Hohner

This amp is very little known but Hohner makes really good products, especially as this one was made before planned obsolescence so it’s high-quality stuff.

Specswise :

12" speaker
Two instrument inputs : active or passive bass
Presence control (changes mids and highs, very practical to change the sound quickly)
Volume control, up to 40W power
High Boost switch, which can be activated with a standard footswitch standard, either for a solo or a change within the same song, I never trie dit (I don’t own a footswitch)
3-ban passive EQ: low/mid/high, classic, for a basic tone shape
BUT!
It also features an active, switchable 4-band EQ, allowing to really carve one’s sound, whichever bass you use. It’s really a great feature on an amp in this price range – and also this model’s main asset
Headphone and line out
FX loop – unfortunately i have no idea as to its quality as i don’t own a bass pedal…
Classic supply plug


This amp has accompanied me for the last 5 years. It really allows going after the sound you’re seeking and you can adapt to all kinds of music, i even used it with a guitar to play jazz and it sounded great.
It’s sturdy, a bit heavy but nothing to compare with a full-tube amp in the same power range.
The 12” speaker goes low enough, and even if it can’t go under 100Hz when you raise the volume it’s well enough if you don’t play on big stages. It works fine in rehearsal, even with a drummer.
It’s great in theory, but mine is starting to age and get tired… it starts hissing, plocs at turning on and off, gets overdriven when you take the volume beyond 8, but after replacing a few condos I guess it will be alright.

I have'Gibson-ised' it as I love the '58 era dot inlay 335's, but could NEVER afford genuine one! What astonished me, apart from build quality is there is even the oval orange paper copy of model type and number, just as per Gibbo, visible through f hole. I fitted a 'roller' type bridge, action is just so good, no fret buzz, really well finished. I removed bridge PUP cover and intend to remove other. It was made by Hohner in the '90's I believe and was told by guy I bought this from that it has 'Kent Armstrong' humbuckers, no idea if true or were std on original? Whatever they are they sound great (I suspect they are originals). I fitted the Gibson type 'tulip' machine heads and truss rod cover (original was different shape with SE35 on it. I would NEVER try to pass on as a Gibson, and anyone who knew their 'onions' would know it is NOT a Gibbo in an instant, but it plays great through my Hi-Watt 100 watt combo, looks great, and you can get all the sounds you would expect from a 335. I have gigged with it many times. So if you ever see one up for sale, grab yourself a great late 50's era 335 type for a fraction of the price!! They seem quite rare as there is only 1 or 2 (favourable) reviews on Youtube, and I have only seen 1 for sale on e-bay, but don't look that often.