Up for sale is a fantastic sounding and playing 1966 Hofner 500/1. This one is all original. She's one of the most resonant basses you will ever play. Surprisingly loud unplugged. And plugged in, she has perfectly balanced volume string to string and up and down the neck. No dead spots. A real joy to play. I like her a lot, but I promised myself years ago that I was done collecting basses. Unless it goes out on the gigs, I don't keep it. This one just does not make it out of the case. I'm hoping someone will buy her and remedy that.
The good: All original 1966 (with the exception of a vintage Hofner endpin added to the heel of the bass for standard strap use). It has all the features you would expect in 1966 -- bound neck; plastic Hofner logo on headstock, shorter tailpiece; wider control plate and pickup surrounds. Pot codes are 076 (Seventh week of 1966) so this girl just celebrated her 45th birthday. Plays and sounds fantastic; Rich caramel color very closely matches Sir Paul's bass (would be a great bass for a tribute band); Comes with original green-lined Hofner case.
Now the bad: She is missing her original pickguard. She has had her neck re-set. This was a great job structurally, but its not pretty. The luthier wanted to sand and paint the neck heel to conceal the repair, but I told him "no." So, the scar is there for all to see:
Finally, the machine head on the "A" tuner is chipped. Still functions fine and is not loose. But it is chipped.
I see 1965 and 1966 Hofner's on EBAY or the internet being offered in the $2,300 to $3,000 range. I just don't think the market will support that.
I'm asking $1,350 for this one, buyer to pay shipping and insurance. If you ever wanted a vintage Hofner, do not pass this one up. You will regret it. I did a TB search and these just do not show up in the classifieds. This one sounds GREAT! Buy her and give her a chance to sing.
