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

[steve_rolfeca]

Not sure what you mean by CT, but the HCTs do have curved backs even with the Cavern spacing for the pickups. The German Caverns have flat backs, though.

The Indonesian HCT Cavern violin that I checked out at my local dealer, had a flat back. New for 2022?

I’m finding it hard to keep track of all the variations in Hofner’s import lines.

Looking at the Ignitions, it seems like they contract for a run in a certain config, and then change it up for the next batch each time. I wonder if they work with more than one Chinese factory. That could explain some of the variations I’ve seen in fit/finish and QC.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

The Indonesian HCT Cavern violin that I checked out at my local dealer, had a flat back. New for 2022?

I’m finding it hard to keep track of all the variations in Hofner’s import lines.

Looking at the Ignitions, it seems like they contract for a run in a certain config, and then change it up for the next batch each time. I wonder if they work with more than one Chinese factory. That could explain some of the variations I’ve seen in fit/finish and QC.

Could be that the new models have flat backs. I'll look into it. The HCTs, though, are made in a Hofner factory in China and are not contracted out. The have had some production issue with those models in the past few years.

As far as I know the range is as follows:

Entry level: Ignitions (China)
Second tier: HCTs (China)
Entry German: Artist (Germany)
Standard German: Mersey, Cavern, Standard and so on (German).

 

[SJLee]

My 58 reissue. I find the controls much simpler to use. At least for me.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I like the control panel myself. This is because I primarily use the switches.

 

[SJLee]

I like to blend the pickups with the controls though the audience most likely never notices.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

LaBella has two Hofner-specific sets. One is gauged to be roughly equivalent to the stock strings, the other is a little heavier.

I got the Legends because they were the only thing available locally. I like them, but I’m waiting for the heavier LaBella set to arrive.

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So they ARE Legends then, which means that the G is lighter than in the heavier Hofner LaBella set, but the E is heavier [see below].

My Ignition Club had the roundwound DR set on it when I scored it used.

Yes, I'm aware of the LaBella DT Flats sets intended for Hofner basses, but I dislike their gauges.

IMNSHO, a/the 39-96 set is too light for ANY short scale bass, and the 50-100 set is a poor gauge balance.

That's why I looked at what else was possible to fit mine, and ended up with the short scale LaBella LT Flats [42-100, 32.25" of wrap].

But at least one other Hofner player here has measured his bass for me, and posted IIRC upthread that it would need a full extra inch of wrap, compared to mine.

Based upon my most recent research, and posted upthread only a few days ago, I fully expect that the LaBella set cut specifically for thru-body Mustang basses would have the right amount of wrap for folks like him [headstock silks begin at 34"], and the tapered tail would be behind the bridge saddles, along with the best balanced gauges that LaBella offers [43-60-82-104] in DT Flats.
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[Shawn Luckman]

Got my 64 out of it's case a couple of days ago after a long while, ordered some new flatwounds & looking forward to playing it again it was my main bass for 10 years.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Got my 64 out of it's case a couple of days ago after a long while, ordered some new flatwounds & looking forward to playing it again it was my main bass for 10 years.
View attachment 4662792

Very nice!

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Got my 64 out of it's case a couple of days ago after a long while, ordered some new flatwounds & looking forward to playing it again it was my main bass for 10 years.
View attachment 4662792

Very nice!

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Yes, purty indeed !

Also it is fortunate that your cat is looking the other way, and showing no interest.

My cat has similar markings, I think - mostly black, with a bit of white in front and underneath - tuxedo.
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[Shawn Luckman]

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Yes, purty indeed !

Also it is fortunate that your cat is looking the other way, and showing no interest.

My cat has similar markings, I think - mostly black, with a bit of white in front and underneath - tuxedo.
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Yes Gizmo shows little interest in anything to do with me , but allows me to buy his food and he loves my wife most of all .

 

[Stempelloos]

The Indonesian HCT Cavern violin that I checked out at my local dealer, had a flat back. New for 2022?

I’m finding it hard to keep track of all the variations in Hofner’s import lines.

Looking at the Ignitions, it seems like they contract for a run in a certain config, and then change it up for the next batch each time. I wonder if they work with more than one Chinese factory. That could explain some of the variations I’ve seen in fit/finish and QC.

Maybe because the original Caverns have a flat back?

 

[nattiep]

I have a 2009 HCT club and while I love the sound it's an absolute pain to keep in tune. Is there a reason some of these are so hard to intonate? I can't get the E and the G close without cranking the bridge to some goofy angle. I can't move the fret saddles around too much because the spacing gets too tight. It's irritating. I'll get it close on everything but the E. It's almost unplayable at this point. Should I change strings? get a new bridge?

