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

[V63]

I prefer LaBella's 760FHB-2 (39-96) on my HCT pictured in post 664 above. Had my current set on for the past 6-7 years with no neck or tension issues.

IMO they're probably the best bang for the buck.

TD

Thanks Thornton, that's great to know. Have you tried other sets as well? If so how do they compare?

 

[V63]

Quick question: do La Bellas only have silk on the non-ball end?

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Hello,
I'm struggling to find the perfect string for my Vintage '63 and I'm hoping some one can help. I've used Pyramid strings for years but their E string issues finally made me give up on them and try other sets. So far here are my thoughts. All of them, so far, have had something to give me pause.

I've tried Thomas-Infeld's JF324H Hofner set
Thomastik-Infeld JF324H Flat Wound Short Scale HOFNER Bass Guitar Strings
The silk length is off, so your E and G have no silk showing while the A and D do. An improper scale length on an advertised 'Hofner' set is unforgivable to me. Everyone else gets this right. I forget how the tension was but everyone says they're quite loose. Plus they're very expensive.
I've tried Chromes Medium .45-.100
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I liked the sound of these because they did have some top end and the E string was nice and strong but found the tension quite high and I'm worried about the strain on the headstock. The periwinkle blue silk was not my favourite.
and La Bella's Tapewound Hofner set
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Playing by myself I loved these. Very surprisingly they had the most highs of anything I tried. I liked the rubbery sound and the bit of growl you get from them. However, in a band situation I really couldn't hear my self. I found the tension way too loose: I'd pull my G off the fretboard easily and the E flapped and had little presence. This has put tapes out of the running for me.

I've Just ordered a set of La Bella 760FHBB .50-.100.
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My questions are: Do I have to worry about stain on my headstock or am just paranoid? I'm worried that the higher tension of stainless steel strings vs. nickel strings like Pyramids may damage my bass....

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While I have no proof of this, I am inclined to say not to worry.

Thanks for posting your research, and BTW you should consider trying GHS Brite Flats.

They have a set for short scale basses, which IIRC is .049 thru .108, and when the 30'' scale length is considered, they have less tension than a 45-100 set would on a 34'' scale bass.

Also worth a try might be D'Addario Half Rounds, which in short scale are a bit lighter than those GHS are, I think 45-100.

Ground/Half Round strings (such as the above) are what have been on my Ric for several decades (mainly Dean Markley 'Ground Round Wounds', BTW NLA), and I'm pretty much stuck on that type of construction, though very recently GHS announced a new type called 'Balanced Nickels' (round wound) - Balanced refers both to the tension and to the thickness/quantity of the wraps (see website for details), and which are also said to be a softer type of round wound due to their 100% nickel windings. - Might not hurt my Ric's frets like the RotoSound 66s briefly did when I first got it and transferred a set of those from my previous P bass.

I too have been looking at buying some short scale strings the last few days, as I just scored a used Ibanez Mikro bass which has rounds on it.

What I lament most loudly is that hardly any string maker offers more than one gauge for every string in the set, when short scale is required, and some string types in some brands even only come in long scale.

When it comes to strings, bass players get the least respect from mainstream string makers, and short/medium scale users the least of all.
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[DavesnothereCA]

....Hofners often take "medium scale" because of the length needed for the tailpiece. I learned that the hard way with a different 'short scale' set....

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Interesting point, and come to think of it, there have been some types of bass strings which I have encountered which come in long and short scale, but not in medium, including some of those mentioned in my last post.

That said, I think that the GHS Brite Flats state a 32''+ wrapped portion on their short scale version.

MY only concern is whether that might be too LONG of a wrap for the 28.6'' scale of my newly added Ibanez Mikro, while likely OK for a Hofner bass.
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[mongo2]

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MY only concern is whether that might be too LONG a wrap for the 28.6'' scale of my newly added Ibanez Mikro, while likely OK for a Hofner bass.
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I've found that D'Addario shortscale strings fit my Mikro very well.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Quick question: do La Bellas only have silk on the non-ball end?

LaBella's 760FHB-2 (39-96) have a light blue silks on them as you can see in the photo below. And yes I've used other strings on my Hofner, particularly Pyramids. They're good strings but I can't I don't feel they're worth the added cost.

TD

 

[DavesnothereCA]

....EDIT: oops! I checked and they do list a Medium
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but it also says to call or email for availability mmmm

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It was reasonable of you to first believe that they did not.

As per the makers' current PDF file compilations, some types of GHS and/or D'Addario bass strings only come in long and short, but not medium.

