Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2 - Page 11

rfslick · #**201** 01-12-2013, 11:11 PM

Two things, I put a tiny square of duct tape on the bottom of the screw, and, I bent the bracket slightly so the pick guard will stand off the body a ways. Your's was most likely pushed down a little during freight. You could also use 1 sided stick on foam pad on the back of the screw.

rfslick · #**202** 01-12-2013, 11:21 PM

odysseios
You replaced the tuners and deleted the writings on the t.r.c. ...

Right you are! I felt that the stock tuners were not very good, and replaced them with Grover 18:1 stay tite tuners. Huge improvement. The lettering on the truss rod cover came off easily with Brakleen spray.

Rob Martinez · #**203** 01-13-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by off-topic

Took another pic of my Senator today

Beautiful bass! I love the single neck PU! I bet that sounds beefy!

I always wanted a violin or Club bass with a neck PU only.

odysseios · #**204** 01-15-2013, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfslick

odysseios
You replaced the tuners and deleted the writings on the t.r.c. ...

Right you are! I felt that the stock tuners were not very good, and replaced them with Grover 18:1 stay tite tuners. Huge improvement. The lettering on the truss rod cover came off easily with Brakleen spray.

I didn't replace tuners... they are the factory Wilkinsons yet.
For the writings deleting i used Sidol (a brass cleaner) and a cloth.

rfslick · #**205** 01-15-2013, 11:32 PM

Is yours a Contemporary or an Ignition?

odysseios · #**206** 01-15-2013, 11:34 PM

Mine is a Contemporary.

rfslick · #**207** 01-15-2013, 11:37 PM

I haven't been around a CT. Do the tuners actually say Wilkinson on them?

rfslick · #**208** 01-15-2013, 11:43 PM

If in fact they are actually Wilkinsons, they most likely are ok. The Ignition keys are not, and, I found them to be flimsy. If they are Wilkinsons, it would make me think all the more that they make the bodies in Asia, then install the necks and electrics in Germany. That would also support the idea of the two screw control plate. Is the pearl as nice as the ones from Germany?

odysseios · #**209** 01-16-2013, 07:13 AM

Yes, the Wilkinsons are marked. Those on the Ignitions don't, but are similar and on my old HI they worked good.
CT Pearl pegs are ok (and removeable), sure not as those from V64, maybe better than those (white plastic) from V62.

bluewine · #**210** 01-16-2013, 07:17 AM

One of my favorite basses, I think it's a Contemporary Club.

Blue

Attachment 311531

rfslick · #**211** 01-16-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluewine

One of my favorite basses, I think it's a Contemporary Club.

Blue

Attachment 311531

+1

rfslick · #**212** 01-16-2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odysseios

Yes, the Wilkinsons are marked. Those on the Ignitions don't, but are similar and on my old HI they worked good.
CT Pearl pegs are ok (and removeable), sure not as those from V64, maybe better than those (white plastic) from V62.

I was talking about the pearl switch plate and pickguard.

This more and more makes me think the CT is assembled in Germany.

odysseios · #**213** 01-16-2013, 11:29 PM

Pickguard and switch plate are original german, replaced by me.
I don't think the CT is assembled in Germany, but pickups and maybe the neck are made in Germany.

boynamedsuse · #**214** 01-17-2013, 09:25 AM

My CT says Made in China, so I bet the assembly is in China. Höfner widely advertises that the pickups of the Contemporary series are made in Germany. That unique neck the CT shares with the German Höfners make me believe the reports that the neck is also fabricated in Germany.

Peacefrog35 · #**215** 01-17-2013, 02:34 PM

The CT necks aren't made in Germany. I think this started when someone posted a pic with a MIG sticker,but they are not. I've got a CT and 2 German reissues with 3 piece necks....they are not the same....close,but not the same. The headstock on the CT is longer...the heal shape is close,but again not the same. If they were, I bet QC would be a real pain with fit of the bass. Only the pups and final set up and QC are done in GErmany.

odysseios · #**216** 01-18-2013, 08:34 AM

Hi Peacefrog,
the "CT neck connection" started in another way i already told you.
Have you ever handled a V64? I think the comparison should be made between a CT and a V64 or Club neck, because of the binding.

WannaBeatle · #**217** 01-21-2013, 12:43 AM

here's my current Hof family...
from left to right, we have a 2012 CT 185 bass, mid to late 70's 500/1 (signed pickguard not pictured, 2006 CT 500/1 prototype, 2000ish Sienna Series HAS-05, 2006 Icon series 500/1

here's the 70's Hof pickguard signed

WannaBeatle · #**218** 01-21-2013, 12:50 AM

here's a couple more that I took recently...

this was right after I put on a set of the Pyramid Black Nylon tape wounds on the CT 500/1

boristhespider7 · #**219** 01-21-2013, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaBeatle

here's a couple more that I took recently...

this was right after I put on a set of the Pyramid Black Nylon tape wounds on the CT 500/1

Wow, great collection...you sure like your Hofner's! I'd love to hear your view on how all the violins compare with each other

Plus how did you get that signtaure?

WannaBeatle · #**220** 01-21-2013, 06:07 PM

the Beatle basses all do sound a tad bit different from one another, but all retain that Hofner sound. My CT prototype is just a tad bit heavier than the regular production model...I think it's mainly from the neck. But, one thing that does distinguish a proto from a production model is that the proto has all German made parts and electronics.

My Icon actually sounds a hair closer to a German model (I suppose because it's completely hollow as opposed to semi hollow). Even though, it may sound more like the German than the CT, it isn't as loud, though.

My original German bass is actually my favorite, that was my very first bass I bought when I was 15...it's going to be buried with me (assuming I'm not immortal haha). That one is very loud and quite thumpy...being a solid top and those bar blade pickups just have more output than the old staples from the previous decade.

But, about 11 years ago, I just happened to be working as an extra (pretty much my day job) on a show that came and went. But, someone had told me that they saw SIR HIM drive on the lot in a Vette. So, the next day, I brought my Hof, hoping that he was still there and hopefully have him sign it. I didn't even know what he was doing there...found out later, he was in rehearsals for the '02 tour he had. So, I got my permission from our director to wander around the studio for a bit. But, I really didn't need to...he came up to me before I even took out my magnifying glass to look for him. I saw him and his then unknown band (I later got to know them relatively well). So he and his assistant/road manager, John Hammel walked over to greet me and chit chat for a while. I don't get star struck or anything that often - being born and raised in LA, ya get used to it....but, when it's YOUR LIFELONG IDOL....anyone would get a bit nervous as a kitten on crack!!!! So, after chit chatting a bit, I reached into my pocket to grab a pen and I accidentally went into character as him....that's when I turned into Homer Simpson. But, he was cool with it and he singed it and I was as happy as a little girl.

So, I ran back to my stage where I was shooting and found the entire crew, waiting by the door, to check if I got to meet him and have him sign my Hof. The entire crew and production were kinda happy for me...which was cool. I'm sure there was a couple of jealous guys..but, meh, who cares