Boosey and Hawkes basses

[saxobass]

Hi all. Can anyone tell me the difference between the B&H 400 and B&H Aristocrat basses???? Used to have an Aristocrat (set it up well and really liked it)and gifted it to son. Want another and have been offered one which I am told is a `400`. Is there a difference?
Cheers.

[BigBeatNut]

Funnily enough ( ) I was researching the same thing on Google this afternoon.

Here's the only link I found: [b][url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164856"]Boosey & Hawkes 400. Any good?[/url][/b]

[bassace]

You got some right old replies from Talkbass, didn't you! I don't know anything about the 400 either so I'm not really qualified. However, to steer things a bit on track can I offer the following:- Ken Smith on Talkbass refered to the old Hawkes basses which were fine instruments and highly prized. You can find one in the £20k region if you're lucky. Boosey and Hawkes who were/are principally music publishers and retailers used to/still do market 'student' standard instruments that they would buy in from various sources. My first bass which I bought brand new in the late fifties was a B&H made in Czechoslovakia and cost me £45 brand new. I had a lot of fun with it and became quite a reasonable player. It was laminate, of course, although we used to call it plywood in those days. When, after a 15 year layoff, I got a bass it was a B&H Czech lami again, new from Footes in Golden Square, London for £615. It was quite good, although a bit quiet on the G string. Why don't you give Footes a ring, I'm sure they will be helpful and give you some info on the Boosey basses. Their number is 0207 4371811. Hope this helps and if I've been talking bollocks no doubt some of the BC cognoscenti will correct me.

[saxobass]

[quote name='bassace' post='405138' date='Feb 10 2009, 10:31 AM']You got some right old replies from Talkbass, didn't you! I don't know anything about the 400 either so I'm not really qualified. However, to steer things a bit on track can I offer the following:- Ken Smith on Talkbass refered to the old Hawkes basses which were fine instruments and highly prized. You can find one in the £20k region if you're lucky. Boosey and Hawkes who were/are principally music publishers and retailers used to/still do market 'student' standard instruments that they would buy in from various sources. My first bass which I bought brand new in the late fifties was a B&H made in Czechoslovakia and cost me £45 brand new. I had a lot of fun with it and became quite a reasonable player. It was laminate, of course, although we used to call it plywood in those days. When, after a 15 year layoff, I got a bass it was a B&H Czech lami again, new from Footes in Golden Square, London for £615. It was quite good, although a bit quiet on the G string. Why don't you give Footes a ring, I'm sure they will be helpful and give you some info on the Boosey basses. Their number is 0207 4371811. Hope this helps and if I've been talking bollocks no doubt some of the BC cognoscenti will correct me.[/quote]
Thanks guys....actually all quite helpful. I actually meant Excelsior versus 400, and am wondering whether they simply changed the name rather than the design when they went from Czech manufacture to Chinese??? I had an Excelsior which I set up to play like a dream, but having gone back to bari sax some years ago ( too many bassists in the area etc...) I gave it to my son for his 50th birthday. Twenty minutes after he loaded it into his car and left for London I had a phone call asking me to play bass. Is that sod`s law or something?
Anyway I really miss having a bass, want to get another and am surveying the market. I`ve been offered a B&H 400 for £400! I`m also wondering about the `Fitness` bass (solid wood and Chinese) offered by JPB Music/Violins down in Somerset who are offering a healthy discount. Would also consider one of the Zeller or Reghin tonewood Czech models. Any advice appreciated.