Hofner Serial Numbers

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:30 am

Where is my new lefty 500/1s serial number? and how can i tell what year it was made from with it?

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:47 am

Alex: Look under the bridge on the inside of the body for a number. If you remove the control panel, I understand that you can use a small mirror, such as a dental mirror to see the date.

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:44 pm

I've tried that, Peter on my 1964 500/1 and there is nothing anywhere. Also, to pull apart the pots is major surgery. I have a 64/65 transition bass and would like to know.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:35 am

My 1957 500/1 has no number on it or in it, anywhere...I did the dental mirror thing too. The closest time frame I can come to on it is that the pots date to the 16th week of 1957...

New basses do have a number on them, but I am unaware as to how they go about it.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:49 pm

Simply remove the control panel and you'll see the serial number of the instrument written on a Hofner label clearly visible in the control panel opening.

Here's how their serial number system for any instrument made AFTER Dec 31, 1999.

Example of a serial number: C-11229

C = Year (A=2000, B=2001, C=2002, etc)
11 = Month (November)
22 = Date (22nd day)
9 = 9th instrument built on that day

roadrunners · Post by **roadrunners** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:11 am

hmm then mine must be older then that dating system, cause there is no sign of anything like that in my hofner.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:29 pm

Than your bass was assembled before January 1, 2000.