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

[Scooter Johnson]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this thread and absolutely love all the pictures you guys send of all the different Hofner's. I'm currently in the market for a Hofner 500/1 Contemporary violin bass. Preferable a lighter burst color and in good condition. Somewhere below $800 preferably. If you guys could help me find one that'd be amazing.

Sweetwater sells the Contemporary for $750.. and the Cavern Bass for $700
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...id0xoiyYvRXWvlEQAS49V_GJf8jDkgasaAkPgEALw_wcB


CAVERN BASS
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...9ATi0K7ieq4sGSII-eFAo4Fg3rZsm9wAaAkMPEALw_wcB

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this thread and absolutely love all the pictures you guys send of all the different Hofner's. I'm currently in the market for a Hofner 500/1 Contemporary violin bass. Preferable a lighter burst color and in good condition. Somewhere below $800 preferably. If you guys could help me find one that'd be amazing.

There are some excellent ones on Reverb for sale right now at great prices. A silver burst and a mat black one.

 

[Scooter Johnson]

Here is the latest photo of my Hofner Ignition. I put black D'Addario Tapewound strings on my Pearl White Bass partly because they just look good but I found the mellow sound wonderful. I did have to file the nut a little for the thicker coated E and D strings. *

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Here is the latest photo of my Hofner Ignition. I put black D'Addario Tapewound strings on my Pearl White Bass partly because they just look good but I found the mellow sound wonderful. I did have to file the nut a little for the thicker coated E and D strings. *

Looks great!

 

[Scooter Johnson]

There are some excellent ones on Reverb for sale right now at great prices. A silver burst and a mat black one.

If the mat black bass is the one I'm thinking ... it's not a Hofner, it's a De Rosa. It's more like a Rogue VB100 in black. Still not a bad Bass but it's not a Hofner . De Rosa GB-BB2-SLB Hollow Body Maple Set Neck 4-String Electric Violin Bass Guitar - Silver Sunburst

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

If the mat black bass is the one I'm thinking ... it's not a Hofner, it's a De Rosa. It's more like a Rogue VB100 in black. Still not a bad Bass but it's not a Hofner . De Rosa GB-BB2-SLB Hollow Body Maple Set Neck 4-String Electric Violin Bass Guitar - Silver Sunburst

There is one that is a Hofner .

 

[GavinJC]

I played an Ignition for a good 3 hours at a guitar shop once. And i gotta say, i am not a fan. The Ignition/Icon series Hofner's just feel really cheap to me. The pickups are VERY low end. Even the wood felt cheap. It felt like it was gonna split right there in my hands. It also went out of tune frequently. I know Hofner's usually go out of tune faster than other basses, but the Ignition i played went out of tune in about 10 minutes of playing, especially the A string. I like to play mostly Beatles songs, but sometimes i'll do some Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queen, etc., so i wanted some that has a little more sustain. A v62 or v63 German made reissue is my ideal Hofner, but unfortunately, my bank account does not agree. The contemporary is the perfect in between of the German made sound and quality and lower price of the ignition. Other people may like the Ignition/Icon and maybe the Ignition i played may have been a lower quality than most, but for me, it just felt really cheap.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I played an Ignition for a good 3 hours at a guitar shop once. And i gotta say, i am not a fan. The Ignition/Icon series Hofner's just feel really cheap to me. The pickups are VERY low end. Even the wood felt cheap. It felt like it was gonna split right there in my hands. I like to play mostly Beatles songs, but sometimes i'll do some Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queen, etc., so i wanted some that has a little more sustain. A v62 or v63 German made reissue is my ideal Hofner, but unfortunately, my bank account does not agree. The contemporary is the perfect in between of the German made sound and quality and lower price of the ignition. Other people may like the Ignition/Icon, but for me, it just felt really cheap.

I have two Ignitions, a Contemporary and two German Hofners (one is an actual vintage 68) and I couldn't disagree more. For the price I find the Ignition level basses excellent. I'm guessing that the ones you played were an anomaly (or something like that).

 

[GavinJC]

I have two Ignitions, a Contemporary and two German Hofners (one is an actual vintage 68) and I couldn't disagree more. For the price I find the Ignition level basses excellent. I'm guessing that the ones you played were an anomaly (or something like that).

Thats what i thought. I've seen so many good reviews on Ignitions, i actually ordered one. I played it at the guitar shop and instantly cancelled my order. I'm guessing you're right in saying that it was an anomaly.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Thats what i thought. I've seen so many good reviews on Ignitions, i actually ordered one. I played it at the guitar shop and instantly cancelled my order. I'm guessing you're right in saying that it was an anomaly.

Yeah, I suppose that is why it is best to always place your hands on an instrument before you purchase it. Good luck!

 

[Ghook]

So I have some bow , very slight , on my Ignition BB since I installed LaBella Flats. I am questioning if I should worry because it's really intonated quite well. Also my volume pup seems scratchy and sometimes hums...any suggestions?
.

 

[GavinJC]

So I have some bow , very slight , on my Ignition BB since I installed LaBella Flats. I am questioning if I should worry because it's really intonated quite well. Also my volume pup seems scratchy and sometimes hums...any suggestions?
.

Try and lower the pickups if you can. This may help with unnecessary buzz or humming. About the neck bowing, Im not sure. New tuners maybe?

 

[Aceonbass]

Been modding my Ignition. Almost done. Here's a shot of my custom made control panel

and wiring. I'll post pics when the bass is finished.

 

[Scooter Johnson]

Been modding my Ignition. Almost done. Here's a shot of my custom made control panel View attachment 3340746 and wiring. I'll post pics when the bass is finished.

Wow! I see toasters !!! Cool ... yes, show full photos!

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Yeah, I want to see full pics too!

 

[ICM]

Been modding my Ignition. Almost done. Here's a shot of my custom made control panel View attachment 3340746 and wiring. I'll post pics when the bass is finished.

Dane that’s so cool; I can’t wait to see the finished product!

 

[heynorm]

I’ve had a violin Ignition for about a year. The light weight is great for me after I had back surgery. Now thinking about adding a Club Ignition. Is the weight roughly the same?

 

[Scooter Johnson]

I’ve had a violin Ignition for about a year. The light weight is great for me after I had back surgery. Now thinking about adding a Club Ignition. Is the weight roughly the same?

The shipping weight of an Ignition club bass is 13.8 pounds.. a little more than the violin bass

 

[DrSteve]

I’ve had a violin Ignition for about a year. The light weight is great for me after I had back surgery. Now thinking about adding a Club Ignition. Is the weight roughly the same?

I think they're both about 5 lbs. Should sound very similar as well.

 

[BACKLASHBASS]

I’ve had a violin Ignition for about a year. The light weight is great for me after I had back surgery. Now thinking about adding a Club Ignition. Is the weight roughly the same?

Like you, I have had back surgery and can't deal with a heavy bass for a long gig. I don't know the actual weight of my Club bass, but I can tell you that if I didn't know that I was wearing it, I wouldn't know. It is remarkably light.