uk_lefty Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 So I got the chance to play a headless Hohner. The Mrs told me to treat myself as I liked the tone and she knows I love Mark King and anything 80s so she said go for it. I wanted a day or two to think about it and on my actual birthday found one in better condition with the fitted hard case going much cheaper on eBay. I bought it saving 100 quid and getting an immaculate condition fitted hard case too. As I have neither a headless nor an active bass of the three I already had the purchase is justified and at a price I can turn a small profit if I need to move it on. The tone is nice and full with far more bottom than I would expect and its amazingly comfortable though weirdly the neck feels two frets longer than most. I need to re string it and clean a little but it's in good nick. I don't yet see how it would fit with any of my previous bands on stage but for recording and lugging around for jams it would be perfect. Far better sound than I had expected. Does it have a future as a collector's item? I have no idea. I get the impression the hohners aren't as collectible but the active electronics makes them stand out from the steinberger spirits. They are a very marmite bass, my band are already bullying me over it! Here's a link to some pics: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B46HIatpzhWyRXpNQUpXYmJfMzA/view?usp=docslist_api Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Handy down the park on a summers day as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I've always wanted this type of bass but can never justify one as I'd be reluctant to gig it and only play it at home... I prefer something a bit more substantial to hide my muscular frame behind when I'm playing out! Nice score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Fumbler Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I had the Honer Jack about 20 odd years ago. I remember it being a fantastic sounding bass. I moved it on to get a precision which I had for the next 20 years! I seem to remember the active being too hot sounding for me, so I always played it in passive mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted March 17, 2016 Author Share Posted March 17, 2016 Being left handed my choice is very limited I'm sad to say. I would much prefer a "bodied" headless bass but unless I find a hohner Jack or steinberger spirit at the right time and right price this is the closest I'll get. My band do all hate it without having seen or heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) I have one and they do take some adjustment If YOU like it and YOU want it, it's enough, tell your bandmates to shut up Edited March 17, 2016 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1458209478' post='3005540'] ...tell your bandmates to shut up. [/quote] Do that anyway, as a matter of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1458209478' post='3005540'] tell your bandmates to shut up [/quote] And point out that it's a lot easier to insert this one blunt end first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Or hit them with it, it's none of their business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr zed Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1458210333' post='3005558'] Or hit them with it, it's none of their business [/quote] Yes - hit 'em for six! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Ive had a Jack and still own a Westone Quantum although its quite a bit modified, i like them, nice and light and since I moved the strap button on my Quantum its very comfortable to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I'd love something like that. Add a Barefaced One10 and a class D amp and it would be the perfect, portable rehearsal set up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 As the OP already knows they divide opinion I'm afraid I'm going to have to say I've never seen one played in a pub where the operator of it didn't look a total douche bag! Sorry if that's too honest, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Don't you have to be Rastafarian and play reggae to own one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted March 17, 2016 Author Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1458215349' post='3005623'] As the OP already knows they divide opinion I'm afraid I'm going to have to say I've never seen one played in a pub where the operator of it didn't look a total douche bag! Sorry if that's too honest, lol. [/quote] Got to admit of my four basses even my pointy five string fretless Kramer has more "street cred". Nothing is cooler than a white Fender p either. I am not sure this one will ever be used on stage unless I'm standing behind a wire mesh screen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 No,a flock of sea gulls hair don't and your jacket sleeves pushed up is fine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburstjazz1967 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1458216328' post='3005643'] Got to admit of my four basses even my pointy five string fretless Kramer has more "street cred". Nothing is cooler than a white Fender p either. I am not sure this one will ever be used on stage unless I'm standing behind a wire mesh screen [/quote] The only way you could escape being the most un cool band member would be if you employ a keytar player! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I occasionally find myself fancying a bass like this, until I remind myself it's not a Precision! I used to own and gig a Hohner Jack but playing it now (as it belongs to Mr Axe jnr) it sounds a bit thin. That's probably down to the J pickups - the OP's looks like it has humbuckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1458213162' post='3005591'] Yes - hit 'em for six! [/quote] Four - six (strings) would be evil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1458216665' post='3005650'] I occasionally find myself fancying a bass like this, until I remind myself it's not a Precision! I used to own and gig a Hohner Jack but playing it now (as it belongs to Mr Axe jnr) it sounds a bit thin. That's probably down to the J pickups - the OP's looks like it has humbuckers. [/quote] It does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 [quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1458213162' post='3005591'] Yes - hit 'em for six! [/quote] Ha, ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefbaker Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I remember playing one of these back in the day. Not my style now but I see the appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Our rhythm gittard actually owns a Washburn of the same ilk , and i found it a pain in the buttockial region when i tried it. It hung at a completely different point to where my headed basses hang, and so i found i was playing the wrong frets at first, thinking my fretting hand was at the same position as it normally was. And the lack of headstock freaked me for a bit. I'm sure if i played one for longer, i'd get used to it cosmetically and functionally and of course, they are popular with many bassists, including other headless axes like the beautiful Statuses Call it a lack of talent and unable to adapt, but i couldnt hack it ... my bad ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 I've always wanted one of these so I could be like this guy... [media]http://youtu.be/7-NOZU2iPA8[/media] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 Is OMG a permitted response? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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