New Details on the One Off Digital Hohner Bass 3

Remember the odd Hohner Bass 3 with Digi Bass control section posted here? Well, Kenny Balys of beatkamp won the auction for £279 or roughly $403. He still does not know the specific history of the synth, so if you know feel free to leave a comment below. He did, however, discover the following:

"The advert said:

'It is fully working with a nice and unique sound.'

This was far from an exageration.

I have a few answers now as to what is going on with this thing....

First off, in playing it the sound is exactly in line with 80s industrial type synth pop; that was a surprise.

The controls feature multiple patches that a "proper" Hohner Bass 3 do not have. (see Ebay photos)

So the answer to the question of what is up this thing is this:

- it is a custom 1 off
- the patch select board is very professionally done
- all the original Hohner 3 sound guts are gone
- there is now another board in there based on the Yamaha YM2203 FM chip!!! Its now an FM bass

Whoever did this made incredible patches, it sounds amazing. I will make plenty of use of this crazy synth.

I cannot tell if its an official Hohner prototype or the product of a Juergen Haible type of persona but it is very well done.

Will post back links later tonight on where you can grab photos (and they will be public domain.

This Bass 3 is no longer an analogue synth but as a "former analogue" I hope that its not too OT here on AH.

Should I be upset that I paid good money for a gutted out Bass 3? Probably but I am really quite pleased with this instrument as it sounds how I want with this amazing Hohner key response."

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New 16-IN-1 ENSONIQ ESQ Series Cart

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This cartridge was built using high end modern components in a no-compromise design.

The banks can be accessed using a 16 position switch. Different banks can be used with different gear (No need for multiple cartridges anymore) and switched on the fly.

Features:

No battery design, FRAM non-volatile memory.

128 x 8K (1024K) Capacity. (16 Times the capacity of the standard ram cartridge)

Fast read/write speed.

High endurance with virtually infinite read/write cycles.

151 years data retention.

Gold plated contacts.

3D Printed clear light blue case.

Different banks can be selected using a switch and used with different devices (from the list below).

Compatible with the Ensoniq ESQ-1, ESQ-M and SQ-80.

Loaded with 1280 patches.


Patch List:

FACTORY VPC-1: "Classic Mix 1"

1: TPIANO 2: BEGONE 3: HRNSEC 4: STRBAS 5: KICK 2
6: PNOSTR 7: SING6 8: KIEV 9: ICEPOP 10: SEGULS
11: MCROAD 12: PORGN2 13: 5OFSWE 14: VOXBAS 15: HI HAT
16: STRNG2 17: SAPRNO 18: FRIDAY 19: PECKBD 20: LANDNG
21: MTLPNO 22: "MACH" 23: NOISE2 24: METBAS 25: MUSCBX
26: STRSEC 27: AHHHHS 28: GLDBEL 29: ROOM 1 30: DRIP 1
31: JBELL5 32: NOSPLT 33: PNOBRS 34: BELBAS 35: MEIMBO
36: SQRSTR 37: UMMA 38: STARS2 39: TMPBEL 40: COPTER

1: HRPSI3 2: PIPEOR 3: SW BRS 4: BASS.T 5: TOYPNO
6: AUHARP 7: FLUTE 8: ALLOY2 9: AMCALL 10: F-111
11: ELZPNO 12: FLTORG 13: REGAL1 14: DRAG 15: MRIMVX
16: DULCI2 17: NYMPH 18: BELRES 19: SQRBEN 20: GONG1
21: "LAYER 22: ACRDON 23: MINIM2 24: RUFBAS 25: VELDRM
26: BANJO 27: BASOON 28: WASH 29: AFTGLO 30: PUTERS
31: BELKBD 32: BASIC 33: SYNLED 34: GROWL 35: KRUMBA
36: WHLPLK 37: SHOU 2 38: BEDTME 39: METBAR 40: LAUGHS

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32-BANKS ENSONIQ ESQ-1 SQ-80 ESQ-M ROM CARTRIDGE (1280 PATCHES)

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"1 in 16 cartridge with a total of 1280 patches. (32 Banks* 40 Patches)

The sounds are from the previous volume 1 and 2. The card has all kind of patches (instruments, synths, FX...)

