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Has anyone ever played a Hofner Icon
- Thread starter Slaphound
- Start date
I have one. In fact, mine was one of the very first instruments when they first came out. Since day one, I have not been have pleased with any part of this bass. The finish is terrible, the electronics are the cheapest on earth, and workmanship is less than you with expect from an instrument with the "Hofner" name on it. I paid $419 with the case and the case is really too good for the bass. Spend a few more bucks and buy a Contemporary Model, you won't be sorry.
If you're looking for the McCartney sound, it's cheap, reliable alternative to spending $1500 for the German model. Bear in mind that you will most likely have to buy flats to get "that sound", so add another $30-$50 to your outlay. I also recommend that you get a hard case with the bass because it's pretty fragile compared to a solid body bass. And be prepared to spend 30 minutes getting it the harmonics set because it's ain't easy. Soundwise, it is the early Beatles sound if you pal;y using the neck pickup only and use a pick. If you've never played a short scale bass, it will take a but to get use to, but nothing out of the ordinary. I like mine, but I still prefer my Lakland 55-94 for almost all applications.
Just make sure they're 30-inch, or short, scale.
You're right, I forgot that point. But I actually use long scale fenders on my short-scale starfire and they're the best set I've ever had (and I've tried close to every set of flats out there; TI's and Pyramids included).
I did have to unwind a tiny bit of the outer winding on the E string for the tuner peg, but they've been like that for 3 years now but they are 100% stable and the sound isn't effected at all by it.
Never really liked any short scale set I've bought, except the pyramids. They were okay.
I played the Icon B model, but felt it was the sound was thin and the body was a little bit lite in weight. I have two of the Contemporary Models that I really think are better. In my opinion if you can go with the Contemporary then go for it. The only thing is that the Contemporarry Model doesn't come in any other color except sunburst and black. I have both colors and they look great.
I got an ICON from my wife for an anniversary present about 4 years ago now. It was one of the first few imported to the U.S.
Truth be told, I did not care for it much at first. As noted above, the earliest imports had serious construction issues (sharp fret ends, buzzing pickup surrounds and pickguard, poorly crafted floating bridge.) But, because it was a gift, I knew I could never trade her. So, I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. Filed the fret ends and the back of the neck with a little steel wool. That took care of that. Similarly, I shaved the pickguard to eliminate buzzing. Finally, I shaved the top of the bridge on the treble side, just behind the saddles to elimate the strings hitting the back of the bridge and throwing off intonation. Finally, I strung her up with rotosound monel flats (short scale) and gave her a good set up.
All I can say is WOW!!!!. This is a different instument. A little TLC made this ICON every bit the sonic equal of my old Hofner 500/1. It is really that good.
And its not just my sentimentality taking over. I have loaned this one out for recordings and gigs to other pros and had to beg to get it back from them. Everyone loves it.
Just for comparison, I did play a new Contemporary series bass when they came out. It did not have the same McCartney vibe as the ICON. It looked the part -- for sure. Maybe even more so than the ICON. But the CT series has that center block neither the ICON nor the original 500/1 has. As a result, it just didn't have that true hollowbody "bloom" for lack of a better word.
In the end, knowing what I know now, I would buy the ICON all over again. It likely won't be perfect when you get it (maybe not even close). But everything you need is there. With a good set up and a little TLC, I'll bet you will be more than 100% satisfied with the result.
Just do it!
Truth be told, I did not care for it much at first. As noted above, the earliest imports had serious construction issues (sharp fret ends, buzzing pickup surrounds and pickguard, poorly crafted floating bridge.) But, because it was a gift, I knew I could never trade her. So, I rolled up my sleeves and went to work. Filed the fret ends and the back of the neck with a little steel wool. That took care of that. Similarly, I shaved the pickguard to eliminate buzzing. Finally, I shaved the top of the bridge on the treble side, just behind the saddles to elimate the strings hitting the back of the bridge and throwing off intonation. Finally, I strung her up with rotosound monel flats (short scale) and gave her a good set up.
All I can say is WOW!!!!. This is a different instument. A little TLC made this ICON every bit the sonic equal of my old Hofner 500/1. It is really that good.
And its not just my sentimentality taking over. I have loaned this one out for recordings and gigs to other pros and had to beg to get it back from them. Everyone loves it.
Just for comparison, I did play a new Contemporary series bass when they came out. It did not have the same McCartney vibe as the ICON. It looked the part -- for sure. Maybe even more so than the ICON. But the CT series has that center block neither the ICON nor the original 500/1 has. As a result, it just didn't have that true hollowbody "bloom" for lack of a better word.
In the end, knowing what I know now, I would buy the ICON all over again. It likely won't be perfect when you get it (maybe not even close). But everything you need is there. With a good set up and a little TLC, I'll bet you will be more than 100% satisfied with the result.
Just do it!
I love my Icon. With tapewounds on it I can do McCartney very well. It doesn't sound exactly like the German version (different electronics), but boy it comes close. It's a lot of fun playing Beatles tunes on. It also sounds pretty good playing Blues, though it doesn't look the part.
All in all, if you want the Hofner experience, without the price of a real one, go for an Icon.
I've also got a Contemporary, which has the sound block. But it uses the same German electronics in it. That can do the Beatles very well too, but with a slightly deeper tone (because it's not fully hollow).
All in all, if you want the Hofner experience, without the price of a real one, go for an Icon.
I've also got a Contemporary, which has the sound block. But it uses the same German electronics in it. That can do the Beatles very well too, but with a slightly deeper tone (because it's not fully hollow).
The one I played was in a store. It felt quite cheap, the pickups were weak, and it felt like it was going to break in my hands. I have though that this one was an exception, as it probably needed a setup/strings/to be played through a better amp. However, that still didn't change the fact that it felt like the neck was going to snap.
I know I wasn't expecting a Spector, but it just felt dull and fragile.
I know I wasn't expecting a Spector, but it just felt dull and fragile.
loved mine for the first two weeks, especially with the LaBella flats on it. But now I am beginning to find it less than thrilling. It's not a bad bass by any stretch of the imagination. But once the thrill of looking at it began to fade a bit, I find it too small. Picking up my Jay Turser JTB-401 after playing it, the body and neck seem so huge and more comfortable. I am flirting with returning it to MF for a Squier CV 60's Jazz for the same price.
I once had a '64. I know, kick me, I sold her. Twenty years later I bought a new contemporary. Love the look, feel and sound. I'm not really sure that a '64 in my hand would live up to my old memories, but I kind of wish I could get rid of that block of wood inside. Actually, the only thing I'd really get rid of are the crappy guitar style tuners. I'm not so much afraid of taking a drill press to the headstock as the realization that she won't fit in the case with modern tuners. Alas. She's fun to "fiddle" with, but she won't replace my Schecter on stage.
I have 2 Icons the green 45/150 and Black cherry 106/150,green is my favorite color but the black cherry one is a freak and I know I have chatted with the Hofner dealer and the Hofner rep(he gave me a new tuning peg for the green one)I play originals blues classic and oldies and favor the light weight the right amp helps these bass guitars out,I want to get the blue one next
