Hohner Jack Bass Custom

Mine is a 80's four string in natural wood finish. I've owned it for about 20 years now. Bought for about ??220 (GBP)along with an H+H studio bass combo (??80). Both still working well together. I regularly gig with the Hohner. As others have found, the Steinberger tuners keep this bass in tune forever it seems with little need to adjust. The double ball end strings can be tricky to get hold of and a bit more expensive that normal strings. The strap buttons have two positions on the bottom end but I've changed mine for 'Strap-lock' buttons.

Mainly play covers of rock/pop in pubs and clubs. The two EMG pick-ups produce great sound. With a 9v battery installed the active circuit kicks in with a good boost to the sound but it does use batteries up at an alarming rate. Fortunately, unlike some active bass guitars, it does work without a battery in passive mode with good sound.
When gigging I play through Trace-Elliot head and cabs giving a good punchy warm sound. Adjusting the controls and EQ gives a wide range of tone. In active mode there is a little noise but nothing to worry about.

My bass was bought second hand but well adjusted with the action at a position that suited me. Only things that I've had to do was to check the earthing (which helped cut out some noise in active mode) and keep an eye on the top control of the dual active tone controls which gets a bit loose. At the moment the jack socket causes sound to cut out and needs replaced.

My bass has stood up to numerous gigs, daily practice, house moves and has stood up well with only a few 'dings' around the body and some scufs from belt buckles. None of the finish is worn. When I replaced the strap buttons they were still solidly fixed but a decided when I replaced them to use slightly longer ones, glued in to be safe. Aside from the recent jack socket problems the reliability is good and I'd have no problems gigging without a back up.

I've tried to find a contact at Hohner to obtain a new jack socket of the type fitted but without success. Haven't given up yet but suspect back up from Hohner no longer exists.

Jack Bass owned for 20 years and regularly gigged for last 8-10 years. Other bass used are a Squier Jazz and a Yamaha fretless. Use the Squier & Hohner about 50/50 at the moment. Last time I took this into a shop the assistant wanted to buy it and reckoned he could get a really good price. I think this is such a good example, I wouldn't part with it and would seek out another is lost/stolen. I bought mine because of the price at the time. Nothing however compares to a 1965/66 Burns Baldwin Jazz Bass I owned in the late 70's and foolishly sold.

original 80's. Solid top. Very light and portable yet sturdy and made to SURVIVE! headless, 24 fret, rosewood fingerboard, 4 string (double ball end strings), through-neck, one piece (wood) maple body, 2 Hohner EMG Select pickups, active/passive electronics w/led indication switch, bridge end tuners, nice thin easy to play neck, volume control for each pick-up and (tandem) stacked control for the tone. Came with original hard case.

These basses are more famously known for their funky finger-style slap bass sound (played by people like Sly&Robbie Dunbar) but I find it to be much more versatile with amazing fullness, long sustain and nice punch. I mostly play rock, punk and blues, and I was very astonished that this bass could handle??many styles with success, you just have to have the patience to fiddle with the controls and find your sound...

I bought mine secondhand. It was sent by post and amazingly didn't need much adjusting or to be reset hardly at all! I wasn't sure about how a headless bass would feel but from the beginning I found it very easy to play, well balanced and (because of the bridge end tuning) it has unbelievably stable tuning so I hardly ever have to even use my tuner on it!

Very well made. I've had mine for a few years now and it's lasted all my abuses to it (gigging, practicing & studio & flights). No problems whatsoever!

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing bass for a few years now, my partner for 30 something years and our child also love this bass (as opposed to her child sized guitar) as it's light and shorter than a bass with a head so less awkward for little fingers and she loves posing with it (ie.School Of Rock). It not only sounds & plays great but looks good too. I don't know how I'd b able to replace this guitar as they are very rare to find now but definately would look for another maybe in black instead for a more gothic look.

Well, you've seen the features in the other reviews, Steinberger licenced bridge, 2 EMG designed PU's, active-passive switch, 5 string headless, rosewood fingerboard, neck through body as far as you can tell...
Oh, mine's the black one and it looks quite pretty, even after all these years.

I surely liked the sound when I bought the bass back in 1991. Still like it somehow. I can get a good variety from bottom end to crisp and funky sounds. It's not high end, naturally, but it works o.k.; The A-string is the killer! There's a punch and sweetness that could get you in trance (no kiddin!) and make you entirely happy if only the other strings could compare with it, which they, unfortunately, can't. Especially B and D are a bit muted and make it difficult to get a good overall sound. Pickup adjustment didn't help so you have to do some fingerwork for balancing. One gets used to it...

