Hohner Bass 3

The Hohner Bass 3 is a compact monophonic bass keyboard from the mid-1970s, built for players who wanted simple left-hand bass without dragging a larger synth or organ bass setup to the gig. It followed Hohner's earlier Basset-style concept, but gave the idea a stronger, more obviously electronic identity.

Its charm comes from limitation. The Bass 3 is not a deep programming instrument; it is a fast, characterful little analog machine with preset voices that go straight to the point. That directness, plus its portable suitcase-like form factor, is exactly why it still has a cult following among collectors and producers looking for raw vintage low end.

Plugin Emulations

• Rhythmic Robot Bass III

How It Works

• Monophonic bass keyboard intended for one-note-at-a-time left-hand lines
• Three core preset tones - Guitar, String, and Tuba - define most of its sonic range
• Simple controls make it quick to use on stage, especially as a companion keyboard

Legacy & Evolution

The Bass 3 sits in an interesting corner of keyboard history: more specialized than a full synthesizer, but more aggressive and modern-sounding than many home-organ bass pedals. It represents a moment when portable analog bass solutions were still being invented in real time.

Key Specs

• Era: Mid-1970s
• Type: Monophonic bass keyboard / analog preset synth
• Keyboard: 30 keys
• Preset Voices: Guitar, String, Tuba
• Known For: Compact format and punchy preset bass tones