Hofner Upright

playanaco · #1 03-23-2008, 09:17 AM

I am thinking of selling my Hofner Upright Bass but have no idea what it might be worth. It is in excellent condition with new strings , new adjustable bridge. The front and sides are like new, while the back has a few chips out of the edges.
Any ideas of its value would be helpful.
Thanks,

Steve Swan · #2 03-23-2008, 10:11 AM

I'm aware of the new prices for Hofners, which have gone up considerably dure to the strength of the euro against the US dollar. Does your bass have a model number on the label? How old is it? what is the general condition?

playanaco · #3 03-23-2008, 04:09 PM

All the label says inside is made in Western Germany. The bass is in excellent shape. The top and sides are 9 1/2 out of 10 and I'd say the back is 8 out of ten because of a few chips on the edges. New adjustable bridge was cut and set up by a pro with new strings. The tuners move like and look like new. The original owner's daughter thought that her father bought it in the early 60's but couldn't remember for sure. I will try to post some pics once I figure out how.
Thanks,
Ken

dblbss · #4 03-23-2008, 04:11 PM

Any pix?

playanaco · #5 03-23-2008, 05:01 PM

I tried to add some pics. I hope they worked. It worked!!
Thanks,
Ken

dblbss · #6 03-24-2008, 06:14 PM

How does the lower register sound on the bass. I have a Hofner identical to this one. The middle and thumb position really sing and sound great but I find the lower end lacking.

playanaco · #7 03-24-2008, 06:56 PM

Exactly,
I like the way the D and G strings sound. They sing out nicely. The E and A however lack bottom. I keep the action fairly low so that certainly affects the bottom end and the last characteristic mentioned maybe also typical of a plywood bass. Any idea what they are worth in good shape?
Ken

Jet Nero · #8 03-24-2008, 07:21 PM

Perhaps you've already noticed that a person has a Hofner for sale in the classifieds section of TB. His asking price is $4000. What's yours worth? The answer is whatever someone is willing to pay!

playanaco · #9 03-24-2008, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the insight!

BassMap · #10 03-25-2008, 06:24 AM

I have a Hofner from the 70's that is a retired school instrument. It also used to suffer from a wimpy bottom end.

After a couple of trips to the luthier and some string experimentation, I have a setup that feels and sounds pretty good (to me at least). Currently I am using a set of EPs which really add some oomph to the E and A strings.

dblbss · #11 03-25-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playanaco

Exactly,
I like the way the D and G strings sound. They sing out nicely. The E and A however lack bottom. I keep the action fairly low so that certainly affects the bottom end and the last characteristic mentioned maybe also typical of a plywood bass. Any idea what they are worth in good shape?
Ken

I am not sure what you can get for your bass. I think the other Hofner being talked about here is a carved one so I wouldn't expect $4000. A friend of mine has one of these and they sound great.

I was going to sell my plywood Hofner after I bought my carved bass but I am glad I held on to it. I use it for outside gigs or situations where tone isn't a priority (crappy jobbing gigs) or where the volume is going to get out of control. The bass amplifies well .

dblbss · #12 03-25-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtcallahan

I have a Hofner from the 70's that is a retired school instrument. It also used to suffer from a wimpy bottom end.

After a couple of trips to the luthier and some string experimentation, I have a setup that feels and sounds pretty good (to me at least). Currently I am using a set of EPs which really add some oomph to the E and A strings.

That is good to here. I have a set of Evahs I was going to try out on the Hofner. hope they beef up the tone.

playanaco · #13 03-25-2008, 12:17 PM

I haven't tried it amplified but will get around to it once the snow breaks. I thought $4000 was a little rich for the other bass but I saw one in Australia yesterday offered at $5500. They must be loaded over there.
I also have a Louis Morizot french bow I would like to sell. The last one I saw sell on the web was over $4000. Mine is supposedly the last bass bow that he made. I haven't used it in over 30 years. It's like new.
Why such a good bow with such an average bass??? Funny you should ask. I had a vintage upright that I dumbly sold in the early 90's 'cause of lack of playing it. Boy what a mistake that was.