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best strings for hofner violin bass

#41
Lunatech said:
For anyone trying to get that "Abbey Road" sound by finding the right strings for your Hofner, you are wasting your time. You don't need to change strings, you need to change guitars. Paul was playing his Rickenbacker during that period. I have 2 Ricks and a Hofner and Abbey Road is definitely all Rickenbacker. Paul uses .95 flatwound strings on his Hofner at this time. I know this because he said so today on his twitter acct. He was answering questions from fans live.
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+1111 Bingo-Zingo
 
#42
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Only one choice for the Hofner -- Pyramid Golds.
 
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#43
Warning on using the Roto "RS88S" black nylon strings on the Hofner 500/1. At least on my Hofner (authentic Hofner 500/1 Cavern Bass, not an icon) the Roto 88s don't fit on the nut properly. The 500/1has a fret immediately in front of the nut and the strings are supposed to sit down in a slot on the nut so that when tightened they actually sit tight against that "fret". You can see this in the photo posted by +1111 Bingo-Zingo above. The E string on the 88s is too fat to sit down into the slot so it isn't pulled tight down against that fret. Also, because it doesn't settle into the slot the string sits up high changing the action on the guitar. Better to go with the Pyramids that fit properly.
 
#44
robbida said:
The E string on the 88s is too fat to sit down into the slot so it isn't pulled tight down against that fret. Also, because it doesn't settle into the slot the string sits up high changing the action on the guitar. Better to go with the Pyramids that fit properly.
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Few basses, if at all, come with an E string nut slot (regardless of the presence of a zero fret) already able to accommodate a .115 string: you have to file said slot, and that's what folks do, but I understand the unwillingness to do so to a German Höfner, unless you're also willing to track down an extra, original nut. This means the Rotos are out in your case, but if you're still interested in tapes these are available:
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As an alternative, medium scale D'Addario tapes also might fit. I can't guarantee it though, I don't know if the E string tapers enough so as to fit through the hole in the guitar-style tuning post:
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The La Bellas are a safer bet. Now, if you've fallen in love with the Roto set you might try and get a single La Bella E through Bass Strings Online, and in that case keep the other Rotosounds.
[All this, assuming you haven't already given up on tapes, and/or thrown away the 88s!]
 
#45
robbida said:
Warning on using the Roto "RS88S" black nylon strings on the Hofner 500/1. At least on my Hofner (authentic Hofner 500/1 Cavern Bass, not an icon) the Roto 88s don't fit on the nut properly. The 500/1has a fret immediately in front of the nut and the strings are supposed to sit down in a slot on the nut so that when tightened they actually sit tight against that "fret". You can see this in the photo posted by +1111 Bingo-Zingo above. The E string on the 88s is too fat to sit down into the slot so it isn't pulled tight down against that fret. Also, because it doesn't settle into the slot the string sits up high changing the action on the guitar. Better to go with the Pyramids that fit properly.
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You can file that slot a bit wider it won't affect playability in any way. I've used D'addario tapes on a couple basses and they didn't require any filing on the nut, and they sound and play great. Not sure if they have a scale length that fit's the Hofner, but the medium scale fit my 32" Fender Tbucket like a charm.
 
#46
You should use medium from most brands to fit the Hofner. Thomastic and Pyramid their "short scale" sets are actually longer and fit the Hofner basses.

Something else is the tuning post section of the strings... these really need smaller tuning post sections to fit in the tuning posts. The La Bella Beatle sets, Pyramid, and Thomastic Hofner sets have these smaller sections. Using medium scale D'Addario or Rotosound tapes may not fit in the posts...
 
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#47
I've got one question for all you guys with a Hofner bass with flatwounds on it: how does your E string sound?

Because I've just put flantwounds (hofner .095 to .040) on my Club bass and the E string sounds awful! the tension is too low and it sounds like a death string (unless I tune it with a higher pitch, then it sounds normal...). Is there anyone who has/had the same problem?
Thanks
 
#48
GB_88 said:
I've got one question for all you guys with a Hofner bass with flatwounds on it: how does your E string sound?

Because I've just put flantwounds (hofner .095 to .040) on my Club bass and the E string sounds awful! the tension is too low and it sounds like a death string (unless I tune it with a higher pitch, then it sounds normal...). Is there anyone who has/had the same problem?
Thanks
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Which Hofner strings? Is it the Hofner Contemporary flatwounds? When I tried those strings the first set had a E that was dead on arrival, literally had no discernible pitch, I use TI Jazz flats now, no issues with dead strings, Labella are really good too
 
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#50
GB_88 said:
Yes, indeed: Hofner Contemporary Bass String, .095 .075 .060 .040. I also bought La Bella Deep Talkin for Hofner Beatle Bass (.100 .080 .065 .050)...these should be better. I'll put them on and I'll let you know
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Ok, your comment about the E string being awful makes sense, I tried the contemporary flatwounds and they were terrible,I think you will like the Labella flatwounds much better
 
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#51
I'd imagine that after 11 years, the OP's either figured out what's "best" for his Hofner - or given up, and gotten something else...:rolleyes: However...
Best strings for a Hofner? I'd have to say.. Within the limits imposed by
- the Hofner's "guitar style " tuners (i.e., string gauge);
- the Hofner's tailpiece (i.e., ball diameter); and
- the Hofner's scale length requirement ("Medium" scale strings)...
Whichever strings make You happy. Same as for any other bass...:whistle:
 
#52
Sorry for my English…

Will GHS P Flatwound 3020 L short scale strings work in my Höfner Beat Bass?
Some people told me this strings are short for Hofner.

Jon Moody said:
My Icon B-Bass has Precision Flats right now (actually, I bought it specifically because we needed an instrument that needed medium scale strings in the office), but has also had Brite Flats on it. Either are great for different uses, although I found the BF made the Hofner bark a bit more. The PF work well for that signature Hofner tone.
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#53
John Hofner said:
Sorry for my English…

Will GHS P Flatwound 3020 L short scale strings work in my Höfner Beat Bass?
Some people told me this strings are short for Hofner.
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they should, yes. Our short scale strings are now 32.75” winding length (ball to silk) which we did specifically to fit on the Beatle Bass
 
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