Compatible with the ESQ-1, ESQ-M and SQ-80.

This cart is read only, patches cannot be written on it. (only read)

3D printed case, gold plated contacts and LED power indicator.

Patch List:

ESQ CARD A
--------------------------------
1: STRBAS 2: 5OFSWE 3: ELZPNO 4: JBELL5 5: FLTORG
6: DGSLAP 7: BASS2 8: BRSBAS 9: PSTEEL 10: KETTLE
11: FIDDLE 12: PANPNO 13: BASTE 14: SEQ 3 15: DG-BRI
16: SQREEJ 17: DGWHO? 18: KEBASS 19: DGPNO2 20: MINIM5
21: SHRTST 22: MODSTR 23: 12 STR 24: SQR SAW 25: ICESAW
26: BLPNO3 27: NOBHRN 28: GRIND 29: ARIEL 30: SITAR
31: PWRHIT 32: VELSAX 33: BRUSH 34: HITBAS 35: HARP 5
36: STARK 37: HELIO3 38: FALOUT 39: BAS R2 40: E STR

ESQ CART B
--------------------------------
1: ATMOS2 2: CTHDRL 3: ATMOS3 4: SLITAR 5: SLITDR
6: LOWSAW 7: BRETH2 8: AIRVIB 9: ZEUS.. 10: MEOWST
11: GRVYRD 12: SPOTS 13: CATBEL 14: PLKORC 15: ZIFSTR
16: BONES 17: BRETH8 18: ALLEY1 19: DRIZLE 20: DRAMA
21: CUTTER 22: SPONGE 23: WASTRG 24: CRIKET 25: THRUSH
26: FOREST 27: QUISIL 28: SKITS 29: BRETH9 30: STLGUT
31: CRYSTL 32: VOXRES 33: AUHARP 34: PIANO4 35: REVERB
36: COWBEL 37: MINIM3 38: VIBES1 39: HRPSI2 40: MINIM3

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Hohner Bass 2 and Bass 3 comparison

YouTube Uploaded by sounddoctorin on Jul 15, 2011

"Bob Weigel of http://www.sounddoctorin.com gets two great specimens of the Hohner Bass line side by side. I actually don't know if a bass 1 was released... I don't see any immediate information anyway searching. I've only prior worked on the Bass 3 I think. This is the first Bass 2 I've seen so I assume it's fairly rare."

Hohner Bass 3 Analog Bass Synth

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via this auction

"1960s Vintage Hohner Bass III Bass Synthesizer

Just restored! All key contacts cleaned, circuit board resoldered and bad voltage regulator replaced. It plays in tune!

The Bass III (or 3) has three sounds: String Bass (smooth), Guitar (plucky) and Tuba (round). And two controls: Volume and "Percussion" (attack). The "Percussion" feature can be turned on or off by pulling on the knob. There is also a fine tune control which is operated by a set screw. There is one output.

This thing has awesome low end (think of the bass sounds on records by The Doors) however, it is not a Moog. There's no CV input or output, no midi, just pure sixties analog goodness."

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Hohner Bass 3

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Hohner Bass 3 keyboard, made in Germany in the 70's. It's in perfect working condition, sounds very good. Optical it's in good condition for its age, see photo's. It comes in its softcase with lid. It runs on 220V."

Check out a comparison of the 2 and 3 here.

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Vintage Hohner Bass 3 III analog bass synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Aug 9, 2015 Eljasz

via this auction

"This auction is for a 1970s Hohner Bass 3 vintage analog bass synth. Used by many producers, including DangerMouse, it packs serious punch for its size, and this particular unit has been professionally serviced and seems to be in excellent working condition."

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Vintage Hohner Bass 3

via this auction

"Vintage Hohner Bass 3 Bass3 Synthesizer Keyboard, measures 18.5" by 13.5" tag as shown: Matth. Hohner AG. Ser# 818545, Made in Germany, mid 60's to early 70's, works great, the string setting is wonderful, out of this world, takes a 12V DC center ground power supply..."

