Hofner builds a bass for the working man.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:35 pm

40-90 RWs, John. I was thinking about the same as your recommendations, based on what I've seen on "real" Hofners I've worked on in the past.

So time for some nut work, then flats. Truss rod cover's gotta go, pickguard will get remade--too flimsy. The finish on the fretboard edges is not too good...still haven't played it plugged in...action and general "feel" are both reasonably good, and the neck feels slim, though a bit wider than a vintage Hofner...could be the profile, which seems a bit more oval.

And, yeah, the graining on the veneer is boring.

Still worth the $$$ IMO. But if I was primarily a bass player, I'd have a real Club fer sure.

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:54 pm

I don't think that the Rogue or the Turser play any better than each other just different. The Rogue has a thick neck and the Turser has a thin neck. I tend to wrap my thump more around the Rogue. I have a buddy who loves my Rogue but he likes that thick neck.
Right now I kinda wish I had gotten my Turser in a burst instead of black. Its the most Hofner looking bass out there right now to me with out being a German Hofner. If Hofner gets around to combining the finish of the Contemporary with the Icon hollow body I'll be wanting one for sure though.
Its nice if you like every thing on it but changing the details like knobs and such is no big deal to me if the burst looked right, it was hollow body, and said Hofner on it.
I would have been willing to pay more if those things were right. Then I'd do the details. I realize that they can't make it as nice a German one for the price other wize they wouldn't sell any German ones. I know they'd have to skip on wood quality and such.
But right now it looks as though the Turser Burst is still the better buy.
I looked my TR over pretty good after reading what you said about the neck too Paul. Sorry you had a problem. I hope you got a better one now. Good sale though, too good to pass up.

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:57 pm

Randy, it sounds like your Hofner may have had some pickup related problems with the squeling sounds and all.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:25 am

Dan, those bar magnet pick-ups had problems period. It didn't sound too bad when you played it by yourself at moderate to low volumes. But with a loud band, it didn't fair all that well. Although it did distort and give a good fuzz bass sound. ( I once used it to do a Hendrix style solo) I just couldn't use it enough to justify keeping it. Like I said I hope the CT basses are better; and I'm guessing they would be.

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:16 pm

Alex and Dan, you are both right about the Turser being the best looker out of the bunch.

Dan, it's too bad the Icon couldn't look more like the Contemporary series. I was checking them out from a UK dealer on Ebay. For the price of the CS I'm thinking it may be better to pay a few hundred more for a good clean used German Hofner.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:57 pm

I put Hofner (Pyramid) rounds on my German blue Hofner, and it growls pretty well. Kinda midway between a flat-wound Hofner and a round-wound on a Rick (as you might expect).

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:28 pm

With my hofner copy, it has rounds on it because I can't intonate the darn thing with flats.

It get's lots of string noise simply when running your fingers up and down the strings. That noise comes through on the amp.

IS THAT A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC FOR ALL HOLLOW-BODY BASSES THAT ARE STRUNG WITH ROUNDWOUNDS?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 5:03 pm

It's part of the roundwound charm. The Hofner pickups have a lot to do with it, the hollow body less.

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:57 am

Hi Paul,

With flatwounds, does that ambient "string hiss" noise go away on the Hofner-type pickups. Or at least, is it greatly reduced?

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:51 pm

As I think about the title of this thread I'm not sure I like it. I understand the thought, but I'm a working man and I bought the German made original. Maybe I'm just being sensitive.

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:29 am

Geez, Simer!! My apologies. I'll just change it to "Hofner builds a bass for the average bum who dosen't have $1800 lying around because he spends too much on high-quality beer, his girlfriend and Rickenbacker products.

Or maybe... "Hofner builds a bass I can afford."

lowendbob · Post by **lowendbob** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 5:32 am

My disappointment in the Icon led me to start looking for the German bass.
I just couldn't resist when I saw this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330048460887&rd=1&rd=1

My first real Hofner.

bugman · Post by **bugman** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:13 am

Bob, You wont be disappointed with the Club bass. I have one for sale on ebay right now and it really is a nice bass. The only reason I'm selling it is to fund a lefty Cavern reissue. Hopefully mine will sell before I lose the chance on the lefty Cavern

simer4001 · Post by **simer4001** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:18 am

That's better Richard.

So, give me some examples of high quality beer. And you can stop right there if you start with Keystone Light in the specially designed cans that keep the freshness in.

I'll leave the girlfriend comment alone because you should spend as much money on her as possible.

congerz83 · Post by **congerz83** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:46 am

My favorite is the Samuel Adams Sctoch Ale, available only in the "Brew-master" mix pack. But alas, the are no longer making these combination boxes any more. I like all Sam Adams though, and am heart-broken that Octoberfest is over. Oh well, time for SA Winter Lager and Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale.

Agh Agh Aghaaaawww (Tim Allen grunt)

P.S. I could start my own beer-forum right now!