• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hofner basses.....not worth it?

#321
I recently returned to Hofner ownership, after close to 20 years away. My previous Hofner was a 1967 500/1, purchased new, and traded away in 1990. Since I traded the Hofner away, I have acquired all kinds of basses, and I have to say that a Hofner is in a league of its own. They may not appeal to everybody, but then again, very few basses do. They are lighter, and smaller, but have a big robust sound, once you get used to the physical differences between Hofners and more "conventional" basses. This does not mean that they are are cheap or chintzy, just lighter, and smaller. Then again, so is a cello...

As far as the Icon (which I bought) they are ok..for the price. The German bass is definitely expensive; this probably has more to do with the value of the dollar vs the German mark, then the euro, than any great quality factor. They were priced ok back in the day, but 2k + for the German version is just too much for this bass, IMO. Between the Chinese clones, the CT is closer to the real deal than the Icon, again IMO. CT's give their owners details very close to the German version, which the Icon versions do not. That's not to say Icons are bad basses, but the higher price for a CT affords more details. But the Icon will do the job, and comes closer to the real deal (assuming someone wants the real deal)...than an Epi viola, or a Rogue. All I can say is: it's great to have choices.
 
#322
DavyR said:
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'.
Click to expand...

You mean like comparing $300 to $1800? You are right, that is ludicrous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr Gero
#323
bassplayer8953 said:
I recently returned to Hofner ownership, after close to 20 years away. My previous Hofner was a 1967 500/1, purchased new, and traded away in 1990. Since I traded the Hofner away, I have acquired all kinds of basses, and I have to say that a Hofner is in a league of its own. They may not appeal to everybody, but then again, very few basses do. They are lighter, and smaller, but have a big robust sound, once you get used to the physical differences between Hofners and more "conventional" basses. This does not mean that they are are cheap or chintzy, just lighter, and smaller. Then again, so is a cello...

As far as the Icon (which I bought) they are ok..for the price. The German bass is definitely expensive; this probably has more to do with the value of the dollar vs the German mark, then the euro, than any great quality factor. They were priced ok back in the day, but 2k + for the German version is just too much for this bass, IMO. Between the Chinese clones, the CT is closer to the real deal than the Icon, again IMO. CT's give their owners details very close to the German version, which the Icon versions do not. That's not to say Icons are bad basses, but the higher price for a CT affords more details. But the Icon will do the job, and comes closer to the real deal (assuming someone wants the real deal)...than an Epi viola, or a Rogue. All I can say is: it's great to have choices.
Click to expand...

I have played German made Hofners and play Icons now. I have never played a CT. I do wonder why Hofner would make the cheap bass the one most like the high end one. Or why not have a true hollowbody CT version? I had the opposite experience. When I play a German Hofner, it just does not appear to be six to eight times better than an Icon. Yes, it is nice and feels different. But not "Better." And certainly not eight times better. How can one measure that?
 
#324
I've played a couple CT's. They feel slightly more solid than the Icon. But that could be the semihollow design. I thought the Icon was pretty decent for a cheapo. I'd rock one one if I had one.
 
#325
UPDATE: Thanks to the assistance of Don Dawson from D'Addario I have acquired a set of EXL220M strings that fit perfectly on my Hofner CT-500/1.

Spread the word to all owners of this model that medium scale strings do fit on it, and kudos to the folks at D'Addario for excellent customer service support!
 
#326
Rob Martinez said:
I have played German made Hofners and play Icons now. I have never played a CT. I do wonder why Hofner would make the cheap bass the one most like the high end one. Or why not have a true hollowbody CT version? I had the opposite experience. When I play a German Hofner, it just does not appear to be six to eight times better than an Icon. Yes, it is nice and feels different. But not "Better." And certainly not eight times better. How can one measure that?
Click to expand...

I did have the opportunity to demo them, back to back. Whether the block in the CT adds to the sound or not is debatable, but it definitely gives the bass a more solid feel, something many...including myself...would relate to better quality. There are other details, especially with the neck, and the way it attaches to the body, where the CT is closer to its German cousin.

The Icon (and to a lesser extent, the CT) gives people who cannot...or will not...part with 2K the chance to own a version of this iconic instrument. Is the German version worth 8X the $$$..? Of course not; its a matter of German labor...and the international currency thing...vs Chinese labor. If the choice came down to the German bass or nothing, I would still be Hofner-less. But for a few hundred, the Icon is a fun little bass.
 