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Vintage HOHNER BASS 3 SN 904032

via this auction

"This auction is for one vintage Analog HOHNER BASS 3 Synthesizer. This is an estate find. This is the instrument played by producer Danger Mouse on Gnarls Barkely's song " Crazy" This particular unit is working perfectly; all of the keys, dials and knobs are present and functional."

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Vintage Hohner Bass 3 Analog Synth w/ Guitar, String, and Tuba Presets

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via this auction

"Vintage Hohner Bass 3 analog keyboard with power source in good playing condition. Just serviced by New Orleans own The Organ Doctor, The Premier technician of all things Hammond! All keys work, all functions work. The top has the wrong latches not sure how that happened. But it does fit the body, but not the latches."

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HOHNER BASS 2 (1960's) Demo

Published on Jan 17, 2019 Synthesizer Home

Also see: Hohner Bass 2 and Bass 3 comparison

Hohner Bass 3

via this auction

"This is a Honer Bass 3 synthesizer. Has three settings, Tuba, String and Guitar. The power pack has been replaced with a 12VDC 1.25A power adapter. This seems to work, but I would check with Hohner to make sure this is correct."

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Hohner Bass 3 Synthesizer Keyboard

YouTube via mrdogin


via this auction

"the Honer Bass 3 is an Analog Bass Synthesizer. It has been recently been made famous my producer Danger Mouse on such recordings as Crazy and The Good The Bad and the Queen. It is in mint condition. Includes the keys to lock the unit shut."

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$220,736.00 / 160,000.00 Euro Synth Auction

via this auction

This one spotted by Adrien.

The list:
"1. ARP AXXE
2. ARP PRO DGX
3. ARP QUADRA
4. MOOG Realistic MG 1
5. MOOG Polymoog Keyboard
6. MOOG Polypedal Controller
7. MOOG Taurus II mit Pedal
8. MOOG Keyboard Controller 950
9. MOOG Memorymoog
10. MOOG Satellite
11. MOOG Sonic Six
12. Korg Trident MK II

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Unlocking Greystoke: The Ultimate Keyboard Collection Revealed!

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"Greystoke Studio boasts an impressive collection of 48 keyboards, including a diverse array of analog synthesizers, digital synthesizers, and vintage keyboards.

Massive Analog & Digital Keyboard Collection
Greystoke Studio Tour Update - The Complete Keyboard Collection!
Mar-24
48 Keyboards Including:
30 Analog Synthesisers
13 Digital Synthesisers
5 Vintage keyboards

Greystoke Studio in London, is a high-spec London recording studio.

0:00 - Introducing Greystoke's Analog & Digital Synthesiser Collection
0:07 - Yamaha CS80 - 1976
0:11 - Roland Jupiter 8 - 1981
0:12 - Roland Jupiter 8 - 1981
0:15 - Roland SH1000 - 1973 [chrome]
0:20 - Roland SH1000 - 1973
0:26 - Yamaha CS40M - 1979
0:30 - Roland SH1000 - 1973 TTSH Two Thousand Six Hundred Mini Meanie Arp 2600 Clone 2023
0:34 - Yamaha CS50
0:38 - Mini Moog Model D – 2017
0:44 - Roland Vocoder VP330 MK I – 1979
0:48 - Oberheim OB-1 – 1978
0:52 - Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 MIDI – 1981
1:03 - Prophet 5 Rev 3.0 MIDI – 1980
1:14 - Oberheim Xpander – 1984
1:20 - Oberheim OB-8 – 1982
1:33 - Roland Jupiter 4 MIDI – 1979
1:36 - Logan String Machine – 1975
1:41 - Hammond C3 + Leslie Speaker - 1968 + 1963
1:43 - Mini Moog Model D – 1976
1:50 - Wurlitzer 200A Electric Piano - 1976 (bought from 10CC's Eric Stewart!)
1:52 - Fender Rhodes Piano Stage 73 – 1979
2:03 - Roland Juno106 – 1984
2:09 - Roland Vocoder VP330 MK II MIDI – 1980
2:16 - Korg M1 - 1990
2:18 - Nord Electro 3 - 2008
2:24 - Roland JD800 - 1991
2:35 - Korg Trinity - 1995
2:41 - Roland D50 - 1987
2:51 - Korg Poly 800 – 1983
2:52 - Roland SH101 – 1983
2:56 - Roland MC 202 – 1984
3:03 - Hohner Clavinet D6 - 1979
3:10 - Korg Z1 - 1997
3:17 - ARP Odyssey – 1979
3:21 - Prophet VS – 1986
3:31 - Roland MKS80 with MPG-80 programmer – 1986
3:41 - Yamaha TX816 - 1984
3:47 - Yamaha TX802 - 1987
3:50 - Studio Electronics SE1X – 1994
3:56 - Roland JP-8080 - 1998
4:00 - Roland JV1080 - 1994
4:07 - Nord Rack 2 - 1997
4:14 - Roland P330 - 1988
4:20 - Akai S3000XL 32 Meg - 1996
4:29 - Novation Supernova - 1998
4:43 - Novation Bass Station – 1994
4:59 - Steinway Model O – 1908
6:10 - EMS AKS Synthi VCS3 – 1972"