Action was o.k. with the original Steinberger strings (45 to 128),
but they are hard to get and way too expensive (for me). Had a hell of a time finding good strings (double ball end for 5 string basses are rare)and settled after all for GHS (40 to 126). All the other strings somehow made a good adjustment nearly impossible (they tried in the shop where I bought it and failed, which is strange because No. 1 in Hamburg is one of the really professional shops. Maybe they just didn't take me seriously. It buzzed worse than ever. Did it myself then). The neck's a bit warped after 16 years, but not too bad.

The bass looks and feels solid, hardware is tough and will probably last forever. Exception: the knobs fell off after some time and the battery case on the backside broke pretty soon.
As mentioned above, the neck's a bit warped but a repair still isn't really necessary.

Is there a customer support now? I don't think so.

I haven't played for some time now but will start again soon and I guess I will use this bass. I'm accustomed to it. Since it isn't build anymore I can't buy it again and I wouldn't do it anyway. There are better basses now even in the low-price-segment. And I wouldn't buy a headless 5-string bass again, too much trouble with the strings.
But still I like the look and feel of this instrument, I get along fine with it.
I was surprised to find any review at all about the bass, since it isn't (and never was) very common but it is good to know you're not alone. By the way: I hope my english isn't too bad...

Mine is a headless five string in natural wood finish, with active electronics and two j pickups (select by EMG). It's a neck thru design which gives a lot of sustain, and there's a fair range of adjustability sound wise.

It sounds pretty good, at least it did, but more on that later. When I plug my Warwick thumb in, the Jack is really eclipsed by the Thumb's sound, but that's understandable.

The action was way too high for me when I got it (bad). But I adjusted it myself quite easily and it was fine after that, pretty good actually !
The volume knob was a bit loose. But the wood and frets are quite well made.

THE ELECTRONICS HAVE JUST PACKED UP !!!!!!!!!!!
They are of a very shitty quality .....

You must be joking !!

I don't like this bass, never have. It's very pretty, but I don't like the feel of the neck. And the string spacing is too narrow for me. I had a westone before, and that was built like a tank, indestructable including electronically.
My main Bass is a Warwick thumb, and I'd like to get a Status or another Warwick.
No, I would not buy another Hohner, but it's better than Cort etc,.
If you are looking for a low cost used bass, then go for a Bass-Collection, you won't regret it

This is the fretted 5 string version (with a bottom B) in black circa 1991. It has 24 frets and a straight through neck so it's very easy to play right up the neck. It has two Hohner EMG pickups, one bass and one treble each with an independent passive volume control. There is an active EQ dual knob (2 knobs on one spindle) which can be used to create some wild sounds. You can also play the bass without a battery using just the passive volume controls. Finally there is a switch which switches the active control in and out and an LED which lights when the EQ is on. However, when there is no battery, this switch acts as a handy mute!! The bass is the headless variety with an 'all in one' steinberger system bridge & tuning unit. The bass is tuned by turning knurled knobs on the bridge unit. These are very smooth and do not drift. Once the bass is in tune, it will stay there. The neck is fairly thin and not very wide and is lovely to play. The action can go quite low. The fingerboard appears to be rosewood. Not sure what the rest is because it is covered in shiny black laquer. It came without a bag or case but had a mini tool kit for adjusting the bridge and truss rod. It is unusual in that is has three strap buttons!! Although this is a long scale bass, because it is headless, it is actually very compact and fits in a standard guitar case. The bass requires double ball strings and being a five string can make finding a ready made set of strings tricky. For a while I had to use a standard 4 string set and buy the additional 5th string. Eventually I found some Elites (stainless steel roundwound) which did me fine.

My musical style is varied so I need everything from deep reggae bass to 'cat in the piano' funk. I use it with a Peavey TNT combo. The bass pickup gives a nice warm sound with a fair bit of sustain. While the treble pickup on it's own is very tinny, by mixing the two you can get a deep bass sound with an edge or a bright funky sound with a bit of oomph. I haven't really used the active EQ but, when I tried it, the sounds were out of this world at times. Add a bit of ADT or chorus and you can sound like a roland synth (well almost). The only problem I have is buzzing. Unless both the pickups are at the same volume, there is a noticable buzz from the amp. This soon gets drowned out when you start playing. However, when you DI into a mixer, there is no buzz whatsoever so I guess it is my live setup which is the problem. The bottom B string can sound muddy in the lower frets.

