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SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!

#1,021
You don't often see relic Hofners too often so I'd like to share some I found from a google search!

1956 500/1
Wear from resting hand while playing with the thumb.
bas71b.jpg


1965 500/1 with some crazy checking in the finish. I've noticed a lot of the darker burst hofners from this era have this, so it may have something to do with what was used for this specific finish. Notice how the nickel tailpeice ages significantly faster than the chrome plated pickups. The teacup knobs from these vintage ones never seem to lose their luster either. Sweat must have gotten into the checking and started lifting the finish near the arm. It also looks like the player rested their thumb on the ring of the neck pickup.
hofner-beatle-bass-500-1-1965-cons-top-2.jpg
 
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#1,024
SJLee said:
Beautiful! Looking at the wear marks, I wonder if the top bass was played by a thumb player and the upper marks through the finish are due to holding the neck pickup and/or G string?
Click to expand...

I think so, almost like a tug bar. I anchor my pinky on the g string or full hand beneath the strings while playing often. Look at McCartney's bass, it has the same below the stings finger wear, just in a different spot.

Paul+McCartney+Lelang+Gitar+Bass+Hofner.png

There is also some wear on the finish above the tailpiece from the dogclip strap during the Beatles years.
 
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#1,028
ICM said:
I think so, almost like a tug bar. I anchor my pinky on the g string or full hand beneath the strings while playing often. Look at McCartney's bass, it has the same below the stings finger wear, just in a different spot.

Paul+McCartney+Lelang+Gitar+Bass+Hofner.png

There is also some wear on the finish above the tailpiece from the dogclip strap during the Beatles years.
Click to expand...

Talk about a valuable bass…. (off the charts!)
 
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#1,030
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#1,032
Deleted member 264575 said:
Now, this one....is mine.

Chris Squire signature Rickenbacker. To restore, or not to restore? Thread.

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Click to expand...
Beautiful, in it's condition as is I would leave it alone. Your grandson will appreciate the honest wear that makes this bass one of a kind.
Also, this is easily in the top 10 favorite ricks of all time for me. An extremely genuine bass.
 
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#1,039
I love how depending on playing style the body will get worn. @RedNeckBBQ 's low strung above pu playing position compared to @Snooze41 's more under pu lower bout wear. I find myself playing more toward the bridge in general. (welcome to tb @Snooze41 !)
 

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