Opinion on Höfner Basses?

[Pings Bass]

I would never in a million years own one. They play and sound like garbage. But hey, if you like em? Go for it.

For people who like that sort of thing, that's the sort of thing they like

Obviously a polarizing instrument. I'm also on the "not in a million years" side of the spectrum, but I probably own some instruments you wouldn't touch with a 10' pole.

So, if it grabs you, and you've got the scratch... grab it!

 

[FranF]

Nope. But that is just my $0.02.

I've had three German made ones over the years. All were violin 500/1 models. They were alright but limited in tone and therefore use for me. And the Tiny Neck needed countless adjustment, routinely. And you can't put on more current designed strings, period.

Plus the bridge is a terrible design and is quite hard to get proper intonation on.

Unless you are in a Beatles cover band, I see no reason to spend the $$$ on, when there is so much better out there to choose from these days, that can be less costly (especially comparing with the German made Hofners) and good quality.

But to each his own. BTW, most of the recordings that Paul did in the studio was with the Ric. And on a long scale.

Well not quite... everything he recorded in the studio between April '61 and October '65 was on the Hofner. And everything live between April '61 and September '66 was also the Hofner. Then the Ric and Jazz in the studio from October '65 to December '68. Then the Hofner again from Jan. -July '69. Then the Rick and Jazz for Abbey Road. Technically, the Hofner is the more recorded bass. ;-)

 

[Deleted member 341607]

I have a Jay Turser that I got for my kids. When I started playing bass again in 2010 or so it was the only bass I still had. It is what it is and I love it for what it is...

 

[baileyboy]

...everyone needs a violin bass in their collection.

Nope.

...looks cool.

Nope.

...they play and sound amazing.

Nope.

Horrible little things.

Yup.

I would never in a million years own one. They play and sound like garbage.

Yup.

Uncomfortable to play. Neck or string spacing is a big turnoff. Also, they feel...insubstantial. I have a feeling I'll play too hard and eventually destroy one.

Yup.

Nope. But that is just my $0.02

Yup.

 

[jamro217]

I never owned one or wanted to. Some great music has been on them, just not here. One of the most unusual tones ever from a Hofner was Jim Pons live with The Leaves doing Hey Joe. It's cranked and sustains with that bottom end. Really cool, especially for the mid '60's. It's on YouTube.

 

[Matt R.]

Nope.

Didn’t realize you’d snuck into my bass room and played mine. It does play wonderfully and sounds killer.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

They have a cool vibe and are well made, but it was the kind of bass I only wanted to play for maybe one set. Having owned a German Hofner, I found it to be a nice bass to play unplugged given the acoustic nature of the instrument.

I played mine with a pick and found it gave me wrist pain as well as a weird lump on my forearm where my arm rested against the binding on the edge.

I sold it and never regretted it.

 

[boggus]

I wouldn't buy the German one, and especially not some vintage variant, it's just too much of a price for what the instrument can do. I'd get much cheaper Asian copy or something like Hofner Ignition series, that's like 'official' Hofner one but made in China (kinda like Squier/Fender thing).

Yes, the floating bridge design is annoying. True, there's neck-dive. The string spacing around the plucking/picking area is narrower than some typical Fender 4-string, on Hofner violin basses the strings don't "fan out" as much from nut to bridge. The controls are indeed weird, and weren't even improved or changed all these decades, because everybody wants it just how it was "originally" and I see a lot of people (even here) mod their Hofner violin basses to match Macca ones even down to some minor cosmetic things.

But it's whole lotta fun to play, that is for sure. Nowadays there are many Asian copies or clones that are probably even higher quality than what Paul originally bought in '61. I have a very cheap Korean (apparently) version and after a set up, it's great. Put on some flatwounds, and it's 'that' sound. I plan to make a different control plate though and rewire it into VVT.

The only thing to keep in mind is that even though the scale of the bass is 30-30.5", it has a tailpiece, so you gotta get Medium scale strings, or in general choose them carefully. The short-scale strings (unless made specifically for these types of basses) usually are too short, long scale ones are too long and too fat to get into the tuning peg hole, etc.

 

[g-dude]

They have a cool vibe and are well made, but it was the kind of bass I only wanted to play for maybe one set. Having owned a German Hofner, I found it to be a nice bass to play unplugged given the acoustic nature of the instrument.

I played mine with a pick and found it gave me wrist pain as well as a weird lump on my forearm where my arm rested against the binding on the edge.

I sold it and never regretted it.

That’s just...strange.

