Product: Hohner B2V
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
01/26/2004
at
05:37am
by
brian thomson
Features
:
8
Manufactured: 1988 (approx) - bought new.
Frets: 24
Pickups: Hohner passive H/H as standard. Replaced by EMG 40P and 40J actives in 1992 (thanks to Bass Centre, London)
Controls: Volume, Volume, Tone
Body: Ash (fairly sure), solid neck-through
Finish: Black gloss
Body: authorized copy of Steinberger L-type headless and bodyless, neck and slightly wider (5-string)
Steingerger screw bridge, jumbo frets.
Sound
:
9
I would characterize the sound as "woody Steinberger": not quite as colossal in the low end, but with more "wood" and character. Replacement EMG pickups definitely helped with noise performance, but the originals were still solid.
New strings definitely bring out its character and it can really cut through a noisy progressive rock mix. Capable of serious low end through the right amp, though careful string selection is important if low-B is to come through clearly. (Needs to be solid but not too thick.)
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
Finish was average for a low-price instrument, with no glaring flaws, but not outstanding. Frets and their edges were a little uneven. If I recall, setup was quite high for a John Entwistle fan like myself, it got lowered.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Tough as nails! This bass has been bounced off the walls, kicked around, left in cases for far too long, and still comes out playable and looking good. Extreme changes require neck adjustment, as expected. The only problems have been with my own wiring, the factory wiring was solid if uninspiring.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Never dealt with them, since the bass has given no problems that good care solved or prevented.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
The B2V is still my main bass, though if I had to replace it today I would get something more upmarket, since it is no longer made. It's not totally successful as a 5-string, I would look for a 35-inch scale today.
Back in 1988, while living in South Africa, I liked the Steinberger shape, but also wanted a 5-string. My local music shop was able to order one of these, which was quite a surprise to find. The genuine Steinberger 5-string, at the time, had a too-narrow neck and was way beyond my budget with the exchange rate.
No case was provided, so I bought a solid ABS rifle case for it - fitted well, if a bit too long. I can fit the B2V and its little sister, the B2Afl, in the same case. Be wary, however, of taking a rifle case with you while travelling, especially on an international airline flight. The authorities at Heathrow were not pleased to see what appeared to be a rifle coming through the baggage chute..!
Problems getting double-ball strings? Try normal strings, with the brass screw inserts from electrical terminals screwed to the end to act as a "ball".
I like its portability, of course, and the Steinberger-family sound. It definitely sounds solid when compared to the average low-priced bass. Since then, having heard and played better 5-strings, its low-end is not solid enough for modern tastes.
I found that the B2V works very well with a High-C, strung 25-105. In this configuration dropping the E to D takes 2 seconds (by ear), and the high end is great for jazz and progressive "too many notes" playing.
