Actually, my icon bass too could sustain, but at higher volumes and with the D/G strings (Hofner flats, nickel tapewound).
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 Icon vs Contemporary vs Original
- Thread starter stranded horse
- Start date
I like the hollowbody basses BECAUSE they don't sustain a great deal. They sound like old school basses.
That is the whole point. If you want more sustain, if that is important to you, then get a CT. If a more vintage tone is your thing, get an Icon or a German Hofner. And I am convinced, based on my experience, you can get an "in the ballpark" vintage tone from the CT.
All I want is a vintage "thump" so the Icon is my choice. If I want a more modern tone, I use my Rickenbacker or Gibson Thunderbird bass.
That is the whole point. If you want more sustain, if that is important to you, then get a CT. If a more vintage tone is your thing, get an Icon or a German Hofner. And I am convinced, based on my experience, you can get an "in the ballpark" vintage tone from the CT.
All I want is a vintage "thump" so the Icon is my choice. If I want a more modern tone, I use my Rickenbacker or Gibson Thunderbird bass.
I would buy a german one, but after listening to some videos with german Hofners with a sustain even higher than my CT (just like the one i've already posted), i am a little doubtful.
Actually, my CT sounds exactly like the German Club in that video.
I also own a Fender Precision, Labella flats strung, not exactly a modern bass, but his sound is much less vintage than the CT.
Actually, my CT sounds exactly like the German Club in that video.
I also own a Fender Precision, Labella flats strung, not exactly a modern bass, but his sound is much less vintage than the CT.
It's very interesting you should say that...when I posted my comment (quoted below) I almost said that my Icon Club (full hollow body) sounds more similar to the Violin CT than the Icon Violin does.
I've never played a German Hofner Club or Hofner Club CT, I wonder if they sound much different than the Icon Club or Hofner Violin CT?
I'm kind of interested in the tone of the German Club Limited Edition and the Vintage '61 "Cavern" Violin basses with the neck/middle pickup configuration since I've been thinking of adding a middle pickup to my Icon Club and Icon Violin. I like that neck/middle pickup configuration on my Epiphone Rumblekat. On the Rumblekat the middle alone pickup has a definite P bass flavor but it has a large bridge block inside so it isn't a full hollowbody like the Icons.
stranded horse said:
My primary bass was my 81 Gibson Thunderbird, however the last 4 weekends I have been using my contemporary club.
I'm playing mostly small biker bars so I have not been using my big GK stacked rig. I have been running my GK Neo Combo 2 10s direct.
Now set up and tear down is a breeze. I can carry the amp, my bass and pedal board in one trip.
Yeah, you can't beat a light Hofner Club bass, Icon or CT, and a small amp to gig! I use my Icon and an Ampeg B50R and it is an amazing little rig. Works like a charm!
just put labella flats on my ct 500/1. smooth and buttery. vintage tone and vibe through my 66' ampeg sb-12. electric instruments are so much about the pickups. one reason why i went with the ct and i was having a hard time finding a lefty icon.
Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Northern California
Last edited by funkytoe : 12-29-2011 at 10:42 AM.
I have owned a 1966 Hofner 500/1, a Contemporary series Beatle Bass and an Icon Beatle Bass. My 2 cents:
The 1966 Hofner had a really cool vibe. Lighter than either the CT or the Icon and MUCH more resonant when played unplugged. These were built by the same folks that made violins and other acoustic instruments for decades. It shows. The wood grain on the top was awesome. The bass had the feel of a good acoustic instrument. But, plugged in with the same strings, and through the same amp, you would be very hard pressed to distinguish the sound of my 1966 from the sound of my stock Icon bass with a proper set up. Let the flaming begin. But I've played for 35 years now and done a lot of studio work. Tone is important to me. And there is just not a whole lot of tonal difference between the original 1960's 500/1 basses and the Icon.
