Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group

[Funky_Duck]

Nice basses Funky Duck. Is the burst on the '62 faded with age or was the original finish lighter than the '63 reissue? Your number is 17.

Thanks, Ed! Actually, that's the factory finish on the V62. I've owned it for nearly a year now and am the original owner. Sadly, I had to part with the V63 toward the end of '09. Of the two basses, the V62 was the best playing and sounding, so parting with the other was not a painful experience. I hope to some day replace the V63 with a '61 Cavern reissue.

I bought the two basses nearly 2 years apart from two different dealers in two different cities. When the V62 arrived, it was then that I discovered that both basses were only 6 numbers apart and most likely made during the same week! Luck of the draw!

To answer the amp question posted earlier: I run mine bass through an older G-K 800RB but use a SansAmp Bass Driver DI as the preamp and then through a Bag End S-15D cab. I'm using a tweaked " Bassman" setting on the SansAmp, just boosting the bass a hair. The result sounds like McCartney's tone from the Beatles later period for the most part.

Proud to be #17.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

If you are looking for a nice Contemporary, a fellow Tb'er is offering up his for $585 shipped. It looks like he may have gotten it from North Coast, the "hand selected" at the Hofner distribution in WI, and it has the upgraded tea cups. Here is the link:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=619696 if you are interested.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

Thanks, Ed! Actually, that's the factory finish on the V62. I've owned it for nearly a year now and am the original owner. Sadly, I had to part with the V63 toward the end of '09. Of the two basses, the V62 was the best playing and sounding, so parting with the other was not a painful experience. I hope to some day replace the V63 with a '61 Cavern reissue.

I bought the two basses nearly 2 years apart from two different dealers in two different cities. When the V62 arrived, it was then that I discovered that both basses were only 6 numbers apart and most likely made during the same week! Luck of the draw!

To answer the amp question posted earlier: I run mine bass through an older G-K 800RB but use a SansAmp Bass Driver DI as the preamp and then through a Bag End S-15D cab. I'm using a tweaked " Bassman" setting on the SansAmp, just boosting the bass a hair. The result sounds like McCartney's tone from the Beatles later period for the most part.

Proud to be #17.

Sorry, I thought that the '62 was a vintage. They do say on the Hofner site that the finish can vary depending on which luthier does the work. It is interesting about the numbers. I wonder how many Hofner's they sell annually here in the US. It can't be a lot for the German issue. Probably more for the Icon/Ignition and the Contemporary. Thanks for the info on the amp. I am especially interested in the SA BDDI or the VT Bass. I am looking primarily for a backup to my amp if it should happen to die unexpectedly. What are your "tweaked bassman" settings if you don't mind me asking. Thanks, Ed

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

does a jay turser beatle bass copy count?

wish hofner made an icon series club bass. i'd be all over that. or a senator (good luck waiting for that to happen).

Here you go Jimmy there are several Contemporary's that are almost at Icon prices on eBay. I just looked at this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hofner-Contempo...QQptZGuitar?hash=item3efc0897d8#ht_1717wt_941

I think that you will have to wait a long time for that Senator though.

 

[Mastermold]

Nevermind, figured it out.

 

[Funky_Duck]

What are your "tweaked bassman" settings if you don't mind me asking.

When looking at the BDDI, the configuration is as follows:

Level - 12 o'clock

Blend - 5 o'clock

Treble - between 1 o'clock & 2 o'clock

Bass - 12 o'clock

Presence - 11 o'clock

Drive - 11 o'clock

These positions are slightly adjusted from the diagram listed in the BDDI manual. On the G-K, I set the Bass Boost @ 10 o'clock and the Frequency @ 1 o'clock and will usually use the 300w section of the amp although I have been using the full amp as of late. On the V62, I single out the neck pup and use the Bass Boost setting. Hope that helps a little.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

Can anyone tell me how to adjust the pickup height on an Icon? None of the screws seem to affect it, and I need to lower the neck pickup on the G string side.

I would be interested as well since I have an Icon on the way. The Staple pickups seem to be fairly straight forward when I adjusted them.

 

[EagleMoon]

I've always been interested in these but never had a chance to play them. Can you get more than the Beatles kind of tone out of them?

 

[ExaltBass]

Here's me with my '62 - sold in '92 still with original flats. LOTS of recordings and good times with her. (Should have held on )

 

[Funky_Duck]

I've always been interested in these but never had a chance to play them. Can you get more than the Beatles kind of tone out of them?

Absolutely! Robbie Shakespeare did just fine with one -

 

[corinpills]

I love this photo so much!

 

[seamus bass]

pardon my busting in, im just wondering what makes these basses special for you guys, it seems mandatory to play with a pick, is there alot of neck dive? imo not impressed with the ones ive tried,and ive really tried to like them but there uncomfortable to play as well.

 

[Lalo]

i would like to own a hofner one day

 

[bluzjamer]

Has anyone looked at the Douglas and Brice Hofner copies? What are your thoughts.
some I've talked to that have these like them better than the Icons. What are your thoughts.

 

[Tahoe_Ed]

pardon my busting in, im just wondering what makes these basses special for you guys, it seems mandatory to play with a pick, is there alot of neck dive? imo not impressed with the ones ive tried,and ive really tried to like them but there uncomfortable to play as well.

I seldom play mine with a pick. They are very comfortable to play IMO. I can get many different tones out of the bass so it is more than a one trick pony. There is no appreciable neck drive. Like everything they are not for everyone. You either like them a lot or you would never own one. I have several other basses and I play this the most. It is all a matter of personal preference.

 

[odysseios]

Has anyone looked at the Douglas and Brice Hofner copies? What are your thoughts.
some I've talked to that have these like them better than the Icons. What are your thoughts.

I never tested a knockhoff, but here are two quite eloquent performances, the 1st of an Icon on a Beatles song and the 2nd of an Ignition on a U2 song:

 

[john_martin_sai]

Been rockin' the Hof for 30 years now....

Here I am with my 1979 Hofner way back when, and now,..50 pounds heavier! (but the guitar hasn't aged at all)

 

[john_martin_sai]

Here's me with my '62 - sold in '92 still with original flats. LOTS of recordings and good times with her. (Should have held on )

Ouch!...I hope you received a small fortune for that!

 

[dbx80]

Here's me with my '62

are you sure that's a '62 ? Because, with large pickup mouting rings, big control panel & neck binding, it's more like a '66 model... ('67 models have blade pickups)

 

[Rob Martinez]

pardon my busting in, im just wondering what makes these basses special for you guys, it seems mandatory to play with a pick, is there alot of neck dive? imo not impressed with the ones ive tried,and ive really tried to like them but there uncomfortable to play as well.

I love the tone, fat, round, warm and wood thump that is great for all kinds of music. It is very light. The neck is thin and fast. Short scale makes it a LOT easier to sing and play. Looks iconic, audiences love it! I have LaBella Beatle flatwounds on my Hofner Icon and it is a very fun bass to play.