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Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group

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#961
When you enlarge the holes for the tuner bushings, use a sharp drill and turn it with your hand. A tapered ream will work as well. Main thing is, go slow!!! Take your time. You don't want to chip the finish. If you do get some very small chipping, a black sharpie will do wonders.
 
#962
Thanks for the tip, rfslick. I received my Grovers yesterday, got them from ebay. I'll probably do it tomorrow. I'll swap tailpieces too with the Viola. I bought that one in 1996, and replaced the Epiphone tailpiece with a Hofner tailpiece (with a"Made in Germany" stamp) on it. This time it'll be be on the CT.

How much do I have to ream out?
 
#964
rfslick said:
When you enlarge the holes for the tuner bushings, use a sharp drill and turn it with your hand. A tapered ream will work as well. Main thing is, go slow!!! Take your time. You don't want to chip the finish. If you do get some very small chipping, a black sharpie will do wonders.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this tip. My tuners are already on the way from Stewmac. But I live in Barcelona.

I suppose that, in ten days more or less, they will be at home ... Everything depends of the customs. :scowl:

I promise pictures.;)

Thanks and by !!!

Dog.
 
#965
Peacefrog35 said:
My guess...and I've had them all, CTs, Icon and Germans...

CTs are so close,but if they were any closer, they would take business away from Germans and also have people more likely to try to pass them off as German basses.

Now, this comment, I'm not sure if I've ever said before, of all the Hofner basses I've purchased, the fretwork on them( and I've owned 3 lovely reissues) has been the best on the CT basses. Hands down.
Click to expand...

Give this man a cigar, he is absolutely correct!! The main purpose of having the center block in the HCT500/1 & HCT500/2 is to prevent either model from being fraud gently passed off as a German made bass. Of course the side benefits are that it improves the string sustain and eliminates the potential of feedback.

If you check the Hofner Hounds website under the Contemporary, Icon, ignition basses heading you'll see what a chap in Mexico has done to his HCT500/1 to make it look identical to a German made 500/1v64. He's not trying to pass it off as a German made bass, but it goes to show what one can do if motivated. This hasn't been openly discussed because Hofner don't want to inadvertently encourage anyone to do this. It's also why many of the dealers state that German made parts are NOT interchangeable with the HCT500/1 or HCT500/2 when in fact they are.

TD
 
#966
I have a 1967 Hofner Violin Bass (owned since 1969). I am restoring the bass, resoldering some wiring in the control panel and will probably do a nut replacement and refret. My question is: where can I find specs on the bass, such as fretboard radius, etc. Also where can I find a supplier for fret wire. One supplier I found (North Coast Music) does not show fret wire in its inventory.

Can anyone help?

:hiding:
 
#967
I was wondering if I could perhaps tap the Höfner group here for some feedback. I have a nearly mint HCT500/1 that I picked up new this past January for sale and don't seem to be getting any bites on it. I have great feedback, so I don't think that's it, maybe just not that many Höfner players?

I'm offering it at what I thought was an insane price but still nothing for the last few weeks. My only guess would be that it is because of the modified pickguard and control plate, but at the price I'm offering it one could easily change it back to factory spec and still get a great deal. I would appreciate and thoughts on the matter.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-two-black-beauties-lakland-hfner-874045/
 
#970
Yes, you are correct.
But most every one else prefer the sunburst on the violin-shaped Hofner, and Hofner clones.
Now, if Paul was playing a black Hofner, it will be different. (LOL!)

Seriously, though, I love looking at the beautiful wood grain of my CT, front and back. I'm sure the other sunburst owners feel the same way.
And don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the color, I have a black Peavey Foundation, and I like that one too.
 
#971
rjlionheart said:
I have a 1967 Hofner Violin Bass (owned since 1969). I am restoring the bass, resoldering some wiring in the control panel and will probably do a nut replacement and refret. My question is: where can I find specs on the bass, such as fretboard radius, etc. Also where can I find a supplier for fret wire. One supplier I found (North Coast Music) does not show fret wire in its inventory.

Can anyone help?

:hiding:
Click to expand...

See your local music shop that handles Dunlop products. They have fret wire. As far as fretboard radius, I looked at the Hofner web site and the specs. don't list the radius or fret size. Maybe you could email them and find it out.
Also, persist here on the board. Someone has undoubtedly dealt with this.
 
#973
Thanks... I'll have to follow up directly with Hofner and see what they say. I want to find the same fret wire size as the vintage models. North Coast Music seems to have the same nut and bridge saddle, but a search on their site came up empty for fret wire.

BTW, I love the Grizzly and StewMac catalogs. It's like looking through the old Sears Christmas catalogs when I was a kid...

:hiding:
 

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#975
rjlionheart,

"Guitar Player Repair Guide" (author : Dan Erlewine) has a very good section on refretting (and every thing you want to do with your bass, plus a lot more). I have the 1990 edition, 2007 being the latest, but the info should still be the same.
I built a bass guitar back in the 90's and this book was my only guide. Now there are videotapes, the internet and youtube, etc.

Anyway, if you want a copy, BookFinder.com: Search for New & Used Books, Textbooks, Out-of-Print and Rare Books is a better choice than ebay (cheaper deals). Or you can try inter-library loan, if your local library doesn't have it.

Good luck! :bassist:
 
#979
Kinetic Shadow said:
I was wondering if I could perhaps tap the Höfner group here for some feedback. I have a nearly mint HCT500/1 that I picked up new this past January for sale and don't seem to be getting any bites on it. I have great feedback, so I don't think that's it, maybe just not that many Höfner players?

I'm offering it at what I thought was an insane price but still nothing for the last few weeks. My only guess would be that it is because of the modified pickguard and control plate, but at the price I'm offering it one could easily change it back to factory spec and still get a great deal. I would appreciate and thoughts on the matter.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/fs-two-black-beauties-lakland-hfner-874045/
Click to expand...

I think this will sell eventually. You're just dealing with a smaller segment of the market, so you'll have to wait a bit longer to get your price. I would undoubtedly take it, but I just bought a Gretsch Jr Jet. I own 7 basses and I'm still a crappy novice! I can't justify anymore! :bassist:
 
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