Most 60s sounding Hollow/Semi Hollow Body Bass - Need definitive answer!

You say hollow, my mind immediately says Hofner. You can get the Contemporary, though it is semi-hollow. The Icon/Ignition sounds great and definitely has that vibe. I played one through an SVT and it was like the voice of God. That's what I would go for.

 

Epi Allen Woody

 

Loved mine. I was insane for selling it. Will pick another up down the road.

 

The Epi Jack Casady bass is a much better sounding instrument than the EB-2/Rivoli, so it will definitely not give you the tone you're looking for.

 

+1. Came to say Hofner. And for a 60s sound? There's my pick.

 

It can be hard to find and may be out of your price range, but the Vox Sidewinder rules for that 60s sound.

 

Framus Star bass, if you are more of a rolling stone...

http://www.framus-vintage.de/modules/modells/modells.php?classID=6&typeID=47&katID=4622

You can find a reissue here: ~$1400US, no affiliation

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Framus-5-15...h-/281131596241?pt=Guitar&hash=item4174bfb9d1

 

The Hofner Verythin CT bass has a classic guitar shape, so it does not look Beatle-like. It has a very 60's sound when fitted with Pyramid , Labella, or T-I flats.
http://www.hofner-guitars.com/electric-basses/verythin-bass/verythin-bass-ct.html
Of course the Guild Starfire is a 60's classic. I'm afraid you need to save just a bit more money to achieve your worthy goal.
Oddly, my Jack Casady bass sounds very Hofnerish with Pyramid flats on it.
Certainly the Hofner Ignition (formerly known as the Icon) will give the sound of the 60's when fitted with the correct flats for a lot less money.
own, as well and think it's great.

 

Maybe Ibanez AFB200 hollowbody, or ASB180 semi-hollow.

 

I had a medium scale Gretsch that had a great 60's thing when played with flats...AND the right amp. IMO, the amp/speakers and eq setting is probably just as important as the bass.

 

It's on my very short list of basses I want to pick up when I have room for extras. Really cool and unique!

 

Remember the JC is a long scale, as well has having far more articulate pickup than most of the 60s semihollow and hollow thudbuckets. If you could find one (they're rare because nobody wants to part with one) the DeArmond Starfire reissue is short scale and gets a pretty thuddy sound. Also, I believe Warwick has released a short scale, Rockbass version of the Framus Star bass. However, on the Warwick version, the pickups were located in Jazz bass position, giving it a more versatile, less thuddy tone. Nonetheless, the Rockbass Star was rumored to be going for $800ish new retail.

 

Hofner Club
Epiphone Allen Woody
Ibanez AFB200

Put La Bella flats on, play with a pick, you're there. At one time or another, I have had all three of these. The Hofner is the closest to that '60s sound.

 

I think the Contemporary has the same pickups as the real-deal German basses. Judging by video demos though (I haven't played the CT or the German), the Icon does a better job of sounding like the vintage ones. As I understand it, the Club sounds exactly like the Violin, just with a less Beatley, but equally cool look. It's definitely on my own GAS list.

 

Give a listen to Ed Friedland's review of the Eastwood Classic 4 bass. (Note that he has a foam block mute installed during the first part; he removes it later so you will hear a difference.)

 

I had a chance to play a couple of Ibanez ASB 180 semi hollow basses today, I really liked them a lot. (One was definitely setup better than the other.)

I'd love to try one out with flats, I'm betting that you could get a great 60's sound. The red burst one had a cool "Harmony Rocket" vibe to it.

 

Funny, I too played an AFB180 for the first time today. A complete "meh" experience. Why don't guitar stores do even a rudimentary setup on their display instruments? 15 minutes of work could turn a permanent wall decoration into an immediate sale!