Hofner Ignition New Strings

[johntrem]

I know this may have been done to death, but here goes. I recently acquired a Hofner Ignition Beatle Bass. I'm a guitarist but always wanted a Hofner. I recently had hand surgery(left) which made guitar playing quite difficult until my hand returns back to it's normal pre-surgery condition after lots of therapy and time. A few weeks ago, on my way back from hand therapy, I dropped into Guitar Center, which was nearby. While there, I happened to pick up a Hofner Ignition B-Bass. I noticed that I could play it better than I could guitar, with my hand in it's present condition. A few days later, while perusing ebay, I spotted one and managed to score it for a decent (over 1/3 less than the GC) price. I'm having a grand time with it and it is helping to stretch my hand muscles. Obviously, it came strung with roundwounds. I'm aware that flatwounds are preferred. Also that Hofners require short scale. When string changing time comes, I need to know what gauge strings comes on the Ignition? Not being a bassist, I'm not savvy as to identifying string gauges by eye. I know that it is a lighter gauge, but I don't know if its 45-65-80-100 or 40-60-75-95. I'd like to put the same gauge back on. Also, I may go with half-rounds at first, rather than flatwounds. I've read two opinions as to scale length. Some say go with short scale, 30 inch, some say medium , 32 inch. I realize that going with a shorter scale and half-wounds limits my options. I know that D'Addario makes a short scale half-round. The gauge is 45-100. I'm not planning on changing strings any time soon, but want as much info as I can get. Also, seeing that bass strings are a might more expensive than guitar strings, I won't be switching off and on experimentally. Any one have answers for me?

 

[DB10]

"injured hand so can't play guitar, but now you can play bass" - well that won't make you too many friends around here.

Just picked up a Hofner Ignition as well, and I put on Rotosound Flats - RS77's, which are short scale. They fit fine, good tension and sound. I've used them before, so I knew what I was going to use and haven't tried anything else, so that's all I can tell you. Good luck.