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Hofner basses.....not worth it?

#121
I played a late 70's hofner & a brand new hofner back to back & the late 70's one blew it away. Total McCartney vibe. Completely fragile, though - whoever thought of that floating pickguard thing?

I ended up buying the 70's hof because I loved the sound, but I'm sure I paid too much for it. Note: I'm not a beatles fan, I just loved the sound of the bass.
 
#122
dmarotta said:
I think every professional bass player should own a Hofner.I have recorded many tracks with a 500 Clubbass reissue and and can attest that the thick sound sits well and is easily mixed in the right song.Check out Colbie Callaits' million selling debut album. With the exception of two fretless tracks ,the rest of the record was recorded with the Hofner by both the producer Mikal Blue and myself.
It should not be your only bass, just an addition to your arsenal of sounds.
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OK. I agree completely with this statement. The Hofner fills a sonic void somewhere between an upright and a precision with flats that just sits well in so many recordings. I did not get my first Hofner until my 40th birthday -- then I wondered why I waited so long.

As for the second statement - do you know how many Google searches I have done trying to find information about the bass players on Colbie Callait's record? I love the playing on that (especially the fretless work) but have been unable to get any real information on the players and equipment used. Thank you so much for stepping forward and helping solve this mystery. My hat is off to you sir. Really nice bass work on that album!!! (See- I said "album" - showing my age again)

As for the fretless player on "Bubbly" -- who is that?!@! PLEASE tell me!
 
#123
I have an '07 Icon that is a lot of fun to play. It was set up exceptionally well, but it also seems to have been exceptionally well built compared to a lot of the "original" models. It definitely plays much better than the early 70s (I think) 500/1 I had, and doesn't feel quite as fragile either.

I read somewhere that McCartney bought his because it was the only lefty model he could find. That's as good a reason as any, and he obviously has some sentimental attachment to it considering all the work that's had to be done to the one he uses these days to keep it playable.

They have a unique tone, they're nice and light, you get a lot of interesting comments from the crowd when you play them in public and the Icon series is attractively priced. Who could ask for anything more?
 
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#124
Don't forget that the violin bass is not the only bass they made. I have a 185 Artiste that I bought in 1967 - two pickups, same as the violin, but in a solid Precision style. Still play it as I like the short scale - now it has a Dimarzio P pickup. And there were other various solids.
David
 
#125
Garry Goodman said:
No doubt about it,i remember buying a new Hofner in the late 60's for about $95 .They were cheap.

I sold 6 of 7 1960's Hofners. 500/1s,500/2s etc. I kept my 68' g500/1 blonde beatle bass and in 1974 added bartolinis and an on board preamp thaty has a discreet steero panning by a fellow named Rex Bogue.
It has a short scale,nice tone and is light.
"Hofner is great! You bet they are worth having" -The Paul McCartney quote from the 1970 Sorkin Music catalog.
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I heard that McCartney paid the equivalant of $70 for his first Hofner. That one wound up being stolen. The one he plays now was given to him in 1963 by Hofner. I used to have one back in the early 1980's. I paid the same price a CT bass goes for now. If felt very light and fragile, being hollow. The pups left a lot to be desired for me. I wound up selling it real cheap. You couldn't hardly give Hofners away back then. I now have a Brice copy, and it feels much more sturdy, and sounds as good as I would want it to. For much, much less than a German Hofner. I would like to try a CT bass but, with my financial situation right now, I have no plans to buy anymore basses anytime soon.
 
#126
I own two Hofners. An Icon and a Contemporary. You could argue that they are not "real" Hofners because they are mad in Asia. They both are substantial, awesome instruments. You don't want to be banging them around (as you wouldn't want any of your bases to be banged around), but they are not so fragile that they'll crumble in your hands. If you're looking for that Beatles vibe, you can't beat a Hofner.
 
#127
I owned/played a '63 Hofner for several years. Great sounding bass with flatwound strings that never got changed. Easy to play. Used a pick only. High-output pickups. Sold it because it was top heavey. Bought a Gibson EB-3 with round wounds. Returned it a week later. Didn't like the neck or the tone. Picked up a '64 Fender Jazz Bass and stuck with that forever along with my old school Sunn 2000s.
 
#128
Woodchuck said:
I don't mean to offend anyone, but I always thought that they were crap.
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Tried one recently (both a real one and a knock-off) and I hated them both. Their sound doesn't appeal to me and the feel of playing the bass is completely awful. I think the fact that Paul McCartney played the thing (though he did indeed buy it because it was cheap and he needed a bass) really hyped everyone up about them and that's what raised the price.

But to each his own, perhaps people like the feel. It's just not for me.
 
#130
my Epi Viola has served me well. my plan, once i get the SX Jazz to round out my P/J/Beatle arsenal, is to throw some flatwounds on the Viola and use it for recording. there was a video on YouTube of McCartney giving a tutorial using his '63. if i can cop something like that tone, i'll be happy. it's not a crappy tone. it's just a sound that you can't hide behind.

i have used it for live rock gigs, though (think Guided By Voices/Who). and it held its own, partially due to amp EQ. i think because it's an Epi, it can probably stand to be thrashed around than a real Hofner would. but it's still more delicate than a solidbody, and must be approached as such when handling it. took some getting used to when i bought it, but i didn't mind.
 
