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Hofner Club Bass

J

junglejem

Guest
May 20, 2012
38
2
#1
I am about ready to pull the trigger on a Hofner Club Bass, and would appreciate any thoughts, observations, praise and/or caveats. I would be using the bass solely in an acoustic duo (trio actually...three vocalists) with only an acoustic guitar. I love the sound and playability of the Hofner Beatle basses, but I'm left handed, and I really don't want to appear like a "McCartney wannabe." I've never played a Club Bass, but they look cool, and it seems like a viable choice for an acoustic duo.

Thoughts?
 
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#3
IMO far far more comfortable than a violin bass. You get a similar short scale, comfy neck, great sound, and feather weight, but it actually fits against your body like a guitar instead of awkwardly hanging wherever.

I play my club bass more than any of my "nicer" more expensive basses. It's a real treat. The only downside is that the controls kind of limit the range of sounds you can get and the bridge doesn't lend itself to stability or making intonation adjustments.

Even with those caveats, I whole heartedly recommend getting one.
 
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#4
I agree they're more comfortable than the violin bass and the controls are somewhat limited, and the bridge isn't great. Tight string spacing and shortscale doesn't work for me but they sound great and look beautiful.
 
#6
Well, I just pulled the Hofner trigger myself and it's enroute. I haven't touched one for many years, and this will be my first Club bass (Custom Shop). You may wish to visit Hofnerhounds. And, FranF above is a good fellow and resource.

I purchased an extra bridge to mill down to achieve a lower action and a set of TI 324H strings, in lieu of the installed Hofner Pyramids.
 

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#7
I have had both a violin bass and a Club, and they are very very similar in sound and feel. Absolutely crushing sound with flats, but also work well with nickel rounds.

I now have an Epiphone Allen Woody, which is very much like a Club bass but it's a bit more robust and is a solid body. I might suggest you look at one of those.
 
#8
Well I did the deed, and it arrived yesterday. Gorgeous finish, left hand (which is why I didn't really want a Beatle Bass). Everything appears to be very well made (this is the German Hofner)...can't find any flaws. So light and comfortable...fun to just strap on and walk around the house noodling un-amplified. So far the playability seems spot-on for me. Has a brand new set of Pyramid flats (it was a NOS bass, so I guess the strings were ready to be replaced). Unfortunately I don't have an amp to play it through just yet. I have a Carvin MB12 on order, but until it arrives, I thought my little Schertler acoustic amp would suffice at low volumes, but the E is too much for the little 6.5" speaker. So I'll try it with headphones through an Acoustic Image D.I. until the amp arrives. But I'm optimistic I'm going to love it. Funny how it immediately drew me into playing "Lady Madonna" and I have no great affinity for that tune. The Club Bass just wanted to play it I guess. Thanks for your comments...seemed like everyone that owns one feels fairly positive about it.
 
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#11
Captain Bob said:
Well, I just pulled the Hofner trigger myself and it's enroute. I haven't touched one for many years, and this will be my first Club bass (Custom Shop). You may wish to visit Hofnerhounds. And, FranF above is a good fellow and resource.

I purchased an extra bridge to mill down to achieve a lower action and a set of TI 324H strings, in lieu of the installed Hofner Pyramids.
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Ancient thread but I just had to comment on how beautiful this bass is. Still have it?
 
#14
Not much too add here just wanted to ask junglejem how he was getting on with the club bass.
I love my Hofner club bass, the tone is gorgeous, i have the ct version and plan on getting the german version eventually
 
#15
junglejem said:
I am about ready to pull the trigger on a Hofner Club Bass, and would appreciate any thoughts, observations, praise and/or caveats. I would be using the bass solely in an acoustic duo (trio actually...three vocalists) with only an acoustic guitar. I love the sound and playability of the Hofner Beatle basses, but I'm left handed, and I really don't want to appear like a "McCartney wannabe." I've never played a Club Bass, but they look cool, and it seems like a viable choice for an acoustic duo.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I just bought one, more user friendly and balanced than the violin bass and more comfortable, has the same sound woody and thumpy and the cutaway is excellent, one surprising aspect was taking it out of the case for the first time it was perfectly set up and ready to go, I got a german one and the craftsmanship is stunning. The only thing I have done is put Schaller strap locks on it but apart from that nothing else.
 

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