Hohner Arbor MX1 Series Bass – Silver Black

200.00

The Hohner Arbor MX1 Series Bass, also known as the SB420, is a vintage gem from the late 1980s, manufactured in the Korean Cort factory. While not a sought-after collector’s item, this bass has developed a bit of retro cool status, offering a solid and affordable option for players looking for a well-built, vintage-style instrument.

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Description

Hohner Arbor MX1 Series Bass – Silver Black

The Hohner Arbor MX1 Series Bass, also known as the SB420, is a vintage gem from the late 1980s, manufactured in the Korean Cort factory. While not a sought-after collector’s item, this bass has developed a bit of retro cool status, offering a solid and affordable option for players looking for a well-built, vintage-style instrument. Though overlooked in the vintage bass market, the Hohner Arbor MX1 has a unique charm. It might have been a precursor to or a step above the Marlin series, and while some models were better than others, a well-set-up MX1 can be a hidden gem. With a bit of TLC—like a good setup, fretwork, and wiring adjustments—this bass can truly shine, delivering surprising tonal versatility and a cool 80s aesthetic.

Construction & Design

  • Body: Heavy birch ply body with a silver-black finish.
  • Neck: Maple neck with a 21-fret rosewood fretboard and a 42mm nut width, making it comfortable to play.
  • Hardware: The matching headstock and Hohner branding give it a stylish, era-appropriate aesthetic. The hardware is a step above budget-level and has held up well over time.

Electronics & Tone

  • Pickup Configuration: A Precision-style front pickup and a dual single-coil (Music Man-style) rear pickup.
  • Controls: Volume, volume, and tone knobs with 500k pots allow for bright, cutting tones.
  • Sound Profile: The front pickup offers a solid, punchy P-bass tone, while the rear pickup provides a growling jazz bass tone when blended.

Playability & Feel

Despite its heavy body, the MX1 has great ergonomics and is easy to play. The neck is comfortable and well-made, even for those who typically prefer jazz-style necks.

Condition

Bass is in good condition, the neck is straight and there are some scratches here and there. No chips or serious dinner. Tone and volume pots aren’t original anymore and missing backplate of the electronics. On the fretboard the inlays have been removed and filled with some unknown material, it looks like wood filler