Product: Hohner HAB50SB
Price Paid: US $300
Submitted
02/27/2005
at
11:56am
by
Jim
Email: mghtyqnmsc<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:
9
HAB 50-SB..made in 1996 4-String medium size body with cutaway...4 band EQ 22 frets...rosewood fingerboard...gold die-cast tuning machines. Quality: nicely constructed and a silky smooth top of solid spruce which has a tight wood grain, and wonderful chocolate-burst and brown back and sides with a herringbone line down the middle. a bone nut at the head stock and a rose wood neck with white binding trimmed in black lines and a rosewood bridge.
Sound
:
8
Great for the unique sound and for unplugging...sound is so full and rich it'll feedback in a minute...EQ and volume on pick-up adjusts perfectly
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
Action a little high but it seems de rigeur for the acoustic bass in general. Everything has a really good and bright sound ...lows and highs are in 90-95% range...no buzzing..Well put together no flaws in the appointments also the tonality is ever present as well as the active electronics are first rate found on more expensive guitars. a very pretty and stylish bass
Reliability/Durability
:
8
I don't play in a band...but I would stand behind the durability...This instrument is almost ten years old and since I bought it used in 2004 I would say it's not going to break any time soon!
Customer Support
:
10
Called the Hohner people to check the serial number and vintage and the guy was great...told me to put phosphorous/bronze strings on it...light gauge if possible (.45-.65.-.80-.100)medium light are OK...butthe more tension you load on the board the higher the action...so lights are preferred...mine are D'Addario's
Overall Rating
:
8
Wanted the distinct acoustic sound to go along with my other basses...Rogue Hofner knock-off, Ric 4003 and the Fender Standard Jazz fretless...been playing for 40 years and although this isn't as much fun to play compared to the electrics...when you need this kind of sound it's a perfect fit...I love the sound but with it had more of the action of an electric guitar
Product: Hohner HAB50SB
Price Paid: US $200
Submitted
07/13/2001
at
10:44am
by
steve
Email: vze2k4jb at verizon<dot>net
Features
:
7
It's a 1999 Hohner acoustic/electric 4 string bass with 22 frets
mahogany neck back and sides with a spruce top. It comes with a
4 band EQ with a volume control. It's powered by a 9 volt. that sits
along side the EQ in the side of the body facing you as you're playing
I'm not sure of the make of the tuners. the pick up is in the bridge.
It's a very handsome looking tobbaco sunburst in a gloss finish.
Sound
:
7
I bought this bass to play with friends who use acoustic instruments.
It was one of the few I found that didn't get totally drowned out by
the 6 strings. With the phosphur bronze strings it really has a warm
tone to it. with light steel strings it has much more punch. Plugged in it sounds ok but the upper registers seem to die. I think it is because of the Hohner EQ. In my humble opinion Fishman acoustic pick
ups are the best I've ever heard. For playing plugged in they can't
be beat!!!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
The action is a little high for my liking but I've found out it adds to its louder tone. the playability is not comprimised. no fret buzzing. I did have to do some minor filing of the nut due to a sharp
edge when I would play the low F. Overall fit and finish are remarkably good. not bad for a Korean guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
Ive had this bass for a year and a half. It's been with me on countless gigs and open mics. The gold plated tuners are showing some wear. It's not flaking off just starting to show some silver in spots.The neck has not needed adjustment so far.It stays in tune the entire night of playing. I don't have a back up for it. I imagine if I played hard rock with a pick it would be a different story.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
The place I bought it from said if I had a problem to bring it back
He seemed to be very helpful
Overall Rating
:
8
I've been playing for 3 years. I've compared it to fenders,ovation,martin,dean and johnson. plugged in the ovation wins hands down. pure acoustic the martin cant be beat but for $1200 and change it was out of my league. the fender sounded as if it had no presence acoustically. the dean I played buzzed on every fret. the johnson had a wonderful acoustic sound but fit and finish were sub par
I wish the hohner had the fishman electronics. If it were lost or stolen I would hunt them down and fold them like cheap walmart lawn chair!! The ovation would be my second choice for an acoustic electric