As I said above, the Icon sounds good with a proper set up Mine did not sound great right out of the box or with the factory-shipped roundwounds. In fact, it sounded like crap. My fret-ends were not particularly well filed and the bridge saddles and intonation were way off. After a proper set-up and re-string with flats it sounded as good as my 1966. I think those that don't appreciate the Icon bass either were not sold on the Hofner sound in the first place or simply did not take the time to dial in their Icon to its full potential.
As for the CT, it is a better looking instrument. In fact, they look a lot like the current German-made Hofners. Its burst looks a little more authentic and the stock set up was superior to that of the ICON. But, as noted by Mr. Martinez, the CT sounds quite different due to its center block. It is not a true hollowbody. Thus, it sounded tighter and less "woody" to me. That is why I sold mine. I want my Hofners to sound like a hollowbody - with a strong thump on the fundamental and a slight whoof. That's why I bought them. If I wanted a more modern sound, I would use my Jazz bass.
If I was only going to play one bass for everthing I do and was set on a Hofner, the CT would probably be my choice. It sounds better with roundwounds than either the Icon or my 500/1. So, I guess its more versatile in that regard. But, as I said, I want my Hofner to sound like those Hofners on records I grew up with. The ICON gets me a lot closer to that sound than the CT.
In the end, I sold my 1966 here on TB and kept my Icon. I really miss the vibe of that 1966. But, in the end, I can get the same sound out of my Icon and, if I decide to play it out on a roots gig, I don't worry about it getting knocked over or run off with.
So, there's my 2 cents as someone who has owned all three. I kept my ICON. And no, you don't need to upgrade the pickups, pots, switches, tuners or nut to German ones. The stock ones sound and work fine (great in fact). Just make sure you take the time to get whatever bass you choose set up well before passing judgment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by funkytoe : 12-29-2011 at 10:42 AM.
++1 Bravo! Well said! I had a '67 500/1 new and a '69. They were great, but I let them go because they just felt too fragile. My Ignition/Icon Club doesn't feel that way at all. It sounds, feels and looks great. It's hollow. I changed the knobs (teacups), and the tuners. Grover Statites, the machine work is fabulous.
Location: Northern California
Last edited by funkytoe : 12-29-2011 at 10:42 AM.
I have owned a 1966 Hofner 500/1, a Contemporary series Beatle Bass and an Icon Beatle Bass. My 2 cents:
The 1966 Hofner had a really cool vibe. Lighter than either the CT or the Icon and MUCH more resonant when played unplugged. These were built by the same folks that made violins and other acoustic instruments for decades. It shows. The wood grain on the top was awesome. The bass had the feel of a good acoustic instrument. But, plugged in with the same strings, and through the same amp, you would be very hard pressed to distinguish the sound of my 1966 from the sound of my stock Icon bass with a proper set up. Let the flaming begin. But I've played for 35 years now and done a lot of studio work. Tone is important to me. And there is just not a whole lot of tonal difference between the original 1960's 500/1 basses and the Icon.
As I said above, the Icon sounds good with a proper set up Mine did not sound great right out of the box or with the factory-shipped roundwounds. In fact, it sounded like crap. My fret-ends were not particularly well filed and the bridge saddles and intonation were way off. After a proper set-up and re-string with flats it sounded as good as my 1966. I think those that don't appreciate the Icon bass either were not sold on the Hofner sound in the first place or simply did not take the time to dial in their Icon to its full potential.
As for the CT, it is a better looking instrument. In fact, they look a lot like the current German-made Hofners. Its burst looks a little more authentic and the stock set up was superior to that of the ICON. But, as noted by Mr. Martinez, the CT sounds quite different due to its center block. It is not a true hollowbody. Thus, it sounded tighter and less "woody" to me. That is why I sold mine. I want my Hofners to sound like a hollowbody - with a strong thump on the fundamental and a slight whoof. That's why I bought them. If I wanted a more modern sound, I would use my Jazz bass.
