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NBD: Hofner Ignition Club LTD

#61
Joe Nerve said:
2. The controls. I can't be the first one to think this is the dumbest setup ever thought up. On every level. It's just plain stupid IMO. I'll start with the obvious - turning bass "on" means your turning the "treble" pickup "off." On means off. OK. I get it, but.... whatever... and then there's this, which really gets me. I think I might actually start a separate thread on this, cuz maybe I'm missing something. Basically, you have 3 very unecessary swithces, and anything and everything you might want to do with those switches, can be done with the 2 volume controls. Solo - make the bass louder, bass - turn down the bridge pickup, treble - turn down the bass pickup. Wouldn't a single tone control as opposed to the 2 volumes make a lot more sense? Or REAL tone switches that cut the highs and lows, not worked as pickup switches. I'm sure I'll warm up to them, but this is silliness.
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I just keep the 3 switches in the up position and use the volume controls to facilitate pickup selection/blend. I have no need for a tone control on any bass since I use the amp controls for that.
 
#63
mongo2 said:
I just keep the 3 switches in the up position and use the volume controls to facilitate pickup selection/blend. I have no need for a tone control on any bass since I use the amp controls for that.
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This is what I do as well, and it works well, but I have collected parts to ultimately make a J bass wiring control plate for it. It still has lots of great sounds just by using it as described above.

Yah, those stock strings... I've got two Clubs, and they got Rotosounds...77 monel flats on one, 66 stainless rounds on the other. The Rotosound medium scale length sets that these Hofners take are 40-50-75-90 gauge. They are a seriously perfect match for these hollowbodies... a perfect compliment... not too light at all.
 
#64
b-b-b-bass said:
This is what I do as well, and it works well, but I have collected parts to ultimately make a J bass wiring control plate for it. It still has lots of great sounds just by using it as described above.
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The Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat is similar to a Hofner Club (Cavern style for the two "close together" pickups) and uses a similar control plate with J style V/V/T setup.
 
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#68
b-b-b-bass said:
Tell us more...
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Dag nabble... just went to upload a clip from yesterday's rehearsal, but ya can't upload WAVE files.

In short the bass cut through a loud drummer, Les Paul, and Marshall - and sounded thick, rich, full and not the least bit muddy or thumpy like I thought it might cuz of the semi hollow body. If I have time tomorrow I'll convert a little piece to mp3 and post. I didn't have the bass cranking at all, and it really sat perfectly in the mix. Sounded freaking awesome. And it was like having nothing around my neck at all :). I was a little wierded out with the forward tilt I remember having on another bass once because of where the peg it, but the feather weight made it a complete non issue.

I have to figure out how to get a D-tuner happening on this, or I'm not going to be able to use it. And I don't want to spend more than I paid for the bass getting that happening. Will be my next project.
 
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#71
Joe Nerve said:
I have to figure out how to get a D-tuner happening on this, or I'm not going to be able to use it. And I don't want to spend more than I paid for the bass getting that happening. Will be my next project.
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I've never seen a D-tuner specifically for a Hofner, maybe the Hipshot GT2 guitar version or one for a banjo might work?

I'm not one for adding any weight to any headstock, especially the Hofner headstock, since it can easily alter the balance on the strap.

Why not just manually detune the E string when necessary? I use my Snark pedal tuner.

Before electronic tuners were so handy, I would pluck the D string and lower the E string to match. Back up to E was only slightly more complicated requiring fretting the E note in the D string, holding the neck more vertical and reaching up with my right hand to tune the E string up to E again.
 
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#72
mongo2 said:
Why not just manually detune the E string when necessary? I use my Snark pedal tuner.
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We do about 5 or 6 drop D tunes in my band, and we never take any breaks between songs. At all. The last note of every song is the 1 of 2 or 4 clicks into the next, and they're not changing that for me. It was one of the biggest challenges for me playing in this band. Not fun when some of the tunes are brand new to me, and we're playing them without rehearsal.
 
#73
Joe Nerve said:
We do about 5 or 6 drop D tunes in my band, and we never take any breaks between songs. At all. The last note of every song is the 1 of 2 or 4 clicks into the next, and they're not changing that for me. It was one of the biggest challenges for me playing in this band. Not fun when some of the tunes are brand new to me, and we're playing them without rehearsal.
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I refuse to work like that. I don't see that as fun and if it isn't fun, I'm out.
 
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#76
mongo2 said:
I refuse to work like that. I don't see that as fun and if it isn't fun, I'm out.
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Spidey2112 said:
Same...
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I think if yas were getting paid like I am (I’m earning 4 to 5x what I was previously earning per gig, and we’re booked 8-12x a month), had roadies and never had to lift or set up an amp (I do), and got treated the way I’m getting treated in this band - you might think differently. I’ll add that not rehearsing is a huge plus for me. I get to work new material on my own time, and know that everyone else is doing the same. And I still get to play with other bands cuz their previous bass player still wants to play and will sub whenever I want, as long as I give ample notice.

Then again, maybe you guys have other goals - but I am incredibly grateful to be where I’m at right now musically. Having to go from one song right into next was a welcome challenge and interesting experience. A very small sacrifice for me to make.
 
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#77
Joe Nerve said:
In short the bass cut through a loud drummer, Les Paul, and Marshall - and sounded thick, rich, full and not the least bit muddy or thumpy like I thought it might cuz of the semi hollow body. I didn't have the bass cranking at all, and it really sat perfectly in the mix. Sounded freaking awesome.
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Yep, that's what it's like to play a Hofner in a band! (Somehow, that's become a well-kept secret, and more's the pity.) Compared to my Hofner, other basses often just sound anemic. I mean, they might sound good on their own--even with the band--but then they lose the A-B test with the Hofner. So far, I've encountered one other bass that I can play without wishing I was playing the Hofner instead, so that's a keeper, too.

By the way, I love the slight forward tilt on my Hofner, because it helps keep my left wrist straight and relaxed. And I think Ignitions are fully hollow; the CT/Contemporary line is semi-hollow.

Glad you're enjoying it! The banjo de-tuner idea is a good one, by the way. Hope you can get your drop D issue sorted.
 
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