Hofner Ignition vs Contemporary vs 500/1

[JImmy Campbell]

Beating a dead horse: How does Hofner Ignition compare to a Hofner Contemporary? Is the Ignition Ok, worth a crap?
How does the Contemporary compare to the German models?

 

[GIBrat51]

If I remember correctly...
- The Ignition series is the least expensive Hofner. Made in Hofner's Chinese factory; a true hollow body, with Chinese hardware and pickups.
- The Contemporary series is also made in Hofner's Chinese factory. But, they use German electronics and hardware. They are not hollow bodies, however. They have a tone block running up the middle; hence the "Contemporary" - or "modern" - name.
- German Hofners are made pretty much by hand, by real luthiers, using very old tools and methods. They are made pretty much like a violin, and the very skilled craftsmen that do it don't work for cheap, either.
I've played all 3. They are worth what they cost, IMO. Personally, I didn't care for the sound of the Contemporary 500/1 I played. I really, really like true hollow body basses, and semi-hollow body basses just don't sound the same. However, I couldn't fault the build quality. the Ignition was also nice, but.. no better than my older '90s MIK Rogue VB-100. If I were to get a Hofner, it would be a real German one. The one I had a chance to play was... nice.

 

[Skokiaan]

If I remember correctly...
- The Ignition series is the least expensive Hofner. Made in Hofner's Chinese factory; a true hollow body, with Chinese hardware and pickups.
- The Contemporary series is also made in Hofner's Chinese factory. But, they use German electronics and hardware. They are not hollow bodies, however. They have a tone block running up the middle; hence the "Contemporary" - or "modern" - name.
- German Hofners are made pretty much by hand, by real luthiers, using very old tools and methods. They are made pretty much like a violin, and the very skilled craftsmen that do it don't work for cheap, either.
I've played all 3. They are worth what they cost, IMO. Personally, I didn't care for the sound of the Contemporary 500/1 I played, but I really, really like true hollow body basses. However, I couldn't fault the build quality. the Ignition was also nice, but.. no better than my older '90s MIK Rogue VB-100. If I were to get a Hofner, it would be a real German one. The one I had a chance to play was... nice.

I think the Ignition is outsourced. They feel and look cheap to me.
The Contemporary is made in Hofner's China factory and is very well made. I prefer the sound of these to all others. The block makes a real difference - to me, an improvement in feel and sound. They're a bit more versatile than the others. I own one.
German Hofner's are exceptionally well made. I used to own one. I prefer the Contemporary for the reasons stated above, but if you like the German tone you won't be disappointed.

 

[El Pelusa]

I’ve been picking up my Hofner CT 500/1 again recently and it’s a dream to play. It handles drop tuning and it’s so light. I’m using Labella Stainless Rounds. It sound great with a Sans Amp Bass Driver DI.

 

[Levitamin]

I played one of the newer German ones in Berlin in 2004. It is, to this day one of the best instruments I've ever played in my life. It just felt great in the hands and played like a dream. If I could afford one, I would. I have one of the first Icon (now Ignition) Hofner anniversary models from 2006, a limited edition with Dark Cherry finish. I believe it was made in Indonesia. It looks cool and sounds great recorded, but it's a definitely a cheap-ass bass. I would not play gigs regularly with it. The plastic nut is a joke and I will get it replaced with bone sooner than later. I would upgrade the pickups with some TV Jones and the electronics, but then I might as well be searching for a used German 500/1. I've never played the contemporary series.

 

[Pet Sounds]

A lot of players swear by the Ignition, but they've always felt ultra-cheap to me. The CTs are very well-made, and the German models are terrific, though not inexpensive.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

GIBrat51 hit the nail on the head: "They are worth what they cost, IMO. Personally, I didn't care for the sound of the Contemporary 500/1 I played. I really, really like true hollow body basses, and semi-hollow body basses just don't sound the same. However, I couldn't fault the build quality. the Ignition was also nice."
I've owned all 3 types since 1971.
Actually, I think the CT version is a better instrument than the other 2 - but you have a choice based on your preference, and cost limitations. Each have their own charm.

 

[gunboatdiplo]

There are fewer than 10 non-german Hofners on reverb. What's going on with the lineup? Sweetwater no longer carries them. No Contemporary models at Guitar Center. Are they being phased replaced?

 

[deirdresm]

It really looks like a distribution issue to me. Hofner has two US distributors, and one only distributes the violin family.

I will say that there were more a month or so ago (because I have been shopping the last couple of months and hemming and hawing) and it looks like they've dried up. I finally snapped up a used red Ignition bass off Reverb.

Edit: Honestly, could be related to COVID-related supply issues, too.