If I was only going to play one bass for everthing I do and was set on a Hofner, the CT would probably be my choice. It sounds better with roundwounds than either the Icon or my 500/1. So, I guess its more versatile in that regard. But, as I said, I want my Hofner to sound like those Hofners on records I grew up with. The ICON gets me a lot closer to that sound than the CT.
In the end, I sold my 1966 here on TB and kept my Icon. I really miss the vibe of that 1966. But, in the end, I can get the same sound out of my Icon and, if I decide to play it out on a roots gig, I don't worry about it getting knocked over or run off with.
So, there's my 2 cents as someone who has owned all three. I kept my ICON. And no, you don't need to upgrade the pickups, pots, switches, tuners or nut to German ones. The stock ones sound and work fine (great in fact). Just make sure you take the time to get whatever bass you choose set up well before passing judgment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by funkytoe : 12-29-2011 at 10:42 AM.
++1 Bravo! Well said! I had a '67 500/1 new and a '69. They were great, but I let them go because they just felt too fragile. My Ignition/Icon Club doesn't feel that way at all. It sounds, feels and looks great. It's hollow. I changed the knobs (teacups), and the tuners. Grover Statites, the machine work is fabulous.
Perhaps you were not aware that Hofner tuners are guitar tuners. These Statites are vertually identical to the tuners that come on the Hofner except for far greater quality. Look at the worm gear shaft on your tuners, then look at the bearings at each end of the worm gear shaft in the Grovers in the picture.
The worm gear shaft in many cases, goes through a hook, bent up from flat. On these Grovers, the entire backing plate is a casting. The worm gear shaft is mounted in nylon bearings.
The worm gear shaft in many cases, goes through a hook, bent up from flat. On these Grovers, the entire backing plate is a casting. The worm gear shaft is mounted in nylon bearings.
I own 4 Hofners. One Ignition 500/1,one IGNITION Cavern,one 500/1 CT SB,and one USA FLAG 500/1 CT.
They all have their own unique sound. My Stars and Stripes CT has a chubbier,flatter(not fatter)sound. My 500/q CT-SB is brighter and sustains longer. My IGNITION 500/1 SB has the sound of a good"Dog-House"bass that I can feel thru-out my body,even w/o an amp. And the IGNITION 500/1 Cavern is deeper and more "in the back-ground"sounding.
These guitars are made in different plants,in different parts of the world,in different climates. And I personally feel that,this being a hollow,or semi-hollow bodied instrument,that the different environments they are born in gives each and every one a sound of its own. I like to call them"EXACTLY DIFFERENT". The same,but different.
I'm 64,and have been playing since the mid-60's. So I've had my share of guitars. But these Hofner have a wider range of small differences I've not seen in any other brand.
Just my humble opinion.
They all have their own unique sound. My Stars and Stripes CT has a chubbier,flatter(not fatter)sound. My 500/q CT-SB is brighter and sustains longer. My IGNITION 500/1 SB has the sound of a good"Dog-House"bass that I can feel thru-out my body,even w/o an amp. And the IGNITION 500/1 Cavern is deeper and more "in the back-ground"sounding.
These guitars are made in different plants,in different parts of the world,in different climates. And I personally feel that,this being a hollow,or semi-hollow bodied instrument,that the different environments they are born in gives each and every one a sound of its own. I like to call them"EXACTLY DIFFERENT". The same,but different.
I'm 64,and have been playing since the mid-60's. So I've had my share of guitars. But these Hofner have a wider range of small differences I've not seen in any other brand.
Just my humble opinion.
Good point about the construction. However, I have German Club Bass (2006) and it sounds exactly like the AIR records that use a club. With that experience, I'd say go for the fully hollow versions and get the right flats on there. Play with a pick and I'd think you'd be very happy and never even consider the difference in electronics. If so, replace them with something that sounds more to German/vintage spec.
