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

[music fun]

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

They had a couple of black and at least 1 sunburst. Maybe more...I went there looking for something else and just happened to glance toward the bass display and there they were. I kinda made a mental note, remembering that there are those here reporting that they're hard to find.

Yep, that's about the timing Hofner was quoting back in late May: late July/Early August. I'd love to look behind the scenes and know what they did for two months. Something significant. In any case, I'm very pleased with the new Ignition I managed to find in late May.

[bassplayer8953]

Originally Posted by music fun

I'd love to look behind the scenes and know what they did for two months.

Probably waiting for a slow boat from China...literally!

[rfslick]

I would guess that with the change in distributors, that they halted shipping till warehousing was completely setup and organized at the new distributor.

[Thornton Davis]

You guys need to sit back and relax with a copy of this while MDG are busy inspecting and setting up their recently received shipment of Hofners (from Germany, China and Indonesia).



TD

[Dtimonen]

Some day I will buy a Hofner. I love that Hofner sound, it's just awesome.

[music fun]

Originally Posted by rfslick

I would guess that with the change in distributors, that they halted shipping till warehousing was completely setup and organized at the new distributor.

That may be, but from a management standpoint, I'd have preferred to see them get the supply chain squared away before logjamming the pipeline. Still, there was also the consequence -- whether intended or unintended -- of creating unsatisfied demand among many of us. So maybe they calculated that into the mix.

[rfslick]

They have sunburst and trans black Ignitions at GC in Concord, CA. I've never seen a German Hofner there, or Ignition Clubs. I bought my Ignition Club on fleabay in February.

[off-topic]

Originally Posted by DaveNinja

Hofner B2A spirit bass copy owner.

Bass in action in following blurry photo from a couple weeks back.

That's a HoHner, not a HoFner.

[DaveNinja]

Originally Posted by off-topic

That's a HoHner, not a HoFner.

damn, i'm a idiot. sorry about that

[WD_Stevens]

Hello there, everyone!

I shall be purchasing my first Höfner in a day or two (three guesses which one) from Thomann.de and I realised that I would, of course, need a case. They do offer a bundle with their own case which says that it fits the Harley Benton model, a copy. And I have known most copies to have a wider bottom end of the body than the Ignition and I don't really want my bass rattling around inside that and damaging it, especially with it being a hollow-body.

That said, they have a Höfner case made for the original ones (the reissues as well, presumably) which is about $20 more expensive. My question is whether it'd fit or, if indeed, it's worth it at all.

Here are links to them:

http://www.thomann.de/intl/hoefner_i...s_bass_vsb.htm
http://www.thomann.de/intl/thomann_beat_bass_case.htm
http://www.thomann.de/intl/hoefner_h..._bass_case.htm

Thank you in advance

[rfslick]

Email them and ask. And find out what their return policy is. But, if you email them first, there should be no issue.

[FunkyWilly]

I have a Hofner Club bass and I use a gig bag that I had bought for an Ibanez Talman Acoustic/Electric guitar (not a bass, but a 6-string). It's a Road Runner gig bag that I bought at Guitar Center a few years ago. Not very expensive, probably about $35. I tried it on the Hofner and it fits really well. The bag has adequate padding (though not like a high-end gig bag), but it works great since the bass is so lightweight. So if you are looking for a case, you might want to take your Club to a well-stocked music store and try some acoustic gig bags on for size.

[off-topic]

Originally Posted by FunkyWilly

try some acoustic gig bags on for size.

My Senator bass currently resides in a 6-string acoustic gig bag. I've been using acoustic guitar gig bags for short-scale basses for years.

[ecapdeville]

Hello!

Now I have two Hofners!

Happy life!

[ficalini]

*This might be long, I'm kinda excited But I do need some help*

Hello Everybody!

I've been a member for a while now, but I just got an Icon for Christmas My parents got it used from a guy at our church who didn't use it much. The condition I'd say is 8.5 outta 10 (A little ding on the body and tiny scratches on the headstock). The bass hadn't been played in some time and I've already made some plans to 'modify' my bass and bring it back to it's glory.

Here are the plans:
[/list]teacup knobs, Shiny, new La Bellas, and a hardshell case
[/list]Remove the writing on the truss rod cover (will Brasso work?)
[/list]Put the pick guard back on
[/list]Change the middle screw in the pickup rings from silver to black to black
[/list]Paint the control switches white. (Will something like Testor's Model paint work? I think I heard that someone even used white out?)

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

OK so now I need some help from the rest of yall:

Every time I'm playing through my amp and the string touches the pole pieces on the bridge pickup I hear a popping sound through the amp.

Can I fix this by unscrewing and rotating the pickup 180°. This should prevent the string from being ale to come i contact with the PU. Also if I'm not mistaken it will also make the bass more period correct with the pole pieces facing the bridge



Thanks everybody for taking time to read this and help out.
Also, I don't know about yall, but I love to see pics so I'll have some posted later!

[rfslick]

Teacup knobs fit great and are readily available on ebay.
Truss rod cover lettering will come off with Brasso, I used Brakleener.
Ok to change the pickup around, but, if the strings are hitting it, the pickup is too high. You'll find that the pickup is too hot anyway, so lowering it will sound better.
You'll need to remove the entire pickup and ring to replace those screws. You can buy black oval head wood screws also.
I think the model paint is the way to go. White-out is flat and will get dirty in a hurry.
Some folks even paint the nut white.
Mine are Indonesian and I like them fine as they are. Just teacups and I use roundwounds.

[odysseios]

Originally Posted by rfslick

Truss rod cover lettering will come off with Brasso, I used Brakleener.

I used Sidol (an european ammonia/based brass cleaner)

[ficalini]

Originally Posted by rfslick

Ok to change the pickup around, but, if the strings are hitting it, the pickup is too high.
You'll need to remove the entire pickup and ring to replace those screws. You can buy black oval head wood screws also.

Some folks even paint the nut white.

Thanks for good idea about the nut and the advice about the pickups. You wouldn't know the dimensions of the middle screw would you?

[rfslick]

For that screw, I would remove the strings and one pickup and take the screw with you to match it at your hardware store. Make sure to compare the threads side by side with the original. A black machine screw may be a problem. Finding the right size even in chrome or zinc is tough enough. You might want to get a nice fresh black sharpie, or the black Pactra enamel and call it good.
You're not going to fool anyone who really knows Hofners. You still won't have a ''zero fret", and most probably 80 to 90 percent of the bass players who see you won't know the difference. The problem with recoloring any of these things is that they will wear and will have to be redone, especially the paint on the switches. Just my opinion...

[bassplayer8953]

Originally Posted by rfslick

For that screw, I would remove the strings and one pickup and take the screw with you to match it at your hardware store. Make sure to compare the threads side by side with the original. A black machine screw may be a problem. Finding the right size even in chrome or zinc is tough enough. You might want to get a nice fresh black sharpie, or the black Pactra enamel and call it good.
You're not going to fool anyone who really knows Hofners. You still won't have a ''zero fret", and most probably 80 to 90 percent of the bass players who see you won't know the difference. The problem with recoloring any of these things is that they will wear and will have to be redone, especially the paint on the switches. Just my opinion...

...in short, if you want a German Hofner, save up and buy a German Hofner. An Icon/Ignition will never be a German 500/1, no matter how many parts you color or replace. And not the biggest deal anyway; after 25+ years of owning a German Hofner, I sold/traded it: no regrets. When the Hofner bug bit me again, I bought an Icon; very good clone, without the outrageous cost of a German instrument.