• 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 Beatle Bass

#61
I have a Hofner CT violin bass in black and it has been my go to recording bass for the last few years. With the sustain block and round wounds on, it has a very versatile tonal palette. And it has balls! Compared to my Jazz, Precision and Stingray it has the best bottom end recording direct.

I have also had a Rogue violin bass, which sounded and played great with flats but terrible with rounds. I had an Epiphone viola bass around '97-'98 and really loved it before trading it for a P bass.

I haven't played one, but have also heard good reviews of the Douglas violin bass at Rondo Music. Also comes in black and a fretless version for $169! Controls match the setup of the Epiphone.
 
#62
I have been a Fender bass guy for over 15 years but since I brought a used Hofner CT 500/1 violin bass I haven't been able to put it down!

It has a lovely smooth, warm deep tone that fenders can't touch and it just sits so well in the mix live and in the studio. I love palm muting with this bass!! It's great, you can squeeze a lot of tone out of it with hardly any EQ once you figure out the switches.

At the moment it is my main gigging bass. I love it as it's light and I can really let loose! And it sounds great with chords! Admittedly you can't smash it as hard you would a Fender but it can take a beating. They're not as fragile as some people make out.
image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jinglesmeowmeow, Pentatonic and sneha1965
#63
For a while my Hofner and my SG bass were my only two gig basses.My band plays alot of blues and old school country.The Hofner fit perfectly.Every body loved it and always commented on how cool it looked and how good it sounded.I like it because it is different.I show up to play at a festival or something and everyone else has the run of the mill p or j or Ibanez.It catches ppl off guard.I like that.
 
#64
I had a bad experience at a local guitar shop that sold us my son's Jay Turser Hofner clone. We went back to them for a set of new strings, they sold us a "medium scale" set that didn't fit. The cloth wraps were extending over the nut right up to the first fret! We tried to return them, the bozo wouldn't take them back because we had "installed" the strings. I wanted to strangle the guy! Needless to say, not buying anything from them again, stupid business practice, stiffing us for $20 strings after we bought a $300 bass, $40 strap, and $80 case! What is the "correct" scale length for these, and where can we find a good set of roundwounds (Preferably stainless) that will fit right out of the package? We hadn't realized that the bridge is entirely floating, so the intonation is out now as well. Any advice on intonating one of these appreciated also. There is no individual bridge saddle adjustment, so I guess it's just a case of intonating the E and G strings by angling the bridge, and hoping for the best on the A and D strings?
 
#65
Gilmourisgod said:
I had a bad experience at a local guitar shop that sold us my son's Jay Turser Hofner clone. We went back to them for a set of new strings, they sold us a "medium scale" set that didn't fit. The cloth wraps were extending over the nut right up to the first fret! We tried to return them, the bozo wouldn't take them back because we had "installed" the strings. I wanted to strangle the guy! Needless to say, not buying anything from them again, stupid business practice, stiffing us for $20 strings after we bought a $300 bass, $40 strap, and $80 case! What is the "correct" scale length for these, and where can we find a good set of roundwounds (Preferably stainless) that will fit right out of the package? We hadn't realized that the bridge is entirely floating, so the intonation is out now as well. Any advice on intonating one of these appreciated also. There is no individual bridge saddle adjustment, so I guess it's just a case of intonating the E and G strings by angling the bridge, and hoping for the best on the A and D strings?
Click to expand...

I use LaBella Stainless steel roundwounds especially for hofner bass on my hofner CT. They are amazing strings and fit right out of the packet!! Medium gauge are the correct scale length but some strings have no taper at the tuning peg end and the ball ends can be too big.

If you want round wounds that fit grab a pack of LaBella's stainless steel for beatle bass or Labella Deep talking rounds for beatle bass. A little pricey but worth it!

As for intonation you'll find the right strings make a massive difference too. I usually get the E and G strings right and the A and D should be close...

Hope this helps!!
 
#66
El Pelusa said:
I use LaBella Stainless steel roundwounds especially for hofner bass on my hofner CT. They are amazing strings and fit right out of the packet!! Medium gauge are the correct scale length but some strings have no taper at the tuning peg end and the ball ends can be too big.

If you want round wounds that fit grab a pack of LaBella's stainless steel for beatle bass or Labella Deep talking rounds for beatle bass. A little pricey but worth it!

As for intonation you'll find the right strings make a massive difference too. I usually get the E and G strings right and the A and D should be close...

Hope this helps!!
Click to expand...
Thanks El Pelusa. Do you have a particular online source you like for these strings? Need a Christmas present for my son, this would be perfect.
 
#67
I order mine on Flea bay. The Labella deep talking Stainless roundwounds are $24 from a company called bassspecialities on eBay or just search Labella strings and you'll find them. I'm based in the UK so I have to wait 10 days to receive them. I'll try copy a link to you...

I love rounds on a hofner bass! They make it even more versatile but you still get that lovely vintage thump!!

Hope this helps
 
#75
I own five Hofner basses, a German made Violin bass (For the McCartney vibe!) and a black Icon violin bass. I also own three Hofner German made Club basses (a standard, a three PU gold top, and one with a hand rubbed violin finish).

They are great basses, they weigh about 4 lbs and are easy to play for me. I love the short scale.

Their tone isn't for anyone, but they do sound like a bass. Just listen to any Beatles LP recorded between 1963 and 1965 and you will hear what they can sound like.
 
#76
I love my Hofner basses. I have several Hofner violin basses, from German to Ignition and the ones in between(contemporary) My latest is the 500/7 verythin. It's so light , even with the sound block. The F holes give it a nice resonant body even being as thin as it is. Just when I thought I was done buying basses, bam. I don't usually like rounds, but they sound good even on this bass, though I just ordered some flats. It's close to a perfect bass IMO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dome

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back