Strings for a Hofner Icon Viola Bass ?

Ibanez Bassist · #1 10-09-2011, 03:18 PM

Ive been told to change the strings on the bass I just bought, what would be the best strings for that particular bass..

JustDavid · #2 10-10-2011, 07:27 AM

Why are you to change the strings? It might not be an actual requirement.

IMO, no 'best' strings for any bass. 'Best for someone's taste'; better question.

Flats for Epiphone Viola should give a good start to reading & a Search under Strings & perhaps Basses should provide an overload of reading on this topic.

Ibanez Bassist · #3 10-10-2011, 07:31 AM

I was told that the strings on there were relatively cheap factory strings and that the bass would be best suited with flats of some type to give it the best sound its noted for..that's all just a question...

Rickenhofner45 · #4 10-10-2011, 07:32 AM

If you want that old Beatles sound, LaBella 760FHB2's. I use them on my 500/1, and love them.

Ibanez Bassist · #5 10-10-2011, 07:35 AM

thank you, thats all i was asking..

Rickenhofner45 · #6 10-10-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanez Bassist

thank you, thats all i was asking..

No problem! If you ever decide to order them, the place that has them for the best price is here:

LABELLA 760FHB2 ELECTRIC BASS SET - Elderly Instruments

Ibanez Bassist · #7 10-10-2011, 07:40 AM

Thanks I appreciate that.. Im definitely going to look into it, some other bassists that I know say Im missing out on the actual sound that this bass produces by having these cheap factories on it right now..

boynamedsuse · #8 10-10-2011, 11:41 AM

I don't think the Hofner Ignition/Icon/Contemporary factory strings (made in China, I think) are all that bad. They are rounds, they are a little rough, and they are not premium strings but that doesn't necessarily make them bad. If you are looking for a "flats sound," then changing them out makes sense, but you may find that roundwounds are just as good for the music you play--especially once they get broken in a bit.

Ibanez Bassist · #9 10-10-2011, 01:01 PM

Im definitely looking for a different sound, I think I will be trying the Flat Wounds...

odysseios · #10 10-11-2011, 10:42 PM

Put on it a set of Hofner/Pyramid flats (40-110): Hofner was born with these strings.

Rob Martinez · #11 10-13-2011, 07:35 AM

I use light gauge LaBella Beatle flatwound strings on my Hofner Icon bass and they are great. That old time vintage "thump!"

Ibanez Bassist · #12 10-13-2011, 10:00 AM

I ordered the LaBella #760FHB2 strings for the Bass.. so now we will see what happens..

ATLbassist · #13 10-13-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanez Bassist

I was told that the strings on there were relatively cheap factory strings and that the bass would be best suited with flats of some type to give it the best sound its noted for..that's all just a question...

A friend recommended using Thomastik Infeld flatwounds when I had a Hofner Icon. They're a bit more expensive, but I found them easier to play with the Hofner's high action. They were great - they brought out the woody thump but retained the definition of the attack when using my pick or fingernails. I liked them so much that I transferred them when I got a 500/1!

Here's where I got mine - best price I could find. They run specials on occasion, too:

Thomastik-Infeld JF324H Flat Wound Short Scale HOFNER Bass Guitar Strings

Ibanez Bassist · #14 10-13-2011, 10:11 AM

Its kind of late now but I will check out the site for future purchases.. Thanks.. I was told by manufacturers and people on this site as well to use the LaBella flat wound's for that bass.. so thats what I ordered, hope it works out..

JimmyM · #15 10-13-2011, 10:13 AM

You're best off with the Labellas IMHO. They're not too expensive and they sound like flats should when they go dead, so I think you made the right choice. McCartney uses them, too.

Ibanez Bassist · #16 10-13-2011, 10:17 AM

Thanks, Im glad to hear that because there on the way..

Ibanez Bassist · #17 10-15-2011, 07:18 AM

Put the ordered LaBella strings on the Hofner and what a difference, great feel, great tones, they even look good.. Thanks to all for the advice ...

boynamedsuse · #18 10-16-2011, 12:57 PM

I broke down and got a set of the La Bella Deep Talkin' Flats (760FHB2) and put them on my Contemporary Club today. Nice feel, good sound, but that dead spot on the 5th fret of the E string is much more noticeable with the La Bella flats than it was with the Hofner factory rounds. Much more. Perhaps things will change as they break in.

RockBobby · #19 11-06-2011, 05:49 AM

Note: These are Short Scale strings - 32" and have been designed for the HOFNER Beatles Bass with a .096 low "E" string. They WILL fit any of the original series German made basses. They do NOT fit the Asian made Icon & Contemporary series. This is due to the tuning machines used on those models; the holes are too small for the strings.

mordechai · #20 11-06-2011, 06:02 AM

I just got an icon club bass. I thought the factory strings sounded good. Kind of a scooped mid sound to my ears. Way too rough feeling though. I put on a set of TI jazz rounds and they are awesome. With the right eq I can get close to the Chris Wood sound.