HH Electronic Studio-60 Bass “Bass Baby” 60W MOS-FET Combo c.1980s – Made in England

A very cool and increasingly uncommon piece of British bass amplification from the early 1980s.

This HH Electronic Studio-60 Bass, badged “Bass Baby”, was manufactured at HH’s Bar Hill facility in Cambridge, England and belongs to the company’s MOS-FET-era solid-state bass range.

Rated at 60 watts into 4 ohms, the Studio-60 Bass is far more sophisticated than the “Bass Baby” name suggests, with a built-in compressor, sweepable parametric mid EQ, separate high- and low-gain inputs, extensive rear-panel connectivity and a large-format bass speaker.

Features

• Manufacturer: HH Electronic
• Model: Studio-60 Bass / “Bass Baby”
• Country of manufacture: England
• Era: Circa early 1980s
• Power output: 60 watts into 4Ω
• Amplifier type: Solid-state MOS-FET
• Speaker: 15-inch bass speaker
• Hi-Gain input
• Lo-Gain input
• Built-in compressor
• Master volume
• Bass control
• Sweepable parametric mid-frequency control
• Parametric level boost/cut
• Treble control
• Pull Bright function
• Front headphone output
• Rear line output
• Effects send and return
• Hi-Out / Lo-Out bi-amp connections
• Extension speaker output
• Multi-voltage selector
• Original HH Electronic grille badge
• Original Bass Baby badge
• Currently fitted with an Australian 240V mains plug

Condition

This example is in very good vintage condition and is in perfect working order.

The amplifier has been tested and is operating correctly.

Cosmetically, it shows normal age-related wear consistent with an amplifier of this age, including light scuffs and marks to the cabinet covering and some oxidation/patina to the metal corner protectors and handle fittings.

The control panel remains especially clean and complete, with all knobs, switches, badges and rear-panel identification intact.

Please inspect the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description.

Power

This amplifier is currently fitted with an Australian mains plug and is ready for use on Australian 240V power.

The rear panel also retains its original voltage selector.

We are not describing the amplifier as electrically “converted” unless documentary evidence of internal modification is available; the current Australian plug configuration is simply noted as fitted and operational.

Why it’s interesting

HH built some exceptionally robust British solid-state amplifiers during the 1970s and 1980s, and their MOS-FET models have developed a following for their clean, punchy response and unusually useful EQ sections.

The Studio-60 Bass is particularly interesting because of its sweepable parametric mid control.

Rather than being limited to a conventional fixed Middle control, the player can choose the centre frequency and then boost or cut that part of the spectrum. This makes it easy to add punch, remove boxiness, emphasise attack or tailor the amp to different basses and rooms.

The built-in compressor and rear bi-amp outputs further show that this was designed as a serious working bass amplifier rather than simply a practice combo.

Vintage British bass amplification with character

This is one for the player or collector who likes unusual British gear.

It is a proper Cambridge-built HH MOS-FET bass amp, complete with its wonderfully period Bass Baby badge.