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Hofner Violin Basses

M

mark.carline

Jul 17, 2007
13
1
#1
Warning - Complete beginner here !

I was thinking about leaning the bass guitar and I would love to get one of those "Hofner Violin Bass" guitars and wondered if anyone can comment on the cost of these and what I can expect? I live in the UK and I was thinking about getting one via ebay from the US (making the best use of the dollar-pound rate at the moment).

Are any of these any good ??

BEATLE BASS GUITAR VIOLIN BODY 63 REISSUE NEW
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=220128711587&rd=1&rd=1

HOFNER ICON violin electric bass
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260138393876&rd=1&rd=1

BRAND NEW HOFNER VIOLIN BASS
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330146444467&rd=1&rd=1

HOFNER ICON SERIES BEATLE BASS GUITAR BLACK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300130756716&rd=1&rd=1

The UK ones are alot more:

BRAND NEW HOFNER VIOLIN BASS
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330147303891&rd=1&rd=1

Hofner Violin Bass Contemporary Series BLACK FINISH
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160127640966&rd=1&rd=1

Are there any out there to watch / keep clear of ?

Thanks!

[email protected]
 
#3
I on the other hand, would heartily recommend one as a first bass, because I had one! Very fast and nippy, it won't break your hand to play it either. Of the examples you posted, I had one like the first, a generic violin bass copy. I'm pretty sure those are all made by the same factory.

But if I were you I'd go for the Hofner Icon, I've heard nothing but good things about them, and if I could justify it to the missus I'd grab one myself!:)
 
#4
Cheers & thanks!

I'm all up for a challange so dont mind starting on this one.

Reading though these forums (only registered today) I think that the icon is the best bet (if it doesnt work out it should keep its resale value!).

Managed to narow it down to the following ones:

HOFNER - Icon Series Beatle Bass - Sunburst - Mint
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOFNER-Icon-Series-Beatle-Bass-Sunburst-Mint_W0QQitemZ170131487693QQihZ007QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

HOFNER ICON violin electric bass
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOFNER-ICON-violin-electric-bass_W0QQitemZ260138393876QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or maybe a black one:

HOFNER ICON SERIES BEATLE BASS GUITAR BLACK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOFNER-ICON-SERIES-BEATLE-BASS-GUITAR-BLACK_W0QQitemZ300130756716QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Are there any other places in the US that sell these online with a better price ??
 
#6
There's nothing wrong with a short-scale as a starter bass. But a Hofner (or any Beatle bass) is a bit limiting in terms of tone, at least with flats. With rounds you can get a bigger variety of tones, but not much more. Still, they are great basses for Classic Rock, especially Beatles music. Also look into some clones like Jay Turser. The same vibe, sound and playability, but less money.
 
#9
#10
DeliriumTremens said:
I wouldn't recommend one as a first bass. They have a short scale neck and (IMO) pretty bad tone. What's your budget?
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one. They're one-dimensional, and just won't work for many genres. I'd recommend something a little more versatile like a Jazz bass of one kind or another. A Hofner makes a good 8th or 9th bass. In my case, it'd be at least a 14th bass, but I have no GAS whatsoever for one.
 
#11
I have a family friend who owns a Hofner 50th Anniversary Violin Bass. I have played it quite a bit recently.

First, his one has flats on it so I have never tried rounds on one before. Having said that... Its pretty bad.. The bass feels really tacky and the sound is kind of a dull thud in my opinion and not very versatile at all. Its honestly the worst bass I have ever tried out, period.

As posted before, go with something more along the lines of a Jazz bass for more versatility and much nicer feeling instrument IMO.
 
#12
yeah, I had an origial from the 60ties, really a nice one actually, unless you dont play music in the style of the beatles, don't get it! it lacks definition, and is not the best playing bass at all, I had my probplems playing it fingered.

2 years later sold it for a lotta cash!

If I'd knew what I know now, when I was a starter, I'd go with a Jazz Bass (yeah, it was my first bass, but it was a present, I knew nothing about basses!)
 
#13
See, the problem with you guys who said you don't like it is you were hoping for Fender tone and didn't get it. You don't buy a Hofner for Fender tone. There are things you can't do well on it, like slap and play harmonics, but that little bass can bully its way through any mix and sound massive.

Plus you guys all seemed to have flats on them. I've got a Turser that came with rounds on it, and it turns out to be a pretty versatile bass with rounds.
 
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#14
JimmyM said:
See, the problem with you guys who said you don't like it is you were hoping for Fender tone and didn't get it. You don't buy a Hofner for Fender tone. There are things you can't do well on it, like slap and play harmonics, but that little bass can bully its way through any mix and sound massive.

Plus you guys all seemed to have flats on them. I've got a Turser that came with rounds on it, and it turns out to be a pretty versatile bass with rounds.
Click to expand...

I agree the problem was probably to do with the flats. I pointed to that in my post :) I havn't tried one with rounds before.

As for expecting a Fender tone... Thats not it at all. I have a little mix of basses myself, but aside from that, the friend of mine is a collector with many instruments and im quite used to playing different basses that certainly don't suit my personal style, but I can appreciate them at least.

The problem is not "I was hoping for a Fender tone and didn't get it", its just that I have a different opinion to you and personally found it to be quite a crap little bass (with flats at least) :)
 
#15
The violin bass is a one dimensional piece ofwood - if you are only playing sounds from the sixty then it will be fine, but for learning and note definition i would reccomend so many other basses - go for sound and ease not how it looks!!!!

the violin is not a good beginner bass!!

i recomend

Peavey cirrus
Spector performer
Shine Basses - cheap and great to start on
Epiphone Jack cassidy - sweet semi acoustic like the violin but better sound!

checkout a store called thomann great prices on the net!!!!

www.thomann.de
 
#16
wow such a big difference of opionion !

I dont really want to do anything fancy with it, and i love some of the beatles stuff, infact some of those tracks are what I am looking to start leaning from, which then makes me think.....

Are there any decent "learn bass" type books that use the beatles as example tracks ?
 
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#17
The Beatles' catalog is well guarded by the people who own it. They don't let anything get out on paper unless they pay through the nose. Therefore, your best bet is to find a Beatles-only book and check for basslines.

For beginners, though, I always recommend Carol Kaye's books. Her stuff is great and still holds up. www.carolkaye.com
 
#20
Wow. I'm amazed at how down everyone is on these. I've got an old Univox Beatle bass with LaBella flats. I love how it thumps and sits in with our band mix (guitar/bass/drum trio) and we don't play a single Beatles song.

Being a hollowbody short-scale it's pretty easy to play and very lightweight, too.
 
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