Massive Analog Keyboard Collection - Greystoke Studio Tour!

video upload by Andy Whitmore

"Greystoke Studio in London, is a high-spec London recording studio. Here we have a look at all the keyboards Andy had in 9/12/2020 – 41 Keyboards to look at!
Classic, Modern & Vintage Keyboards.

► If you haven't already please subscribe to our Youtube channel here
@andywhitmore

0:00 - Mini Moog Model D – 2017
0:06 - Roland Vocoder VP330 MK I – 1979
0:10 - Oberheim OB-1 – 1978
0:14 - Prophet 5 Rev 3.2 MIDI – 1981
0:25 - Prophet 5 Rev 3.0 MIDI – 1980
0:36 - Oberheim Xpander – 1984
0:42 - Oberheim OB-8 – 1982
0:55 - Roland Jupiter 4 MIDI – 1979
0:58 - Logan String Machine – 1975
1:03 - Hammond C3 + Leslie Speaker - 1968 + 1963
1:05 - Mini Moog Model D – 1976
1:12 - Wurlitzer 200A Electric Piano - 1976 (bought from 10CC's Eric Stewart!
1:14 - Fender Rhodes Piano Stage 73 – 1979
1:25 - Roland Juno106 – 1984
1:31 - Roland Vocoder VP330 MK II MIDI – 1980
1:38 - Korg M1 - 1990
1:40 - Nord Electro 3 - 2008
1:46 - Roland JD800 - 1991
1:57 - Korg Trinity - 1995
2:03 - Roland D50 - 1987
2:13 - Korg Poly 800 – 1983
2:14 - Roland SH101 – 1983
2:18 - Roland MC 202 – 1984
2:25 - Hohner Clavinet D6 - 1979
2:32 - Korg Z1 - 1997
2:39 - ARP Odyssey – 1979
2:43 - Prophet VS – 1986
2:53 - Roland MKS80 with MPG-80 programmer – 1986
3:03 - Yamaha TX816 - 1984
3:09 - Yamaha TX802 - 1987
3:12 - Studio Electronics SE1X – 1994
3:18 - Roland JP-8080 - 1998
3:22 - Roland JV1080 - 1994
3:29 - Nord Rack 2 - 1997
3:36 - Roland P330 - 1988
3:42 - Akai S3000XL 32 Meg - 1996
3:51 - Novation Supernova - 1998
4:05 - Novation Bass Station – 1994
4:09 - Kenton Pro 4 CV Gate Converter
4:21 - Steinway Model O – 1908
5:32 - EMS AKS Synthi VCS3 – 1972

Since this video was made Greystoke Studio has acquired
2 x Roland Jupiter 8 - 1981
1 x Yamaha CS80 - 1976
1 x Yamaha CS40M - 1979
2 x Roland SH1000 - 1973
1 x TTSH Two Thousand Six Hundred Mini Meanie Arp 2600 Clone Analog Synthesizer Modular Synth - 2016 - my model is 2023

Update video coming soon!