 

[Slapndbayass]

I have a 2009 HCT club and while I love the sound it's an absolute pain to keep in tune. Is there a reason some of these are so hard to intonate? I can't get the E and the G close without cranking the bridge to some goofy angle. I can't move the fret saddles around too much because the spacing gets too tight. It's irritating. I'll get it close on everything but the E. It's almost unplayable at this point. Should I change strings? get a new bridge?

Might get some ideas from EJ.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I have a 2009 HCT club and while I love the sound it's an absolute pain to keep in tune. Is there a reason some of these are so hard to intonate? I can't get the E and the G close without cranking the bridge to some goofy angle. I can't move the fret saddles around too much because the spacing gets too tight. It's irritating. I'll get it close on everything but the E. It's almost unplayable at this point. Should I change strings? get a new bridge?

~
That all seems odd.

My Ignition Club does not exhibit such a problem, and I would expect the HCT and German models to intonate better than mine, due to their zero fret nut design.

Please clarify :

Are you having trouble GETTING into tune, or STAYING in tune, or having problems with both ?

My other question at this point is to ask exactly what strings are you using ?

I may have an opinion about string choices - CORRECTION : I WILL have an opinion !
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[Doctor Intrepid]

I have a 2009 HCT club and while I love the sound it's an absolute pain to keep in tune. Is there a reason some of these are so hard to intonate? I can't get the E and the G close without cranking the bridge to some goofy angle. I can't move the fret saddles around too much because the spacing gets too tight. It's irritating. I'll get it close on everything but the E. It's almost unplayable at this point. Should I change strings? get a new bridge?

Putting the bridge at an angle to intonate properly is normal.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Putting the bridge at an angle to intonate properly is normal.

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Yes, and mine is slightly so, in addition to the length spread of the saddle pieces, to get correct intonation.
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[nattiep]

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That all seems odd.

My Ignition Club does not exhibit such a problem, and I would expect the HCT and German models to intonate better than mine, due to their zero fret nut design.

Please clarify :

Are you having trouble GETTING into tune, or STAYING in tune, or having problems with both ?

My other question at this point is to ask exactly what strings are you using ?

I may have an opinion about string choices - CORRECTION : I WILL have an opinion !
~

Getting into tune. It'll be out every time I pick it up but getting it to stay anywhere close to in tune is nuts. The E always is slightly out. I'm using the La Bella beatle strings.

Putting the bridge at an angle to intonate properly is normal.

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Yes, and mine is slightly so, in addition to the length spread of the saddle pieces, to get correct intonation.
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Yeah but this is a bit much. The E still says its flat on my tuner. I haven't even attempted the other two yet but previous attempts have the D saddle all the way in the top slot and the A saddle in the lowest slot.

 

[Aceonbass]

Getting into tune. It'll be out every time I pick it up but getting it to stay anywhere close to in tune is nuts. The E always is slightly out. I'm using the La Bella beatle strings.



Yeah but this is a bit much. The E still says its flat on my tuner. I haven't even attempted the other two yet but previous attempts have the D saddle all the way in the top slot and the A saddle in the lowest slot.
View attachment 4665064

Seems to me like you should be able to pull saddles out of the bridge and reposition them in different slots.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

Getting into tune. It'll be out every time I pick it up but getting it to stay anywhere close to in tune is nuts. The E always is slightly out. I'm using the La Bella beatle strings.



Yeah but this is a bit much. The E still says its flat on my tuner. I haven't even attempted the other two yet but previous attempts have the D saddle all the way in the top slot and the A saddle in the lowest slot.
View attachment 4665064

The saddles are pretty close to each other along the length of the strings; it looks like the problem lies in the presence of the decorative strips. Can you pry those out and either leave them out or reposition them? Then you’ll have room to position the saddles as required.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Getting into tune. It'll be out every time I pick it up but getting it to stay anywhere close to in tune is nuts. The E always is slightly out. I'm using the La Bella beatle strings....

....The E still says its flat on my tuner. I haven't even attempted the other two yet but previous attempts have the D saddle all the way in the top slot and the A saddle in the lowest slot.
View attachment 4665064

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Let me begin by admiring the colour !

I had two chances to buy a trans red HCT Club like it during the past year or so [the same bass from two consecutive owners], but I waited too long and it sold - TWICE.

Anyway, at first glance, your entire bridge seems to be positioned the opposite of what I would expect.

Normally, Hofner Club and Beatle basses intonate properly when the bridge body is parallel to the edge of the pickup, or with the E side slightly further away, and the strings usually one per slot, in a diagonal pattern.

But if you did that, your tuner would likely say that the E is flatter at the 12th fret than it already reads now.

[I only had to move one of my strings one slot away from where it began.]

OK, so those look like the LaBella Beatle set which has gauges from 50 to 100, true ?

Is the G string intonated correctly in the picture ?

Will your tuner display all possible notes - IOW is it chromatic ?

I would be curious to know how other notes than open and 12th fret read, on the E string, to see whether there is a trend to what is happening.

It could be a wonky string.

How old are they ?
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