Hi I have to questions about the Hofner violin basses. My friends is thinking about buying one and there are two things about the neck I would want to get clear. One is the neck glued on all the models, or only the cheaper models? Two is there a truss rod? And if you want you can add what you think overall about the basses.
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Hofner questions
- Thread starter bassplayeroreo
- Start date
All glued on, every model, every point of origin (Germany, China). All have truss rods, adjusted at headstock. I love them, which is why I own 5. 
Neck is glued on all models, and there is a truss rod, as evidenced by the truss rod cover on the peghead. I don't have a Hofner, but I have a Jay Turser copy of one, and I love it...for such a dainty little bass, it's got a massive low end that will beat your brains in!
The neck joint is probably the most stable part of my Turser bass. It's very rare that a glued neck comes loose.
- Feb 24, 2004
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- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
I make a decent living with mine, a genuine German one, cost me a small fortune 15 years ago but it was worth it.
I own three Icons. I'd go for the real deal, but they're pretty expensive and I just don't hear that superior of a tone. That's just me. I do wish I had a German-made model, maybe some day. I got three Icons for less than the price of one German-made Hofner, and I got three colors to coordinate with my outfit for the evening (white, emerald, and vintage burst). They are suprisingly well-made, not cheap guitars at all. I can't imagine the neck being any more prone to breakage than any other guitar. And they are fun, fun, fun to play. I left the factory rounds on mine, I like a little extra growl, but with the flats you get that authentic McCartney thud.
I make a decent living with mine, a genuine German one, cost me a small fortune 15 years ago but it was worth it.
Sure do look happy with it, you kinda look like Sir Paul himself
I have owned my 1964 Hofner violin bass,since 1988 & for 10 years it was my main gigging bass and in all honesty it never let me down once.
I don't, either. It's ridiculous the prices Hofner charges these days. For 3 decades, they were the $200 bass that hung in the store for years. Then McCartney digs his out again and they're $2000 all of a sudden. McCartney would never play one if they cost $2000, and that's why I'd never get one
I make a decent living with mine, a genuine German one, cost me a small fortune 15 years ago but it was worth it.
Dude that is the most rockin photo ever
I'm a lefty too
Lefty strung upside down...wild! Lefty is so cool looking...wish I could play lefty. I started to, but my brother wouldn't let me play his guitar unless I played righty, so I got used to it. Funny thing is he's a lefty and I'm a righty.
OK, it's a lame story, but what do you want for 3:45 am?
OK, it's a lame story, but what do you want for 3:45 am?
Oh and for the topic, I really like my Rogue II viola bass. $199 at MF nearly two years ago and still going strong.
I got this one back in the mid 60's in Germany for $119. I still have it and it sounds better than ever. The neck came off twice. The second time it had two dowels installed during the repair and it's rock solid now. It's been a great bass and a good investment.
I don't, either. It's ridiculous the prices Hofner charges these days. For 3 decades, they were the $200 bass that hung in the store for years. Then McCartney digs his out again and they're $2000 all of a sudden. McCartney would never play one if they cost $2000, and that's why I'd never get one
I bought mine new with original case in the mid 70s for the equivalent price of what an Ibanez SG copy was going for then.... i was a toss up between the Hofner or the SG copy. It was the equivalent about $200- 300 USD. That's where they were ranked. The prices shot up when Hofner started to make the 60's reissues.
- Feb 24, 2004
- 4,103
- 643
- 68
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
Dude that is the most rockin photo ever
I'm a lefty too
Thanks! Taken last week during a photo shoot for a story the Austin paper is doing on the release of Beatles Rock Band. They're doing a story on the "real" instruments The Beatles used, comparing them to the Rock Band controllers. Should be pretty cool.
- Feb 24, 2004
- 4,103
- 643
- 68
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
That's funny, as I learned on my right-handed brother's guitar, playing it upside-down, hence the E string on the bottom.
I had a German Hofner in the 60's and regret parting with it. I bought a Contemporary last year and love it. Same pickups as the German Hofners and the quality of the instrument is very good. I am among several bassists who rotate playing at my church. Other bassists use a Ric and an Ibanez SDGR. Last week, both the keyboard player and one of the lead guitarists said my Hofner is the best sounding bass at our church. Even the Ric player said he was impressed with the sound. Put some flatwounds on a Hofner and get ready for some beautiful bass tones!
The neck on mine came unglued once, it wasn't momentary .. it was progressive... I had it re-set and no issues since.
When I started playing, I started on the Hofner and there was then nothing better than the sweet smell of a Hofner bass. Must have been the varnish and spruce. My umpteen other basses since then have been rather odourless in comparison.....