Thank you for watching this video. I hope that you keep up with the weekly videos we post on the channel, subscribe, and share with those who need to see them. Your comments are our oxygen, so please take a second and say hi ;-)
--
Andy Whitmore is our Online Mixing, Mastering and Music Production service. We proudly serve major record labels, independent artists, and film/tv/advertising agencies and we’re recognised as one of the staple studios in London.
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Follow Us Online Here:

Website: https://www.andywhitmore.com/"

Vintage Hohner Bass 2 Keyboard Monophonic Analog Bass Synth Guitar String Tuba SN 787775

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via this auction

You can find a demo of one previously posted here.

"This is an all-electric analog synthesizer with the power to create beautiful punchy analog bass sounds, with simple controls and a huge sub bass sound! This is one of the earliest examples of an all-electric solid state keyboard bass: monophonic, 3 sound types (guitar, strings, tuba), 1 volume and 1 decay/sustain knob, and a line out.

Another Bygone Antiques great find!

Inventory No. 20JB-121222"

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Vintage HOHNER BASS 3 Digi Bass Version?

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via this auction

Note the control section differs from the previous BASS 3s posted. Anyone know more about this version? I believe this is the first one to be featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.

Update: new details here.

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E-MU Vintage X Pro Collection Synth and Keyboards (Volume 1, 2, and 3)

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Demos for volumes 1 & 2 above. Not sure when these came out but I'm seeing reviews for it online dating back to 2010.

via this auction

"E-MU EMU Vintage X Pro Instruments Sound Library bundle (including all 3 volumes).

New and sealed In Manufacturer's original package.

A Massive 7.5GB Collection of Vintage Synths and Keyboards!

These sound library are for use with Emulator X Proteus X.

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Rare Italian ELEX Vintage Analog Synthesizer SN 173 62

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Note this is the first ELEX post on MATRIXSYNTH.

"This 1970s analog synthesizer is so rare that I can find absolutely zero mention of it anywhere on the internet (though if you do find something, please let me know!). I have come across a couple of references to other Elex branded synths online, but those appear to be fairly standard Italian string-synths along the lines of Hohner/Logan etc.

While the synth for sale here would also likely be classified as a string synth, it is not like any other I have owned or heard. The bass cello sound alone justifies owning this. It is obviously not the most versatile of synths, but what it does it does extremely well. With the added bonus that, due to its extreme rarity, you can be pretty sure you are one of the very few people in the world with access to precisely these sounds.

I'm about to relocate to the US, and considering that this is the heaviest synth I've ever lifted in my life (almost 27kg) it unfortunately has to go. I've used it on several recordings and it will be missed, but I cannot justify the cost of dragging this half way round the world along with all the other junk I own.

I brought this synth over from Italy and it still has an Italian plug on it. A simple and cheap travel adapter will fix that.

There obviously was once a lid, but it was already missing when I bought the synth. I have removed the slider switches so they don't get damaged in transit, but these will be included in the parcel along with the synth (it's a while since I removed them though, so I cannot be 100% sure all of them are there, but certainly most are). Other than that, see photos for various marks and defects. No problems with the sound at all."

Update: here's the Hohner version. via Ryan on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge.

Update2: some info via Micke on VSE (via Lorne on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge as well): "The keyboard you're describing is a basic electronic piano built in Italy by ELEX (Elettronica Excelsior for Hohner International* Belgium & UK. It was preceeded by a similar model called the HI piano I (K-1). Afaik, the original model appeared in '74 or '75 and the II about '77.

Elex were also releasing these ep's as well as the K-2 stringvox, K-3 Jazz-rock organ/piano and the K-4 stringer under their own brand name.

Around 1979 or thereabouts ELEX brought out new versions of some of their older keyboards like the Hohner International Globetrotter ep and Hohner Int. stringvox 3/XL (the same instrument is ocassionally found with the name "String-thing"), which were updated versions (all-black in color) of the Hohner K-1 ep and K-4 stringer respectively.

Hope this helps

Micke

* not to be confused with Matthias Hohner, Germany."

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