Gretsch Junior Jet vs Hofner Icon B short scale bass

[nearpoint]

Hey all,

I am in the market for a short scale bass and I am inbetween the Gretsch Junior Jet and Hofner Icon B.

Any thoughts in a comparison of these basses?

 

[Gorn]

Two completely different choices aren't they? You have to decide if you want hollow or solid, two pickups or one, bolt-on vs st neck. I got the Epiphone Allen Woody over the Hofner icon. It's fantastic. Check it out if you come across one.

 

[dubhnight]

Having owned the Hofner, then selling that and buying the Junior Jet, I'd say that the Gretsch is a fantastic bass and in my opinion a lot better made and more playable than the Hofner. Maybe I got a bad unit, but the laquer on mine scratched ridiculously easy, the neck was full of really bad dead spots, the pots were noisy, and I didn't care much for the tone either. I always had a suspicion that there was something funny about the neck too. The The gretsch on the other hand has an amazing finish, is well made, and has a fabulous tone (I got the single pickup one and use heavy labella flats). I also think it looks awesome, I fitted an ashtray bridge cover and it's got a lot of attitude.