Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2

[SouthPaul71]

Oh aha like that

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Hard to say about the semi-hollow. Some say the standard Hofners, which are hollow, are semi-hollow because they don't have F-holes. If the HCTs are different from those, since they have sound blocks, then one could say they are solid body basses. Folks like to debate these things and claim the HCTs are semi-hollow because of the sound block. So it is all a bit confusing. In my eyes, the HCTs are solid bodies and the traditional Hofners are semi-hollow.

Either way, you should know the HCTs have narrow necks. Some of the more recent Ignitions have wider necks.

The Shorty basses would also be a good platform for modes I think, if one is so inclined.

Thanks for info. I saw a vid on youtube with shorty body size compared to a Cavern violin bass. Quite a startling difference . But that's ok, given I need something to just throw in the boot when travelling . I could see the neck looked bigger as well. At least it appeares so to me

 

[Prodigus Filius]

HCT has a chambered body. It is not solid.
I have one and saw a pic of one taken apart.

The Shorty is a solid body and a great little bass too. Light and comfortable.

I also have one. Love it.

Would you be able to tell me the string spacing at the bridge. I'm thinking it is wider than the other violin bass Hofners, given the hardtail bridge.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

Some consider it a semi-hollow, as I mentioned, because of the lack of F-holes.

IMO, hollowness or lack of same occurs inside the body, regardless of whether there are f-holes or not. All discussions of the different models that I have read mention the presence or lack of a center block. The Ignitions are like the German models in that neither has a center block—only the HCT has one.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

IMO, hollowness or lack of same occurs inside the body, regardless of whether there are f-holes or not. All discussions of the different models that I have read mention the presence or lack of a center block. The Ignitions are like the German models in that neither has a center block—only the HCT has one.

I know that all the models are hollow besides the HCTs. Some nonetheless call them semi-hollow due to the lack of F-holes. Anyway, I have no dog in this fight. Call it what you want.

 

[vcs700s]

IMO, hollowness or lack of same occurs inside the body, regardless of whether there are f-holes or not. All discussions of the different models that I have read mention the presence or lack of a center block. The Ignitions are like the German models in that neither has a center block—only the HCT has one.

It does and it still has acoustic properties unlike the Shorty which doesn’t.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

For what it's worth, this description of the 500/1 in Wikipedia states that it is a semi-hollow because of the lack of F-holes.

Höfner 500/1 - Wikipedia.

 

[vcs700s]

Would you be able to tell me the string spacing at the bridge. I'm thinking it is wider than the other violin bass Hofners, given the hardtail bridge.

It is wider- 2 3/16”

 

[Prodigus Filius]

It is wider- 2 3/16”

So around 18.5mm string spacing. Sounds good. The spacing on my now gone Mikro was originally 19mm with the stock bridge, but I put a bridge on with 18mm. I like a minimum 18mm bridge spacing in order to maintain continuity with my 19mm spaced long scales and because I play with fingers, or should I say thumb exclusively, and a bit of room to move is good. So the Shorty violin is ticking some boxes. Colour, nut width, string spacing, dimensions for travel, chunky neck. The only other bass that is readily available and might appeal to me travel wise is the Gretsch G2220. Similar price to the HSVB. I actually will be able to have a play of the Gretsch at a local music store before a purchase decision, so it has that advantage over the Shorty, which I'd have to buy unseen. But that's nothing new. I like the humbucker in the neck position on the HSVB. Mix things up pickup wise. I currently have jazz pickups on one and a scpu on the other of my long scales. So no humbuckers. The Gretsch has two single coils. Decisions, decisions

 

[KLINCOLNS]

I'm in the same position. Closest one to me is a 300km round trip to Sydney and back. Thanks for link.

I actually like a chunky neck, so that would be ok. I'm down to two long scale basses now after selling one and I gifted my fretless Mikro, which was great for travelling. Hence the interest in the Shorty violin bass. I will check out the ones you mentioned with the block in them. I guess that makes them semi-hollow right? Cheers

If you use a leather ukulele strap, it prevents neck dive because it grips your shoulder.

I use one on my Hofner Greenline 500/1

 

[Prodigus Filius]

If you use a leather ukulele strap, it prevents neck dive because it grips your shoulder.
View attachment 5296373
I use one on my Hofner Greenline 500/1

Interesting. Seems to run counter to the wide strap advice concerning neck dive

 

[markjazzbassist]

Interesting. Seems to run counter to the wide strap advice concerning neck dive

that’s for solid body heavy basses. The issue with hofners is completely different. The fully hollow ones weight around 5 lbs. by nature the neck will dive. The best counteraction is to drop the money to buy the hofner strap that goes under the fretboard and hugs the bass to you. It’s made the neck dive unnoticeable for me and I’ve played probably 50 or so gigs with mine now. It’s a funky look too

 

[dwellers]

Hey all...now that I've upgraded the control panel of my Contemporary Club I'm thinking if pickups should be next. Or am I chasing diminishing returns at best at this point? I generally like the sound but it's all about incremental improvement at some point anyway.

Would love to hear thoughts on upgrades, Hofner brand or otherwise.

Anyone try these? Hofner Staple

 

[Thornton Davis]

Hey all...now that I've upgraded the control panel of my Contemporary Club I'm thinking if pickups should be next. Or am I chasing diminishing returns at best at this point? I generally like the sound but it's all about incremental improvement at some point anyway.

Would love to hear thoughts on upgrades, Hofner brand or otherwise.

Anyone try these? Hofner Staple

The pickups in the Contemporary Series basses come standard with German made type 511-B staple pickups. They are they only part of the bass that's German made everything else is Chinese made.

No need to change them.

TD

 

[dwellers]

The pickups in the Contemporary Series basses come standard with German made type 511-B staple pickups. They are they only part of the bass that's German made everything else in Chinese made.

No need to change them.

TD

Thanks! I must admit they do sound good so not sure what I'd be looking for other than a cure for some holiday doldrums. Maybe I'll set my sights elsewhere and scratch another itch! Happy New Year!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Happy New Year!

 

[artimus667]

Upgraded my "new" 500/1 HCT and wanted to share the results.

Sounds amazingly rich and full. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.
View attachment 5174750 View attachment 5174751 View attachment 5174752

Did this bass come with three pickups? Or was that the modification?

 

[Aceonbass]

I added a 3rd pickup, along with several other mods to my Ignition a few years ago.

 

[DrSteve]

Did this bass come with three pickups? Or was that the modification?

Middle pickup was added and control plate & pots upgraded.
I also had the luthier make another mod to the control panel. The Tone knob wasn't giving me as much range as I'd like, so it is now Volume for the bridge pickup. Rather than off/on, the Bridge switch is now a Treble cut/boost. The neck know controls Volume of the neck and middle pickup at the same time (or either one, if only one pickup is turned-on). Sounds a bit confusing I suppose, but it works wonderfully.

 

[OllieVT]

Hello everyone. I'm in:

A Club Ignition with LaBella flats. I'm very much a beginner, so I don't have any sophisticated observations to share. But I love the way it looks and sounds.

Question: what are some examples of songs recorded on a Hofner Club? Violin ones are easy to find, but Club ones seem a bit harder.

Wikipedia cites Tina Weymouth as a user: what are some Talking Heads songs that use one? (I'm not very familiar with them and I've read that she used a variety of basses.) It also cites Air, who I listened to regularly a million years ago when post-party come-down music was a more practical category for me. And Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who seems to have worked with 100s of people but also probably 100s of basses.

(I know that club-shape vs violin-shape is down around #28 or something on the list of important sonic distinctions, but I'm still curious for answers.)