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New Hofner "HCT-GLB-BL Galaxy" Bass???
- Thread starter Mastermold
- Start date
They're made in China. I think that says it all.
But if you must own a bass that has a Hofner logo on it and don't have much money to spend, then this is the bass for you.
Do yourself a favour and avoid.
TD
But if you must own a bass that has a Hofner logo on it and don't have much money to spend, then this is the bass for you.
Do yourself a favour and avoid.
TD
I think this is where a lot of people get a chance to understand why Hofner's other models never gained a following outside Europe.
I've played plenty of instruments from China, I have a guitar and an SX and they're both Chinese and amazing. Country of origin doesn't mean as much as it used to.
That being said, this bass reminds me of an old Teisco or Kay. I like it alot.
Based on the workmanship I've seen in Korean and Chinese basses, I'd buy one any time. In fact, I have! I think that's a cool looking bass, and probably a decent buy at the price.
Actually the Hagstrom may be a rip of these! Hofner started the originals of these in '62 or so, which I believe predates Hagstrom by a few years.
There's two down in Bass NW in Seattle. They look pretty cool, really 60s-garage-rock look. I dig the looks, especially the Galaxie. Looking forward to hearing a review.
I also own a Made In China instrument that I'm quite happy with. That bass looks cool...I've wanted to check out a solid-body short-scale Hofner-style bass for a while. There's a Norwegian beat band called Peter Berry and the Shake Set. Their bass player is outstanding and I believe I've seen him pictured playing one (though his is probably an original from the 60's.)
I recently bought one of these and it's amazing! The maple neck is smooth and plays great. I own a beatle bass and a sx jazz and this one beats them all. I'm running it through a acoustic b450 2x10 bridged with a acoustic 1x15 cab and it rocks.
I just got one. It's a fun, funky little bass with a punchy sound. Plays really well after some minor setup and just needs the right strings. It has personality, and it's really easy to play.
I bought one of these Hofner Galaxie basses recently, just to try it out. I already have 4 Hofner basses; 2 German hand-mades and 2 Cont. China mades so I wanted to check out the Galaxie. I love the look and the finish of this little Galaxie. I got the blue one. It is really sweet to play and has a great feel but I must be honest and say I don't care for the tone. It advertises that it has the Hofner staple pickups on it but they don't sound as good as my HCT Club or Beatle bass. I checked with Rob Olsen from Hofner and he said these Galaxies have the same pickups that come on the Icon series basses.
So, I think it is a great looking and handling bass but not the best tone, probably like what a bass from Sears would sound like.
Jeff
So, I think it is a great looking and handling bass but not the best tone, probably like what a bass from Sears would sound like.
Jeff
This is very similar to a model Hofner Artist bass produced in the mid-1960s. They made a similar model that had a control plate identical to the Beatle bass. (see pic) They produced an even cheaper version of this bass under the Gagliano name. The Gagliano was my second bass, in 1966 -- a step up from the singlecut Kay I got from the Spiegel's catalog in 1965. The bridge cover in this pic apparently is na add-on. Mine didn't have one, but "Hofner" was stamped into the bridge plate and the pickups were identical to the Beatle Bass staple top PUPs.The bass actually sounded pretty good, although it could in no way compare to the '59 Fender P Bass I bought in 1967.
Attachments
Here is also a thought about the tone. If a guy did not like the tone, how about modding these pups into the bass....Gibson tone in a cool retro styled body?
Link Removed
(the Gibson pups on the left)
Link Removed
(the Gibson pups on the left)
