NBD: Hofner content

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Well, I've been a Beatles fan since I was 8. Playing guitar since age 12. Playing bass since age 17. I cannot believe I never had one of these.

I was looking for a short scale bass to have around the house. I tried the Ibanez Mikro which was surprisingly good. But then I saw a special sale from my Sweetwater rep for the Hofner Ignition Violin Bass and I figured I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone. They upgraded it to LaBella Beatle Bass flats and the teacup knobs. Under $300. I love it.
Need to figure out the strap situation, but it's a great bass. 5 lbs exactly.

 

[Samatza]

Congratulations they are a great little bass. I really love playing mine. Enjoy!

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Congratulations they are a great little bass. I really love playing mine. Enjoy!View attachment 3571876

Wow, that's 2 ends of the bass weight spectrum. Hofner=5lbs, the Steve Harris Precision Bass=10lbs probably!

 

[John Stephen]

Well guys, how do you like the Hofner Violin? Do you play out with them much? Is the neck easy to get around on?

 

[Samatza]

Well guys, how do you like the Hofner Violin? Do you play out with them much? Is the neck easy to get around on?

I play mine out from time to time. The neck is very easy to get around on being a short scale bass and the weight is probably as light as you can get.

Super nice sound with flatwounds and it stays nice and thick all the way up the neck. I bought mine to replace a Japanese made Jason Lyrebird I've had since about 1972, it still works fine but it's now relegated to studio duty only.

 

[johnk_10]

i had one recently. i installed tea cups and white slide switches on it. it was a great little bass. i still have the club version and i love it.

i still have the 4 on the right in this pic and intend on keeping all of them:

 

[rockinrayduke]

Got a V64 500/1 from a fellow TBer recently to use in a Beatles trib band. Needed a little work, fret dressing and leveling. I had a new set of TIs on it but just too floppy and intonation was a pain. Changed them out to an old set of Pyramids I had in my string drawer, intonation and feel much better now. Lots of fun to play and sounds killer. Still digging my HCT Club as well. Well made basses and a blast to play.

 

[biguglyman]

Got this Ed Sullivan Show special edition used a couple of years ago to play in my Beatle band. While I am sometimes challenged due to my big hands and the skinny neck, I love the way it sounds and feels with those LaBella Beatle Bass flats. I got the teacups too...

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Congrats on that beautiful Beatle Bass. If you would like to join The Violin Bass Club, please let me know.

Yes I would like to join. Thanks

 

[John Stephen]

In the OP, Temples mentioned "the strap situation." I see that the strap button is on the back of the body rather than the horn (since this bass doesn't have a horn, I presume). Is it awkward putting a strap on like that?

 

[Buster53]

I've had the Hofner Ignition/Icon for a few years and loved it, then recently added the HCT 500/1 that was upgraded with La Bella flats, tea cups, plain truss rod cover and it's awesome. As I play for my own enjoyment I can't justify the cost of a German/vintage Hofner but the HCT is great. I prefer it to my Squire Jag and my Gibson SG.

image is my icon (left) and HCT (right)

 

[smurfco]

Wow that looks awesome! Congrats!!

 

[Jazzbassguy]

I really like my Icon. Picked it up used, in mint shape a few years ago for $375 w/ case. Luckily, it was set up the way I like it.

Teacup knobs and white-painted switches - already done by the previous owner.

 

[Buster53]

In addition to my current Icon and HCT Hofners, noted in my earlier post, I still have my vintage Apollo Japanese copy from the 1960s. These were imported by St. Louis Music in the 60s/70s. The color image is not mine but same as, the B&W is me playing mine in our band, The Past Tymes circa 1969.

Unlike the unique Hofner control panel, the Apollo had seperate on/off Vol & Tone controls for each pup.

 

[mongo2]

I have the Hofner Ignition Violin bass and the Ignition Club bass. I usually sit when I play in our jazzy guitar duo or add drums for the trio and liked the Hofner Violin with tapewounds for its acoustic like sound but it's not comfortable when playing seated so I use the Club bass more. They both give me the acoustic like sound I want with tapes. I've very happy with the light weight and the narrow necks and string spacing.

I was surprised by how easy they were to intonate using the floating bridge and moving a saddle into a different slot. I've had no issues with the strap button location on the back under the neck heel.

I changed my Club over to a VVT control configuration which is easier for me to control and I was surprised it sounds more 'alive' with the VVT setup.