Building a Höfner 500/1

[Soulsaman]

This was a great video. Thanks for posting!

I thought in this day and age, there would be more computers involved in making this bass.
They're probably using the same techniques they did since way back. Its pretty much all hand made from what I can see.

I sooo want one!

[jps]

From my perspective, it looks a little too much "all hands on". Things like the drilling of the fingerboard dot holes seem contrived, to me.

[FabGearHead]

I build guitars for a living using good old-fashioned hand work mostly, but I was amazed at the hand work involved in the video, ESPECIALLY the fret slots and dot inlays.
Fingerboards are usually slotted with a gang-saw ( small circular saw blades spaced the same as the frets ) all at once, or at least with CNC. The craftsman gluing on the neck used hot hide glue!!

[onebadjazzman]

Absolutely fantastic video. I was amazed and want one even more now. Those are serious craftsmen! Very hard to find any more. It's nice to see pride in one's work. Beautiful!

[nukebass]

So how did the guy working on the fretboard know where to cut the slots?

[jps]

So how did the guy working on the fretboard know where to cut the slots?

It's all in his head!

[FabGearHead]

"So how did the guy working on the fretboard know where to cut the slots?"

Notice that he quickly placed a marking jig on the neck, pressed it down, removed it and started sawing. It appears that the jig marks fret AND fret marker positions simultaneously. I still have a hard time believing that each bass is fretted this way. How the heck does does the guy sawing keep the slots parallel to each other??

[nukebass]

I know people really like the basses, but the bodies look pretty flimsy. I guess they hold up okay, though.

[daveman]

"So how did the guy working on the fretboard know where to cut the slots?"

Notice that he quickly placed a marking jig on the neck, pressed it down, removed it and started sawing. It appears that the jig marks fret AND fret marker positions simultaneously. I still have a hard time believing that each bass is fretted this way. How the heck does does the guy sawing keep the slots parallel to each other??

It's Germany. Precision work is mandatory; mistakes are verboten.

The poor guy has probably fretted a few thousand basses. After a while you get the hang of it.

[johnallg]

Yeah, now I want one.

Cool video and I too was surprised by the order of the construction in places. Also evident was the highly skilled workers.

[mgauction]

That was great!

[antipodean]

I know people really like the basses, but the bodies look pretty flimsy. I guess they hold up okay, though.

Yep, Macca's is still hanging in there, and it's not like it has led a pampered life!

[TomLovesRics]

Every time is see a video of a guitar being built it makes me want one. Now I have to go buy a Hofner Violin Beatles Bass.

[rickfan63]

I have a red Hofner HCT 500/1 and I love it! It's a super little bass, and so easy to play and sing with.