The bass was fairly well setup. I just lowered the action a bit but everything else was OK. Except for the knobs!! They kept falling off. Still, a bit of superglue sorted that out.

Well I've been playing it live since new (1991). It's still shiny and black, (ok it's got a couple of knocks) the strap buttons are still rock solid, the knobs are still glued on, and it has needed no adjustment at all. It also stays pretty much in tune between gigs as well. I transport it in a standard guitar hard case and I always use it with no backup. It is so reliable. But I don't have to worry about the battery running out because I don't use one. The bass is compact and light so I can be fairly active on stage without worrying about knocking somebody out or getting shoulder ache after half an hour or so of playing. There's a little noise on the volume controls at first use, but a couple of tweaks clears that. Not bad considereing the use it has had.

Never had to use customer support so can't comment.

I've been playing bass since 1979 and started with a columbus precision copy moving on to an Aria Pro SB1000 which I still have!! The Aria was great for modern sounds and was easy to play fast but it had a very long neck and chewed up batteries like there was no tomorrow. Worse, when the batteries went so did the sound and there was no warning. Many a time it died in mid song. It also lacked something at the bottom end so when I was looking for a 5 string, i wanted the active facility but it also had to work without a battery. I chose the Hohner because it was compact, 5 string, and cheap (about half the price of the competition) and worked without a battery. I really wanted the natural finish but the shop could only get black at the time. I wouldn't change it for the world although you could tempt me with a fretless version.

Excellent action. Uses up less space than conventional basses as well as taking up less storage space for storage if you can find time not to be fretting it.

In today's musical scene this instrument "the jack" can do anything the player whishes to accomplish. To some playing through inferior equipment it could pose gaps in sound fullfillment. With the wide array of special and not so special efects, "the jack" as humble as it may appear to the unitiated or to those asleep at the wheel, put yourself in the right frame of mind, the right lineup or alone tracking your own cfreations. More than meets the eye, ears don't lie. During a recent session it not only kicked ass, got me layed but produced a wid array of sounds heretofore non existent. Its a joy and a workhorse. Previous comments from obvious prima donnas and their sighs of deliberate indifference would be well cautioned not to underestimate the unlimited powers of this exceptional instrument.

The true nature of a bass is what its doing when some nabob is not twiddling his third thumb and venting and lamenting the fact that its not the bass thats causing his musical problems but his/or her musical inability to ride that horse to the valley below. Histrionic and narcissistic personalities notwithstanding. The Jack Bops! All the "know it alls" have fallen prey to the insufficient knowledge syndrome upon which to render a valid opinion de to the fact that their values are not based on their individualism but on what they think their mythological leaders (i.e.) fictionalized characters superimposed over any objective knowledge which may if the beholder is lucky crawl in from time to time. The pickups on mine adjusted me and those around me into the groove and a better frame of mind. As I see it the only flaw this bas might be perceived to have is some irregular abuse/mistake at the factory, outlet or again by some nabob who hasn't got enough respect for a quality instrument such as "the jack" to treat her as the beautiful woman she is. Its not all that difficult to manuver within the confounds of a tight hole of sound and yet a sound so rich and full as "the jack can produced placed in the right hands. As to the question of flaws there were none noticable wherein the musician ready and rarin to hop to it would be hamppered.

Withstand live playing! What other kind is there? Its lasted so far. nothing lasts forever. It is only reasonable that periodic maintenance is enevitable. If you folks haven't figured this out get out and play a thousand gigs and answer your own questions. Hell basic maintenance will result in longer endurance, whether its the b
asses finish, electrical structural integrity or any other aspect.
The question is not whether the strap buttons are solid but those folks who know how to treat a fine lady.
Can I depend on it. What do you think I've been doing. A better question would be can you depend on a borderline personality to fear abandonment and do everything within their power to create the very abandonment they fear. The Jack won't abandon you when you're kicking ass or melodically romancing an audience. Haven't adjusted it yet it seems to , day by day grow with me. Well lets take that a step back, once it fell and it seemed a bit out of whack, actually it didn't fall, somw wanna be got to close and the jack did a jumpin jack flash but this was son remedied and no problem. It seems everyone this musician comes into contact with can't keep their hands off it. May have to begin treating it like the hope diamond. Have never needed a babk up with this instrument but it is always practical to have all the necessary accoutrements when doing professional work as a musician or in any other field,

This is my first [dealing] with the company if one would refer to these comments as dealing. Hell when I deal I'm in Reno, Vegas, Atlantic City, New Orleans or Monte Carlo or at grandma's house.
These questions are beyond the scope of an answer for me as I get al my equipment used these days.

