Hopf Saturn 69

[Sway420]

I was in a local pawn shop today. I saw on the wall they had what looked to be a Hopf Saturn 69 Hollowbody bass. I didn't get a price on it but I was wondering if it would be a wise purchase? Looked like it was missing 2 strings and was a little beat up.

 

[Sway420]

Just a bit of a bump. Think I'm going to go in tomorrow and see it up close and the condition of it. Just wanted to make sure this would be a good vintage piece and not some 60's crap bass?

 

[Thornton Davis]

Just a bit of a bump. Think I'm going to go in tomorrow and see it up close and the condition of it. Just wanted to make sure this would be a good vintage piece and not some 60's crap bass?

Depending on its condition, it could be a 60's piece of crap. Hopf were made in Western Germany in the Bavaria area. Their speciality during the 50's-60's was making jazz acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars, not basses.

I think you'll find that the bass is actually a Saturn 63. I have no documentation of there ever being a Saturn 69 being produced, but that's not to say that they didn't make a few.

If you buy the bass, you need to put a new set of short scale flatwound strings on it. Expect to pay up to $100.00 for a good set. You'll probably never have to change them again once they're on.

Good luck.

TD

 

[Sway420]

Good to hear man. I couldn't find like any info online about em. I saw the saturn 63 guitars but for some reason I saw the bass listed as a 69. I'm gonna go in and check the condition/price of that today or tomorrow I think. Think it could be a fun project.