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

[Doctor Intrepid]

Any tips on eqing Hofners ? I use TI flats on my Hofner and use both pickups on full, I don't use the bass slider in the on position like most people as it sounds good on its own but with my current band my bass would sound kind of muddy with the bass slider on.
I have a Fender rumble amp with the bass(80hz) rolled back to around 9-10 o clock, low mids(280hz) flat and high mids(1.2khz) boosted to around 3 o clock, treble flat, this tone cuts through but I am after a thicker tone. I am thinking of getting a boss geb-7 or the behringer copy, I am thinking if I get one a cut in low lows and a small boost at 120hz and 500hz should hopefully give the thicker, defined tone I am after, thoughts? thanks

I scoop my EQ and it sounds great.

 

[shoulderpet]

I scoop my EQ and it sounds great.

Wow, that hadn't even occurred to me, I will have to try that, do you run both pickups on?

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Wow, that hadn't even occurred to me, I will have to try that, do you run both pickups on?

For most songs I run both pickups. Only when we play One by U2 do I rely only on the neck pickup.

 

[ICM]

Any tips on eqing Hofners ? I use TI flats on my Hofner and use both pickups on full, I don't use the bass slider in the on position like most people as it sounds good on its own but with my current band my bass would sound kind of muddy with the bass slider on.
I have a Fender rumble amp with the bass(80hz) rolled back to around 9-10 o clock, low mids(280hz) flat and high mids(1.2khz) boosted to around 3 o clock, treble flat, this tone cuts through but I am after a thicker tone. I am thinking of getting a boss geb-7 or the behringer copy, I am thinking if I get one a cut in low lows and a small boost at 120hz and 500hz should hopefully give the thicker, defined tone I am after, thoughts? thanks

I only use the neck pickup on the bass-y setting, so YMMV, but...

I have my bass at around 1-2 o'clock, mids are boosted (to cut through the mix) and 3 o'clock, and highs are cut to around 11 o'clock.

This will change subtlety depending on the sound of the room, which amp/PA I'm playing through, or just my mood, but it's a pretty good framework to start with, hope this helps!

 

[Michael Eisenman]

My new Ignition Club bass with Pyramid Golds that I removed from my Rogue VB-100. Only 5¼ lbs with strap. This is going to be fun.

 

[ICM]

Good news for me...My right hand has recovered sufficiently from my stroke that I can now start playing the closer string spacing of my Hofner Ignition Club bass. I have greatly missed playing it during the last 10 months. It may take a while to become as proficient with it as I was before but it will happen.

Nice! Keep on fighting the good fight, you're clearly a rather strong willed individual. Through this hopefully you'll have the opportunity to rediscover the joy of learning bass. You should be back up to speed in no time, keep us updated!

 

[mongo2]

Nice! Keep on fighting the good fight, you're clearly a rather strong willed individual. Through this hopefully you'll have the opportunity to rediscover the joy of learning bass. You should be back up to speed in no time, keep us updated!

Thank you. Funny thing was I had our regular weekly gig exactly four days after the stroke hit. Fortunately I still had movement in my right side though it was somewhat diminished. I forced myself to walk while in the hospital and got good enough at it to get around without support or stumbling.

First thing I checked was if I could still move my index and middle fingers of my right hand well enough to play. I felt I could get through the gig when I was released from the hospital two days before the gig. I always play that gig seated so that helped cover a lot. I spent those two days getting used to my "new" body and right hand, walking, practicing and simplifying some parts. It was then that I found my right hand limited my choice of instrument to my shortscale with wider string spacing than my Hofner Club. It went well enough that I was able to get through the rest of the gigs that season with the help of PT. My neurologist's chin actually dropped when I told him I was playing the gigs.

We've just started this season at the same venue and last night's gig went well with great response from the crowd but it's still somewhat difficult, tiring and painful for me but things are just starting to improve and I'm very grateful to still be able to play at all. Keepin' on keepin' on.

BTW, my typing still leaves something to be desired ... the backspace key is my new best friend.