Playing 38 years. A taco many from japan also excellent. Gibsons,
Martins, an Aria Drednaught excellent quality and sound etc, ect.
Where can I find another one? Would replace it without question the only other bass i've loved as much was the former gibson ebo.
There's only one other question I have time for and thats "Anything you wish it had?" Yeah about 10,000 LBFM'S to go along with it preferably ones not in the hut.

Through much internet searching i have managed to uncover very little info on the bass. the only thing i have found is that, i dont know whether this is right as i have never encountered headless basses before i bought this one, but the body is of the Hohner basses with heads but has the fret board, pick up system, steinberger tuning system and the seperate volumes for the two pick ups. there is also a double nob, this is for tone on the active pickup. It has an active function switch. the bass was very cheap, even taking in to consideration i bought it second hand, only 120 quid, and works perfectly. the body appears to be maple and the fret board rose-wood. The finish is a metallic dusky scarlet. a the only other information i found on it was that it is the same bass that the bassist of status Quo used, other than that, i know little.

with the active pick up and double tone nob i have managed to make the sound suit both of the styles i mainly play, jazz/blues and rock. i'm using a rather beaten up and well used torque bass amp and i have occasionally used a wah pedal and fuzz pedal whilst playing gigs. it has quite a dark/warm sound, very pleasent for the studio and on stage, and can make a racket if needed. while i love the thing, it does seem inferior when playing rock gigs, it is definitely a much quiter, blues soloist stlye bass

the bas apparently has a long history, according to the ppl in the shop i bought it from its been in and out of there at least six times over the last 10-15 years or so, i will never seel it, it has very sturdy fret wires, and i have had no problems with any other elemnets of the bass.

this bass does not seem it will last much longer, but according to the ppl who sold it to me, it has survived a long time, but when i get a decent amp behind it, it can still make a beautiful noise. the strap buttons are solid, and i can depend on it. it never needs re-tuning during a gig, but i always have a pare on hand, just in case it does finally give up.

Similar model to The Jack model, but with 5 string instead of 4, and certainly more uncommon. You cannot imagine the poorness of informations that can be had on this bass, unfortunatly. It has a thru-body fretted neck, 2 pickups from Hohner/EMG, separated control of the volume of pickups. Electronics, like for all EMGs, is active, with separation of the bass and the treble (2 band equalisation). Finish is a fine see-thru butterscotch, satin like. The entire bass seems to be made of maple, except for the fretboard, which is made of rosewood. Of course, an important feature of this bass is that it is a headless design, with the licensed Steinberger bridge design, allowing the tuning of the double ball bass strings.

The sound is astounding for a bass of this price. Not to be compared with a high-end Warwick or a Lakland, but this bass is really versatile. I mostly play rock and blues, and I was very astonished that this bass could handle both styles with success. Who said that headless basses were only intended to funk music ? Fingerstyle, the bass is very present, with a real warmth in the lows. Maybe the E string though could benefit from a higher tension (to my personal taste), which is not allowed from the headless design of this bass, but it goes really well nevertheless. Though, it has loads of punch to deal with, a a true diversity in the sounds you can produce either from the on-board pre-amp or from your fingers.

I bought the bass second hand, so I cannot really state from the factory finish. When I bought it, it needed a minor adjustment of the truss rod. It was kind of blocked, but a drop of oil has solved the problem immediatly. No problem of any sort afterwards. I only wish the bridge would e more easy to fine-tune, heightwise. Else, the bass does not eat batteries like toffees, which is nice. So I am pretty satisfied with the bass fit and finish.

Well, the bass withstands live playoing without problems. Youcannot even imagine the advantage it is to play with it live on small scenes, indeed the headless design is very compact, and your freedom of movement is much better than with normal designs. Another great advantage is that this bass fis in any car's trunk. You can take it to any gigs without the hassle of asking yourself where you are going to put it with your cabs etc ... or even keep it in the trunk (in case of), this bass fits in a guitar gigbag ! This makes also a nice travel bass.

Never had to use it, but Hohner Guitar and Bass seem now to be in the US only. So, as I live in Europe, this is not especially convenient.

I've been playing for 14 years now, I I Own or have owned lots of basses. I bought it because I wanted a headless 5 string, which appeared at the time as the ultimate solution to my GAS attacks (unfortunatly it wasn't). I do not regret buying it for sure, it has been my first 5-String, and is easy and convenient to play. The compact design is a joy for a bass player like me, and apart from the relative un-stiffness of the B-String (but all 5-Stringers except highest range of price tend to this), I really like it.