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

[Mike Arthur]

Your control panel is from a 66-67. This is my recent acquisition. Bought on "flea-bay" Came out of Venezuela. Although she looks rough,its my favorite out of my other 3 HOFNERS. An American Flag CT,an Ignition 500/1,and a Cavern IGNITION LE.
Enjoy

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I've been missing my HCT500-1CV that I sold about 18 months ago so it's time to get another one. It's going to be identical to this one finished in Dark Brown with Black p/g and control panel.

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TD

That's a very nice finish. All the best getting a new one.

 

[SJLee]

Aside from looks is there any tone difference between the staple, bar and diamond pickups?

 

[Stempelloos]

Aside from looks is there any tone difference between the staple, bar and diamond pickups?

As you'd probably guessed, yes there is.
The staple and the diamond pickups are a bit closer in sound.
The blade/bar pickups have more of a single coil character.

Then again, to some people all basses sound alike.

 

[SJLee]

As you'd probably guessed, yes there is.
The staple and the diamond pickups are a bit closer in sound.
The blade/bar pickups have more of a single coil character.

Then again, to some people all basses sound alike.

Thanks Stempelloos. I would suspect the staple and diamond PU's are closer to the original sound of the 60's basses?

 

[Stempelloos]

The staple and the diamond pickups are both humbuckers. I'd say the diamonds have a bit more depth/middle and the staples have a bit more clarity.
The blade pickups were available since 1967, so they're also 'sixties'.
But late sixties.

 

[lukatch]

Updated pic of my Höfners. L-R: '65 Senator, '60 500/3, '64 Senator.

 

[fermata]

still enjoying mine on my jazz, light scale custom set i made (.40 .55 .75 .95)

View attachment 2778753 So, I’ve gassed for a Verythin Bass since they were first reissued several years ago.
Finally had a budget for one so I naturally started obsessively pouring over every review, critique, sound test and comparison I could find in order to justify my pending purchase. While in this research frenzy I kept coming across article after article praising the Icon/Ignition B.B. models. I’d never really considered adding a Beatle Bass to my “collection” but was somewhat intrigued.
I went ahead and ordered the Verythin (in black, ‘cause I’ve never been a sunburst guy).
Now, of course, due to advertising algorithms, all kinds of Hofner basses start dancing before my eyes...
What’s that? A used Ignition BB... in Silver Sparkle... with a case... for $250! Oh gawd! Looks like I’m a Hofner guy now.

Nice set there! I'm curious about the Verythin, too. Could you offer any comparison between it and the violin bass, in terms of tone and feel/ergonomics?

 

[Thwack]

Nice set there! I'm curious about the Verythin, too. Could you offer any comparison between it and the violin bass, in terms of tone and feel/ergonomics?

I'm still at the very earliest stages of exploring these two. I had anticipated stringing the Verythin with black tapewound strings which I had on hand. For some reason the E string made very odd and pronounced overtones with this bass that rendered them unusable. Waiting now for a set of TI's to arrive before really digging in. The Ignition is also waiting for flats to arrive today. It's hard to get a good sense of how theses basses will sound when they come strung with zingy roundwounds. I must say I'm rather knocked out by the Ignition right off the bat. Something about the combination of size, shape, weight and sound makes it a really fun bass to play. Definitely more to come. Stay tuned.

 

[fermata]

Looking forward to hearing more as you restring/get to know your new basses, @Thwack.

And I can't let these go by without commenting...

Updated pic of my Höfners. L-R: '65 Senator, '60 500/3, '64 Senator.
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Only being able to click the Like button once is insufficient for this photo. drool
Those are seriously gorgeous instruments!

 

[crunge]

Hello, I just wanted to show some pics of my new-used Hofner Ignition. This one appears to be an older model, with the original body shape that's closer to the German/CT models, which I prefer over the newer body shape with the wider upper bout and deeper cutouts. The neck on this one however, feels noticeably thinner (width and depth) than the newer Ignitions.

Here are pics without the pickguard, and then pics with the pickguard/control plates overlaid with tortoiseshell acoustic pickguard material. I also added a home-made thumbrest, which I'm still in debate of whether I'll keep it on or not (throws me off cause it feels too much like I'm playing a 5-string )

 

[ICM]

Hello, I just wanted to show some pics of my new-used Hofner Ignition. This one appears to be an older model, with the original body shape that's closer to the German/CT models, which I prefer over the newer body shape with the wider upper bout and deeper cutouts. The neck on this one however, feels noticeably thinner (width and depth) than the newer Ignitions.

Here are pics without the pickguard, and then pics with the pickguard/control plates overlaid with tortoiseshell acoustic pickguard material. I also added a home-made thumbrest, which I'm still in debate of whether I'll keep it on or not (throws me off cause it feels too much like I'm playing a 5-string )
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Looks like you've got an icon, the precursor to the ignition. They're great basses, you'll have fun!
That tortoise looks amazing too. I've never seen better aftermarket tort on a Hofner!

