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Ask Justin Meldal-Johnsen Los Angeles based touring & recording bassist, producer & songwriter


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  #1  
Old 07-07-2012, 01:56 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
hofner 500/4 and general hollowbody qualities

Hello Justin,

I have been looking for a good hollowbody bass for some time now, searching the local ads here in my country. recently, a 1977 hofner 500/4 (they were also called model 333) came up for a nice price. all stock and beautiful (with the hofner blade pickups). but i can't find a lot of info on these as they seem somewhat rare. i know you've played tons and tons of instruments, have you ever played this bass and if so, what did you think of it?

and second question since i have never tried a hollowbody bass before, what qualities should i look for in the sound and feel? for example, what qualities do you like in your guild starfires that won over other contenders?

thank you for your input. much appreciated

cheers from Europe
  #2  
Old 07-07-2012, 11:48 AM
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
That bass doesn't sound familiar. But, you should probably grab it. What you look for is a basic tone that jumps off the instrument. An acoustic resonance, before you plug it in. That's job #1.
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  #3  
Old 07-07-2012, 12:44 PM
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thanks for the fast reply!

i know Stu Sutcliffe played one, other than that, no real info on the interwebs. if anyone is interested, here is the picture of the actual bass:
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  #4  
Old 07-07-2012, 12:54 PM
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Location: Houma, LA
Looks dope!!
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  #5  
Old 07-07-2012, 05:37 PM
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Yeah… You need to buy that NOW. :^D
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  #6  
Old 07-07-2012, 09:53 PM
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
buy it, fool!
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  #7  
Old 07-07-2012, 10:06 PM
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Location: Upland, CA.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markoSirec View Post
thanks for the fast reply!

i know Stu Sutcliffe played one, other than that, no real info on the interwebs. if anyone is interested, here is the picture of the actual bass:
You have to stop to think about this one?!
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  #8  
Old 07-07-2012, 10:14 PM
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Endorsing Artist, D'addario Strings
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Outside Pittsburgh, PA
I concur!! And if you decide against, you can PM me where it is!!
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  #9  
Old 07-08-2012, 03:58 AM
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aaaaallright. i'm meeting the guy on monday/tuesday. will post pictures and a nice review if i buy it. and if i don't i'm gonna try to hook up Dan with the seller. (FYI the price is about 980$ and it's been online since february)

thx for the input guys!
  #10  
Old 07-10-2012, 06:22 AM
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$980?! Well done, Sir!!
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  #11  
Old 07-10-2012, 03:36 PM
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so i met the guy and played the bass, i was sure i would buy it before going into the store. spent half an hour playing and deciding going back and forth but at the end i didn't get it. it just didn't have the tone quality i was expecting and even acoustically it didn't sound as good as it should. i was looking for a warm sound with lot's of character and "woodiness" but all i could hear was kind of thin with no depth. i even tested it on three different amps... the bass was set up by a local tech so that was not the problem (+ it already had flats). maybe it's a lemon or my expectations were wrong.

Dan i will PM you with the info in case you are interested

thx to everyone who pitched in.
  #12  
Old 07-11-2012, 06:51 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: nyc
Interesting... I have a 60s club bass with those same pickups and it sounds huge. Those blade pups are really really hot. Maybe they need to be rewound or there's some other electrical problem...
  #13  
Old 07-23-2012, 01:40 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
back in the 90s one night I played a white fender Coronado thru an SWR redhead. maybe it was because I was sitting on the amp, but DAmN that thing was super tight and thumpy!!!! amazing. the lakland HB does that thump thing really well.
  #14  
Old 07-23-2012, 01:42 PM
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I am a shameless Lakland hollowbody cheerleader.
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