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

[Thornton Davis]

Because of exchange rates and when the instruments were ordered the pricing can vary from order to order. There is no difference between a new 62 from CME and one from RNRV. They're both built to the same specs using the same woods and electronics.

From a tone perspective the 61 (Cavern) lacks the same exact tone as the 62 because of the difference in the placement of the pickups. The 61 I find is a little darker (bassier) sounding than the 62/63/64. Personally, I only use the neck pickup when playing my 500/1. I EQ my amp to get the best tone out of it.

Do yourself a favour, find one that visually appeals to you then play it to see if it "feels right" and go with it. Hopefully it's the one with the lowest price. If it's not, tell the store you want them to price match or you'll take your business to their competitor.

TD

 

[fermata]

I was idly checking out the Hofner website, and I came across this gorgeous dark brown limited edition Cavern bass! drool

The model number is HCT-500/1-DBR. There's also a sharp-looking matte black one with standard pickup spacing. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I was checking those out myself. I just got a CT a few months ago and I have to say it's awesome. I've been playing for over 50 years (yes, one of the ancient ones) and I've always been a fender guy. Ten years ago I bought a rogue vb100 as a goof. Wound up using it on a few recordings and loved it. This year I picked up the CT and it blows me away. Easier to play, deep tone and it has that certain something that just sets it apart. Love it. I really don't think you can go wrong with these basses. They're a joy to look at and even better to work with. I almost wish they weren't associated with PM because they're just so nice. But I'm PM fan so I will suffer with dignity while playing my gorgeous CT.

 

[ldryder]

This followed me home from a Thanksgiving holiday trip to Chicago.

 

[ICM]

Does anyone know the measurements for the pickup spacing on a 1962 500/1?
I want to move the pickup closer to the bridge on my V62 to make it more McCartney spec and I think it looks a bit better. On mine it's a bit further up.

 

[Jazzbassguy]

Still lovin' my Icon!

 

[ldryder]

Does anyone know the measurements for the pickup spacing on a 1962 500/1?
I want to move the pickup closer to the bridge on my V62 to make it more McCartney spec and I think it looks a bit better. On mine it's a bit further up.

If you view some of the videos on youtube that show how violin basses are made, you'll see that the bridge pickup isn't placed at a specific. measured distance from the neck pickup but rather, it's located wherever the cutout on the pick guard causes it to be located. That accounts for slight differences in the pickup spacing on different instruments.

I doubt that McCartney even uses the bridge pickup and has it turned off so, there's nothing to be gained by moving it beyond making it more aesthetically-pleasing to your eye.

If it didn't change your intonation too much, it might be easier to just move the bridge until you get the look that you want.

 

[ICM]

If you view some of the videos on youtube that show how violin basses are made, you'll see that the bridge pickup isn't placed at a specific. measured distance from the neck pickup but rather, it's located wherever the cutout on the pick guard causes it to be located. That accounts for slight differences in the pickup spacing on different instruments.

I doubt that McCartney even uses the bridge pickup and has it turned off so, there's nothing to be gained by moving it beyond making it more aesthetically-pleasing to your eye.

If it didn't change your intonation too much, it might be easier to just move the bridge until you get the look that you want.

I've noticed there is a lot of variance with bridge pup placement. I only use the neck pickup so this is an aesthetic mod. Ideally I'd like to get a tracing of Mccartney's guard (which is long gone) and copy the spacing. I think when it's up against the bridge it's got a cleaner look. I've tried moving up the bridge but it doesn't do favors for the intonation. If anyone knows where I can find an extra wide pickup spacing guard, like the WHP model please let me know.

 

[ldryder]

You should be able to move the pickup surround piece back and drill new holes for the screws without exposing the original holes.

 

[ICM]

You should be able to move the pickup surround piece back and drill new holes for the screws without exposing the original holes.

That's what I plan to do. I have a second hofner guard that I plan to use as a template. I'll tape it to the first whatever added distance I want. Place the pickup ring in there, make sure everything is level and straight and go for it. I'm being a perfectionist and want the perfect measurement to 62/63 spec.

 

[fermata]

I've wondered about the logic behind the any-closer-to-the-bridge-and-it-would-be-the-bridge pickup placement concept. (Although it is cool for tic-tac tones and brightening up the neck pu tone, and I think I've seen that Chris Wood favors the bridge pickup for his Hofner funk.) I've sometimes considered moving the bridge pickup north, as long as I can keep the original holes covered. @IvanMunoz, if you move the pickup, I'd be curious to see pictures of how it looks when you pull the pickup and move the ring.