EDIT: and I just noticed the lego thumbrest. Sweet dude.

 

[crunge]

Looks like you've got an icon, the precursor to the ignition. They're great basses, you'll have fun!
That tortoise looks amazing too. I've never seen better aftermarket tort on a Hofner!

EDIT: and I just noticed the lego thumbrest. Sweet dude.

Thanks! The trussrod cover "B-Bass HI-Series", so I just assumed it was an Ignition. Maybe a transitional model?

Oh, and the thumbrest rod is a hollow aluminum tube, but it fit with the Lego clips. I may try to lower it some more so it's not right at string level. Luckily, the Lego supply is plentiful

 

[ICM]

Thanks! The trussrod cover "B-Bass HI-Series", so I just assumed it was an Ignition. Maybe a transitional model?

Oh, and the thumbrest rod is a hollow aluminum tube, but it fit with the Lego clips. I may try to lower it some more so it's not right at string level. Luckily, the Lego supply is plentiful

Then it's an early ignition! The TRC on the icon says "icon series".

 

[mongo2]

Hello, I just wanted to show some pics of my new-used Hofner Ignition. This one appears to be an older model, with the original body shape that's closer to the German/CT models, which I prefer over the newer body shape with the wider upper bout and deeper cutouts. The neck on this one however, feels noticeably thinner (width and depth) than the newer Ignitions.

Here are pics without the pickguard, and then pics with the pickguard/control plates overlaid with tortoiseshell acoustic pickguard material. I also added a home-made thumbrest, which I'm still in debate of whether I'll keep it on or not (throws me off cause it feels too much like I'm playing a 5-string )
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View attachment 2784580

Excellent idea using the tort acoustic pickguard material to overlay the OEM guard and control plate. The lego thumbrest is genius.

Nicely done.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I've been missing my HCT500-1CV that I sold about 18 months ago so it's time to get another one. It's going to be identical to this one finished in Dark Brown with Black p/g and control panel.

View attachment 2609775

TD

There's a few on ebay right now.

 

[fermata]

This thread is too exciting! Vintage Hofners, tort and Legos, and now this.

I've been missing my HCT500-1CV that I sold about 18 months ago so it's time to get another one. It's going to be identical to this one finished in Dark Brown with Black p/g and control panel.

View attachment 2609775

TD

There's a few on ebay right now.

These dark brown CT Cavern basses are at the top of my GAS list, especially this one:

Given that I don't have the cash for one at the moment, the fact that it's listed as a limited edition adds anxiety to my GAS.

And speaking of limited editions, Invalid Link Removed just showed up on the Hofner site:

 

[Boristhespyder]

And speaking of limited editions, Invalid Link Removedjust showed up on the Hofner site:

I so want one of those! With a run of 12, though, I’m guessing my chances are vitually nil. Had to show that, didn’t you.

 

[Thwack]

Nice set there! I'm curious about the Verythin, too. Could you offer any comparison between it and the violin bass, in terms of tone and feel/ergonomics?

Hi,
I wanted to get back to you concerning the side by side comparison, general impressions, etc. albeit not an in-depth or well written "review".
I strung both basses with LaBella black tape wound beatle bass strings. This in itself was a bit of an adjustment. These strings make TI flats seem stiff. Once the adjustments had been made both in my technique and about 3/4 turn looser on the truss rods, I was finally able to really start getting used to both of these instruments.
Again, the Vervthin was the bass I had G.A.S. for and was new, the used Ignition BB was complete whim purchase based on the: a) positive reviews I kept finding while researching the Verythin, b) Unique non-sunburst color and included case for $250 shipped.
While it's apparent that the Verythin, and I'll assume all other CT series, are a more refined and well appointed instrument with nicer hardware and more elegant details I'm not sure that the actual build quality is particularly any higher. For instance, I had to remove the poorly designed pickguard on the Verythin to stop it from rattling whereas the Ignition was ready to go out of the case. There are very minor, nit-picky finish flaws on both instruments but I let that stuff go pretty easily.
They are definitely similar but also fairly different basses in both feel and sound. I guess it's almost painfully obvious given the name of the series but the CT does in fact sound more 'contemporary' than the ignition.
The necks are identical in size and shape but, perhaps due the the neck binding, the Verythin neck seems a little more slim. It's not. I measured with digital calipers. They are great, fast, comfortable and addictive necks to play.
The Verythin can get close to the sound that falls effortlessly out of the ignition but doesn't have the same intense woodiness that the bb has.
The Ignition has definitely become my go-to 'practice-on-the-couch' bass because of the small body size and great sound projection.
Overall I'm happy with both purchases and will be keeping and using both basses in steady rotation. If I can think of anything else worthwhile to add, or if you have any specific questions...

 

[FranF]

Great to see some Hoffytalk on TB! If you dig all things 500/1 Violin Bass, come on over to my Facebook page!!! Log into Facebook | Facebook