1964 hofner violin bass..value?

[seyesbass]

Hi guys,
In a way this should be on "The Others" but as its Beatles related I thought I would ask here.
A fellow forumite is considering selling his 1964 Hofner Violin dated May 1964.
What do you guys reckon the going rate would be for an original 1964 Violin bass in good condition all original except for the tuners.
(Maybe the tuners could be replaced before selling)
I cant even see one on the bay so I assume the originals dont crop up that often.....something we are used to here at the Resource.
Any ballpark figures...and its in England by the way originally from Selmers the distributor.

Much obliged for any help.

[leftybass]

Hi Pete..

Well. the usual rule with these is the closer to Macca's bass it is in specification, the more it is worth.

Features like the small surrounds on the pickups, a two-piece neck, round heel, large-ish flat logo rather than the plastic raised logo, unbound neck, longer tailpiece etc....but alot of that went away at the end of 1963.

But, with it being an early '64 (probably a Selmer import to the UK) it should have some of those features and possibly some later ones as well. Does it have a tweed case or a black one?

It's still worth a bit I'd think. Somewhere in the $2500 US range. Playability is a big deal too, and if it's a looker and plays great, maybe more. Hope this helps.

[hozy]

There have been a couple of 65/66 Hofners go for around 2500.00. It seems like the 64 would be worth more than them. The good 65/66 basses are getting harder to find also.

[jps]

I know of a '68 for $1350.00, it is nice and plays great with a straight neck, the only issue is finish checking all over the instrument.

[fran4001]

I currently own a 1963 Selmer Hofner, pots dated Oct. '63. Full Macca spec, identical only righthanded. There are VERY few of them. Sale price was $3995, last June, although I traded into it. I felt lucky to get it at that price! I'd say the '64 is worth more in the area of $3200 or so. The Selmers are very uncommon and are escalating in $ rapidly. I've already had a $5200 offer for my '63. Pretty sure I'm going to the grave with it though.

[hozy]

I think the finish checking is common on all of them.

[seyesbass]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I will try and get some pics if poss.