 

[ldryder]

Since this is the same 1963 model, it's clear that McCartney has moved the bridge to different positions over the years.

 

[ldryder]

I'm being a perfectionist and want the perfect measurement to 62/63 spec.

I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a 62/63 spec. I remember unsuccessfully searching for a neck relief and pickup height specifications and couldn't even get those specs when I contacted Hofner directly. The only published specs from Hofner are for the action. Everything else looks like it was left up to the craftsman who built the bass.

 

[ICM]

I've wondered about the logic behind the any-closer-to-the-bridge-and-it-would-be-the-bridge pickup placement concept. (Although it is cool for tic-tac tones and brightening up the neck pu tone, and I think I've seen that Chris Wood favors the bridge pickup for his Hofner funk.) I've sometimes considered moving the bridge pickup north, as long as I can keep the original holes covered. @IvanMunoz, if you move the pickup, I'd be curious to see pictures of how it looks when you pull the pickup and move the ring.

On my contemporary I've done so. My mute covers the holes. There is a bit of difference in finish ambering but that's it. I'd like to move the pickup on the V62 sooner than later as to reduce the amber contrast.

Hofner CT Cavern Mod

• ICM
• Sep 24, 2015
• 1

Yesterday & Today

• ICM
• Aug 19, 2016
• höfner

Modded Hofner 500/1 CT and V62.

Maybe I should contact Hofner and attempt to buy a world history premium bass pickguard.

 

[ICM]

I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a 62/63 spec. I remember unsuccessfully searching for a neck relief and pickup height specifications and couldn't even get those specs when I contacted Hofner directly. The only published specs from Hofner are for the action. Everything else looks like it was left up to the craftsman who built the bass.

I basically want to convert it to this:

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As McCartney spec as possible.

 

[ldryder]

The Japanese Market World History Premium model is interesting, and I can see that the Japanese distributor wanted a look that was as close to looking the same as McCartney's bass as possible.

From what I read, Hofner moved the pickup a bit in order to give it the same appearance that McCartney actually got after the bridge was moved on his bass.

If the wood in McCartney's bass changes from weather, humidity, travel, use, age, new strings, etc... his technician will probably move the bridge to set the intonation and... those World History Premium models will no longer look correct.

 

[ICM]

The Japanese Market World History Premium model is interesting, and I can see that the Japanese distributor wanted a look that was as close to looking the same as McCartney's bass as possible.

From what I read, Hofner moved the pickup a bit in order to give it the same appearance that McCartney actually got after the bridge was moved on his bass.

If the wood in McCartney's bass changes from weather, humidity, travel, use, age, new strings, etc... his technician will probably move the bridge to set the intonation and... those World History Premium models will no longer look correct.

That is definitely the case as you have to move the bridge around semi-frequently. If you look at McCartney's (Specifically the photo from 1964), the pickguard comes all the way down and touches the bridge while the bottom of the bridge pickup is directly in line with the bottom of the pickguard. Both our V62's have some more space (which is probably very helpful for intonating).

It looks like there is wider spacing on earlier V62's. Check out Ardy Sarraf's hofner:

This may just be photo angling but on his instagram there are photos of his bass and appears to have the wide spacing.
I've seen a lot of 90's/2000's V62's and V63's with that spacing on ebay as well. Both with and without pickguard (since without the guard technically you could just bump up the bridge).

I wish I had a legit vintage one side-to-side with my V62 so I could dial in every difference and take a pickguard measurement.

EDIT: What makes this fool's errand even more difficult is that some vintage hofner's have the wide spacing but the pickguard isn't tightly radiused around the pickup ring. Let's say the space between pups on my guard is 10cm (just a random figure)...the space on McCartney's looks to be 11-12cm. Marginal, I know, but the devil's in the details.

EDIT (again): Here are some photos of legit 63's that have the extra wide spacing. I just put in the links since they're huge photos:

https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...e4e4b05f484022471d/1424016127334/IMG_1492.JPG

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[ScarfFace]

I thought you all might like to see my two Hofners. On the left is an Icon with Cavern Spacing and on the right is a CT in Gold Top (just arrived today).

 

[ldryder]

I thought you all might like to see my two Hofners. On the left is an Icon with Cavern Spacing and on the right is a CT in Gold Top (just arrived today).
View attachment 1027708

WOW... That CT is really nice! I hadn't seen that model before. Congratulations on your NBD.

 

[ICM]

I thought you all might like to see my two Hofners. On the left is an Icon with Cavern Spacing and on the right is a CT in Gold Top (just arrived today).
View attachment 1027708

That goldtop looks great! Especially with the teacups.