 

[gunboatdiplo]

I bought mine late Dec. I just find it odd that you’re basically stuck with second hand market. And Sweetwater stopped carrying the new German models let 2019. Oh well.

 

[Sparky Mark]

I love the craftsmanship involved in their manufacture but reluctant to throw £1,500 at a German one before knowing if we'd ever gel. Following some homework I decided the hollow bodied Ignition was the way to go for me to try the ergonomics and tone. The next question was whether I'd prefer the 61 or 62 pickup positions. The truth is I like both 61 and 62 versions so much for their differences I can see me keeping both.

 

[John Stephen]

...The truth is I like both 61 and 62 versions so much for their differences I can see me keeping both.
View attachment 3751252

So what are the differences? How do they compare?

 

[Sparky Mark]

So what are the differences? How do they compare?

Hofner Ignition Violins

 

[John Stephen]

Thanks for the link, very helpful. Do you have the Hofner strap to play these standing up (where you fit the strap beneath the fretboard and tie it), or can't you do that with the Ignition models?

 

[deirdresm]

Personally, though I got the Hofner strap, I felt more comfortable with a Lock-It strap. The Hofner strap is really well made, but (as you can tell from the redness of my Hofner), it doesn't really go with my aesthetic. I picked a Bob Masse Summer of Love strap for it.

 

[John Stephen]

Very trippy! Thanks for the info.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Beating a dead horse: How does Hofner Ignition compare to a Hofner Contemporary? Is the Ignition Ok, worth a crap?
How does the Contemporary compare to the German models?

Ignition is hollow body like McCartney plays. CT has a wood block down the center giving a more "modern" sound.

I don't want a modern sound, I want a bass tone like a hollow body should sound. I play Ignition basses.

Pick the one you like best.

 

[biguglyman]

I have the Ed Sullivan Ltd. Ed. ignition model and love it's sound. With LaBella Beatle bass strings it just sounds and plays great. Made in Indonesia.

I hope this is the right link. I'm on my work computer and can't check...

 

[John Stephen]

Nice Beatles medley -- well done! That Ignition bass sounds great.

 

[GIBrat51]

If I remember correctly...
- The Ignition series is the least expensive Hofner. Made in Hofner's Chinese factory; a true hollow body, with Chinese hardware and pickups.
- The Contemporary series is also made in Hofner's Chinese factory. But, they use German electronics and hardware. They are not hollow bodies, however. They have a tone block running up the middle; hence the "Contemporary" - or "modern" - name.
- German Hofners are made pretty much by hand, by real luthiers, using very old tools and methods. They are made pretty much like a violin, and the very skilled craftsmen that do it don't work for cheap, either.
I've played all 3. They are worth what they cost, IMO. Personally, I didn't care for the sound of the Contemporary 500/1 I played. I really, really like true hollow body basses, and semi-hollow body basses just don't sound the same. However, I couldn't fault the build quality. the Ignition was also nice, but.. no better than my older '90s MIK Rogue VB-100. If I were to get a Hofner, it would be a real German one. The one I had a chance to play was... nice.

Well, quoting myself - again...
All but 3 of my 28 basses fill specific spots in my "Herd". Not my "collection"; they aren't stamps or baseball cards. All of them get played; and yes, the logistics of that is... a pain. Anyway...
The "Violin Bass" spot has been filled by a '90s, MIK Rogue VB-100 since about 2004. It's a much better made bass than the Chinese ones are. Build-wise, I'll put it up against a Hofner 500/1 CT any day. Sadly for me, the "Short Scale Hollow Body" spot has long been filled by a very cheap, not very well made Chinese Starfire Violin Bass. A bass I originally bought as a "cadaver" to practice my guitar tech skills on - not to play. But, good left handed basses that would fill this spot are... well, pretty scarce. Unless I wanted another violin bass... I suppose I could have settled on a lefty 500/1 Ignition; and I did think about buying a German 500/1. But, left handed ones? They're already expensive, but the "Lefty surcharge" for those things is just obscene. Thank you, Sir Paul... So, I decided to get a 500/2 Club Bass instead. I'd have gladly settled for an Ignition; but, they don't make lefty 500/2 Ignitions - or CTs, either. So... last year, I bought a German one. Which was expensive, but the Lefty Surcharge for a 500/2 Club Bass isn't quite as bad. The fact that it was a 7 year old NOS Club Bass probably didn't hurt, either. Very little demand for left handed ones, evidently... But, a year later? My wallet still hates me... However, it's a beautiful, Sunburst model; extremely well made; and plays and sounds as good as it looks. So, the spot is now very well filled, and the Starfire is now a member of the small group of "homeless" basses. It still gets played, but - not very often...