What Höfner is this? EDIT: Höfner Model 183

[J_Bass]

Hi guys,

Can you tell me what Höfner bass is this?

By the way, is that a bass amp? Which one?

Thanks for the help, this gear has been untouched for a long time.

Thanks!

 

[ICM]

Looks like a heavily modded Hofner 182 Bass to me.

The pickguad looks Framus-esque, but I’m not sure. Definitely a 60s German design.

Very cool bass!

 

[J_Bass]

Looks like a heavily modded Hofner 182 Bass to me.

The pickguad looks Framus-esque, but I’m not sure. Definitely a 60s German design.

Very cool bass!

Thanks! It's not mine, and I have no interest in it, a friend asked me if I could find out something about this bass and amp that were stored for many years, so I don't think it was modded.

Is there a Höfner model like this?

 

[Copperhead]

The amp is a quad reverb, 100 watts but not a bass amp.
Used by Albert Collins to get his signature sound.
The quad could be a respectable low volume tube rig with a proper bass bottom.

 

[J_Bass]

The amp is a quad reverb, 100 watts but not a bass amp.
Used by Albert Collins to get his signature sound.
The quad could be a respectable low volume tube rig with a proper bass bottom.

Thanks!

 

[J_Bass]

Anyone knows what bass it is?

 

[HaphAsSard]

Hi guys,

Can you tell me what Höfner bass is this?
(...)
View attachment 3327446

As I expected, Mr. Steve Russell of Vintagehofner.co.uk has the answer - a Höfner Model 183:
Invalid Link Removed
"The bass version of a Hofner range which also included the conventional 6 string solids designated the Model 165 (2 pickup) and the Model 167 (3 pickup). The 183 was made between c1975 and c1983."
Visitors' Gallery

 

[J_Bass]

As I expected, Mr. Steve Russell of Vintagehofner.co.uk has the answer - a Höfner Model 183:
Invalid Link Removed
"The bass version of a Hofner range which also included the conventional 6 string solids designated the Model 165 (2 pickup) and the Model 167 (3 pickup). The 183 was made between c1975 and c1983."
Visitors' Gallery

Thanks! That's it! I searched for it, but never found that site!

 

[ICM]

As I expected, Mr. Steve Russell of Vintagehofner.co.uk has the answer - a Höfner Model 183:
Invalid Link Removed
"The bass version of a Hofner range which also included the conventional 6 string solids designated the Model 165 (2 pickup) and the Model 167 (3 pickup). The 183 was made between c1975 and c1983."
Visitors' Gallery

I never knew these existed! Awesome!

 

[HaphAsSard]

Also as I suspected, among the myriads of TB posts the instrument had already been the subject of a couple:

What kind of Hofner Bass is this?
^ Old thread, links dead as doornails.

Identify this bass
^ A recent one, nice pics of a natural-finished specimen, I'd even "liked" the always-knowledgeable @cdef's post with the solution to the enigma but forgot all about it:

Not a very common item, and for some reason it shares features with the contemporaneous Framus Nashville, like the larchwood body, the bridge/tailpiece and the 4-way pickup selector. Maybe Willi Lorenz/Bill Lawrence was somehow involved with Höfner, too, at the time?

 

[J_Bass]

I already edited the title so this thread is useful in the future.

I see this a lot on TB. Strange titles, to get people's attention, but very vague and useless for search.

Coincidentally, I found a Japanese copy for sale with a similar look of the Höfner:

Anyone recognize this bass?

 

[steviedee1st]

I've just acquired a Hofner 183 .Its a short scale bass which I'm not fond of but it plays and sounds brilliantly. I am reliably informed that its circa 1976. Its in lovely condition. See what you think Guys.

 

[J_Bass]

Uau, that's very nice and in excellent condition, congratulations!

 

[ICM]

I've just acquired a Hofner 183 .Its a short scale bass which I'm not fond of but it plays and sounds brilliantly. I am reliably informed that its circa 1976. Its in lovely condition. See what you think Guys.

That’s a beautiful and unique bass, congrats!