I have owned and played a ´62 Framus & a ´66 Star bass. Have a Microfrets Stage ll as well as a weird Korean shortscale semi hollow. Of these I most enjoyed the Kay Howlin´Wolf model.
Well that's tough to say ... the Kay's both rock in different ways with loads of mojo but beasts to play (I have a Kay Value Leader now too, it's terrible and out of tune, but I love it). The Hofner is the sweetest and classiest, and the acoustic tone is beautiful. The Harmony is a real powerhouse with distinctive woody tone. The Jolana is just really cool, and kicks out massive tone, just pretty tricky to play. The Kays win I think.
It's a Kay 5920 sometimes called a Speed Demon because of 'Speed bump' pickup as found on guitar series of same name. 1965. Possibly my favourite of the lot, several on sale in US at the moment.
Paul King thanks for the reply, I'm a drummer, not a bass player but I'm interested in buying one of these to mess around on. Do you remember what strings you had on it? It's just so funky sounding.
Hi Max - yeah I have Labella Deep Talkin flats on it ... on all the basses actually. Trouble is they all take slightly different lengths and gauges. I THINK this one took the 760FM size. Its a tricky guitar because of the headstock - the E-string ends up too long and you have to wind past the thin end part of the string, which is clumsy and risks snapping it.
Paul King Thanks Paul, that's interesting. I've heard of the labells, a friend of mine used them on a session a few months ago and they were the thumpiest sounding strings I had heard.
Great comparison love these videos, i have a 58 Kay "Howling Wolf"Bass .perfect for the blues as heard here, great stuff
I learned on a harmony bass back in 73 made enough money to buy me a fender jazz 73 and a peavey 2x15 bass amp. still have them!
Great post - I enjoyed every minute. The Hofner President is beautiful as well as sounding great.
I have owned and played a ´62 Framus & a ´66 Star bass. Have a Microfrets Stage ll as well as a weird Korean shortscale semi hollow. Of these I most enjoyed the Kay Howlin´Wolf model.
Winston - it's Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Junior Wells' seminal version of the Sonny Boy original.
I must update this, the Reissue K162 has been replaced by a 1959 original, and the Jolana is now fully wired up with Hofner staple top pickups.
I've got the same Kay reissue. Love it. only problem is that it buzzes a bit when the switch is on.
Do you find any differences with the original one?
That president is gorgeous... congrats!
1:04 tone is unbeatable. wow....
Zack - it's a Hofner President. Basically a full bodied beatle bass...
Oh please can you give me the name of the song ? Such a cool riff.
I love those old semi-acoustic basses.
It's Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Sonny Williamson....
Do YouT buy one of this basses ?
What model is the Hofner?
President, beautiful acoustic tone... plays like butter.
Which one did you prefer ?
Well that's tough to say ... the Kay's both rock in different ways with loads of mojo but beasts to play (I have a Kay Value Leader now too, it's terrible and out of tune, but I love it). The Hofner is the sweetest and classiest, and the acoustic tone is beautiful. The Harmony is a real powerhouse with distinctive woody tone. The Jolana is just really cool, and kicks out massive tone, just pretty tricky to play. The Kays win I think.
What's the first bass?
It's a Kay 5920 sometimes called a Speed Demon because of 'Speed bump' pickup as found on guitar series of same name. 1965.
Possibly my favourite of the lot, several on sale in US at the moment.
Paul King thanks for the reply, I'm a drummer, not a bass player but I'm interested in buying one of these to mess around on. Do you remember what strings you had on it? It's just so funky sounding.
Hi Max - yeah I have Labella Deep Talkin flats on it ... on all the basses actually. Trouble is they all take slightly different lengths and gauges. I THINK this one took the 760FM size. Its a tricky guitar because of the headstock - the E-string ends up too long and you have to wind past the thin end part of the string, which is clumsy and risks snapping it.
Paul King Thanks Paul, that's interesting. I've heard of the labells, a friend of mine used them on a session a few months ago and they were the thumpiest sounding strings I had heard.
Hey Paul, check FB messenger.