They may be wonderful, but not manufactured by Hofner = not Hofner.
Well, that's some Hugh news. (ahem) I did not realize the late Playboy founder either played or made bass guitars.
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Do Hofners get the least love?
- Thread starter BassGreaser
- Start date
No way!
As a matter of fact, I think tjey get to much attention.
Only a few years ago they were the bestselling bass in America.
As a matter of fact, I think tjey get to much attention.
Only a few years ago they were the bestselling bass in America.
Uhh.. I'd have to say "NO". While I can think of a number of basses that you're not big - or mean - enough to make me buy - Jazz Basses, offset basses, fanned fret basses, anything with more than 4 strings... a Hofner is not one of them. Aside from 2 non-Hofner violin basses, I own a German-made Hofner 500/2 Club Bass. That's partly because, if you're left handed, that's the only one you can get. But, it is a beautifully made instrument, and has a tone that... well, I imagine that it's probably possible to duplicate, but it would take quite a bit of work...
I'd class a Hofner as one of those "niche" basses; they might not be very "versatile" (which, as the owner of 27 basses, I don't really consider much of a virtue), but - when you need that tone? Nothing else will do... And, for a fair bit of what I like to play? I need the tone of a Hofner...
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Good on you Jimmy, you are indeed a better person than I. A Hofner Violin Bass in my hands, even though mine are smaller than most, is a recipe for disaster, missed notes, missed strings, and even missed basses in some cases. To small a fret and fingerboard target. If I want to play a violin shaped instrument I’m going with one of these baby’s. With early Motown they work really well. It won’t fit on a bass strap, however.
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I was gifted this 1964 500-1 a couple of years ago. I haven't really bonded with it, mostly because of the string spacing and ergonomics, as others have talked about here.
Being a Beatle kid I like the idea of having one, but I haven't found it to be an axe that I can make use of regularly.
I am jonesing a bit for a Verythin, though. I went to a gig where a friend was playing one and it sounded killer. I picked it up for a minute and found it to be much more playable than the 500-1.
Being a Beatle kid I like the idea of having one, but I haven't found it to be an axe that I can make use of regularly.
I am jonesing a bit for a Verythin, though. I went to a gig where a friend was playing one and it sounded killer. I picked it up for a minute and found it to be much more playable than the 500-1.
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It does take a little getting used to, but they only weigh like 4 lbs so I got used to it. The hardest thing for me is having to back off the right hand. Never have been a string slammer but they close right up if you try it. As far as string spacing and action, I have my Turser fairly low but the strings are close together. But I seem to be more adaptable to odd birds than some. I understand their POV as well.
Everybody here seems to be talking only of the violin-shaped Höfner "Beatle" bass. I have always been curious about the Höfner B500/8BZ bass that was owned by the late Frank Zappa and played in the original Mothers of Invention by Roy Estrada. This particular model had switchable built-in fuzz and bass-boost.
It was sold at auction in 2016 by Julien's:
here
More details here.
It was sold at auction in 2016 by Julien's:
here
More details here.
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I too have a soft spot for a Verythin!
I tried to even like the Hof Viol a buddy very much wanted to buy. Had it a few weeks gigged it twice, just not my thing. I built him the Precision bass he wanted anyways.
Damned spell checker!They may be wonderful, but not manufactured by Hofner = not Hofner.
Well, that's some Hugh news. (ahem) I did not realize the late Playboy founder either played or made bass guitars.
I think Vox basses get the least love. Do to their historic nature they command high prices well beyond their playability and sound but so do many 60's basses (that are not Fenders).
I was at Guitar Center the other day, the bass section was empty. But there was a Beatle bass at the counter. I was in there maybe 30 minutes and no fewer than three people tried out that bass, two of them wanted to buy it.
No, they don't get the least love.
No, they don't get the least love.
I've been playing Hofner basses for 50 years, along with a few RIC 4001 basses and a Fender Jazz. The only problem with Hofners in my experience is that they will most likely need neck resets every 20 years, or so. This is a PITA. I use high quality rounds these days and rounds really open Hofners up for much more versatility, more sustain (if needed), and better intonation.
I hadn’t noticed. I played one about 10 years ago. I wouldn’t say I didn’t appreciate, I just didn’t like it.
i was obsessed with them until i played a cheap knockoff version. Just wasnt my twist
Funny story: back when I was playing a Pbass all the time (close to 15-20 years ago) I walked into a music shop that had a vintage Hofner.
Of course I took it for a spin and thought it felt like a toy (I was also playing upright bass a lot as well) and that it was really odd to play.
Now that I’ve recently come back to playing again.. I decided to buy a new German artist model 500/1 and instantly fell in love with the tone and feel.
Wish I had the love for the Hofner way back then!
Of course I took it for a spin and thought it felt like a toy (I was also playing upright bass a lot as well) and that it was really odd to play.
Now that I’ve recently come back to playing again.. I decided to buy a new German artist model 500/1 and instantly fell in love with the tone and feel.
Wish I had the love for the Hofner way back then!
I dunno… I have an Asian built 500/2 with a blend knob mod that I really enjoy playing. It works beautifully for old Beatles, Kinks, 60’s stuff generally, old country and folk stuff. I also modded the neck strap pin to the upper horn which really helped with playability & neck dive. I think it’s a fun, lightweight, bass—definitely a bit limited but great at what it’s good for.
All of these songs have Hofners on them. I'd say they're a bit versatile.
I've got a B-stock Ignition, and it quickly became my most played bass. I find it very comfortable even for fingering, and feels like my first bass (Epiphone Viola) and long-standing sole bass (Rickenbacker). They've got chunky necks with little string taper, and no wonder Sir Macca plays both!
Tone-wise the pickups are much more open and even sounding than Epi Viola. The "bass" position sounds like Come Together, and the "treble" sounds like Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Although both songs were likely recorded with the Rickenbacker, it seems like that the Höfner is not any less versatile.
Tone-wise the pickups are much more open and even sounding than Epi Viola. The "bass" position sounds like Come Together, and the "treble" sounds like Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Although both songs were likely recorded with the Rickenbacker, it seems like that the Höfner is not any less versatile.