And that's the long and short of it.
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[DavesnothereCA]

Here's the Hofner. Shameless plug.

View attachment 2871148

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NICE Club ! drool

Those cabs are pretty too - and likely dear - what model ?
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[DavesnothereCA]

Thanks! It's called Violin Burst and I was informed it was from the Custom Shop. It has a few bumps and dings from playing out but overall it's in great shape. I went for the Club as I spend a bit of time playing my basses on my lap and the Club felt more comfortable for me both both standing and sitting, but I do dig the violin body.

The WA is great and I made sure to get an extension cab right after getting the amp. It's been a great setup for me. I remember the moment I broke it in. It was about the 3rd or 4th hour of a gig during the summer at a vineyard here in Northern Virginia. Glorious. It was like my ear popping and then I could hear glorious tone. Puts a smile on my face thinking about it.

Those are TI's. You are correct about the silks getting used up on the pole pieces. They are lovely sounding though.

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I'm considering a club over a violin body for the exact same reasons, as they weigh nearly the same anyway, and seem same in other respects.

As for the amp & cab, those are 12s in them ?

I'm getting to think that a pair of single 12s are my next GAS object, to reduce the backbreak.

Maybe even single 10s, if they are the right speakers in the right design of cabs.

Anyone have any ideas ?
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[DavesnothereCA]

....I was measuring my Hofner Club and it looks like about 31.75" from the nut to where the string ball would stop at the tail piece. That would put you pretty close to silk on the nut. Sorry I don't have a picture but I don't have three hands.

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Good info - I will bookmark your post - Thanks !.
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[DavesnothereCA]

I've found that D'Addario shortscale strings fit my Mikro very well.

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Thanks for the info.

Do you recall which model (and gauge, if there is a choice) of their strings ?
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[DavesnothereCA]

LaBella's 760FHB-2 (39-96) have a light blue silks on them as you can see in the photo below. And yes I've used other strings on my Hofner, particularly Pyramids. They're good strings but I can't I don't feel they're worth the added cost.

View attachment 2871870

TD

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Those look to fit nicely at the top.
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[SJLee]

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NICE Club ! drool

Those cabs are pretty too - and likely dear - what model ?
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Thanks! those are the WA 12" with 12" extension cab.

 

[V63]

LaBella's 760FHB-2 (39-96) have a light blue silks on them as you can see in the photo below. And yes I've used other strings on my Hofner, particularly Pyramids. They're good strings but I can't I don't feel they're worth the added cost.

View attachment 2871870

TD

Thanks for the picture. I've ordered a set of these based on everyones recommendation and JimFog's sound clip.
http://www.jimfogarty.com/tunes/reggae Hofner.mp3 from Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
Is there silk at the tailpiece/ball-end too? I've seen pictures of the heavier black silk Labella set and it seems like there is none. I've never seen that before. LaBella tapewound, Pyramids, Thomastik and Chromes all had silk at both ends of the string.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Is there silk at the tailpiece/ball-end too? I've seen pictures of the heavier black silk Labella set and it seems like there is none. I've never seen that before. LaBella tapewound, Pyramids, Thomastik and Chromes all had silk at both ends of the string.

I haven't bought a set of 760FHB-2 strings in 5 or so years and there was no silk at the ball ends then. I don't think that has changed.

TD

 

[mongo2]

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Thanks for the info.

Do you recall which model (and gauge, if there is a choice) of their strings ?
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They're listed on their website.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I've found that D'Addario shortscale strings fit my Mikro very well.

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Thanks for the info.

Do you recall which model (and gauge, if there is a choice) of their [short scale] strings [that you use] ?
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They're listed on their website.

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Everything which they make is listed there.

But their website does not tell me which models and gauges that YOU are using though.
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[mongo2]

But their website does not tell me which models and gauges that YOU are using though.
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True.

I found them in a few seconds by looking at products on their site and filtering for scale length.

 

[Old Blastard]

Greetings Hofners. I have recently acquired a sky blue Ignition Club and am slowly falling in love with it despite roundwound factory strings that turn my fingers an ashen shade of gray.

Looking for string advice (hinking about LaBella white tapes to get thump and some sing. Never used them, though) and was also wondering what type of music y'all play with your Hofners.

Thanks!

 

[DavesnothereCA]

True.

I found them in a few seconds by looking at products on their site and filtering for scale length.

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I did that too.

They make several designations of bass strings in short scale - five actually, if I tick the wee box which you mentioned.

D'Addario Strings : Bass Strings

Why are you making this simple question of mine into a guessing game ?
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