A Hofner you don't see everyday

[johnk_10]

i just thought i'd share some pics of an old Hofner bass that i pulled out of storage today. i've owned it for the last 20 years or so, and it's a pretty rare model that i think sounds really cool. i never pulled the pots to check the date codes, but i estimate it to be somewhere around '69 or '70. its model number is a 500/8-BZ. probably its most uniqique feature is its built-in bass boost and fuzz system, and it can really get some wild sounds. anyway, here's a few pics of it:

 

[Dubista]

That's a beaut JohnK. I've always admired your collection of basses, especially your vintage Fenders.

 

[tifftunes]

Nice! I'll try to find photos of a '62 Hofner Committee I once had... Also pretty rare...

 

[Snipper!]

Really nice, I really like the doublecut shape on this, beautiful condition too

 

[pnut166]

Dig those pointy horns. Bet it`s great for metal !

 

[probasser]

Bet it`s great for metal !

aw, beat me to it

 

[lowphatbass]

Wow, I don't know if it's the shape or what, sometimes pictures can be deceiving but that looks like it's got some serious girth! Interesting pick-up locations, quite extreme. It's beautiful man!

 

[synaesthesia]

I had a Beatle bass 500/? with the blade pickups that had the bass boost circuit. It was nice though a bit noisy. It didn't have the fuzz, but there was one setting with the bass boost which was in the growl territory that musicman/GK would wish they could get....

 

[nagarjuna]

That's a killer, John. Reminds me of the Vox Apollo but with better structural design all around. The large body prolly gives it that unique sound. Thanks for sharing.

 

[PhiDeck]

In the last photo the D-string tuner looks like it's going to rub the headstock. Not so?

 

[GM60466]

Nice bass. I like the fretboard markers.

 

[Fender32]

It's great to see old instruments like that in such fine condition - top marks to you for keeping it that way, John !

 

[dalkowski]

In the last photo the D-string tuner looks like it's going to rub the headstock. Not so?

I think it's just the camera angle. Compare to the top (full-body) pic.

 

[AltGrendel]

I bet it sounds great with flats on it.

 

[thumpbass1]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!!!! You are right. I certainly don't see that Hofner model everyday of the week; let alone knew that such a beast existed.

 

[Mooblar]

Cool!

John, yours is in much better condition!

This is the first bass I ever played.

 

[corinpills]

VERY cool bass, I don't think I've ever seen one of those before. Any chance of some sound clips with the fuzz?

 

[Mooblar]

Sorry Corinpills,

the fuzz hasn't worked as long as I've "known" the bass.

It's on my long list of things to fix. I'll get to the long list right after I finish the short list.

 

[kelleysdad]

Love zero frets!!

 

[johnk_10]

that's a nice one Mooblar.
the fuzz and bass boost work great on mine. i'll try to post a clip of it later.