A wonderfully cool 1960s Hofner 182/E1 Bass, previously owned by Martin Barre and offered here on Martin’s behalf.

This is a great-looking vintage Hofner with all the charm and character you would hope for from a 1960s European-made bass. The 182/E1 has a simple, purposeful feel and a distinctive period look, making it a very appealing piece for anyone drawn to slightly more offbeat vintage instruments.

The Martin Barre connection adds a lovely layer of provenance. Martin purchased the bass in the early 1970s, after which it spent many years hanging on the wall of the Jethro Tull recording studio, kept there largely for nostalgia and visual appeal. However, it was not purely decorative; according to Martin, the bass was used on a Jethro Tull track as well as several tracks across his solo albums.

Martin notes that it originally sounded particularly good with its old flatwound strings. Those were unfortunately changed in the 1990s while he was away on tour, and although he recalls the bass still sounding good afterwards, his recommendation is to return it to a set of old-fashioned flatwounds to bring it back closer to the feel and sound he remembers.

As an instrument, it has that direct, characterful vintage bass response: warm, woody and full of personality, with a sound that sits very nicely in a track. It has its own voice, its own look and a great deal of period character.

A very appealing 1960s Hofner 182/E1 Bass with genuine Martin Barre provenance and Jethro Tull studio history. A lovely piece for the player, collector or Jethro Tull fan.