your budget? How about the new Status Streamliner? Quote
The Burpster Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 Owned the Hohner played them both..... My problem with them is they are a skinny neck (1.5" at the nut) like a J bass. If you like that you'll love 'em. Feel a bit weird at first and definately easier playing standing that sitting. Hohners (all models) still avaialble in the US but not here. Spirit feels nicer in some way but not sure how, both play well. You are limited a bit with strings on the Hohner but the Spirit can use double ball end or single ball end so you can use whatever strings.... (MASSIVE bonus). The Hohner (passive) benefits from stronger pups but other than that they are pretty damn good....... And very 80's.... Quote
Lfalex v1.1 Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 I have a B2A 5 stringer. It's my "traveller"... Bought new 8 years ago for £249. Pros; Fits in a guitar case Small, light, manoeuverable. Good for tiny stages! Stands on its (twin) tail strap buttons. Difficult to knock out of tune. Cons Slightly flaky EQ, quality-wise. Lack of mass seems to hinder the tone. It's woody enough, and otherwise okay, it just lacks weight in terms of tone, and th EQ can't put back what was never there! (noticable on the 5 when strung BEADG. May be okay on 4s or high 5s! String availability. Onc your get used to it, you may want a real one (Steinberger). I do Quote
David Nimrod Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='122648' date='Jan 18 2008, 09:11 AM']It just lacks weight in terms of tone, and th EQ can't put back what was never there! (noticable on the 5 when strung BEADG. May be okay on 4s or high 5s![/quote] You've got a point. The B was never very 'heavy' sounding... Quote
bremen Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 I've had 2 Hohners and both have been OK. You can whack the singer on the back of the head with them and they don't go out of tune. Very nice fast action. You can still get them new from Thomann, not sure I'd pay nearly £400 though. Quote
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2008 Posted January 18, 2008 [quote name='The Burpster' post='122644' date='Jan 18 2008, 09:03 AM']You are limited a bit with strings on the Hohner but the Spirit can use double ball end or single ball end so you can use whatever strings.... (MASSIVE bonus).[/quote] I have seen an adapter for the Hohner on Ebay, which allows the use of conventional strings. Typically, I can't find the bloody thing now, but they do exist. Not much help, really! J. Quote
sifi2112 Posted January 18, 2008 Author Posted January 18, 2008 Thanks a lot for all the replies guys .. sounds like either would suffice .. I have bid on ebay on both Hohner and H & S but stuck to my limit & got out bid .. soundcontrol do 'steinberger spirit' for £199 ... I'm in no rush, so I might just wait it out till one comes up on here. cheers Si ps. I play jazz bass so I guess I'll like the neck (used to play 'mediocre' guitar afterall) .. pps. this looks a bit dodgy .. member since 04-Dec-03 but '0' feedback ??? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110214311802&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...=tab%3DWatching[/url] Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I've always liked the look of the Hohner B2 ADB with the active EMG's & drop D detunable bridge. The necks on these are very rounded, though. Just a little thing, but not to everyone's tastes. On the other hand you could always add another £1000 and order a Status Streamliner. Played one at the factory last month & it was a stunning bass in all respects. Quote
Lfalex v1.1 Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='124205' date='Jan 20 2008, 10:11 PM']...On the other hand you could always add another £1000 and order a Status Streamliner. Played one at the factory last month & it was a stunning bass in all respects.[/quote] Don't even go there! I was already suffering mild GAS over these. AND I will soon have that sort of money. Money. Hole. Pocket. Burn. (In no particular order!) Quote
TPJ Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='124205' date='Jan 20 2008, 10:11 PM']On the other hand you could always add another £1000 and order a Status Streamliner. Played one at the factory last month & it was a stunning bass in all respects.[/quote] How was the tone? Did it lack from the smaller body? Quote
simon1964 Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 I bought a Hohner B2A a few months back, as I needed something small and portable. I got it for about £120 from ebay. I actually quite like it. Its perfectly playable, and sounds OK, although the active eq doesn't have as much versatiliyy as I would have expected. In fact, I prefer the passive tone. I don't think I would recommend it as a main bass, but as a portable back up, its a nice bass. Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='124404' date='Jan 21 2008, 10:24 AM']Don't even go there! I was already suffering mild GAS over these. AND I will soon have that sort of money. Money. Hole. Pocket. Burn. (In no particular order!)[/quote] HeHe... I'll make sure I put in your order when I pick up my new KingBass next month! Quote
OutToPlayJazz Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='TPJ' post='124588' date='Jan 21 2008, 01:43 PM']How was the tone? Did it lack from the smaller body?[/quote] No loss of tone at all... It sounded just as full as a Stealth II. Very fast neck as per usual from Rob's fare & huge punch. I still prefer the Status 2-band eq over the newer 3-band like I have at the moment. Quote
Wil Posted January 21, 2008 Posted January 21, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='125054' date='Jan 21 2008, 09:46 PM']No loss of tone at all... It sounded just as full as a Stealth II. Very fast neck as per usual from Rob's fare & huge punch. I still prefer the Status 2-band eq over the newer 3-band like I have at the moment.[/quote] The bass frequency on the 2 band is far punchier I reckon - I have it on my Series 1 and do prefer it to the 3 band I had on my S2 Classic. Quote
Hit&Run Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 The spirit XT2 looks alright for £200 new I reckon. It looks identical to the Hohner B2A I used to have (and paid £300 for), except it doesn't have the bridge detuner; but I never used it anyway. If the preamp was a bit naff you could always throw on a Status or John East stack (bass & treble) to sweeten things. The east stack has the slap function as well. My ex-guitarist's Dad got a hohner Jack for £120 and it had the sweetest action I've ever played on. Doesn't look as dated as the 'cricket bat' either, though their prices on fleabay aren't that appealing. Quote
sifi2112 Posted January 22, 2008 Author Posted January 22, 2008 Well I just tried a Spirit out .. not bad at all (for £200) but found myself playing everything 2-3 frets higher than normal ! .. I might actually sound good (or at least experimental) if I ever have to use one as a backup ... so looks like I might have to 'sort of' make my own 'frankenstein' .. with a shorter neck ... so can anyone advise where I can get a 'locking nut' from and more importantly .. a 'steinberger bridge' (4 string) .. will add post on 'items wanted' .. any spare necks lying around with broken headstocks ? .. spare wood for 'body' etc It's a bit of a long shot but might make a nice project .. only for backup & messing around with at home etc Quote
sifi2112 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Posted January 23, 2008 NOTE: couldn't find a bridge anywhere for project, so have opted for the real thing instead ! thanks for all your advice ! Si Quote
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