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

[Rob Martinez]

I love the violin bass, it is so iconic. I have a Hofner V63.

But the Hofner Club bass is my FAVE Hofner!! So cool, such a great vibe, and sound too.

 

[ICM]

You inspired me to do some serious work on the intonation of my V62. It is my one Hofner that has always given me trouble.

Awesome! Let us know how it goes!

 

[SJLee]

.... That's an exceptional burst.

Yep, that's a beauty, @sneha1965!

Thanks all for the kind words. Thought I should rise up for some air from work and say thanks. I love the violin basses as well but as you can see from my photo, I spent a bit of time kicking back in my chair playing too. For me, the club bass is comfortable to have in the lap.

 

[ICM]

Thanks all for the kind words. Thought I should rise up for some air from work and say thanks. I love the violin basses as well but as you can see from my photo, I spent a bit of time kicking back in my chair playing too. For me, the club bass is comfortable to have in the lap.

How is the club to play when standing up with a strap? How does it balance, and what angle does it sit at on your stomach and forearm?
I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I'm very petite, so when I sit and play, the middle bout of the violin body on the 500/1 sits right on my leg. My leg just locks in like a puzzle piece.
Glad I'm not the only one popping into the hofner thread at work.

 

[SJLee]

The Club is great standing up. No issues whatsoever - balances well. However, I'm not sure what angle it sits against my stomach and I'm not sure how to figure that one out as I have misplaced my protractor.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

The Club is great standing up. No issues whatsoever - balances well....

~
You had me at "balances well".

And if they weigh as little as has been reported (upthread, IIRC), then it should become the fruition of a New Year's resolution that I scoop up one sometime this year.
~

 

[SJLee]

IIRC mine is <5 lbs.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

IIRC mine is <5 lbs.

~
Yes, except for the CT series, which are apparently a bit above 6, with the centre block.

I strapped on my latest acquisition (a gently used Ibanez Mikro) for its maiden voyage set last weekend, and although the 28.6'' scale and 1.5'' nut width would take some time for me to feel comfortable, shedding 3+ pounds off the weight of my Ric soitainly was a revelation !

Having said that, a Hofner, at 30" scale and 1 5/8'' (IIRC) nut width, may well prove to be the ticket.

BTW, I put fresh GHS Brite Flats onto the Mikro for this test, a 49-108 short scale #3070 set, ditching some round wounds, and set up the action & intonation.

Tension was good, and I would consider their medium scale set in the same gauges for a Hofner, set #3065, IIRC.

OTOH, FYI, and FWIW, my Ric uses a light gauge long scale set of them, #3075, to achieve similar tension.
~

 

[ICM]

The Club is great standing up. No issues whatsoever - balances well. However, I'm not sure what angle it sits against my stomach and I'm not sure how to figure that one out as I have misplace my protractor.

I clip my strap to the tailpiece (McCartney style) and find that, compared to when it's clipped to the bottom ring, the bass is turned more upward, as in you can see the fretboard better. It also brings the nut closer to your body and it's less of a reach. For me it's a very comfortable and ergonomic setup.

 

[Darr61]

Just added this to my small collection of Basses. New Ignition Club.

 

[fermata]

I clip my strap to the tailpiece (McCartney style) and find that, compared to when it's clipped to the bottom ring, the bass is turned more upward, as in you can see the fretboard better. It also brings the nut closer to your body and it's less of a reach. For me it's a very comfortable and ergonomic setup.

Funny, one of my favorite features is the fact that the concave back tips the fingerboard away from me a little bit; my left wrist stays very relaxed.

 

[SJLee]

~
Yes, except for the CT series, which are apparently a bit above 6, with the centre block.
~

True, but a few degrees north of 6 lbs is still very light in the world of electric bass guitars. You could do much worse.

 

[SJLee]

I clip my strap to the tailpiece (McCartney style) and find that, compared to when it's clipped to the bottom ring, the bass is turned more upward, as in you can see the fretboard better. It also brings the nut closer to your body and it's less of a reach. For me it's a very comfortable and ergonomic setup.

I’ve decided to rethink my strap situation. I have the old school leather strap with the metal claspe on the bridge end, and as much as I like the vintage look, the claspe has thoroughly scratched up the body.

 

[ICM]

I’ve decided to rethink my strap situation. I have the old school leather strap with the metal claspe on the bridge end, and as much as I like the vintage look, the claspe has thoroughly scratched up the body.

The top of mine is super scratched from the clasp. Even though that particular strap has it's downfalls, I just love how secure it is. It's not coming off the bass.

Funny, one of my favorite features is the fact that the concave back tips the fingerboard away from me a little bit; my left wrist stays very relaxed.

Interesting. I love discussing the intricacies of these basses since they differ so much from the standard P or J, it's like a whole new world of instrument.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

True, but a few degrees north of 6 lbs is still very light in the world of electric bass guitars. You could do much worse.

~
Very true, if last Sunday's first test of my Ibanez Mikro vs my Franken-Ric 4001 is any indication.
~

 

[ICM]

An Everly Brothers style pickguard mockup. Just cause. The amount of times I've considered buying a lefty guard to do this is too many to admit.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Heads up for anyone considering a D-tuner for one of these. Not sure if it was recommended in this thread or another, but a Hipshot GT2 DOES NOT fit. The hole on the bass would have have to be re-drilled, as the Hipshot is a lot thicker. I wasn't willing to take the risk of such an action. I'll re-post this in the other thread.

 

[Old Blastard]

View attachment 2899763
An Everly Brothers style pickguard mockup. Just cause. The amount of times I've considered buying a lefty guard to do this is too many to admit.

I know I shouldn't like this, but I do. Do it! Then pics!

 

[fermata]

View attachment 2899763
An Everly Brothers style pickguard mockup. Just cause. The amount of times I've considered buying a lefty guard to do this is too many to admit.

I don't know man...I mean, it works, but... Although it does have sort of a '60s Gibson vibe (check out Dylan's double-pickguard J-200).
Disclaimer: I'm a pickguard skeptic. Why cover pretty instruments with sheets of plastic?

 

[mongo2]

Heads up for anyone considering a D-tuner for one of these. Not sure if it was recommended in this thread or another, but a Hipshot GT2 DOES NOT fit. The hole on the bass would have have to be re-drilled, as the Hipshot is a lot thicker. I wasn't willing to take the risk of such an action. I'll re-post this in the other thread.

Did you look at banjo de-tuners as a possibility?