1961 Hofner 500/1 vs. 1963 Hofner 500/1

[lennonon]

Here's a question I have. I never really noticed that the original 500/1 didn't really have a bridge pickup. I'm curious about the differences in sound between these two instruments. Is there a noticeable difference on Beatles recordings? At what point did Macca begin using it in the studio? I know he got in in late autumn of '63, but I'm wondering about tonality. Did it REALLY make a difference in their sound or Macca's playing?

I know the Ric did, but I'm wondering if there really is any difference in THESE two instruments or at least anything anyone has noticed or can point to. Much appreciated gents.

[davclr]

Presumably so.
Pauly's original "Cavern Hofner" had the pickups very close to the neck as may recall, verses the newer Hofner that was a gift from the Selmer people to PM in autumn of 1963.
This had to make a difference in the sound.
One thing many have noticed. He had intonation problems with BOTH Hofners that you can hear on the Beatles' records.

Hofner did some work on the the 1963 Hofner in the early 1990's and Paul started using it again.
Supposedly, Hofner did more work on it in the 2000's and the "intonation problems" appear to be rectified.

[beatlefreak]

Hofners are not that hard to intone. The bridge saddles are manually movable by inserting them in one of four slots on the bridge. The whole bridge assembly simply sits on top of the bass, and can therefore be positioned where needed.

[iamthebassman]

Yep, I've never had any intonation problems with mine, it's never given me a problem. And that's averaging 100 gigs a year, a lot of which is in extreme Texas weather.
I don't remember Hofner doing work on PM's bass but I do know Mandolin Bros. did the work that allowed it to be brought back into service.

[levykev]

if i'm not mistaken, Paul only used/uses the neck (bass) pickup on his Hofner. all close ups of his control panel, and having one myself, have the knob and switching configuration soloing that one. so, it would be a very similar sound to his Cavern bass.

his: solo (on), bass pickup (on), treble pickup (off)

i, honestly don't know if he even realizes it.

[dudley07726]

Hofner did not do the work on the the 63 model after the Beatles split..
Mandolin Brothers in Staten Island, NY did it in the 80's for Paul. It was brought to them personally by John Hammel, Paul's assistant.

[greg_feo]

Additionally. I believe the Blade pickups, introduced later,are closer to the original Cavern bass 'pups' tone & 'bottom' which they produced. Moreso than the staples.
2¢
The Cavern is much bassier(without effects)imho.
Most of the discontinued RI Caverns pups were wound over 10 ohms each!

[jingle_jangle]

10 ohms!!!

Those aren't pickups...they're analogue synthesizer square wave generators!

...with dual overhead cams and Smittys!

[soundmasterg]

Yah I think you meant 10k ohms... as in 10,000+ ohms.

[paulv63]

Yeah, I remember the big hoopla when Paul's Hofner
was here on Staten Island. Paul's assistant lunged at one of the workers when he went to grab it without authorization. It made the local papers.

[lennonon]

Does anyone hear an appreciable difference when the '63 makes its first appearance on a session?

Is there a particular track anyone can point to to illustrate the legendary intonation problems? Is one especially egregious?

Nice story about the bass in Staten Island. Another warm and fuzzy moment brought to you by the people at Macca...

[soundmasterg]

I can hear a difference between the stuff on the first two british albums and AHDN. I "think" that is where the cutoff is if you only look at the albums and not the singles. I personally like the sound of the later Hofner MUCH better.