 

[mongo2]

Just for interest; I'd like see what some of the Hofner Basses weigh in at. My 500/1'64 Reissue is 4.4 pounds.
So get out the scale, weigh your Hofner, and let us know what your's weighs in at.

One of my Ignition Clubs weighs 4 lbs 8 oz., the other weighs 4 lbs 14 oz. My Galaxie weighs 6lbs 12 oz.I haven't weighed my CT President or Ignition violin basses.

 

[mongo2]

Great light weights on your Ignition Clubs. Your Galaxie is reasonable at 7lbs 12 oz. also.

Yes, the lighter Clubs are just what I've been looking for as far as playability, ergonomics and tone are concerned. I first got a Club during the eBay sale of the early black burst version. I added another in brown 'burst a couple of years later. I've played them the most until about a year ago but I've just started using them again.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I'm reading a book on the 500/1 and they built the Club bass originally for two reasons. To take pressure off the production facilities for the 500/1, which were selling like crazy due to the The Beatles. And, second, because it was a guitar model originally that wasn't selling well. So they took the guitar body and put the 500/1 neck and hardware on it. Turned out well I think.

 

[mongo2]

I'm reading a book on the 500/1 and they built the Club bass originally for two reasons. To take pressure off the production facilities for the 500/1, which were selling like crazy due to the The Beatles. And, second, because it was a guitar model originally that wasn't selling well. So they took the guitar body and put the 500/1 neck and hardware on it. Turned out well I think.

I never knew that, thanks.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Yeah, I really like the 500/1s and playing is a hobby for me, so like to learn about stuff about Hofner and the 500/1.

 

[jazz3625tonic]

So........ let's have a little poll..... given these three choices ....what Hoffy would you pick ???

View attachment 3427556

Club.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I have a set of Pyramid Golds on my Ignition Club Bass, and the E is not working for me. I wish I could use my extra set of TI Flats (.043-.100), but they're too long (34" scale). So I thought I'd try the La Bella DTBs, which get a lot of love around here.

Question: 760FHBB Standard-gauge (.050-.100) vs. 760FHB2 Light-gauge (.039-.096)? How do they compare?

 

[Oberst]

I have a set of Pyramid Golds on my Ignition Club Bass, and the E is not working for me. I wish I could use my extra set of TI Flats (.043-.100), but they're too long (34" scale). So I thought I'd try the La Bella DTBs, which get a lot of love around here.

Question: 760FHBB Standard-gauge (.050-.100) vs. 760FHB2 Light-gauge (.039-.096)? How do they compare?

The light gauge in terms of feel are closest to the OEM strings which I prefer. I put the heavier ones on a kit violin bass but did not want to deal with neck adjustments on my Hofner.

 

[Aceonbass]

I like the 760FHBB'S on my modded ignition....

 

[Scooter Johnson]

I added teacups and Labellas to my new Purple Hofner Ignition

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I thought I'd profile my 68 500/1 on here a bit. By 68 Hofner had made a number of changes to the 500/1. These changes are as follows:

1. They switched from the humbucker staple pickups to single coil blade pickups. My 68 has the single coil blade pickups.

2. They changed the heel of the bass, where it meets the body, so that it was square and not rounded as is the case with actual violins. My 68 has the square heel.

3. They widened the control panel so that it would be easier to remove, and put back in, the control panel. My 68 has the wider control panel.

4. They shortened the tail piece so they could use the same tail piece for the new Club basses, which had a shorter body, and the Violin basses. Mine has the shorter tail piece.

5. They changed the tuning pegs so that they were covered and spring loaded. My 68 has this innovation.

6. Finally, by 68 they started using one piece maple necks. Luckily mine is an anomaly, as it is a three piece neck! Often Hofner would use up old pieces that are lying around, which then produces anomalies like my bass. So cool!

Here are the pics!

 

[shoulderpet]

I like the 760FHBB'S on my modded ignition....View attachment 3437019

Nice, how is the tone on the middle pickup?

 

[WannaBeatle]

I'm sure some of ya have already seen these pics I posted on the SpaceBook the other day. for those of you that don't do the social media thing, then they're all new to ya

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