Hayman 40/40

British made in 1972, purchased in 1974 in Norfolk, VA, this 4-string bass still looks and sounds great. It has a blonde finish with maple fret-board and was re-fretted around 1980. Dual, split passive pickups are controlled by one set of volume and tone knobs with a toggle switch for neck, bridge, or both pickups. If the 'both' position is selected, the pickups are out of phase. The included hardshell case never made it through the first road trip. Plexiglass pickup covers and string dampeners were also included, but never used.

I have played this bass in a variety of situations, including rock, jazz, show tunes, country, etc. in club, outdoor, and studio environments. It has never failed to provide the tone or dynamic response needed for whatever I do. The flat response on the neck pickup is incredibly even between all 4 strings, but when using the bridge pickup, the 'G' string is buried and lost in the overall mix. I use the neck pickup almost exclusively.

Very low action, wide neck. The neck has never needed adjustment even after years of road use. The volume pot has been replaced twice when it became noisy and scratchy. The deep, lush finish became checked (spider cracks) on the back of the body at a gig in 1985 when the case was opened too fast on an extremely cold night. There was no impact on the sound or performance of the bass. Original hardare still looks new.

The bass is almost 30 years old and it was my primary bass for 25 years. I played it full-time for 20 of those years in local, road, and studio dates. It still looks, plays and sounds great with all original parts (except the volume pot). The only back up I carry is spare strings and fuses for my amp. I've played the Hayman through Sunn, Peavy, and Hartke rigs of various sizes and configurations.

Hayman went out of business around the time I purchased the 40/40. I have seen a six-string guitar version of the instrument and thought it also sounded good. I believe the company also made drums. I have maintained the bass myself with local technicians for support.

I have been playing since 1964 and own a variety of basses and bass equipment. Other basses are Music Man, Yamaha, Fender, and Dan Armstrong. If possible I would purchase a Hayman 40/40 again and if there was a 5-string version available I would buy it now. The sound, playability, and look of the bass make it truely unique.

my Hayman, english build, is from 1972 replacing a Fender precision bass that made much noise and little action. It has some plexiglass feautures and a finish of polyester. The chrome hardwaer still is as new. Hayman diden't exist to long, their guitars simply were to expensive to compete. I resprayed the body and I'm regretting that.

My Hayman has an ernormous reach. I can play it warm deep brown or sharp funky-style. In combination with a Vox you never reached for the volume-knobs, you just put all your feelings in it yourself. Now with the digital amps you just turn for the warm sound. Its a sweet brummy bear.

There's a gap of sound between the first snare and the other three. Sometimes I have to skip that first snare to hold a steady sound. I've never been able to solve that problem. Another little problem occurs as the pickups are mounted on one plate, that is thightened with feathers to eliminate rattling. It rattles....

Durability: after 28 years of heavy duty (gigs, and also a beer-soaked party like our carnaval) I am still very much appealed by its performance and reliability. Never ever adjusted neck/truss rod. What back-up?

No experiences needed nor possible as the manufacturer closed its premises some 25 years ago.

Now I'm playing it on and of for neerly 30 years. I always loved the quality of the hardware and the sound. The disturbancys are minimal, the fun and love for the instrument is still as great as the first day. I bought a aubergine-red one (white was also alvailable) and I never ever regretted this deal (Fender against Hayman) one single moment in my live. If you ever have the opportunity to buy a Haynman 20/40 (one pick-up) or 40/40 (two pick-ups) don't you hesitate now and become a satisfied well equiped bass-enthousiast for the rest of your days.