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Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
- Start date
I had two Hofner violin basses back in the '60s and '70s. Now days I bought a Hofner Club bass to be a little different.
Anybody in this group own a Hofner Gold Label 500/1? There doesn't seem to be a ton of information out there about them in terms of user reviews. I started a separate thread about this, but thought I'd also ask here. I'm looking at a black one I found used in my town. I'd appreciate any input. Are they fundamentally the same as any German Hofner?
- Feb 26, 2011
- 143
- 112
- 51
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Pyramid Strings
the Gold Label basses aren't very common. But, a friend of mine has one. I've played hers, unplugged. It's quite a nice bass. It's black with Cavern spacing and toaster top pickups (at least, that's what I recall).
The only other limited edition or custom shop models that I have seen have been at NAMM.
The only other limited edition or custom shop models that I have seen have been at NAMM.
This week a boyhood dream came true and I'm now the owner of a hofner 500/1 (1965 i believe) EDIT: I now believe its a 66. She's in need of restoration which I'm currently in the middle of but I wanted to share some pics with y'all
sted Mar 21, 2017 at 9:46 PM[/GALLERY]
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I'm back to the 500/1CT for a while since my V62 is in the shop. (my friend fell on it and re-cracked the headstock off...oh well, it's a relic, it's meant to be played and used). Since I've now had some experience with the V62 (my holy grail bass) going back to the CT is different. The neck is much thinner, the action is lower, and honestly, objectively speaking it plays more consistently than the German Hofner, although I prefer the wonky nature of the german more.
Compared to the German Hofner, the CT is much more versatile for varying genres and if you set it right, it can sound like a Rick or a P-bass. Personally though, nothing beats the V62; it has a baseball bat neck and a tone like no other. Not to mention a nitro finish that checks and ages so nicely. I'm eagerly anticipating it's return!
Compared to the German Hofner, the CT is much more versatile for varying genres and if you set it right, it can sound like a Rick or a P-bass. Personally though, nothing beats the V62; it has a baseball bat neck and a tone like no other. Not to mention a nitro finish that checks and ages so nicely. I'm eagerly anticipating it's return!
That's beautiful, congrats. That looks like a well loved bass.This week a boyhood dream came true and I'm now the owner of a hofner 500/1 (1965 i believe). She's in need of restoration which I'm currently in the middle of but I wanted to share some pics with y'all
sted Mar 21, 2017 at 9:46 PM[/GALLERY]
1967 I am pretty sure. Original owner stripped it and painted it with amber lacquer I think. Painted the entire thing, including fingerboard, i don't know why. I had to get the fingerboard stripped, refretted, reset neck, and a piece of ebony put in the neck for stability. Have had TI flats for almost a decade now, on and off, but same strings.
oh yeah, and took off the pearloid and teacups. Sorry, guys, but i don't like either. I do like the worn brass or whatever it is under the control cover that matches the tailpiece.
oh yeah, and took off the pearloid and teacups. Sorry, guys, but i don't like either. I do like the worn brass or whatever it is under the control cover that matches the tailpiece.
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UPS delivered yesterday the madrone burl Gold Label 500/1 I ordered. Doing the reccomended wait of 24 hours before opening the box to let it acclimate. Cannot wait till this afternoon though.
Is it a carved top? Do they even make carved tops? I heard of what is it selmer or something that makes carved top hofners. I doubt they sound better.
It is this one. Will see it for real this afternoon:
This one is not mine, but I got one of these a week ago. Contemporary 500/1 in limited edition Dark Brown with Cavern spacing. I friggin' LOVE this bass, especially after putting LaBella flats on it.
I owned a circa-1970 500/1 years ago but was more into a modern sound then. I was using rounds, which really have no business on a Hofner. (Your mileage may vary). I wasn't impressed, but recently at a recording session I noodled with the studio's Jay Turser violin bass strung with taperounds. Since we're starting a Beatle band, I figured I should get a Hofner to get the right sound and feel (Paul's licks make so much sense on this bass). It makes me want to play with a pick.
I wasn't going for the Beatle look, so I was actually looking for a Club, but I couldn't pass on the Dark Brown. (The Clubs were only available in burst and black).
I owned a circa-1970 500/1 years ago but was more into a modern sound then. I was using rounds, which really have no business on a Hofner. (Your mileage may vary). I wasn't impressed, but recently at a recording session I noodled with the studio's Jay Turser violin bass strung with taperounds. Since we're starting a Beatle band, I figured I should get a Hofner to get the right sound and feel (Paul's licks make so much sense on this bass). It makes me want to play with a pick.
I wasn't going for the Beatle look, so I was actually looking for a Club, but I couldn't pass on the Dark Brown. (The Clubs were only available in burst and black).
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Thats like deep brown, almost black. Maybe its lighter in person. I wish they would make them with the old 60s finish. Something happens to those basses and guitars from the 60s after decades that i have seen nowhere else. The finish rubs to a matte and is the most gorgeous texture:
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Now it is real. And played through tubes the way it was intended!
Oooohhhh...ahhhhh... That looks (and sounds, I'm sure) fantastic. Congrats!
And since we have two examples side by side in posts 510 (and 514) and 511, how do fellow Hofnerphiles prefer violin basses--with or without the pickguard? (I go back and forth on my black CT.)
And since we have two examples side by side in posts 510 (and 514) and 511, how do fellow Hofnerphiles prefer violin basses--with or without the pickguard? (I go back and forth on my black CT.)
Greetings, fans of the venerable Hofner bass! I'm running into a potential thing here, and tbought I'd venture in to inquire... a friend of mine has a pretty old Hofner Club Bass. Unfortunately it's been stripped of the original finish, but he's been asking me what I think it's worth. I told him the un-finishing of it will probably make it considerably less valuable to a buyer, but it's a good question anyway, I think...
Here are a couple photos- it's not for sale by the way, you won't see it up here on the TB classies... I want him to sell it to me!
Here are a couple photos- it's not for sale by the way, you won't see it up here on the TB classies... I want him to sell it to me!
I have the pickguard on my 62 vintage and none on the new one so have to say I like them both ways.
Wish I still had my CT. It had a much different but very high quality sound with the centerblock. Hmmmm. Maybe I need a black one to round out the collection to an uneven 3?
I prefer them with the pickguard, it's visually pleasing and I'm used to resting my fingers on the elevated surface.
