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Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group

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#701
AZJim said:
Hi all,

Well, finally scored my first Hofner (a sweet and slightly used CT), without too much flack from the wife.

Here's my obligatory membership application pic, strategically placed with a collage I made when I was 12.

Jim

Hofner2.jpg
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AZJim, Nice CT and the collage is not to shabby either. Welcome to the group your are member 99! :hyper: We are almost to 100. Great start for the new year. And Happy New Year to all the Hofner Group members. Small but mighty and growing.
 
#702
Great! Number 99, number 99...perfect!

And now that I'm official, here's a little mystery for the group. A friend of mine has a Hofner 500/1 bass, which to put it mildly, is quite unique. I borrowed it a while back and took pics to post here and see what everyone thinks. I have my own theories but would like everyone else to weigh in.

Some quick points: the neck is obviously not a 500/1 neck, and is probably c. 1970s or 1980s, with that raised logo. The "body" appears to be 1960s, maybe early 1960s. But the back is the biggest mystery, it is definitely NOT maple or anything close to maple. I think it's mahogany.

So what the H is this bass?

IMG_3132.jpg


IMG_3135.jpg


IMG_3133.jpg


IMG_3137.jpg
 
#703
AZJim said:
Great! Number 99, number 99...perfect!

And now that I'm official, here's a little mystery for the group. A friend of mine has a Hofner 500/1 bass, which to put it mildly, is quite unique. I borrowed it a while back and took pics to post here and see what everyone thinks. I have my own theories but would like everyone else to weigh in.

Some quick points: the neck is obviously not a 500/1 neck, and is probably c. 1970s or 1980s, with that raised logo. The "body" appears to be 1960s, maybe early 1960s. But the back is the biggest mystery, it is definitely NOT maple or anything close to maple. I think it's mahogany.

So what the H is this bass?
IMG_3135.jpg
Click to expand...

Not to mention the tuners and the neck is bolted on. I've personally never seen anyting like it, but the tuners appear to be of Pacific Rim origin
 
#704
Count me in! Does that make me number 100?
I have a 500/1 Contemporary which is my go to bass (images to follow) but I am just about to upgrade to a Hofner 500/1 V63 reissue, so this one will be on the market soon.
Cheers
Ian
 
#706
I could be wrong, but I couldn't say that was a Hofner at all. The raised Hofner emblem? Maybe that was glued on at some point? What about those fret markers? I'd say the Spanish explanation and the Sudbury Stash are the likely sources if these are really Hofner components.
 
#712
mongo2 said:
Cool...Never heard of 'em. Tuners still look Pacific Rim...replacements maybe?

This appears to be one of the kits, but the pickups, back wood, neck inlay and neck plate are much different...

'83 Hofner 500/1 Kit?
Click to expand...

Keep in mind this bass is like 20 to 30 years old and back then even with a diagram, people took liberties to modify stuff. The back looks like a lformica laminate and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it was. Aside from the Spanish style inlay, it could in fact be an Asian export, or Asian export Do It Yourself. Because those kits were all different through out the years and all had different parts. Also remember Hofner exported to Asian and Spain under the Hofner logo and various other Logos
 
#717
Hey everyone:
I've got "Beatle Bass" fever and needed opinions to which one to get. I've noticed there is a huge price difference based on models and was wondering why some are $400 while others are $2500 or so.

I want the best one possible, so if you really get what you pay for, I'm cool with that.

Thanks in advance, would love some opinions.
 
#718
The only one I have experience with is the Ignition (a.k.a. Icon), which I chose over the more expensive CT since it's 100% hollow body (the CT has "a sustain block inside the body to give modern, deep-resonating bass sounds while still retaining the original Hofner Beatles bass sound"). What a blast. As I've said it before, I would have never thought of owning a violin bass and I'm very happy with mine. It's a cute little instrument that plays and sounds very well. If you want it for playing Beatles songs, replace the stock roundwounds with a set of flats, grab your pick and use your palm-muting skills. Instant McCartney tone (putting his skills aside, of course).
 
#719
THE SAW said:
Hey everyone:
I've got "Beatle Bass" fever and needed opinions to which one to get. I've noticed there is a huge price difference based on models and was wondering why some are $400 while others are $2500 or so.

I want the best one possible, so if you really get what you pay for, I'm cool with that.

Thanks in advance, would love some opinions.
Click to expand...

I have a 1964 Hofner with flats. Sounds and plays great but I can't compare it to an Icon or CT as I haven't played them.
 
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