hofner icon out of the box

[nikthastik]

i just ordered a hofner icon, and should be receiving it in a few days. i've already ordered new strings(labella deep talkin beatle bass flats .50-100. i had a few questions. is it hard to change the strings on this bass? will i need to take anything off to get all the packing material off like the foam padding around the bridge. is the setup usually good from the factory? will changing the strings throw the setup out of whack? any answers would be greatly appreciated.

[Pilgrim]

1) No
2) Probably the bridge
3) Doesn't matter - you'll change it with the strings
4) Maybe not, but it will mean re-setting the intonation for sure

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by nikthastik

i just ordered a hofner icon, and should be receiving it in a few days. i've already ordered new strings(labella deep talkin beatle bass flats .50-100. i had a few questions. is it hard to change the strings on this bass? will i need to take anything off to get all the packing material off like the foam padding around the bridge. is the setup usually good from the factory? will changing the strings throw the setup out of whack? any answers would be greatly appreciated.

If indeed it's out of the box from the factory, it will need a setup regardless of whether or not you install new strings.

[bassyRyan]

If it is strung with rounds, be prepared for the flats to pull the neck out of whack. The necks on these basses are very small and despite the Beatle bass's storied past, Hofners "Icon" series necks are probably not up to the task of supporting super heavy, high tension flats that have a standard or higher gauge. A set-up is likely in your future, but you never know, they may go on just fine.

[Pilgrim]

With the Labella strings he specified in his post, I don't expect him to have any problems. They're made for this bass.

They are not "super heavy, high tension flats" by any means.

[nikthastik]

i got my icon in the mail today. have another question. how do i remove the bridge? i have to take the piece of foam out from underneath it. is this done by lowering the bridge with the little round dials that are on it? i'm also gonna be changing the strings. is it easier to remove the bridge when the strings are off? is there anything holding the bridge in place or is it just tension of the strings running over it. sorry about all these questions i'm just not familiar with this type of bass, i've always played my fender p-bass in the past. thanks again.

[GeoffByrne]

Loosen the strings, lift bridge, remove packing, re-tune.