Bob Daisley with his 1963 500/1 Hofner on "Flying high again" (Ozzie Osbourne):
It seems this bass rocks!
It seems this bass rocks!
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Hofner basses.....not worth it?
- Thread starter 74rickbass
- Start date
What anything is "worth" is what someone is willing to pay for it. Obviously, people buy German Hofners, so they are worth what the company asks for them.
bamba22
Commercial User
If you have the money it's worth it, if not...there is a lot of really nice basses in less then that one
:- Nov 14, 2003
- 398
- 10
- 52
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Sadowsky, D.Markley, Spector
I think sometimes as bass players, our most immediate idea of an electric bass guitar, is going to be a Fender, you know some solid body, heavy, instrument with chunky parts and girth to it, manly if you will. Then when we pick up an instrument that is fragile, lightweight, with dainty parts, we typically write if off as it were less than adequate. Honestly, if you look at this way, then of what value are WOMEN to us?
The Hofner should be looked at as an acoustic instrument, much like a violin, something you have to appreciate, handle with care, and pull the tone out of it, rather than relying on stock magnetic pickups, and a style of string choice to decide what the instrument sounds like.
Now Im not saying the Hofner is for everyone, and it certainly has its things that it does well, but it's not a slap machine, and may not get the amount of overtones that your Stingray bass will give you, but for solid fundamental low end tone, not to mention the ease of playability that a short scale bass gives you, plus the vibe of a true hollowbody instrument, the Hofner is a viable, capable, and worthy player and has its place in the top 10 basses ever made.
And on one final note, I dont know how many times Ive read on here that people question whether or not McCartney's bass was stock or "suped up". First, if youve ever played a Hofner through a good tube amp with a pick, and with the Bass On switched engaged, you would know the answer to that. Second, fancy pickups and active circuits were around in the 60's, i.e. Burns, Hagstrom, but wouldve provided little improvement to the stock sound of a Hofner. What on earth could possibly be different on Paul's bass, that would imply the thought of a "suped up" instrument?
The Hofner should be looked at as an acoustic instrument, much like a violin, something you have to appreciate, handle with care, and pull the tone out of it, rather than relying on stock magnetic pickups, and a style of string choice to decide what the instrument sounds like.
Now Im not saying the Hofner is for everyone, and it certainly has its things that it does well, but it's not a slap machine, and may not get the amount of overtones that your Stingray bass will give you, but for solid fundamental low end tone, not to mention the ease of playability that a short scale bass gives you, plus the vibe of a true hollowbody instrument, the Hofner is a viable, capable, and worthy player and has its place in the top 10 basses ever made.
And on one final note, I dont know how many times Ive read on here that people question whether or not McCartney's bass was stock or "suped up". First, if youve ever played a Hofner through a good tube amp with a pick, and with the Bass On switched engaged, you would know the answer to that. Second, fancy pickups and active circuits were around in the 60's, i.e. Burns, Hagstrom, but wouldve provided little improvement to the stock sound of a Hofner. What on earth could possibly be different on Paul's bass, that would imply the thought of a "suped up" instrument?
I love the sound(s) from my Custom Shop Club I picked up for $1400. It's light weight and I was pleasantly surprised at what a great bass it has been for reggae.
I LOVE the finish on that bass! Gorgeous!!
Hofner basses are worth it if you really want one. The Icon satisfies my Hofner yearning, though that Club bass above has me interested in a German made bass now.
The question can be asked of any bass, ie are Rickenbackers worth it, are Fenders worth it, etc. You will get different answers from many different perspectives.
I'd rather play a Hofner than a Fender any day.
The question can be asked of any bass, ie are Rickenbackers worth it, are Fenders worth it, etc. You will get different answers from many different perspectives.
I'd rather play a Hofner than a Fender any day.
Its all opinion,but I love my German Hofner as well as my CT that I unfortunately have to sell.
They aren't as fragile as you'd think...just don't abuse it. The fragile thing is more of a state of mind I think. Its not more fragile than an acoustic guitar.
Here's mine...I love it!
They aren't as fragile as you'd think...just don't abuse it. The fragile thing is more of a state of mind I think. Its not more fragile than an acoustic guitar.
Here's mine...I love it!
Thanks Rob. It's finish is called Antique Violin. Really looks better in person. 
I LOVE the finish on that bass! Gorgeous!!
I'm surely not offended,but lets face it..it all comes down to personal preference. Its all opinion. If you don't like em, they can sure seem like crap and a waste of money...just like anything else. I dig the look and the sound and love the craftmanship.
Anyone who says, "I hope I don't offend anyone, but I think the bass you play looks like crap." is really not an honest person. Because you really DO mean to offend them!
Can you imagine walking up to someone and saying, "I really don't mean to offend you, but your wife looks like crap."
Come on! How disingenuous!
Can you imagine walking up to someone and saying, "I really don't mean to offend you, but your wife looks like crap."
Come on! How disingenuous!
What's your budget? You should be able to find a used one for $1400. It's not uncommon, and I can tell you mine was worth it.
I played a "Contemporary" today for the first time (acoustically only, no amp) and liked the feel a lot, more than the Icon/Ignition.
