Hofner "rattle"

123Fo · #1 05-30-2013, 07:22 PM

I'm "thinking about looking at" a Hofner HI series violin bass. I don't know much about Hofner, but I know this one is made in Indonesia and it's hollow. This is a craigslist offer and the seller says there is a "rattle" inside the bass. Can I remove the pickups or control plate and see what's up with it? How hollow is it? If this is something I can fix I'm probably going to buy it.

That's all. Thanks in advance for any input.

Peacefrog35 · #2 05-30-2013, 08:52 PM

The rattle is usually a bit of the wood shavings. I've owned German reissues, Icons, Contemporaries and a 49 year old beauty made in 1964 and I've often had to remove the control panel and shake out some loose wood. I am not sure why people just leave it in there and wonder what the rattle is. It should be easy to locate.
Good luck!

JimmyM · #3 05-30-2013, 10:04 PM

Can't see it being a big problem, no.

mongo2 · #4 05-31-2013, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Fo

I'm "thinking about looking at" a Hofner HI series violin bass. I don't know much about Hofner, but I know this one is made in Indonesia and it's hollow. This is a craigslist offer and the seller says there is a "rattle" inside the bass. Can I remove the pickups or control plate and see what's up with it?

Yes.

How hollow is it?

Completely hollow with thin bent rims except for a small block under the bridge and, IIRC, maybe another similar block near the neck pickup to support the top.

If this is something I can fix I'm probably going to buy it.

Does the rattle happen when it's shaken or only during playing, especially on a particular note(s)?

.

123Fo · #5 05-31-2013, 04:41 PM

Well I bought it. Although the "rattle" was more like a "CTHUNK". I bought it because it was cool and in good shape. I got it home and took the control plate out and quickly managed to dig this out of there...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95809103@N08/8906685374/

What was this for? It doesn't look like there was any glue on it anywhere. There is a tiny stain smudge on one end. I can still see the block behind the bridge and it looks like there is another between the pickups. Maybe it just got left in there by accident, the stain made it stick to something for awhile, until it finally worked it's way loose? I hope.

Pimpernel Smith · #6 05-31-2013, 05:24 PM

Stuff happens in factories. I've found wood shaving in my German made basses. Glad you opened it up and got it out. Now get some Pyramid short scale flates, or T-I short scale flats and get the best out of your new Hofner.

JimmyM · #7 05-31-2013, 07:30 PM

Hofners rock! I don't have one but I have two violin basses and I used to use them all the time. Still would if our singer didn't hate them. Not that I have to listen to him, but for the stuff we're doing since he joined, I stick with Fenders.

mongo2 · #8 06-03-2013, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Fo

Well I bought it. Although the "rattle" was more like a "CTHUNK". I bought it because it was cool and in good shape. I got it home and took the control plate out and quickly managed to dig this out of there...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95809103@N08/8906685374/

What was this for?

That's the mojo bar...

sneha1965 · #9 06-03-2013, 05:40 AM

Another possibility for rattle is the pick guard where the metal brace for the guard fits the slot of the guard. Mine does this and I have a piece of tooth pick wedged in the slot to keep it from vibrating.

GKon · #10 06-03-2013, 05:55 AM

I don't have a Hofner, but my acoustic/electric oscar schmidt has a weird rattle sometimes. Ends up it's the wiring from the 9V battery case that goes to the pickup/tone/volume knobs. It's a bit long so it rattles around sometimes and makes a noise.
Could be something like that.

or, like 123Fo, you may find most of an unfinished bass inside your bass

IvanMunoz · #11 06-03-2013, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Fo

Well I bought it. Although the "rattle" was more like a "CTHUNK". I bought it because it was cool and in good shape. I got it home and took the control plate out and quickly managed to dig this out of there...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95809103@N08/8906685374/

What was this for? It doesn't look like there was any glue on it anywhere. There is a tiny stain smudge on one end. I can still see the block behind the bridge and it looks like there is another between the pickups. Maybe it just got left in there by accident, the stain made it stick to something for awhile, until it finally worked it's way loose? I hope.

Wow! I've found the occasional shaving of wood in my Hofner, but never a large peice like that!
Now if you ever have to fix it you can use 'original parts.'

sneha1965 · #12 06-03-2013, 06:34 AM

Looks like a paint mixing stick.

123Fo · #13 06-03-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimpernel Smith

Stuff happens in factories. I've found wood shaving in my German made basses. Glad you opened it up and got it out. Now get some Pyramid short scale flates, or T-I short scale flats and get the best out of your new Hofner.

I'm working on putting together a P-bass right now, so those high end strings will have to wait.

I may put some some RS77s on it or something,. Eventually I think I will have to change these pickups, but for the price it's actually a really cool bass. I'm glad I bought it.