Since it's your first "real" bass, given those two choices, definitely go with the Fender. But I'd recommend a Jazz, as it is tonally more flexible than the Precision.
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Höfner or Fender?
- Thread starter mybassisalemom
- Start date
I believe he said a new "Primary" bass not his first bass. Also there is nothing Beatle about a Club bass, it's shaped like a Les Paul.
All that said, I have both, Hofner Violin and Club. I have Precision and Jazz Fenders. My opinion would be to go for the MIM Jazz as it's more versatile and will cover almost every circumstance. Then you have enough to buy the Hofner at your leisure and you will want it for special situations. The Jazz will be your workhorse.
All that said, I have both, Hofner Violin and Club. I have Precision and Jazz Fenders. My opinion would be to go for the MIM Jazz as it's more versatile and will cover almost every circumstance. Then you have enough to buy the Hofner at your leisure and you will want it for special situations. The Jazz will be your workhorse.
I'd go for the Fender Precision, an instrument that fits any situation.
Nope. EVERY SINGLE hipster/indie/garage/psych band in San Francisco and LA has a bass player with a Hofner or a knockoff.
Except mine.
But I don't use a Fender either, so I'll just be excusing myself from this thread.
Thank you for all your replies I will probably go for the Fender Precision. I've got the rest of my life to buy a Höfner 
. Thanks its given me a lot to think about.
. Thanks its given me a lot to think about.
Yup - add a series/parallel switch, and you'll have a very versatile instrument...
- georgestrings
I would find a used clean fender, even if you have to have it shipped from here I am sure you could find a member to do so and save a ton of cash.
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,057
- 38,405
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
Late to the party but here's my 2 cents. I have Hofners and Fender Precisons and while I love my Hofners if you are going to have only one bass I say go with the Precision! It's not the workhorse do all of the industry for nothing. From early Rock and Roll to Country to Soul to Metal and beyond the Precision can handle it. Plus it is almost indestructible. When I started out my first "real" bass was a Hofner 500/1 that I still own. Back in '74 or so I remember jamming in a friends basement with my Hofie and a Traynor YBA-1 desperately trying to keep up with the guitarist who had a Marshall full stack and a SG. It was then I realized I needed a solid body full scale bass! I went the Thunderbird route but you get the idea.
If only one bass, Fender, and don't dismiss the Squier clones. If Hofner, go for the Chinese clones.
Since I lobbied for the MIM Fender (P or J) earlier... I want to emphasize one thing. For any bass, you really need to sit down and play a model for awhile to see how you feel about it. My earlier experience sitting in music stores playing Hofner violins told me it would not be my primary bass, although I wanted it to be my primary. Doesn't mean I will never get one down the line, or use one in certain situations. (And I love the Beatles/McCartney Hofner sound, for sure. But Paul went to a Ricky or Fender Jazz when he needed a different tone and feel.)
Anyhow, I initially thought the Fender Jazz bass was going to be my main choice after talking to local musicians- they stressed the versatility. Luckily the local music store gave me a student loaner to try for a couple weeks and it turned out I didn't care for the narrow Jazz neck at the nut... and I eventually learned that it hurt my hand to practice on it for long periods of time. I ended up using a 50's Classic Fender P (and RW P) because the thicker neck felt right to me. But my favorite bass is not for everyone. I practiced with some guys last weekend, and another bassist wanted to try my bass. He put it down after about two minutes. "Neck is too thick" he said as he grabbed a Mustang short scale bass... a guitarist grabbed it later and wouldn't put it down- he liked maple necks and the P pickup position.
Everybody has their own take on their favorite bass, the one you reach for first. It is all about feel and comfort. If it feels right to you... then it's the bass for you, and you will play the hell out of it. And you will enjoy it rather than fight it. How many guys have traded or sold basses because they were not a good "fit"? It's a process, and it takes time. You don't always find the right one until a bit later on. And your taste may change over time.
I love to hear everyone's opinions on this stuff, but at the end of the day it's going to come down to you. And the most expensive or most popular bass isn't always the right bass for you.
If you don't have a local music shop close by, see if some buddies will lend you different basses for a couple weeks. 5 minutes is not going to help you decide!
My .02!
Anyhow, I initially thought the Fender Jazz bass was going to be my main choice after talking to local musicians- they stressed the versatility. Luckily the local music store gave me a student loaner to try for a couple weeks and it turned out I didn't care for the narrow Jazz neck at the nut... and I eventually learned that it hurt my hand to practice on it for long periods of time. I ended up using a 50's Classic Fender P (and RW P) because the thicker neck felt right to me. But my favorite bass is not for everyone. I practiced with some guys last weekend, and another bassist wanted to try my bass. He put it down after about two minutes. "Neck is too thick" he said as he grabbed a Mustang short scale bass... a guitarist grabbed it later and wouldn't put it down- he liked maple necks and the P pickup position.
Everybody has their own take on their favorite bass, the one you reach for first. It is all about feel and comfort. If it feels right to you... then it's the bass for you, and you will play the hell out of it. And you will enjoy it rather than fight it. How many guys have traded or sold basses because they were not a good "fit"? It's a process, and it takes time. You don't always find the right one until a bit later on. And your taste may change over time.
I love to hear everyone's opinions on this stuff, but at the end of the day it's going to come down to you. And the most expensive or most popular bass isn't always the right bass for you.
If you don't have a local music shop close by, see if some buddies will lend you different basses for a couple weeks. 5 minutes is not going to help you decide!
My .02!
Interestingly enough,when i started playing in the early 70's,my first 3 basses were 1.Hofner 2. Fender P-bass 3.Rickenbacker 4001s. The first 2 i only had for a few monthes before finding my Goldilocks moment with the Rick!
Just Sayin
Just Sayin
The truth!! Some good advice! If I was looking for my first bass i would pick up a MIA fender P bass. They sound and look amazing and can be used for any genre. Everyone has a fender and there's a reason! Very solid and dependable. Parts are easy to get and most strings fit. However if you want something a little different get the Hofner club. They have an amazing woody tone and they're as light as a feather. You will stand out as it's not a fender too!! One thing I love about hofners is the sound they make when palm muting. You can't get this tone with a fender.