It’s like one of the only basses that I find is perfect for playing with a pick. It’s like playing a guitar, but better.

 

[Revolver]

Having played all three iterations (Icon/Ignition, Comtemporary and German), I'd strongly suggest the Contemporary model, which can give you both the iconic vintage sound and a more modern tone (due to it's center block). Also, instead of flatwounds (which seems to be what 99% of owners use), consider roundwounds instead (See example below).

 

[Revolver]

That’s just...strange.

It’s like one of the only basses that I find is perfect for playing with a pick. It’s like playing a guitar, but better.

I couldn't agree more here. Using a pick feels more natural with this bass.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

That’s just...strange.

It’s like one of the only basses that I find is perfect for playing with a pick. It’s like playing a guitar, but better.

I agree that it is a very good "pick bass" given the close string spacing. I found plucking with fingers to be a big difference from Fender spacing.

 

[g-dude]

I agree that it is a very good "pick bass" given the close string spacing. I found plucking with fingers to be a big difference from Fender spacing.

Yes! You totally need to go Index only.

 

[lizardking837]

I was thinking of buying a Hofner Violin bass because of that unique sound. but I was wondering if there were any major disadvantages or advantages in buying one. and I also just wanted to know anybody else's opinion on if they are good or not

Never played one. But I don't really care for the look or the sound McCartney got while he was playing one.

I know, I know. There's a lot of other things going on with them, but I've never been particularly interested and I don't think I will be.
Or if I do play one it will be with my metal band as a lark....

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Höfner Violin basses are very cool instruments!

Just remember two things:

1) Like anything else you get what you pay for. Don't expect the cheapest Asian Ignition models to be amazing instruments. They are cheap entry level instruments, like anything else in their price range. They can still be lots of fun of course but don't expect them to be top quality instruments. The Asian Contemporary series are a step up and really quite good but they don't offer true hollowbody violin basses, only semi-hollow with tone blocks. The top-of-the-range German Höfners are works of art and what Höfners are REALLY about. They are quite expensive for such a niche instrument but the craftsmanship and materials are absolutely superb. We're talking Custom Shop quality here and prices to match.

2) You will need Pyramid Gold flatwounds for the classic Höfner sound. The German Höfners come with Pyramid Golds but the Asian ones come with some rather bright sounding roundwounds. Of course you can play a Höfner with roundwounds or whatever strings you want and make it sound good but for the CLASSIC Höfner sound nothing except Pyramids Golds will do.

 

[g-dude]

Höfner Violin basses are very cool instruments!

Just remember two things:

1) Like anything else you get what you pay for. Don't expect the cheapest Asian Ignition models to be amazing instruments. They are cheap entry level instruments, like anything else in their price range. They can still be lots of fun of course but don't expect them to be top quality instruments. The Asian Contemporary series are a step up and really quite good but they don't offer true hollowbody violin basses, only semi-hollow with tone blocks. The top-of-the-range German Höfners are works of art and what Höfners are REALLY about. They are quite expensive for such a niche instrument but the craftsmanship and materials are absolutely superb. We're talking Custom Shop quality here and prices to match.

2) You will need Pyramid Gold flatwounds for the classic Höfner sound. The German Höfners come with Pyramid Golds but the Asian ones come with some rather bright sounding roundwounds. Of course you can play a Höfner with roundwounds or whatever strings you want and make it sound good but for the CLASSIC Höfner sound nothing except Pyramids Golds will do.

LaBella low tension flats also work well.

 

[Tommyc]

It was only 30 quid and wouldn't look daft when i flipped it around to play it left handed.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I may be the only musician on the planet who never was or will be a Beatles fan....Therefore, zero interest in a Hofner.

It took me long enough to get used to my Rickenbacker after playing Fenders since the '70's.

The Beatles have quite a History with Rickenbacker including Paul on Bass.

Oh your not alone, there are many who are not 'Fans' and some whom hold them in Great Disdain.

 

[GretschWretch]

I never owned one or wanted to. Some great music has been on them, just not here. One of the most unusual tones ever from a Hofner was Jim Pons live with The Leaves doing Hey Joe. It's cranked and sustains with that bottom end. Really cool, especially for the mid '60's. It's on YouTube.

Indeed it is. I've always been fascinated by that "non-representative" Hofner tone. It is quite different than Pons's Turtles Hofners.

 

[Hounddog409]

Nope. Horrible little things.

Yeah, that comment was the dumbest thing I have ever read on TB.

No one needs one of those awful things