Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2 - Page 12

boristhespider7 · #**221** 01-23-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaBeatle

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.

So would you recommend the Icon for someone who wants the traditional Hofner tone on a budget, or recomend someone saves up for the CT? Pondering this at the moment myself.

rockinrayduke · #**222** 01-23-2013, 03:13 PM

I've only picked up an Icon/Ignition at GC unplugged and it was....OK. Lots of folks love them. I just got a Club CT yesterday from the classifieds here that is absolutely wonderful and very much like my old '64 Hofner in fit and finish. Has Pyramid flats right now and nails the McCartney sound everyone's striving for. But I know that an Icon will also give you that sound. if you're on a budget I'm sure an Icon will do the trick.

The CT's come around used for $500+ usually but my advice to you would be to get a CT if nothing else for the german pickups.

WannaBeatle · #**223** 01-23-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider7

So would you recommend the Icon for someone who wants the traditional Hofner tone on a budget, or recommend someone saves up for the CT? Pondering this at the moment myself.

that's a toss up, actually. Both can get ya the in the ballpark. But, an Icon/Ignition might be good choice. Try to look for a used one, I found mine for dirt cheap. The only thing that I would change off the bat, would be the strings. The stock strings are OK, but, not that great. Getting a decent set of flats actually help greatly. I recommend Pyramid, not only am I an endorser for them, but, I just plain love their strings, too. Thomastik are my second favorite. But, any decent flat will be good, too.

mongo2 · #**224** 01-23-2013, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider7

So would you recommend the Icon for someone who wants the traditional Hofner tone on a budget, or recomend someone saves up for the CT? Pondering this at the moment myself.

I've tried the Icon/Ignition, CT, recent and original German versions and preferred the Icon/Ignition.

Pimpernel Smith · #**225** 01-24-2013, 09:11 AM

It's a love-fest for the Ignition.
I've owned 5 German made Hofners, sold them, and have just one Ignition. I love it, and like it better than my German made basses. I have to agree with the blokes above, Pyramid Gold Flats, for Hofner, or T-I Jazz flats will give the best tone and longevity.

villekille · #**226** 01-26-2013, 01:00 PM

I don't have a Hofner yet but I would like to have next week. I have never owned one so I am here looking for some opinions..As I see the big german online shop has German made 500/1 '62 models and also the 5000/1 deluxe model. The price difference is about 7.5%, the deluxe being more expensive so that is not really an issue here. It just seems that there are not much information about that model online. I thought maybe the instrument is somehow improved over the '62 model as it doesn't need to follow the older design but that is of course just a guess. And also wondering if it will be harder to sell in case someday it becomes necessary. But of course I'd like to get the best instrument as the price is nearly same and you don't buy everyday this expensive stuff for your hobby.

cellkirk74 · #**227** 01-26-2013, 02:29 PM

I just picked up a President Bass 500/5 (CT, Suthcliff) some weeks ago. That's the one that looks like a huge archtop guitar. It's a good sounding thing but I am experimenting with strings. Now there is a light set of Chromes on it.

Pics will follow. Anyone here with experience with a Senator or the President? How do you set up yours?

Avalon · #**228** 01-26-2013, 02:49 PM

Someone from the Hofner forum has one (as do I), and he says that Pyramid (Long Scale) 640/1 fit perfectly. It has lavender/purple silk. He said that anything else he tried were either too long, too short or the silk did not fit the tuning peg.

I have not changed my strings yet, so I have no useful input on this.

Rob Martinez · #**229** 01-26-2013, 03:02 PM

Anyone here own a German made Hofner Club bass LTD with Cavern spacing for the PUs? Does that do anything for the tone, or does it just look cool? I may get one. MF will be getting some in stock in a few months, so time to start saving.

off-topic · #**230** 01-26-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellkirk74

Anyone here with experience with a Senator or the President? How do you set up yours?

TI flats. Long scale. Sounds like a dream.

cellkirk74 · #**231** 01-27-2013, 02:31 AM

So here are some pics:

As far as I can say the Chromes sound good. It's the ECB 80 set with a 95 E-string. I already have the TI's on my Epi Jack Casady and watend something else for the President.

Pimpernel Smith · #**232** 01-27-2013, 06:47 AM

Rob:

I owned a German made Cavern model, and a German made Club model with standard pick up spacing. The Cavern pick up set up gives a deeper tone by virtue of the pick up bing closer to the neck, as opposed to closer to the bridge. If you use 2 pick ups as I do
you'll get the benefit of that.

Pimpernel Smith · #**233** 01-27-2013, 06:52 AM

Cellkirk:

Isn't your bass a Hofner 30 inch scale (from nut to the center of the bridge)? Hofner/ Pyramid flats are for that length which includes the extra 2 inches to reach back to the tail piece. I think it's a 32 inch length , but still a 30 inch scale. I believe the Hofner branded, or Pyramid branded flats for "short scale" would fit that perfectly. They have fantastic tone and longevity. I believe that Pyramid also has a black tape wound version, if you want something different. North Coast has them.

cellkirk74 · #**234** 01-27-2013, 09:45 AM

The bass has a 30' scale, but it requires longs scale because of the distance from the tailpiece to the bridge. The Hofner short and med scale flats are too short.

Avalon · #**235** 01-27-2013, 09:50 AM

What I have heard from others is that the short scale strings from Hofner do not fit the 500/5 due to the long body with the short tailpiece. The original 500/5 models that were sold in the 60's had a much longer tailpiece.

Rob Martinez · #**236** 01-27-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimpernel Smith

Rob:

I owned a German made Cavern model, and a German made Club model with standard pick up spacing. The Cavern pick up set up gives a deeper tone by virtue of the pick up bing closer to the neck, as opposed to closer to the bridge. If you use 2 pick ups as I do
you'll get the benefit of that.

Thanks! I am jonesin' for one of those, still thinking about it.

Peacefrog35 · #**237** 01-27-2013, 12:21 PM

I've got the 500/5 too and put a set of Rotosounds, medium scale on it. Fit perfectly. Also has tea cups and re-issue cream caps on the switches.

DSCN4038 by Peacefrog35, on Flickr

rockinrayduke · #**238** 01-27-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellkirk74

So here are some pics:

As far as I can say the Chromes sound good. It's the ECB 80 set with a 95 E-string. I already have the TI's on my Epi Jack Casady and watend something else for the President.

Damn I want one of those.

Pimpernel Smith · #**239** 01-27-2013, 05:39 PM

Peacefrog knows his stuff, an excellent suggestion.

villekille · #**240** 02-04-2013, 06:58 AM

I just got my first bass, höfner ignition! I ordered also the recommended flatwound strings but I guess I made a mistake since it looks to me that they are too long for this bass..The model was Thomastik-Infeld JF324 flatwound, "Thomastik JF324 String Set for E-Bass, Short Scale 32", Nickel flatwound Roundcore, Gauges 043-056-070-106"

When I place them over the stock strings I see that the metallic part of the string is longer and continues all the way to the nuts where they are supposed to be attached..so now my only option to return them? I thought I read from somewhere that short scale strings are ok and should be 32" as 30" might be too short but clearly I understood something wrong...it is a pity since these feel in hand when I just feel them much better than the originals but I guess I cannot install them

i ordered from here:
http://www.thomann.de/fi/thomastik_jf324.htm