What happened to Pensa basses?

[bassdoubler]

I've lived in NYC for 6 years now and I've seen a lot of bass players. Seen TONS of vintage Fenders, Sadowskys, a couple Foderas here and there, and lots of MTDs in the gospel scene. But never any Pensas! A few years ago I played a couple of them at Rudy's on 48th street which is the only place you an get them, and they definitely fell in that category of decent jazz bass copies. Supposedly Mas Hino of the now defunct Guitar Man was building them for Rudy and he's quite a legend around here. Curious why these basses never took off....doesn't Christian McBride play one?

[BlountEdge]

Originally Posted by bassdoubler

I've lived in NYC for 6 years now and I've seen a lot of bass players. Seen TONS of vintage Fenders, Sadowskys, a couple Foderas here and there, and lots of MTDs in the gospel scene. But never any Pensas! A few years ago I played a couple of them at Rudy's on 48th street which is the only place you an get them, and they definitely fell in that category of decent jazz bass copies. Supposedly Mas Hino of the now defunct Guitar Man was building them for Rudy and he's quite a legend around here. Curious why these basses never took off....doesn't Christian McBride play one?

Good question. They're great basses and they've had some high-profile artist relationships. Yes, Christian McBride plays one. Richard Bona has a beautiful blue fretless and Victor Bailey played one for years - before the launch of his signature Fender.

[Flaked Beans]

Yeah, I tried the 5 string honeyburst a couple of years ago (at Rudy's) and it played like butter.