I just looked at a Galaxy Bass and they are the same tuners as my Club bass.
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Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group
- Thread starter Tahoe_Ed
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I think we're talking about at least two different things here.
I have no interest in the Grovers. If I hadn't made that clear, I apologize for any lack of clarity. I'm not going to spend money and screw around fixing a marginal new bass. It's just not something I would ever consider.
What I was asking about are the stock machines that come on it.
If I missed out on the explanation of the machines on the Club bass, tell me and I'll try to scroll back and find whatever's there.
Bottom line, though, is that straight guitar machines (if that's what these are) just don't cut it on bass, even shortscale with its reduced tension. A classic example is the atrocious Danelectro "Dead-On '58" -- though it looks like these are more substantial than those are. I would have loved to see a clearer picture, though.
Thanks!
This is Invalid Link Removed online.
The machines look slightly larger than typical guitar machines, but it's hard to tell.
The machines look slightly larger than typical guitar machines, but it's hard to tell.
I understand what you're thinking about 'guitar tuners'. Hofner has used this style tuner for 50 years on their basses, and they are plenty strong enough for the job.
The stock tuners on the Galaxy are the same as what's on the Club. They are both from Asia, as are both basses. The stock tuners will work fine. I felt that the stock tuners weren't tight as I would like, and, I chose to upgrade to Grovers, which are simply better quality open gear tuners. I own 6 Danelectros, 4 of them reissues. I installed Gotohs on them immediately because I like the guitars, I simply wanted better tuners. This is my personal preference.
I think that you will find that the Galaxy bass is just fine. It is however, made in Asia and has components from various sources in Asia, one of which is the tuner. It is made to look like the German tuner. That bass does have German pickups.
The stock tuners on the Galaxy are the same as what's on the Club. They are both from Asia, as are both basses. The stock tuners will work fine. I felt that the stock tuners weren't tight as I would like, and, I chose to upgrade to Grovers, which are simply better quality open gear tuners. I own 6 Danelectros, 4 of them reissues. I installed Gotohs on them immediately because I like the guitars, I simply wanted better tuners. This is my personal preference.
I think that you will find that the Galaxy bass is just fine. It is however, made in Asia and has components from various sources in Asia, one of which is the tuner. It is made to look like the German tuner. That bass does have German pickups.
The 14-1s are a little faster, there fore not quite as precise. Not a big deal. They just aren't as well build and smooth.
Rob Olsen at Hofner USA wrote to me that the "staple" pickups on these are not German, but hot-wound Korean pickups.
They could also be Chinese or Indonesian build. The latter's OK with me, the former not so much. There were some things I saw on the Chinese ones I didn't like, particularly the neck finish and soforth, and Chinese QC is just too iffy. Nobody could tell me which this lot were.
The machines just didn't inspire confidence. I wanted to go with higher-tension strings because it was a shortscale and that just didn't look like a good idea with these marginal units.
All things considered, I was able to cancel the order this morning, which I think was for the best.
Thank you for that. I was of the understanding that all the contemporary pickups were in fact German. Looking at the spec sheets on the Hofner.com site, none of the pickups on the ignition or contemporary basses list a part number. The German basses specify 511's. That pretty well confirms what you were told. They must be Asian. They do, sound great to me. As I've mentioned, I have played live as well as recorded with mine and it's come off great on both counts.
This is another reason that the Contemporary Beatle or Club is not worth twice the money. That 2x6 sound block turns me off completely. At this point, the only plus I see in that bass is the beautiful color and the maple/beach/maple. I would not pay $400 for a three piece neck and a little nicer color. In fact the color of my Ignition Club is getting pretty close and I am doubly happy with it now that I know the CT's have Asian pickups.
This is another reason that the Contemporary Beatle or Club is not worth twice the money. That 2x6 sound block turns me off completely. At this point, the only plus I see in that bass is the beautiful color and the maple/beach/maple. I would not pay $400 for a three piece neck and a little nicer color. In fact the color of my Ignition Club is getting pretty close and I am doubly happy with it now that I know the CT's have Asian pickups.
