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Do Hofners get the least love?
- Thread starter BassGreaser
- Start date
The first time I saw a violin bass was in December 1980 & it was these 2 pictures, I didn't know what i was bu I was fascinated by it I was 13 at the time.
When I started to learn the bass guitar I couldn't find even a copy of one, then in November 1988 I found my 1964 500/1 for the low price of £175 & it's been with me ever since.
When I started to learn the bass guitar I couldn't find even a copy of one, then in November 1988 I found my 1964 500/1 for the low price of £175 & it's been with me ever since.
I may very well upgrade to a high-end Höfner one day... I'm thinking of the Artist, as I'm afraid the Contemporary might not give me the lovely acoustic resonance.
Pic from last nights gig. First time playing the Hofner through a full FOH.. boy did it sound huge!!
Although the bassist for Amy Winehouse played Hofner, and her material borrowed from '60s soul.For sure, they have their place and they sound terrific with the right player in the right circumstances. In Motown, Stax and Philliadelphia International. repertoire not so much.
They may not get the love of a P Bass, but enough people like them well enough that Hofner is still churning out basses.
I've had several over the years, German and Contemporaries (Beatle and Club basses). They all have narrow fretboards and tight string spacing, but some had thicker (baseball bat) necks. I prefer the thinner, 64' and later necks. I have never found an Icon or Ignition that I liked. Tried several, but they don't feel as good as the Contemporaries.
The Verythins are nice. I've tried a few and some payed better than others. Guess it depends on the shop and setup.
I found the President, while sounding great, they had too thick of a body for my comfort.
Some basses I'v owned but didn't keep: Gibson SG, Lakeland Skyline Hollowbody, Ric 4001, Serek Sacramento (maybe should have kept that one), Serek Grand, Sandberg Lionel.
As said earlier, you can't slap them, but you can get just about any other tone you might need. Just takes some getting used to.
Least love? There may be too many basses to decide. But it's defiantly not Hofner.
I've had several over the years, German and Contemporaries (Beatle and Club basses). They all have narrow fretboards and tight string spacing, but some had thicker (baseball bat) necks. I prefer the thinner, 64' and later necks. I have never found an Icon or Ignition that I liked. Tried several, but they don't feel as good as the Contemporaries.
The Verythins are nice. I've tried a few and some payed better than others. Guess it depends on the shop and setup.
I found the President, while sounding great, they had too thick of a body for my comfort.
Some basses I'v owned but didn't keep: Gibson SG, Lakeland Skyline Hollowbody, Ric 4001, Serek Sacramento (maybe should have kept that one), Serek Grand, Sandberg Lionel.
As said earlier, you can't slap them, but you can get just about any other tone you might need. Just takes some getting used to.
Least love? There may be too many basses to decide. But it's defiantly not Hofner.
I had an ignition,series Club bass. Beautiful looking bass and strung up with LaBella Beatle Bass Flat wounds had a wonderful warm tone.
But I hated playing it. The narrow string spacing doesn’t lend well to finger style playing. And it felt so fragile! Thought I would break it every time I played it! Lol
But I hated playing it. The narrow string spacing doesn’t lend well to finger style playing. And it felt so fragile! Thought I would break it every time I played it! Lol
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I have a black Contemporary Club bass. It's one of two basses in my modest collection that I have trouble putting down. I play it mostly with a pick, too.
It's just so much fun to play and the other musicians love the way it sounds in the mix. I actually like the Contemporary better than the German version - something about that centre block on the Contemporary makes it feel better to play.
It's just so much fun to play and the other musicians love the way it sounds in the mix. I actually like the Contemporary better than the German version - something about that centre block on the Contemporary makes it feel better to play.
Those pickup mounts, nut, pickguard clip, bridge and unbound fingerboard look more like an Ignition than Contemporary / HCT, but what do I know? Regardless of that, the green-burst finish looks great!
Yeah, that is an Ignition. I have the same bass but the Violin model.
Actually you are correct.Those pickup mounts, nut, pickguard clip, bridge and unbound fingerboard look more like an Ignition than Contemporary / HCT, but what do I know? Regardless of that, the green-burst finish looks great!
Right, the string spacing does take a little getting used to. I play finger style too. Now that I'm used to Hefner's, others seem difficult.
Also note, the frets tend to be closer together than most other short scales I've played. Another bonus as far as I'm concerned.
Also note, the frets tend to be closer together than most other short scales I've played. Another bonus as far as I'm concerned.
I've always liked narrow necks. Consequently, I play Hofners and not Precision basses.
One thing I’ve really grown to love about Hofners is the veeery little string spreading change from nut to bridge.
Mine ‘24 artist model has the neck profile of a ‘63. Not sure if that’s the fat baseball neck or not but it feels great
Mine ‘24 artist model has the neck profile of a ‘63. Not sure if that’s the fat baseball neck or not but it feels great
For "least love" wouldn't that be something like those "First Act" objects they sell at Walmart?
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