Hofner Basses

[baritajolo]

I have been playing this Contemporary model for years, haven't had a single complaint, the neck pickup really sounds terrific, has a very comfortable easy action, and I simply love it - have no other bass, just this one

 

[ectoflanger]

A friend of mine, a drummer I'm working with, who does not play bass, wanted one for his studio. I advised him to purchase an HCT-500/1-SB which he got an open box one on the way. I figured it to be a reasonable medium between the 300 dollar and the 2500 dollar one, which he can buy the latter at a later date if he so chooses. At any rate I anticipate checking it out when I get back home in mid-January.

I myself have never played one, but in response to those who say it's just a 'Beatles song bass" I submit the following which exhibits one of the coolest bass tones ever- and yes, I know it's a video, but I've seen footage of them playing live with the same bass-

 

[GIBrat51]

I've never owned a Hofner 500/1 bass - German or Chinese; although I have played all of them. I do own 2 violin basses, though; a pretty cheap Chinese Starfire - from the factory that makes most of the Chinese violin basses, and a '90s, MIK Rogue VB-100. Which is a much nicer bass than the current Chinese Rogues. IMO, any of the Chinese Hofners are better than the Starfire. Quality-wise? I'd put my Korean Rogue up against a CT 500/1 any day. Their tone's different, but only because the CT's not a hollow-body, and the Rogue is. But, the German 500/1? Blows them all away, no contest. The only reason I don't own one is that - with the stupidly high Lefty Surcharge that Hofner imposes? That German 500/1 costs about 17 times more than my Korean Rogue did. And, while that German 500/1 is better than the Rogue - in every possible way - it is not 17 times better...
However, I do own a NOS 2017 Hofner 500/2 Sunburst Club Bass. While I would gladly have purchased a Chinese one, Hofner doesn't make left-handed Chinese Club Basses. So, mine is a German one - and yes it was... expensive. With the Lefty Surcharge? Close to $800 more than a right handed one costs... But, I don't mind (well, not too much). It is an absolutely beautiful bass, and made every bit as beautifully as it looks. It's wearing pyramid Gold Flats, and for the majority of the music I like to play? It works very, very well...

 

[Thornton Davis]

TD

 

[Shawn Luckman]

I own both a 1964 German made 500/1 & 2005 - 2008 HCT 500/1. The German one I have owned since Nov '88 and was my main bass for 10 years solid and the, HCT which I bought in April this year and both are very well made.
There are differences between them the one for me is the necks, the '64 has a thin neck where as the HCT has a 42mm nut width and is a chunky neck. I would like to try the entry level Artist 500/1 just to see if the neck, has the same nut width and feel as the HCT.
Funnily enough now the German made '64 has become my main player again, I can't put it down now it's all I want to play now.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

I had a Hofner violin bass in the mid-'70s. I played it through a Sound City Bass 150. They are fine basses but the narrow spacing didn't work out.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

I had a Hofner violin bass in the mid-'70s. I played it through a Sound City Bass 150. They are fine basses but the narrow spacing didn't work out.

I had the Sound City 120 valve head that I sometimes, used with my violin bass trying to remember what happened to it.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

I had the Sound City 120 valve head that I sometimes, used with my violin bass trying to remember what happened to it.

The stuff I've let come and go...