Opinion on Höfner Basses?

[BassBrass]

The body is too small to have any effect other than produce a nasty toy like mid range that needs to be eq'd Out I'd suggest also getting a Fishman parametric equalizer. Also the worst ergo-dynamics for playing of any bass.

People have historically eq-ed their SVT amps special to get some low end from these. Felix Papillardi used a Gibson violin shaped solid body with 1 humbucking pu, the mudbucker, but he Cranked the overdrive of his amps to make a usable sound. With flats and no high end you can get this direct to tape (but he switched to solid body basses later)

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

Hofners are great, and versatile, basses. The first bass to have two pickups and the only bass to be in constant production since the 50s (besides the Precision).

I posted a bunch of videos in a thread title "ode to a one trick pony" to display how versatile they are. You could likely find it via a search.

 

[sindicado]

I love the sound of the Hofner Beatle bass but I dont like the ergonomics.

 

[bigswifty1]

Well it's an intensely personal thing, but for me the ergos are a nightmare on the several violin basses I've tried including the Hofners. I wouldn't buy one if I was spending *your* money. But that's just me. Peace, love and blessings on all who like the stupid damn things

 

[A9X]

No one needs one of those awful things

It seems to be fairly even in opinion with Yay!, Nay! and Meh polling about the same.I like shorties as a rule, just not that one.
Enjoy them if you like them.

 

[g-dude]

I just don’t get the ergonomic complaints. I mean, the thing plays like an electric guitar.

 

[juancaminos]

I have the EKO version and use it for sit down acoustic gigs. The key there is "Sit Down", it's great for that.

 

[edencab]

in my mind I want one, but feel if you have one you have to play at least 6 +/- Beatles songs in your set, our band is 95% originals with a few oldies sprinkled in for fun, Clash, Zappa, Zepplelin & Monkees, but no Beatles... don't know if a violin bass is the "look" for my band.

..once saw a band that was 80% reggae covers and other Classic cover stuff, Hofner bass, not a single Beatles song...was oddly annoying

 

[57pbass]

Ergonomically they fail.
They look great and the Hofner I own is strung with Hofner flats sounds beautiful. It also records very well. Huge fat and sweet.
They are pricey though.

 

[Davbassdude]

I'd been playing my brother's mid 60's Hofner Beatle bass on and off since I was about 10 in 1970. About 18 months ago, he gave it to me as it was hanging on his basement wall. I'm a little biased here, but while they're not the most durable instruments, they are lots of fun (for me) to play. If you get one, just make sure you keep it well protected!

 

[Slidlow]

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

You are not alone!

 

[g-dude]

in my mind I want one, but feel if you have one you have to play at least 6 +/- Beatles songs in your set, our band is 95% originals with a few oldies sprinkled in for fun, Clash, Zappa, Zepplelin & Monkees, but no Beatles... don't know if a violin bass is the "look" for my band.

..once saw a band that was 80% reggae covers and other Classic cover stuff, Hofner bass, not a single Beatles song...was oddly annoying

Literally any 60s rock song works with them.

I’ve used one for The Who, Steppenwolf, The Small Faces, etc.

 

[Revolver]

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 contemporary series is not a semihollow bass. It is essentially a hollowbody (just like its Asian and German counterparts) with a spruce block in the middle (just one, btw) for a bit more structural stability. I know this very well, because I've taken the control plate off to check out the location of the sustain block (which is really best described as a modest piece of wood, rather than a 'block').

 

[southpaw723]

Get a D’angelico SD or Ex hehe

 

[watt]

bassslinger woof,

I got in 2015 an econo hofner from china and love it. black violin one. no neck dive if you know how to where it I discovered. took pickguard off, flipped jack plate around. has very much its own trip. little light labella flats. real easy to play, fun and I do a buttload of composing on it. I keep right next to where I konk. just my thoughts - I speak for no one else. I've made albums w/it, toured w/it. singular.



on bass, watt



mike watt's hoot page

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

 

[SLPimp]

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

They're fun. I didn't keep mine because of the bridge.

 

[alembicguy]

 

[Fender_Bender]

Try before buy. They have an extremely different playing experience if you are used to Fender type solid bodies. The sound with flatwounds played by a pick is pretty awesome for 60’s stuff though.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

This is Geddy. Be like Geddy.

 

[cv115505]

So this is a very "it depends" answer, and for that I apologize. That said... it depends lol. The Lakland HOBO 30 in scale nails the Hofner tone but is a far better instrument in terms of intonation and ease of access to the electronics. That said, it's $1100. So, if you're just wanting to have the Hofner sound occasionally, you can get their designs cheaper with the Ignition series and all that. If this is a bass you plan to use a lot, I would recommend spendind the money on the Lakland. It really does a goof job nailing the tone without the design flaws of the Hofner.