Hofner Beatle Bass

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 8:22 am

Hi, Just wanted to spread the word... I got a New Hofner Cavern Beatle Bass as a gift a couple weeks ago. I tuned it, played it for 10 minutes and decided it wasn't "me." I have it up on EBAY#920215034, with a low Buy it now.. The bass is mint, includes rectangular hard case and hang tag. If any one has any questions, feel free to e-mail me: [email protected].

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 9:27 am

Webhead: For the benefit of others who may have this bass on their wish list, and I know many who have, are you able to express more completely what you did not like about the Hofner Beatle Bass. For example, did it not play as well as other basses to which you have become accustomed?

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Wed Nov 06, 2002 10:17 am

You're right, sorry... I didn't like the Hofner because it's a small bass, I'm a tall guy- it didn't feel right. To me, it felt kind of awkward. I like big, heavy basses like a Rick 4003, or a Fender Jazz bass. The Hofner does have that deep sound and it can get rather clanky when you change the settings, but it leans more toward the deep end... Hope this helps...

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Nov 08, 2002 8:33 am

Gerald: what is the action like on the Hofner compared to the RIC 4003? I bought a 500/1 a couple of weeks ago and found the action to be a lot higher than on any of my RIC basses (4000, 4001, or 4003). It's even higher than on my Vox Cougar (semi-hollow, 335ish body). I haven't played around yet with the 500/1 action, so maybe it was only the previous owner's tastes...

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Wed Nov 20, 2002 9:54 am

I used to own a Hofner Beatle Bass in the early 80's. It is a beautiful bass that is very light weight due to it's hollow body, and has a very 60's sound to it. The major drawback for me was the narrow string spacing and the bridge. The intonation is very difficult to set. You really have to work at it to get it right so it will play in tune all the way up the neck. McCartney has stated this himself, which is one of the reasons he didn't use it much after the Beatles split up.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Wed Nov 20, 2002 6:18 pm

I have long been intrigued by the famous Hofner Beatle Bass. Several years ago I bought a '65 500/1 from a new/vintage dealer in Florida. The dealer generously gave me a 3-day trial period for a test drive. Frankly speaking, it was a pretty disappointing experience. First of all, the price was a bit steep ($1,425 plus shipping & insurance) even for that year model. To be fair, the bass was in excellent shape to be over 30 years old. But what ultimately made me decide to return it was that it felt like a toy. The light weight didn't bother me so much as that it just had a cheap feel to it. I carefully repacked the bass and shipped it back to the dealer, ecstatic that I could get my money back, even though I had to eat the shipping both ways. My first experience of actually having one of these basses in my hands was humbling.

The ironic part is that I would still like to have one. I've been told that the current models are better quality instruments than from 35 to 40 years ago. But I'm not about to sink a wad of money into one without knowing first-hand whether the quality has improved that much. There are no Hofner dealers anywhere close to my area. Can anyone out there post some detailed, informed opinions on the new Hofner 500/1 models?

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Thu Nov 21, 2002 5:09 am

Hofner basses have IMO been reborn since Boosey and Hawkes took over in the early-mid '90s.. I have had twelve Beatle Basses since 1980, great ones and ones that were simply junk. The dark times were during some of the Sorkin Music period and just about all of when EMMC handled Hofner in the US.

I currently have a 500/1LH vintage '63 re-issue, and I really love it. It has the look of the ones that people recognize and the fit and finish is really, really nice. And the sound is right as it should be with Pyramids or LaBella flats. I had a lefty Cavern Mode1 re-issue before this one I have now, and found that it didn't have as many tone capabilities as the vintage '63. They are great basses man. I don't think you can go wrong by buying one of the vintage-reissues.

The BEST 500/1 basses ever are from the late '50's, pre-McCartney....fat-necks and flat-backs, blonde finish.....they are simply AWESOME. Get your wallet out too...

