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Hofner basses.....not worth it?
- Thread starter 74rickbass
- Start date
Although with some good LaBella Beatle Bass flats, I could see the Ignition basses tone improving quite a bit I must say. With rounds, the sound block helps the tone of the CT to my ears. Even on my Brice copy, the rounds that came on it were nasty sounding, but put some flats on and you are in different ball park to me. Should have added that to the original post, as it wasn't meant to diss the Ignition/Icon basses at all.
To me a good bass is a very subjective thing. If the feel, tone, build and vibe work for you, then the price you pay is worth it, be it Hofner, Fender Rickenbacker ect. What someone else thinks dosen't really matter. You are the one who is playing not them. Personally I like Hofner basses and would like to get another one soon.
Hey all, so just wanted to ask those that have the CT and have also played Icons and/or German reissues to see, how much additional sustain does the CT have? Is it fairly subtle, or really different, and if so, is it easy to temper it somewhat by playing style?
I'm in a Beatles cover band but don't yet have a Hofner. Can't quite afford a German reissue (especially since I'll be needing some big bucks for a Ric), so I'll be going either CT or Icon. I never thought I'd go with the Icon in fact, but from what I've seen here, they seem to be more well liked that I at first thought. And the one in my local GC right now is fine, I've played it and no issues.
On the other hand, I will be using whatever Hofner I get for non-Beatles applications too, so the extra sustain might be nice.
So...how much of a difference is there?
I'm in a Beatles cover band but don't yet have a Hofner. Can't quite afford a German reissue (especially since I'll be needing some big bucks for a Ric), so I'll be going either CT or Icon. I never thought I'd go with the Icon in fact, but from what I've seen here, they seem to be more well liked that I at first thought. And the one in my local GC right now is fine, I've played it and no issues.
On the other hand, I will be using whatever Hofner I get for non-Beatles applications too, so the extra sustain might be nice.
So...how much of a difference is there?
Well said, I agree... I never owned one, but I did have the opportunity to play one a lot in the early 70's for about a year (came with the band... long story).
A little back pressure on the neck and the whole thing went out of tune.
Plus, I could never the the action to feel right.
Not well constructed, not sure how well they would last over the years, and the sound was not that pleasing to my ear...
Rob
My Hofner Icon basses stay in tune. The action is just right, and it is a blast to play. They are well constructed instruments, and have lasted very well since I bought them. The sound is very pleasing to my ear.
To each his own, I suppose.
My Icon never stayed in tune - cheap flimsy guitar tuners never worked very well. I wouldn't exactly call it a "well made instrunment". Sure it didn't fall apart, but cheap Squier's dont either. My Icon had a cheap finish, a cheesy pickguard that would slice your hand, horrible frets, and the pickups sounded horrible - typical chinese junk - and I'm a guy who loves violin basses, but the Icon is the bottom of the barrel for sure.
my own experience - had a 1968 500/1, perfect intonation, action, and rock solid. got stolen.
I now own a late 70's 500/1 that I had to restore, been through the mill but it's solid, loud and the most fun bass to play of all my collection. I love it.
I also own a newer Hofner CT 500/1, once I ironed a couple things out, it has been an incredible bass and great value for the money I paid. I love this one as well.
I love switching to one of the Hofners after playing one of my P basses for awhile, they are just a joy to play. obviously, if you want something hifi, more than 4 strings, more than 30" scale, than you will be completely and utterly disappointed. you have to have the right attitude going into it, a hofner will most likely be no one's "go to" bass, at least not many.
I do feel that the German products are overpriced and over valued, at least the new ones, but they are very well made basses these days, and will not fall apart in your hands - just look at Paul's, almost 50 years on and it's still pumping out the jams.
to the original poster - the claim that these basses do not have trussrods is flat out wrong. the first ones in the late 50's did not, but that was changed soon afterwards. all the 60's versions have trussrods, and the reissues too, although I think they did a brief run of '58 reissues that did not have the trussrod, just as the original 58 did not.
I now own a late 70's 500/1 that I had to restore, been through the mill but it's solid, loud and the most fun bass to play of all my collection. I love it.
I also own a newer Hofner CT 500/1, once I ironed a couple things out, it has been an incredible bass and great value for the money I paid. I love this one as well.
I love switching to one of the Hofners after playing one of my P basses for awhile, they are just a joy to play. obviously, if you want something hifi, more than 4 strings, more than 30" scale, than you will be completely and utterly disappointed. you have to have the right attitude going into it, a hofner will most likely be no one's "go to" bass, at least not many.
I do feel that the German products are overpriced and over valued, at least the new ones, but they are very well made basses these days, and will not fall apart in your hands - just look at Paul's, almost 50 years on and it's still pumping out the jams.
to the original poster - the claim that these basses do not have trussrods is flat out wrong. the first ones in the late 50's did not, but that was changed soon afterwards. all the 60's versions have trussrods, and the reissues too, although I think they did a brief run of '58 reissues that did not have the trussrod, just as the original 58 did not.
Why did you buy it? I never would buy an instrument as you describe it. You seem to claim to be a discerning purchaser of instruments, yet you bought this bass you seem to hate. Have you sold it? If not, why not?
Would you like to buy some real estate in Iran?
Why did you buy it? I never would buy an instrument as you describe it. You seem to claim to be a discerning purchaser of instruments, yet you bought this bass you seem to hate. Have you sold it? If not, why not?
Would you like to buy some real estate in Iran?
He's just an habitual Icon basher.
I couldn't have said it better. Well done! You forgot to also mention 'neck heavy'. LOL! I was smart and didn't buy one. I played a friend's Icon. Within seconds you could see, feel and hear that it was junk. Being opened minded I gave the Icon 30 minutes before I gave up on it. And, it's ludicrous to make ANY comparison to 'the real thing'.
Careful, or the Icon Fanboys will assassinate your character for calling a spade a spade....
