Semi Hollow acoustic Bass / choices

[Gazz]

I'm looking at purchasing a Semi Hollow bass in the New Year. Far too many to chose from, anyone had experience with Hagstrom Viking? 

[Bigguy2017]

Re Hagstrom Viking - good and bad

 

The good - it's an affordable semi and has a good solid thumpy sound.

 

The bad - the crappiest selector switch ever, ergonomic issues - like all the semis with a trapeze tail piece, the bridge ends up being halfway up the body, so you have to shove the thing well to the right to get to a sensible plucking position.

 

After a fret level and replacing the 6 way rotary switch with a Switchcraft toggle (and binning the coil taps) I am a lot happier... 

 

I suggest trying one before buying. Sound wise it's good and the slim neck is great.

 

I'd look at a Guild Starfire as the best (?) option. YMMV

 

 

[Len_derby]

How about the Yamaha Bex? Let me know if you like what you see or read.

 

 

[Rich]

A Chowny CHB would be a great one if you can find one for a good price.

 

[neepheid]

Narrow it down for us - what scale length are you wanting?

[Gazz]

45 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Narrow it down for us - what scale length are you wanting?

not fussed about scale length tbh, most of my basses are long scale, so I'd probably prefer long. 

[neepheid]

Long scale?  Epiphone Jack Casady.

 

*mic drop*

 

[Gazz]

49 minutes ago, Rich said:

A Chowny CHB would be a great one if you can find one for a good price.

 

Havnt heard good reports about the Chowny, there's not many I like the look of, all crazy colours, like bright blue and bright green, love to see a black one, or a white... 

[Gazz]

3 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Long scale?  Epiphone Jack Casady.

 

*mic drop*

 

Cheers, I'll check it out... 

[Rich]

1 minute ago, Gazz said:

Havnt heard good reports about the Chowny, there's not many I like the look of, all crazy colours, like bright blue and bright green, love to see a black one, or a white... 

 

The photo doesn't do the sapphire burst justice, it is utterly gorgeous in the flesh. If I was to buy one, it would absolutely be in that blue. And IMO, they are damned fine basses. Surprisingly versatile sound. 

[BigRedX]

Warwick StarBass

[Gazz]

3 hours ago, Bigguy2017 said:

Re Hagstrom Viking - good and bad

 

The good - it's an affordable semi and has a good solid thumpy sound.

 

The bad - the crappiest selector switch ever, ergonomic issues - like all the semis with a trapeze tail piece, the bridge ends up being halfway up the body, so you have to shove the thing well to the right to get to a sensible plucking position.

 

After a fret level and replacing the 6 way rotary switch with a Switchcraft toggle (and binning the coil taps) I am a lot happier... 

 

I suggest trying one before buying. Sound wise it's good and the slim neck is great.

 

I'd look at a Guild Starfire as the best (?) option. YMMV

 

 

I don't mind a few things to sort, how tricky was the Switchcraft toggle to sort? I can do most electrical, but I ant a dentist.... you know what I mean. Don't like the look of the Starfire. 

[casapete]

1 hour ago, Len_derby said:

How about the Yamaha Bex? Let me know if you like what you see or read.

 

 

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting one of these Neil , do you have one?

[Len_derby]

Just now, casapete said:

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting one of these Neil , do you have one?

I do, Pete. I’ve switched over to short-scale basses almost exclusively so it’s not getting played anymore. I’ll send you a pm.

[PaulThePlug]

I'd like a Harley Benton HB50...

https://www.thomann.co.uk/harley_benton_hb_50_vintage_orange.htm

with Flats...

https://www.thomann.co.uk/harley_benton_hqs_bass_45_100_flatwound.htm

£225...