Well, I've logged a little more time in with my Huntington I and my impressions are generally favorable except for one caveat which may or may not be a dealbreaker for some players...
While the single pickup in the sweet spot sounds terrific, it's somewhat limited as the bass is currently configured. Tonally, the H1 is a fairly one sound bass IMO. The passive piezo, despite it's clever integration with the mag pup, doesn't really bring much to the party in my book because it's overly bright and has a very limited range of tonal adjustment. So it's best to think of and approach it as a texture feature rather than a pickup option. It works best when you use it to add a little hair into the mix to play against the very creamy mag pup. I found it works best thinking about it the way the email Supro sent me (which I quoted in an earlier post here) suggested. Which is to say as a solo setting. Cutting in the piezo doesn't add much in the way of tonal variety. But it definitely adds an edge (a little harsh at times IMO) to the mag pup. And the tone knob in the 'mag only' switch position doesn't give much variety compared to most I've heard.
The good news is that the sound it does have is exceptionally good if paired with a good amp and a decent cab. It would work great for classic 60s rock, psychedelic rock, and blues. If it's retro sounding, the H1 will be right at home. But of you want more tonal variety, you'd probably be best off looking at the H2 or H3 for starters. Or something else entirely.
As it stands, I'm thinking of trying different strings than the flats mine came with, and which I think are D'Addarios. Possible choices would be: GHS Pressurewounds, LaBella Copper White Nylons, or TI Jazz Flats.
I'm also not sure if I want to leave the electronics stock. I don't know what the pot or capacitor values are since I haven't unbuttoned mine yet. But I'll definitely want to take a closer look at what's in there with an eye to making some changes.
As far as the piezo goes (which I'll admit was what piqued my initial interest after hearing some demos) I'm mildly conflicted. I don't really care for the way it works. At least as shipped. So I'm not sure if I'll ultimately just end up ignoring the switch and basically forget it's in there -or- do something more radical, like installing an active preamp for it. Because in it's current configuration I've decided it's fairly unworkable for me. And to be perfectly blunt, I don't really care at all for the way it sounds. Hardly surprising since I've never once heard a piezo sans preamp that I liked the sound of. But hope springs eternal. And I was hoping with the H1. But about all I can say is I'll need to continue hoping, and do it elsewhere.
So...bottom line: I think it's a fine bass with a really good look and a sound all it's own that would be perfect paired with the right musical genres. It does not appear to have a huge range of tones under the hood, either when fiddling with the controls, or by varying your technique. It is what it is. Which is to say: a very nice short-scale bass with a neat retro look and rather pretty sound. But it is definitely not a utility infielder type short-scale like my G2002 Grestsch Junior Jet is. At least in my book. YMMV.
The H1 is (to me) a niche sort of instrument. As long as you want it for what it is, you should be perfectly happy owning one.
Am I disappointed? Not at all. It really is a very nice bass. I just wish it were a little more than what it is. If I didn't have so much tonal overlap with some other short-scales I own (I currently have a: Gibson SB-300, Gretsch Junior Jet, Epi Viola, and a Chowny SWB-1 to compare it with) I'd probably not even give it a second thought.
Had I personally auditioned one first, I likely wouldn't have bought one. The Guitar Interactive video deserves props for skirting around the limited tonal range this instrument has, although they did (sort of) allude to it. Unfortunately that was something I only picked up on after a second watching. But such are the risks inherent in buying an instrument sight unseen. And for which I'll take full responsibility since I'm always the first to say "try before you buy."
So is this a negative review? The answer is NO. It's a positive review with the caveat you know what you're getting with this particular model. If you want something more than basically one really good sound with a minor variation available, try a different model.
Addendum: Some people here have reported setup or build issues. I had none with mine. My H1 had impeccable build quality and arrived beautifully set up. This is one of the few basses I ever bought that I needed to do absolutely nothing with when it arrived other than to tune it and play it. So kudos to Supro for doing mine up so nicely.
