I just got my second German Hofner last week. It's a 2005 Vintage 63 Reissue 500/1. My first Hofner is a 1984 Anniversary (64-84) 500/1. I'm really into short scale basses and light weight amps. The Hofner thump is an acquired taste.
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Another Hofner Bass Day
- Thread starter hsech
- Start date
Do you play out much with your Hofners? How do you like tapewounds on the '84? I'm thinking of putting some on my '73.
Hsech
That is a beauty! I have wanted one of these since childhood cause Paul played one. I briefly owned a bizarre pawn shop japanese Hofner knockoff that I bought for $25.00, needless to say, it was a nightmare. My son has a Jay Turser knockoff, not bad for a cheap starter bass. It has a bound body and fingerboard. The electronics are a little shaky and the pickguard/TRC is cheap flaky plastic, but the basic wood construction is sound. He plays in the school jazz band, and it has a nice warm thump to it. He wants to put roundwound strings on it to get a little bite. What is the correct string size for this? We ordered a set of medium Scale that didn't seem to fit right, and short scale looks too short. I've found flatwounds labeled "Hofner Beatle Bass", but can't find roundwounds. We actually played a new production Hofner at Guitar Center, it must be their cheap line made in China or Indonesia (Ignition Series?), because it was really a piece of junk, the Jay Turser was much better for half the money. I think they made a big mistake putting out the cheap line as anyone picking one up will think that's what a Hofner is. You have the real deal here!
That is a beauty! I have wanted one of these since childhood cause Paul played one. I briefly owned a bizarre pawn shop japanese Hofner knockoff that I bought for $25.00, needless to say, it was a nightmare. My son has a Jay Turser knockoff, not bad for a cheap starter bass. It has a bound body and fingerboard. The electronics are a little shaky and the pickguard/TRC is cheap flaky plastic, but the basic wood construction is sound. He plays in the school jazz band, and it has a nice warm thump to it. He wants to put roundwound strings on it to get a little bite. What is the correct string size for this? We ordered a set of medium Scale that didn't seem to fit right, and short scale looks too short. I've found flatwounds labeled "Hofner Beatle Bass", but can't find roundwounds. We actually played a new production Hofner at Guitar Center, it must be their cheap line made in China or Indonesia (Ignition Series?), because it was really a piece of junk, the Jay Turser was much better for half the money. I think they made a big mistake putting out the cheap line as anyone picking one up will think that's what a Hofner is. You have the real deal here!
hsech, that is a beauty! Looks to be in top shape! Enjoy her!
Gilmourisgod, don't count out the ignition, it's not a piece of junk, the strings are junk. Put some flatwounds and you will really like it. Those strings are what really do an injustice to it and I've owned and played them all including a 50 year old Hofner beatle bass and many German reissues. Whether it be a German, CT or Ignition, good strings is what will really take you to a high level of violin bass player bliss
Gilmourisgod, don't count out the ignition, it's not a piece of junk, the strings are junk. Put some flatwounds and you will really like it. Those strings are what really do an injustice to it and I've owned and played them all including a 50 year old Hofner beatle bass and many German reissues. Whether it be a German, CT or Ignition, good strings is what will really take you to a high level of violin bass player bliss
Peacefrog
Maybe it was the usual GC complete indifference to setup or usual care of an instrument on display. We saw a Squire modified vintage Jazz on display with a truly horrific neck bow, the bass was unplayable. I pointed this out to the crack sales staff, who promised to "have that looked at right away". I came back a few days later, still hanging on the wall in the same condition. I think it's buyer beware, but if you know what to look for you can still get some great deals at GC.
Maybe it was the usual GC complete indifference to setup or usual care of an instrument on display. We saw a Squire modified vintage Jazz on display with a truly horrific neck bow, the bass was unplayable. I pointed this out to the crack sales staff, who promised to "have that looked at right away". I came back a few days later, still hanging on the wall in the same condition. I think it's buyer beware, but if you know what to look for you can still get some great deals at GC.
My 84 Anniversary Hofner has a completely different feel than my newest acquisition. The 84 has a thinner neck. The 63 reissue has a better tone IMO due to the staple pickups. The 84 has shark fin pickups.
Looking at your profile, I also had a Farfisa Combo Compact and a Vox Continental at different times in a previous life.hsech, that is a beauty! Looks to be in top shape! Enjoy her!
Gilmourisgod, don't count out the ignition, it's not a piece of junk, the strings are junk. Put some flatwounds and you will really like it. Those strings are what really do an injustice to it and I've owned and played them all including a 50 year old Hofner beatle bass and many German reissues. Whether it be a German, CT or Ignition, good strings is what will really take you to a high level of violin bass player bliss
That's a sweet looking Fräulein! In 2010 I manifested a long held dream of owning a Hofner.
I sat down with the more expensive Getman models, and ended up getting a beautiful
Club Bass CT. The Club Bass just felt more comfortable to me. I ditched the stock strings
and put a set of Pyramid Flatwounds on it. I love that thump, it responds easily to
palm muting techniques and I'm always amazed as huge sound from the 30" scale.
I sat down with the more expensive Getman models, and ended up getting a beautiful
Club Bass CT. The Club Bass just felt more comfortable to me. I ditched the stock strings
and put a set of Pyramid Flatwounds on it. I love that thump, it responds easily to
palm muting techniques and I'm always amazed as huge sound from the 30" scale.
Love the hofner thump. Only sold my rogue copy to buy a bass that works in my current band. Congrats she really is beautiful. BTW I used the labellas. I tuned to e flat to relieve a bit of their tension.
I have re-discovered my Hofner club. With back issues, nerve damage in left hand; the light weight, small scale, and thumpy tone are three main reasons I'm playing one.
Wow! She sure is pretty! How does she compare to the 84 anniversary? I would love a German Hofner to add to my collection.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,060
- 38,448
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Those are both fine looking Hofner basses. I still have a soft spot of the shark fin models. As previous posters have said, putting on Pyramid flats or Thomastic-Infeld jazzflats for Hofner instruments will do the instruments justice. Thanks for showing them.
