Bassix double bass banjo £650 Halifax

[timo]

Bassix double bass banjo made by Alan Hatswell, purchased from Alan (I believe it was the demo instrument) some years ago and only seen light use since. It has a 3/4 size composite neck and a long removable spike so very adjustable height-wise, can be played acoustically or has a built in pickup. It's in really good condition overall with a few small scuffs, more photos to follow.

 

From the original blurb: 

Play it like a double bass and acoustically it has considerably higher volume. Not enough for large gigs? Plug in a standard jack lead and connect to bass amp. The onboard dynamic sensors do the rest. It is now like playing an upright electric bass but still has the depth created by the acoustic drum. Constructed from composites with Remo skin, it is not really affected by climatic conditions (temperature and humidity) and is a go-anywhere play-anywhere bass. Suitable for all styles except arco (using bow) the sound both acoustically and amplified is amazing. Finished in white (drum) with black adjustable neck. For airline travel the neck can be simply removed making it possible to carry in a large suitcase (approx 30 x 24 x 10 inches). Maple bridge and Innovation strings give a tone similar to that of a vintage bass both acoustically and amplified. 

 

[AndyTravis]

Now then…given my propensity for all things I don’t need…🫣

[Clarky]

love it! Were my old voodoo swamp blues band Rattlin Bone still actively gigging, I would be PM'ing you!

[Marc S]

11 hours ago, AndyTravis said:

Now then…given my propensity for all things I don’t need…🫣

 

It's not just you @AndyTravis lol
 

Hmm - this does look interesting. Something very different indeed.

[Staggering on]

As a DB player who also plays tenor banjo I'd have that in a minute if I lived on your side of the Atlantic, I'd love to hear it. Seems like a reasonable price but it would definitely have a limited market.  😊

[pete.young]

58 minutes ago, Staggering on said:

As a DB player who also plays tenor banjo I'd have that in a minute if I lived on your side of the Atlantic, I'd love to hear it. Seems like a reasonable price but it would definitely have a limited market.  😊

As a DB player who also plays tenor banjo and 5-string banjo I wouldn't want to be within 250 miles of it, but each to his own!|

[redd]

This is so intriguing, have you got any recordings of it you could share?

[Clarky]

On 12/01/2024 at 11:07, redd said:

This is so intriguing, have you got any recordings of it you could share?

+1

[Happy Jack]

2 hours ago, Clarky said:

+1

 

I thought you once had one of these @Clarky?

[Clarky]

37 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

 

I thought you once had one of these @Clarky?

That was a 34" scale "horizontal" banjo bass! I would just be intrigued to hear what a full DB-scaled banjo bass sounds like!

[alyctes]

Okay, I had to ask...... could it be played arco?

😇

[Clarky]

On 31/01/2024 at 23:38, alyctes said:

Okay, I had to ask...... could it be played arco?

😇

Since the OP hasn't responded yet, here is the relevant snippet from the ad: 

 

"Suitable for all styles except arco (using bow)" 

[alyctes]

1 hour ago, Clarky said:

Since the OP hasn't responded yet, here is the relevant snippet from the ad: 

 

"Suitable for all styles except arco (using bow)" 

 

Thanks.  I thought I'd read it properly, but evidently not.

[timo]

Sorry for the lack of response, I'm not getting notifications through. I've listed on behalf of my mum so I'm not with the bass often but I can hopefully sort some samples at some point.

[Clarky]

Still looking forward to those sound samples or a simple phone video of this interesting instrument being played

[timo]

I'm hoping to get hold of the bass later this week then I'll get something sorted 

[snorkie635]

This, I have to hear!

[Clarky]

On 08/04/2024 at 10:14, timo said:

I'm hoping to get hold of the bass later this week then I'll get something sorted 

Any updates?

[MacDaddy]

Until the OP posts again, here are some other db banjos and a comparison with a db.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Happy Jack]

My takeaway from that Banjo/DB comparison is just how uncomfortable the player looks when using the banjo.

 

I reckon a 2-hour gig on that thing would kill your back.

 

[gjones]

I played something similar, at the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld, a few years ago (they have acoustic folky jam nights).

 

It had a fretted P bass neck attached and sounded great.

[Happy Jack]

I'd prefer this:

 

[MacDaddy]

2 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

I'd prefer this:

 

 

 

Is that a Stroh between your legs, or are you just pleased to see me?

[Happy Jack]

We agreed not to talk about that, Si ...

[Sweeneythebass]

6 hours ago, gjones said:

I played something similar, at the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld, a few years ago (they have acoustic folky jam nights).

 

It had a fretted P bass neck attached and sounded great.

Sounds similar to my old banjo bass, fretless p-bass neck. Had a piezo pickup for it.