Rayman Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 So I just bought a Hohner b bass, I know nothing about them, it looks like a cool bass, and the reviews were pretty good (I'll always research a bass before I buy it). I'm picking it up tomorrow and I'll report back with initial impressions, I just wondered if anyone knows anything about them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 I had one once - nice thing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 I'm guessing that the pickups might be a bit weak, being the EMG selects? Might be an option to upgrade those. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 Yes, I would Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 (edited) Which model, they're very different? I've had many. The B Bass 6 is a gorgeous instrument, tiny, light and well proportioned for a 6, with a thru neck of varying wood quality. Some basses are quite plain, others wouldn't look out of line in a row of Foderas. They're well made, play great with a nice thin neck. The only slight issue is that the bridge isn't quite woman enough for all those strings so it curls up 1/2 a mm or so at the ball end. But they still hold their tune and it doesn't usually get worse. The B Bass 5 is a rather different shape and generally not as nice or well made as the 6 in my experience, but YMMV. The B Bass 4 is like the 5 but rather nicer. Pretty and light, it's a great bass with lovely tone, in my experience let down by the weird drop D bridge lever which I never quite got sorted, but it was a 'rescue bass'. For the money you're getting a lot of bass whichever model. I wouldn't pay more than £250. Good luck finding spares!! Coupla sample vids, 4 and 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Juo-y0craU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T3YD9t45HA Edited December 3, 2021 by lownote 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 I had a sixer and regret selling it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 (edited) 14 minutes ago, lownote said: "Which model, they're very different? I've had many." Edited December 3, 2021 by Rayman Wrong reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 It's a B Bass 4, with the Steinberger drop D thing. Through neck, etc in red. I'll post some pictures later.... I've paid £175, so I'm happy with that. I was looking for a 5er, so if I like this 4 string version I might look for a 5 or even 6 if I can find one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Rayman said: 15 minutes ago, lownote said: "Which model, they're very different? I've had many." It's a B Bass 4, with the Steinberger drop D thing. Through neck, etc in red. I'll post some pictures later.... I've paid £175, so I'm happy with that. I was looking for a 5er, so if I like this 4 string version I might look for a 5 or even 6 if I can find one. About the right price if it's in good nick. The 5 is as rare as hen's teeth, but not really worth chasing in my opinion. The 6 comes on sale here or eBay (usually) about one a four month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 5 minutes ago, lownote said: About the right price if it's in good nick. The 5 is as rare as hen's teeth, but not really worth chasing in my opinion. The 6 comes on sale here or eBay (usually) about one a four month. Cool, well a 6er is on the want list, it's been years since I had one, so we'll see what happens with this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 I had a 4 in natural. Shouldn't have sold it… I have a neck/body sanded back to nothing as the finish was all scratched… The electronics were all goosed too; I keep meaning to finish it. It is in a mates house currently as he was going to spray it - think he got some primer on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 28 minutes ago, Rayman said: I'm guessing that the pickups might be a bit weak, being the EMG selects? Might be an option to upgrade those. This, the pickups (and preamp) are budget units and definitely of their time. Cort like paying for a license to slap a brand name on in house parts and the electronics are the weak point. You don't need to spend much either, I replaced the Selects in my Hohner with Duncan Designed J units and they sound much better, I quite liked the Select P pickup I had though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 I had one, great thing. AFAIAA they are part of the same family as the Jack and the B2 brigade - with or without headstock/body, electrics varied, some had the drop tuner but overalll they were pretty much the same beast and all of a decent quality. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 1 hour ago, lemmywinks said: This, the pickups (and preamp) are budget units and definitely of their time. Cort like paying for a license to slap a brand name on in house parts and the electronics are the weak point. You don't need to spend much either, I replaced the Selects in my Hohner with Duncan Designed J units and they sound much better, I quite liked the Select P pickup I had though. Yeah I don't subscribe to the fact that all "budget" pickups suck, so I'll try them first. I had an old Robert DeLeo Schecter with "Duncan Designed" pickups in it.... they sounded fabulous. So I'll see how it sounds as it is before any upgrades 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 The 'select by emg' pups in my ancient Jack Bass are killer. Converted to passive but thinking about putting a new pre in! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 4 hours ago, AndyTravis said: I had a 4 in natural. Shouldn't have sold it… Ditto! 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 Always liked the look of the B Bass - it's basically a Hohner Jack with a headstock, & the Bs tend to be somewhat cheaper than their decapitated brethren. Not sure how long they were around for but late 80s/90s Hohners were made by Cort and tend to be uniformly top quality. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Bassassin said: Always liked the look of the B Bass - it's basically a Hohner Jack with a headstock, & the Bs tend to be somewhat cheaper than their decapitated brethren. Not sure how long they were around for but late 80s/90s Hohners were made by Cort and tend to be uniformly top quality. They have a slightly wider nut than a Jack in my experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 Well, I just picked it up.... Initially it feels quality, heavy? I thought it'd be light, but I prefer some weight. Solid thing, and a quick sound test at the sellers house showed it has some power. Full setup with new strings when I get home, looking forward to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 I had a Hohner Jack with EMG Select pickups. I accidentally ruined the preamp so swapped it for a Ki0gon loom - pickups sounded great! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted December 3, 2021 Share Posted December 3, 2021 Absolutely mint, only downside, the timber is a bit bland. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 2 hours ago, Pea Turgh said: I had a Hohner Jack with EMG Select pickups. I accidentally ruined the preamp so swapped it for a Ki0gon loom - pickups sounded great! Yeah, or maybe a U retro.... we'll see after new strings and a setup tomorrow. The EQ is Vol/Vol/tone - bass/treble yes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 4, 2021 Author Share Posted December 4, 2021 Total setup later, straightened the neck, lowered the action, new D'Addario strings, switch cleaner, oiled fretboard..... etc..... It's a beast. Plays beautifully, sounds massive. I've had to lower the pentometer output as it was almost as in your face as my Spector Euro 5 used to be. It's a fabulous thing, very modern sounding, punchy, and weirdly, turned to passive, sounds quite P bass like. Love it. Total bargain. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 4, 2021 Author Share Posted December 4, 2021 PS..... No need for ANY mods on this thing. It sings like a piano. Lovely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 I ripped the frets out of mine as a first FL exercise, working out too late that with a neck thru that's risky cos you can't shim if you're too low. But it was OK by a whisker. Sold it to Bryan Adam's manager. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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