#328
bassplayer8953 said:
I did have the opportunity to demo them, back to back. Whether the block in the CT adds to the sound or not is debatable, but it definitely gives the bass a more solid feel, something many...including myself...would relate to better quality. There are other details, especially with the neck, and the way it attaches to the body, where the CT is closer to its German cousin.

The Icon (and to a lesser extent, the CT) gives people who cannot...or will not...part with 2K the chance to own a version of this iconic instrument. Is the German version worth 8X the $$$..? Of course not; its a matter of German labor...and the international currency thing...vs Chinese labor. If the choice came down to the German bass or nothing, I would still be Hofner-less. But for a few hundred, the Icon is a fun little bass.
Click to expand...

I agree on all your points. Well said.

I can see what you mean about the "lightness" of the German and Icon Hofners. I played a Rickenbacker 4000 for 25 years, then one day played a German made Hofner. Felt like a toy! That is not an issue for me, in fact I love how light the Icons are.
 
#330
Agreed, the German Hofners probably aren't worth what they're sold for (perhaps $1200 USD would be more appropriate) , but that unique tone only comes from the hollow body with a solid spruce top.

As long as players are willing to pay the higher price, Hofner will probably be happy to sell them.
 
#331
The only bass I've ever heard that could sound as deep and thumpy as a Hofner was a Ric with the neck pickup soloed... and it still doesn't nail the full scope of a Hofner's subwoofer-blasting thump, but it's a close approximate whereas most other basses won't even get near it. Maybe not a bass for all occasions, but it is most definitely a BASS. Ever heard one through a fEarful 15/6? It's frightening.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr Gero
#332
Hmmm...maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is that they're not solid spruce tops, all laminated. (If the German reissues are solid, then do the CT's and Icon's have lam tops?)

Even Hofner's own website says "spruce top" for all of the reissues. My experience has been that if guitar makers use solid woods, they always say "solid." If they don't say solid, it's always laminate.

Anyone else know for sure?

(PS: Then of course there's the very debatable issue of whether a solid top electric guitar really sounds better than a lam top electric...)
 
#333
AZJim said:
Hmmm...maybe I'm wrong, but my understanding is that they're not solid spruce tops, all laminated. (If the German reissues are solid, then do the CT's and Icon's have lam tops?)

Even Hofner's own website says "spruce top" for all of the reissues. My experience has been that if guitar makers use solid woods, they always say "solid." If they don't say solid, it's always laminate.

Anyone else know for sure?

(PS: Then of course there's the very debatable issue of whether a solid top electric guitar really sounds better than a lam top electric...)
Click to expand...

I recently removed the control panel of my German Club for a look at the connection, and though I'm by no means an expert on such things, the top appeared to be cut from a solid piece of spruce. I didn't notice the telltale layers that might indicate laminated construction, in any event. Just my two cents.
 
#334
I had a 1965 German Hof that was the 35 th one brought into the US through Sorkin Music in NYC. It was a wonderful lightweight bass that served me well for for 7 years until it burned in a fire at my parents house :( ! It was $350 with HSC ! In 2007 , not having the $2000 for a German Hof, I bought a Hofner Icon. Although the finish was more yellow than brown like the original , and the knobs were not of the teacup style, this bass played , and sounded as good as my 1965 !!! If you're a gear snob, don't buy it , if you are concerned about tone and playability , get this bass , it's awesome !
 
#336
DavyR said:
Well, it IS being done and is one of the reasons why I'm posting on this thread. Just read the post above this one!!!
Click to expand...

Free speech. As already stated above, I don't want to spend $2000 for a Hofner, so I pay $300 for an Icon and am VERY happy with it. It's just not for you. The Icons I play have nice finishes, are well constructed, and stay in tune. I'm good with that!
 
#337
Rob Martinez said:
The German made Hofs I have played felt like baseball bats in comparison. Not a bad thing, just not for me.
Click to expand...

Rob, you probably were playing Hofner's "fat necks". They are very different from the standard v63 neck. Hofner specifically made them for the v61 Cavern and the v62, but most were found on the v62 made between 2004-2007.

They are very unique necks and weren't my cup of tea either.

TD
 
#338
Thornton Davis said:
Rob, you probably were playing Hofner's "fat necks". They are very different from the standard v63 neck. Hofner specifically made them for the v61 Cavern and the v62, but most were found on the v62 made between 2004-2007.

They are very unique necks and weren't my cup of tea either.

TD
Click to expand...

Yeah, that must have been it. I prefer the smaller necks. I have a Rickenbacker 4000 that has an amazing small, fast neck. I had a 4003 made in 2001 and it's neck was just "chunkier" and not for me.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back