You too can have a Hooky Bass!

I did a posting last year asking where you can get Hooky basses.

Thanks to the replies here, and a bit of research, I now know.

They're hand made by a guy called Chris Eccleshall in Devon (look him up on the net).

Over simplyfing things it's basically a handbuilt bass version of the Gibson semis that Barney uses. I think Barney's guitar is a 335 and Gibson once did their own bass version called an EB something or other.

Hooky sticks his own "brand name" on the headstock (HOT) but Chris said if he was to build one for me both he and Hooky would insist that it couldn't be branded as a HOT.

They cost about £1600 - so i'll have to get saving!!

Cheers

Steve

...very interesting...do you know if this guy has a website ???

And yes, Barney plays a Gibson ES-335 semi-acoustic (mostly on the Reading Festival). But more often a Gibson SG these days...

Marco,

Chris Eccleshall's website is -

difference-engine.co.uk/eccleshall/

Phone number is 01803 862 364 (sorry, you'll have to sort out the code for the UK)

If the web address for Chris doesn't work use Google or other search engine - I did 10 minutes ago and it found him!! A search for "Chris Eccleshall guitars" should do the trick.

All the best

Steve

I always liked Hooky's Rickenbacker bass back in the JD days. I didn't know he had them custom made now.

Just been looking at that Chris Eccleshall site - I fancy one of those Hooky basses ! Played a Shergold Marathon 6-stringer a la Hook a few years ago, great sound from it :)

Thanks for the info. Listening to the records, that's the last thing I would have pictured making those sounds. I never would have pictured Barney with an ES series either..."semi-acoustic" just seems so unlike New Order (like they're waiting for B.B. King to come up on stage and jam).

I used to play an Ampeg Little Stud, which I thought had a very "hooky" sound. (Back in high school I played the Ampeg Big Stud...we call that "downsizing" here in the states.) My current bass (a standard Precision) is decidedly un-hook-like. The Ampeg had a nice "clank" somewhere between the Fender and a Rickenbacher.

I'm too lazy to check the Perfect Kiss video. What's Mr. Hook playing in that?

Apologies for the bass-heavy nature of this post.

Originally posted by Gnu Odor Thanks for the info. Listening to the records, that's the last thing I would have pictured making those sounds. I never would have pictured Barney with an ES series either..."semi-acoustic" just seems so unlike New Order (like they're waiting for B.B. King to come up on stage and jam).I used to play an Ampeg Little Stud, which I thought had a very "hooky" sound. (Back in high school I played the Ampeg Big Stud...we call that "downsizing" here in the states.) My current bass (a standard Precision) is decidedly un-hook-like. The Ampeg had a nice "clank" somewhere between the Fender and a Rickenbacher.I'm too lazy to check the Perfect Kiss video. What's Mr. Hook playing in that?Apologies for the bass-heavy nature of this post.

Without looking at the video again, it's probably the Yamaha RB2000 he played a lot in the mid 80s.

hats off to you steve for doing your homework! i sometimes wish more musicians would post on this forum like they used to... and yes, i too play bass among other things.

           g.

Originally posted by Sébastien Boisvert Marco, do you play bass or any other instruments?

well, i played bass in my first band...but since i'm working on my solo-project, i changed to guitar and keyboards...and a bit of programming...

Originally posted by Gnu Odor Thanks for the info. Listening to the records, that's the last thing I would have pictured making those sounds. I never would have pictured Barney with an ES series either..."semi-acoustic" just seems so unlike New Order (like they're waiting for B.B. King to come up on stage and jam).I used to play an Ampeg Little Stud, which I thought had a very "hooky" sound. (Back in high school I played the Ampeg Big Stud...we call that "downsizing" here in the states.) My current bass (a standard Precision) is decidedly un-hook-like. The Ampeg had a nice "clank" somewhere between the Fender and a Rickenbacher.I'm too lazy to check the Perfect Kiss video. What's Mr. Hook playing in that?Apologies for the bass-heavy nature of this post.

AMPEG speakers and amplifiers f****** ROCK !!! I played those too, with a Music Man stingray and a Gibson thunderbird bass...but that was long ago... :D

Originally posted by Steve&nbspConnolley Marco,Chris Eccleshall's website is -difference-engine.co.uk/eccleshall/Phone number is 01803 862 364 (sorry, you'll have to sort out the code for the UK)THANKS, very funny when you read the description..."as played by New Order and The Cure" i guess Hooky won't be very happy about that :DIf the web address for Chris doesn't work use Google or other search engine - I did 10 minutes ago and it found him!! A search for "Chris Eccleshall guitars" should do the trick.All the bestSteve