Bass guitar stories from the vault
A deep dive into bass heritage
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Stories
Every bass has a voice, but every player has a story. This is a deep dive into the curiosities of the Bass Vault, documenting the history, acquisitions, and unexpected moments behind vintage and rare bass guitars. Whether it’s the evolution of a Japanese Precision Bass or the sparks that started this collection, explore the low-end narratives that define my “Basses in Strange Places” project.
The collection isn’t just visual and written – it’s also audio. Hear the basses in action through curated tracks that connect each instrument to its place in recorded music. Explore The Bass Vault Playlist on Spotify and Tidal.
Recent update in Bass Stories: Conversations and talks about the Bass Vault – on Danske Bassister, at Rus & Riller, and beyond.
Bass Stories by Henrik Bonde Hanfgarn – thirty years playing bass, 40+ instruments owned and documented. Every photo shot by me.
Silverburst vs Antigua: The 70s Finishes That Hid the Wood
30 years, 40 basses, One short scale: What changes at 30 inches
Sharing the passion: Conversations about the Bass Vault
Setting up a bass guitar: When, why, and who I trust to do it
Gibson’s outsider basses: Grabber, Flying V, and the Thunderbirds that never played it safe
Fender’s forgotten colors: Antigua, Surf Green, Daphne Blue and the finishes collectors chase
Lawsuit era bass guitars: Why Japanese copies became the real thing
CBS-era Fender basses: Separating myth from reality (1965-1985)
The Fender Antigua Bass: Precision & Jazz Bass Guide
Vintage & rare bass stories: The old soul of the Bass Vault
How I got hooked on the Fender PB70’s
The story behind – How it all started
It’s all about the passion!
Henrik Bonde Hanfgarn aka. BassGarn has played bass for thirty years and documents the forty-odd instruments in the Bass Vault – photographs, specs and stories, with particular depth in Fender Japan MIJ and CIJ reissues.
He plays live in Denmark with Bad Boys of Boogie and Foo Fighters Tribute. The bass hook on Nü Néon’s “Vi Kysser Natten Farvel” came out of a short-scale Mustang from the vault. He talked about the collection with Danske Bassister.
Main Gear TC Electronic Blacksmith, Fender Bassman ’67 (AB165), Ampeg cabs, and the Line6 HX Stomp when it calls for quick and compact.
Instagram · More about Henrik
Explore basses in unexpected locations or The Bass Vault Playlist.
