Bass Lab – Supro Huntington II

It’s always fun to have two similar instruments on the benches at the same time. It is a great opportunity to see how close the manufacturing tolerances are between two models. This Supro Huntington II bass is a brother the the Supro Huntington III made at the same time and place, reviewed here, also. The Supro nameplate was resurrected in 2013 by Absara Audio, after laying dormant since 1968. The nameplate was never reserved for high-end instruments. In fact, they were often pretty cranky and poorly made – revered more for their keen deco design, rather than any great functionality. These new Supro basses are way better made than their vintage counterparts. 

This particular bass differs from the H-III in being an all-mahogany body. The neck and pau ferro fingerboard are the same. I account for the difference in body woods giving the two instruments slightly different sound, overall. The ash body tone is tighter and bigger; the mahogany is tubby and unfocused, in comparison. 

The same Gold Foil pickups are here, except there are only two (compared to three, on the H-III). The bridge-mounted piezo is unbuffered, and while it does make a sonic difference when engaged, it is not what I would call a typical “piezo” or “acoustic” tone.  I do notice the bridge pickup on the H-III adding some sounds I prefer (and would miss on the H-II). 

Hardware here is the same Hipshot-style bridge and Gotoh-style keys that are serviceable, but unremarkable. The woodwork is spot-on everywhere I could see. No slouching anywhere on this model. Like the H-III, the frets look great for the price point. Love the glossy cherry finish, like an old Gibson SG; over the mahogany, it completes that Gibson homage. 

The bass is short and comfortable to play. However, if, you’re used to 34” scales (like me), then everything seems in the wrong place. I’m sure this is something I could adjust to. I prefer the sound of the ash body 3-pickup, but this one retains the booty shaking potential they both share; unexpected in its short stature. Unlike the ash bass, this neck works perfectly and has no truss rod issues. 

This one clocks in at around $925. It’s built well enough and offers that “big sound” in a small and deco retro package.