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 10:25 am

John-- Thanks for the opinions on the Hofners. How many of these basses do you have now? Just the v63? How long have you had it, and where did you purchase it? Did you buy it new?

Apparently, setting the proper intonation seems to be a major undertaking for some with one of these basses. Have you had any problems with yours in this regard? And even if you are fortunate enough to purchase a Hofner that is superior in construction, playability, & tone....... are there any potential downsides?

John, thanks very much again for your thoughts on this. And this goes for anyone else who has any first-hand experience with the Hofner 500/1.

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Fri Nov 22, 2002 11:36 am

Well, IMHO a Hofner is like no other. You just have to PLAY it; it's different than any other bass. With respect to all who have an opinion, I think a Hofner provides the best basic bass sound that you can get. The bottom end is like no other,just about the best...provided you have proper amplification.

My 500/1LH V63 is from the late 90's, and the intonation is fine; you may recall pics of McCartney's Hofner taken in the late 80's when it was re-enlisted into service...the bridge was offset in a weird position to get it near proper intonation. Now, since Mandolin Bros. refurbished the bass, it plays and intonates as it should. Alot of the early Hofners ended up like that one, and you run across quite a few that have had a neck re-set. I think the newer ones are made a little different internally to help aleviate this problem. The finishes are better now, and shouldn't check like the older basses.

This bass is the only Hofner I have at the moment, although I wouldn't mind a '57-'58...I'd play it upside down, I don't mind!!!

webhead · Post by **webhead** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 7:24 am

I just didn't like it- it felt like a Fisher Price guitar to me.. I know I'm walking on eggshells here. I always felt that I would snap the neck off because it felt like it was delicate. It sounded kinda muddy at times too. I prefer Rick basses.

carr · Post by **carr** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 10:36 am

Likewise when my small Framus slipped and broke its neck, I checked out the violin bass and hated it. It didnt seem to balance right and the neck didnt feel right. I opted for another Framus.(I'm talking late 60's here)

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 6:13 pm

Gerald & John-- I sense the experiences you guys had were with the older vintage models. Am I correct? If so, then I'm already convinced from my own experience with the '65 500/1 that these are to be avoided. But have either of you had a chance to check out one of the newer vintage re-issues? I suspect that if there's any salvation for the Hofner Beatle Bass in regards to genuine quality and practicality, then it will be found in the current re-issues. My own gut feeling is that the V63 is simply overpriced at approximately $1,599 for what you are getting. That bass sure does look cool as hell, but...........

A noted bass guitar builder in the Chicago area told me several years ago that Hofner should pay a yearly royalty to Paul McCartney for keeping them in business all these years. In his opinion, McCartney is THE ONLY reason they didn't go out of business a long time ago. Whether or not you love the Beatle Bass, you do have to wonder.

carr · Post by **carr** » Sun Nov 24, 2002 9:29 pm

Jeffery D. Bauguss wrote "Gerald & John-- I sense the experiences you guys had were with the older vintage models. Am I correct?"

You sure are...about 1966 If I recall correctly.

I beleive Framus went out of business about 1967. Id love to get my hands on one now to se if it was as cool as I remember.. A bit like a Les Paul in shape with the crappiest machine heads ever but light , balanced with a real skinny neck... Big problem witnintonation tho... it had a violin style bridge and I never knew what intonation was... I simply measured the pitch /tone by ear pinging on the bridge side at the octave and comparing with pinging on the nut side one fret higher.. Im at the office now so I cant recall exactly. If the pitch was the same, the bridge was in the right place. who the heck showed me that Umm I dont recall. since I hardly got past the 7th fret it wasnt too much of an issue

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Mon Nov 25, 2002 8:54 am

I would look at Beatle Basses both new and old on a case by case basis, but I think it's fair to say the quality control is much more stable since Boosey and Hawkes took over. I've had some sweet '60's model Hofners and some that were ready for the kindling pile. It's just a matter of going through them thoroughly.....