#131
overdrivethree said:
my Epi Viola has served me well. my plan, once i get the SX Jazz to round out my P/J/Beatle arsenal, is to throw some flatwounds on the Viola and use it for recording. there was a video on YouTube of McCartney giving a tutorial using his '63. if i can cop something like that tone, i'll be happy. it's not a crappy tone. it's just a sound that you can't hide behind.

i have used it for live rock gigs, though (think Guided By Voices/Who). and it held its own, partially due to amp EQ. i think because it's an Epi, it can probably stand to be thrashed around than a real Hofner would. but it's still more delicate than a solidbody, and must be approached as such when handling it. took some getting used to when i bought it, but i didn't mind.
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I saw that tutorial, very cool.

All Paul used was his Hofner with flats, and an Ashdown combo. GREAT sound, pure, deep, and warm!!

I play my Hofner Icon through an Ampeg B100R combo, I couldn't be happier.
 
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#132
Well, don't see anyone hitting this thread up anymore, but I just HAD to mention something cool about this. I went to youtube because I had a similar debate in my mind for a second bass, and I really dug the 5000/1 they have out (the sans sunburst version modern), so I typed in just "hofner 5000/1" and this guy "brightequal" was doing "You Gotta Hide Your Love Away" unlike any cover I'd heard! You gotta check it out. The sound doesn't seem limited at all; in fact, the guy's arrangement covers the melody, instead - and far from mud or boominess, it's reminiscent of JACO, tonally, so what up? I mean, I need to check with the guy to find out what mods (if any - in '08, Hofner added fretless as an option), but if that's factory, I'll be damned!
Oh, also, who's played one of these babies through any PHIL JONES gear before? I'll bet the plate vibration of a Hofner would really come out in spades on one of those! I've heard the P through one and holy s**t, the woody fundamental of that bass really came out! Just a thought. And really, after hearing that Ralph Glauk (the guy on youtube) play that Hofner fretless, I HAD to mention it.
 
#134
Sub Stance said:
Well, don't see anyone hitting this thread up anymore, but I just HAD to mention something cool about this. I went to youtube because I had a similar debate in my mind for a second bass, and I really dug the 5000/1 they have out (the sans sunburst version modern), so I typed in just "hofner 5000/1" and this guy "brightequal" was doing "You Gotta Hide Your Love Away" unlike any cover I'd heard! You gotta check it out. The sound doesn't seem limited at all; in fact, the guy's arrangement covers the melody, instead - and far from mud or boominess, it's reminiscent of JACO, tonally, so what up? I mean, I need to check with the guy to find out what mods (if any - in '08, Hofner added fretless as an option), but if that's factory, I'll be damned!
Oh, also, who's played one of these babies through any PHIL JONES gear before? I'll bet the plate vibration of a Hofner would really come out in spades on one of those! I've heard the P through one and holy s**t, the woody fundamental of that bass really came out! Just a thought. And really, after hearing that Ralph Glauk (the guy on youtube) play that Hofner fretless, I HAD to mention it.
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FWIW
I have a Höfner 5000-f-o-1 fretless, I was told by Rob at Höfner it is the first of 3 made in 2008. I do play it through the Phil Jones "Suitcase".
I put a preamp in my 1968 G 500/1 (the G 500/1 was what the blonde version was listed as in the 1970 Sorkin Music catalog).
I thought I might need to put a pre in this but, no. It sounds great.
It is articulate and has excellent low end.
I will post a video soon and I have an audio clip that I need to post somewhere. The bass records beautifully. It is really well made.
Here's a photo:Invalid Link Removed

I love the bass, it is worth every cent. The natural acoustic properties of this bass guitar are exceptional, you won't need any mods.
Of course, one has to like the sound an acoustic design . A solid body bass is a different instrument. This fretless sounds,at times, like an upright bass. The subtleties you can get out of it are amazing
 
#135
My Hofner has been a great value and an even better performer. I got mine in Germany back in '65 for $119 and still have it today. It still plays and sounds great, it made me a lot of money during its life and has great residual value. Don't be short sighted. Open your eyes and look down the road.

Guitars203.jpg
 
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#138
main_sale said:
My Hofner has been a great value and an even better performer. I got mine in Germany back in '65 for $119 and still have it today. It still plays and sounds great, it made me a lot of money during its life and has great residual value. Don't be short sighted. Open your eyes and look down the road.

Guitars203.jpg
Click to expand...

That, by the way, is one terrific loking Hofner! :bassist:
 
#139
Sub Stance said:
Well, don't see anyone hitting this thread up anymore, but I just HAD to mention something cool about this. I went to youtube because I had a similar debate in my mind for a second bass, and I really dug the 5000/1 they have out (the sans sunburst version modern), so I typed in just "hofner 5000/1" and this guy "brightequal" was doing "You Gotta Hide Your Love Away" unlike any cover I'd heard! You gotta check it out. The sound doesn't seem limited at all; in fact, the guy's arrangement covers the melody, instead - and far from mud or boominess, it's reminiscent of JACO, tonally, so what up? I mean, I need to check with the guy to find out what mods (if any - in '08, Hofner added fretless as an option), but if that's factory, I'll be damned!
Oh, also, who's played one of these babies through any PHIL JONES gear before? I'll bet the plate vibration of a Hofner would really come out in spades on one of those! I've heard the P through one and holy s**t, the woody fundamental of that bass really came out! Just a thought. And really, after hearing that Ralph Glauk (the guy on youtube) play that Hofner fretless, I HAD to mention it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight!! :bassist:
 

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