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'Vintage' Hofner bass help needed!

Skydog6653

Skydog6653

Aug 31, 2016
48
36
#1
IMG_2386.PNG IMG_2388.JPG IMG_2389.JPG IMG_2390.JPG IMG_2391.JPG IMG_2392.JPG IMG_2393.JPG IMG_2394.JPG IMG_2395.JPG I've been thinking of restoring this bass. It's been in the family since the early 70's. I believe it's a 1968. First off, is it worth restoring? I'm having a hard time finding parts. The controls at North Coast Music don't match up. The dimensions of mine are ~1-5/8" x 4-1/8". Note the square corners vs. the more available and smaller rounded cornered ones. I bypassed the entire plate and ran the pups to the jack; somewhat low output. I have a modern P Bass for the limited amount of bass work I do. The neck is fairly straight, and the truss rod works. Unfortunately, the OHSC was stolen years ago, along with the pickguard. I'd very much appreciate any help, thoughts etc. on restoring this, especially links to parts. Also, the 5 digit serial number doesn't make sense according to any posted tables I've seen.
 
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#2
That's cool! I'd go for it. You should be able to install the new electronics on the old plate and Bob's yer uncle. I probably wouldn't worry about the pickguard. If the pickups aren't up to snuff, you could put new staple pickups and surrounds on it. They have lots of output. Or if you want to keep/improve the original pickups, there are people who can rewind them. Looks like a great project--keep us posted!
 
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#3
That's absolutely worth restoring if the neck is OK. You may be able to get original period correct parts directly from Hofner, though probably very pricey. There are a number of companies that make aftermarket reproduction parts for these, should fit since the design hasn't changed in 40 years. Found this one in a 30 second Google search, I'm sure there are a lot more. There is a Hofner Club on TB, they could probably narrow down a parts search pretty quick. Post the same photos over there, I'm sure they will hook you up with some good replacement parts and advice on restoration. Nice old bass, probably worth a few coins too.
Project Guitar Parts - For Hofner guitar parts, Hofner bass guitar parts, Vintage replacement scratch plates, Eko, Watkins, Colorama

Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
 
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#4
Gilmourisgod said:
That's absolutely worth restoring if the neck is OK. You may be able to get original period correct parts directly from Hofner, though probably very pricey. There are a number of companies that make aftermarket reproduction parts for these, should fit since the design hasn't changed in 40 years. Found this one in a 30 second Google search, I'm sure there are a lot more. There is a Hofner Club on TB, they could probably narrow down a parts search pretty quick. Post the same photos over there, I'm sure they will hook you up with some good replacement parts and advice on restoration. Nice old bass, probably worth a few coins too.
Project Guitar Parts - For Hofner guitar parts, Hofner bass guitar parts, Vintage replacement scratch plates, Eko, Watkins, Colorama

Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
Click to expand...
Unfortunately the control plate changed multiple times, hence the difficulty. None of the ones at Project Guitar Parts are correct (mine is 25.4mmx101.6mm). The ones at NCM warn you that they aren't interchangeable. PGP's pickguard doesn't even have the cutouts for the pickups! Don't feel bad, I looked a lot longer than 30 seconds. There is a Hofner Club at TB (TalkBass?)?
 
#5
Just fixed a confusing typo above--what I was suggesting was transplanting new electronics onto your original control plate, thereby solving the size issue. (If you want a new plate, a custom pickguard outfit like Pickguardian could cut one for you.)

This forum may be helpful, too: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(The link to the Talk Bass Hofner group is in Gilmourisgod's post above.)
 
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#6
fermata said:
Just fixed a confusing typo above--what I was suggesting was transplanting new electronics onto your original control plate, thereby solving the size issue. (If you want a new plate, a custom pickguard outfit like Pickguardian could cut one for you.)

This forum may be helpful, too: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
(The link to the Talk Bass Hofner group is in Gilmourisgod's post above.)
Click to expand...
I'm leaning that way; I wish I could see it first. My stock one appears to be riveted. Do you know if the electronics separates from the control plate as a unit?
 
#7
A nice old bass, definitely worth fixing up and keeping. I'm not understanding why you want to replace the control plate assembly? Is something wrong with it? Replace individual components on it if necessary, but keep the original plate on there.

If the pickups are weak, you can send them to someone like Curtis Novak or Rob Timmons. They could test them and rewind/repair them as needed. Their repair work may cost less than new replacement pickups.
 
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#8
+1 on Pickguardian. The plate looks warped in the photo, maybe real celluloid? If you email a good photo and a careful 1:1 tracing of the plate, they may be able to hook you up. The hard part may be the color match. Id keep the old plate someplace safe. I never heard of anybody successfully flattening a celluloid PG, I think they actually shrink over time. Hope i didn't come off snarky on the 30 second comment, you've obviously already put some time and thought into this. I think once you get the grunge and dirt off it, it won't need much more. That's honest wear and time on display, don't polish it off! I'd love to own an old time traveler like that. Good luck with it.
 
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#9
Nothing wrong with the original plate other than slight warping. I was leaning towards a complete plate because I can't find an appropriate wiring diagram to restore the original with individual components. The pots were badly frozen, and even years ago, although hooked up, the switches seemed to not alter the tone much at all. I think the control plate changed from smaller, rounded corners to my style in late '67. IDK why no one seems to repro the later one.
 
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#10
Bruce Johnson said:
A nice old bass, definitely worth fixing up and keeping. I'm not understanding why you want to replace the control plate assembly? Is something wrong with it? Replace individual components on it if necessary, but keep the original plate on there.

If the pickups are weak, you can send them to someone like Curtis Novak or Rob Timmons. They could test them and rewind/repair them as needed. Their repair work may cost less than new replacement pickups.
Click to expand...
@Bruce Johnson do you know what an acceptable ohm reading for these would be?
 

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