I always thought the CT (at least 500/1) have German pups & surrounds. Invalid Link Removed
Also a quote from BeatleBassDealer:
"All CT series bases have a spruce top and flame maple back and sides as do most German basses however German basses are made of a slightly higher grades of wood. CT basses (other than the President) have a center block for greater sustain and strength, German basses retain the original design and do not use a center block.
The exterior dimensions of German and CT series basses are basically the same however other than pickups most hardware is not interchangeable. German basses offer German hardware and neck dimensions that are historically accurate creating reissues of particular 50's and 60's bass models while the CT is not a reissue of any particular model.
The CT series basses use the same German made Hofner staple pickups most German built basses. Hofner Contemporary series basses come with round strings and black knobs rather than the traditional German flat wound strings and tea cup knobs. We do offer an flat wound strings ($39) and teacup knobs ($39) as an upgrade. The addition of flat wound strings will make CT basses sound very similar to a German bass. CT series bases also have side dot markers on the binding which appeals to many players. Other than the 5000/1 fretless bass German basses do not have side dot markers but our Luthier can add toothpick dots to German basses."
Hofner Contemporary Bass | CT Series Contemporary Bass Overview
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Also a quote from BeatleBassDealer:
"All CT series bases have a spruce top and flame maple back and sides as do most German basses however German basses are made of a slightly higher grades of wood. CT basses (other than the President) have a center block for greater sustain and strength, German basses retain the original design and do not use a center block.
The exterior dimensions of German and CT series basses are basically the same however other than pickups most hardware is not interchangeable. German basses offer German hardware and neck dimensions that are historically accurate creating reissues of particular 50's and 60's bass models while the CT is not a reissue of any particular model.
The CT series basses use the same German made Hofner staple pickups most German built basses. Hofner Contemporary series basses come with round strings and black knobs rather than the traditional German flat wound strings and tea cup knobs. We do offer an flat wound strings ($39) and teacup knobs ($39) as an upgrade. The addition of flat wound strings will make CT basses sound very similar to a German bass. CT series bases also have side dot markers on the binding which appeals to many players. Other than the 5000/1 fretless bass German basses do not have side dot markers but our Luthier can add toothpick dots to German basses."
Hofner Contemporary Bass | CT Series Contemporary Bass Overview
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I can't speak to what's on the CT, but the ones on the Galaxy look just like what came on my Ignition Club and to me they are too sloppy, which is why I went with the Grovers.
rfslick,
Is it really a 2 x 6 block or are you just exaggerating?
Is there an existing picture or illustration somewhere that shows this sound block inside a CT?
The reason why I'm asking is because I like to relocate my tailpiece strap button to the side of the body about 2.5 inches above its present location (it puts the bass in a better playing position FOR ME), and maybe I can use a screw long enough to anchor to this block.
I have another hollow body Hofner clone, but I prefer the different sound of the CT.
Ajsons
Well it's very difficult to get a pic of the block but here's a partial pic of it. This is the right side of it.
It is indeed approx 2" tall x 6" wide and runs the length of the body. Of course it's centered and you shouldn't have a problem relocating the bottom strap button providing you're not going to stray to far from its original position.
One thing that I will point out here is that there have been many comments on the purpose of the center block posted throughout the web, and Hofner do promote it as being a sustain block to give the bass a modern sound but it actually has two purposes. Who can guess what is its main purpose is and why Hofner have it there?
I'll make this easy and give you all a hint, it's to help prevent something.
TD
+1 However, I have had my Ignition Club on stage live with no feedback issue. The only other thing I can think of is support under the bridge, though Hofners have been hollow, except for the small block under the bridge, for ever.
An excessive way to go about it, but it could be for neck stability. What pray tell sir, would that be?
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