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

[dlmarquez]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but here is a better picture of Gary with my guitar. He is getting better and better as he builds more instruments, particularly his finish work. He also builds lutes…which in my opinion are the absolutely coolest acoustic stringed instruments ever created. But I’ll be damned if I am going to try to learn a whole new notation system and learn how to play a 10-13 course instrument

 

[dlmarquez]

Tell me more!

We saw this fine guitarist last Saturday evening.

that must of been a fun show. The most memorable classical guitar concerts I have seen were several years ago when Roland Dyens played in Seattle on Thursday and Portland on Saturday. I made both shows and both were phenomenal. He had the ability to play serious classical or swing like crazy with a jazz number

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I am stunned! Never heard of a single pickup Hofner Violin bass before. If this had an unlined fretless fingerboard I’d be contacting shady characters to get one for me!!!!

One of the features that I like most about this beautiful instrument is that it has a separate volume and separate tone control knob.

 

[dlmarquez]

I am wondering if there are any luthiers/hofner specialists out there who would be willing to take on the project of taking a stock Hofner bass and converting it to a single pickup in the neck position with only a tone and volume control, and either defretting or replacing the fretboard with a fingerboard.
A fretless unlined single pickup hofner violin bass would be a unique and beautiful instrument. it would also be incredibly light. My green line violin bass weights just a hair under 4.5 lbs.
I suspect that a fingerboard sans frets, a single pickup, and just a tone and volume pot would reduce the weight a bit farther, perhaps down to 4 1/4 lbs. for us old geezer bass players with shoulder issues that makes it a very easy bass to hold and play. and I find the narrow string spacing on the hofner is very comfortable for my right hand as well.

 

[Johnny Alien]

The electronics mod would be very easy since the pickup sits on top of the body but the weight savings would be very minimal. As someone that like a light bass I really doubt losing .2 lbs when you are already under 5 lbs would be noticeable at all. If it were me I would look for an old Greco copy to mod up the way you want

 

[Jeff Scott]

I just stumbled on this and found an official page on the Hofner website for this bass

Hofner Quality

Hofner seit 1887, Germany, quality products,

www.hofner.com

I am stunned! Never heard of a single pickup Hofner Violin bass before. If this had an unlined fretless fingerboard I’d be contacting shady characters to get one for me!!!!
View attachment 7354886

I'd like to see this in a Club Bass.

 

[dlmarquez]

I'd like to see this in a Club Bass.

My thought is that perhaps I should invest in a used Contemporary series (I know its about 1-1.5 lbs heavier due to the sustain block in the body) preferably one of the Cavern series with the pickups both mounted near the neck, then just either go to a single pickup, or keep both pickups and wire it up with a volume, blend, and maybe no tone control and get it defretted…or maybe tackle it myself. this would be the el cheapo route and I would still hopefully end up with a sub 6 lb bass

 

[Jeff Scott]

I want a German-made one.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Just bought the Boss Waza Air Bass, wireless headphone amp. Mainly for when I want to just chill on the sofa without getting an amp out, just going through the settings looking for a McCaertney type of setting.

 

[dlmarquez]

I want a German-made one.

Jeff, I think we have traded messages enough to be on a first name basis, I would much prefer a German made, luthier built bass as well, but that will add at least $1KUS to the price…thats enough to make a retired old dog like me think twice, very hard!

 

[markjazzbassist]

Jeff, I think we have traded messages enough to be on a first name basis, I would much prefer a German made, luthier built bass as well, but that will add at least $1KUS to the price…thats enough to make a retired old dog like me think twice, very hard!

if you order from Thomann you can skip paying tax on it and they are cheaper than american prices. i was comparing some hofners and it was aroun 700 in savings through thomann.

 

[fesem]

I just purchased a verythin contemporary series bass. Put some tape wounds on it, quick set up and I now love how it plays and sounds. Problem is how it hangs on a strap. I don't like how it tilts forward. Has anyone fixed this issue by moving the strap peg. If so where. Thanks.

 

[Jefro]

.... Problem is how it hangs on a strap. I don't like how it tilts forward. Has anyone fixed this issue by moving the strap peg. If so where. Thanks.

See my photos on Page 151 at Post 3009.
I used a thin leather strap that goes under the neck and around to the back and then both ends tied together which allows it to hang perfectly.
Also, I switched to the La Bella Flatwound Stainless 760FHB2 light .039-.096 strings, and they sound amazing. Deep and clear.
Jefro.

 

[fesem]

Thanks for this. I'm more interested in adding a new strap on my verythin if it is possible and would work. Someone must have tried this.

See my photos on Page 151 at Post 3009.
I used a thin leather strap that goes under the neck and around to the back and then both ends tied together which allows it to hang perfectly.
Also, I switched to the La Bella Flatwound Stainless 760FHB2 light .039-.096 strings, and they sound amazing. Deep and

 

[Thornton Davis]

Replaced my HCT500/1-CV Cavern with this beautiful new German made H500/1-61-0 Cavern.

TD

 

[voxkev]

Thanks chaps! I think I am gonna try some lubricant first, but also likely place an order for the Grover Sta-Tite 97-18 tuners and a bushing reamer to enlarge the peg hole.

Ok, so it has been a couple months and I finally swapped out the tuners on our ignition bass that were nigh impossible to turn for my 15 year old daughter. Changed to a set of those Grover Sta-Tites and hoo boy, what a difference. She has no issues tuning that beast. Also put a set of LaBella 760FHBB strings on and it sounds great. Big recommendation for anyone in the same predicament.

 

[dlmarquez]

so has anyone here tried the Curtis Novak direct replacement Hofner style humbucker pickup? I am very curious as to how it sounds compared to the stock Hofner pickups, Does the Novak offer a different tonal range, or more output, or both or ???

 

[markjazzbassist]

so has anyone here tried the Curtis Novak direct replacement Hofner style humbucker pickup? I am very curious as to how it sounds compared to the stock Hofner pickups, Does the Novak offer a different tonal range, or more output, or both or ???

what is wrong with the Hofner pickup that you want something different?

 

[SteveCS]

what is wrong with the Hofner pickup that you want something different?

For the most part I interpret 'Vintage Correct' as meaning built to the same electromagnetic specifications as a German Staple pickup. AFAIK, the electromagnetic design of the German Staple is unchanged since the dawn of time. If all of this is right, $170 seems very spendy for what appears to be the exact same thing as a German Staple pickup.

 

[dlmarquez]

what is wrong with the Hofner pickup that you want something different?

why does anyone change pickups on any bass? the Hofner is extremely good at what it does, but its pretty much a one trick pony. I would like to see if its possible to expand its range of sounds a bit.