Need help identifying this Hofner style violin bass

[SRGilbert]

Hi all. I'd like to figure out exactly what I have here. I've actually owned this bass for over 30 years, buying from a guy when I was in high school. I'm not too concerned about value, just trying figure out if it's actually a Hofner or some sort of knock off.

The condition is pretty much what it was when I got it around 1986. To my eyes, it looks like it was possibly refinished at some point, but maybe not. There is no serial number visible. I've had it opened up decades ago but I can't recall if there were any markings inside.

There was never a nameplate on it, but there are three small dimples where a plate might have been. They are filled in, which is one clue to its possible refinish.

The bridge doesn't look like anything I've seen on a Hofner, so I suspect that it was a replacement?

Another odd thing is the control plate. It has the "look" but yet, it's different. For one, it has SIX screw holes on the pearloid part, and the black plastic plate under it is much bigger than I've seen on others. The pickup rings are not normal either, are they? I've seen pics of Club basses with similar surrounds, but most seem thinner.

The tail looks correct and is marked "Made in Germany" and the tuners are like some I've seen pics of as well.

Obviously, it's NOT in great shape and I'm sure I haven't done it any favors over the years, but I'd like to fix it up if it's worthwhile.

What the heck do I have here?

 

[SRGilbert]

Oh, and it came with a period correct hard sided case with green felt lining.

 

[SRGilbert]

Dang, nobody has any insight on this?

 

[JRT64]

Looks like it could be a real Hofner to me. Hard to be absolutely sure since the headstock decal is gone, and the bridge is different. But the rest of it looks legit.

 

[SRGilbert]

Looks like it could be a real Hofner to me. Hard to be absolutely sure since the headstock decal is gone, and the bridge is different. But the rest of it looks legit.

Thanks, any thoughts about the control panel "bezel"? The black plastic looks way bigger than I've seen.

 

[Bermuda Ron]

Could possibly be a refinished Greco. I had one (MIJ) in the 70's.

 

[JRT64]

Thanks, any thoughts about the control panel "bezel"? The black plastic looks way bigger than I've seen.

That looks like it may have been added later. That control panel certainly looks like a German one. At the tailpiece end you can faintly make out the words Made in Germany. My best guess is that it is a real Hofner, but with some slight mods to make the panel fit securely. Perhaps the screw holes gave away? Pickups and rings look like what Hofner was using in the '65/66 models before they went to the blades in '67. It has a 2 piece neck also. Tuners look right too. You can remove the panel to see what year the pots are. That wide control panel is also what they started using in '65/66 on also.

 

[JRT64]

The bridge has obviously been replaced though. That's for sure NOT a Hofner bridge. Check the neck joint, Hofner used and still does, use a scarf neck joint like an actual violin. And allows the use of the tied Hofner strap.

 

[40Hz]

I’d suspect it was a genuine Höfner with some mods purely based on what appears to be a spruce top. I don’t know of any clones that use one.

 

[SRGilbert]

The bridge has obviously been replaced though. That's for sure NOT a Hofner bridge. Check the neck joint, Hofner used and still does, use a scarf neck joint like an actual violin. And allows the use of the tied Hofner strap.

Are you talking about the headstock or the lower joint?

 

[SRGilbert]

Thanks for the information folks, please keep it coming if you have anything to add!

Looking at what you see, would it be in my interest to look in to having it restored or just leave it as is? I'm not looking to sell it at this stage but I'm not going to live forever either so I would like it to retain some value if it has any.

 

[JRT64]

Are you talking about the headstock or the lower joint?

The lower joint where the neck meets the body. The headstock may have had the raised logo of 1965/66 instead of the waterslide decal.

 

[JRT64]

Thanks for the information folks, please keep it coming if you have anything to add!

Looking at what you see, would it be in my interest to look in to having it restored or just leave it as is? I'm not looking to sell it at this stage but I'm not going to live forever either so I would like it to retain some value if it has any.

I would restore it if it was me. Not a refinish or anything like that. But a neck reset (if it is needed) and some genuine Hofner parts (bridge ect) should set you up nicely.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

The close up picture of the headstock you can make out, the three holes that the raised plastic logo would go into. Have you taken the control panel off and checked with an inspection mirror and a light, to see if there is a date stamp roughly under the treble pickup?
And while your control panel is off check the pots for a 3 numbers first 2 are the week, third number would be the year. for example 105 = 10th week of 1965. I am certain your bass is a Hofner yours has the genuine cats head tuners, "if" it's a copy then it's the best one I've seen.

 

[SRGilbert]

The close up picture of the headstock you can make out, the three holes that the raised plastic logo would go into. Have you taken the control panel off and checked with an inspection mirror and a light, to see if there is a date stamp roughly under the treble pickup?
And while your control panel is off check the pots for a 3 numbers first 2 are the week, third number would be the year. for example 105 = 10th week of 1965. I am certain your bass is a Hofner yours has the genuine cats head tuners, "if" it's a copy then it's the best one I've seen.

To be honest, the only reason I suspected it was a copy was because about 25-30 years ago I brought it into Elderly Instruments (yes, THE Elderly) in Lansing and they told me it probably was. That was just a guy at the counter but most of them are usually pretty informed.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

To be honest, the only reason I suspected it was a copy was because about 25-30 years ago I brought it into Elderly Instruments (yes, THE Elderly) in Lansing and they told me it probably was. That was just a guy at the counter but most of them are usually pretty informed.

I think they may be wrong on this one IMO it's too actuate to be a copy. Have a look at the pots you never know what you may find.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

The control panel from my 1964 Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass. You can see the 250K 403 stamp.

 

[SRGilbert]

I think they may be wrong on this one IMO it's too actuate to be a copy. Have a look at the pots you never know what you may find.

I will as soon as I get the chance, thanks!

 

[SRGilbert]

I think they may be wrong on this one IMO it's too actuate to be a copy. Have a look at the pots you never know what you may find.

To be fair, they probably thought I was some rube kid with no money and didn’t want to waste a lot of time on me. They weren’t entirely wrong.

 

[SRGilbert]

I would restore it if it was me. Not a refinish or anything like that. But a neck reset (if it is needed) and some genuine Hofner parts (bridge ect) should set you up nicely.

Holy moly, I stopped down there today (without the bass) and Elderly gave me an estimate of over $750 to do a neck reset. Is that typical?