Paul and the Höfner Beatle Bass

[jps]

Thanks, David.

[peewee]

Earlier this year Ian interviewed Paul's technician and the video clearly showed that there was tape or something blocking the switches from moving, with the neck pickup selected only and the S/R switch blocked in the Solo position. Even the recent Bass Player issue with Paul on the cover showed this. Anyone have a good block diagram of the electronics?

Jeff, do you have a link to the video? Definitely would love to see this!

David, thanks for posting the schematic -- neat piece of info to have!

[jps]

I looked but do not have a link, Mike. Maybe Ilan can check in here with it!

[sloop_john_b]

Here's the thread but it looks like the video is down now.

[peewee]

Here's the thread but it looks like the video is down now.

John, thanks for that! No wonder I missed this originally -- I hadn't replaced my computer and the laptop we had at the time had crashed back in May of '08! How cool could that have possibly been for Ilan? Awesome.... that's the only word that comes to mind. Really sheds some light and puts the debate to rest for sure.

[DavyR]

The Rhythm-position lowers the output volume a bit but also decouples (electronically, and as a side effect) the pickups from the cable capacitance. This makes the sound a bit smoother.
But this makes almost no difference in sound when the "Bass" position is used.
As far as I know, Mccarney uses the Hofner more or less exclusively in the "Bass" position,
that means: only the neck pu is in use and a bass boost (or better "treble cut") is engaged.
The very low end is even more boosted by setting the bass volume knob a little lower than
full-up (this works only in the "Bass" position).
Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang!
What do you mean by decouples the PUs from the (guitar's?) cable capacitance?
Thanks!
DavyR

[wolfgang]

hello Davy,
when the volume pots on your guitar are turned full up,
the pickups are directly connected to the guitar`s output jack.
This is true for most guitars.
The guitar cable capacity is now in parallel to the pickup(s) and forming a filter giving a
presence resonance peak. But it depends on the electrical values of the pu (Henries and kOhms)
and guitar cord (µµF), how high this peak is and at which frequency this peak sits.
Often there is no real presence peak, but a smooth high cut filter effect.
(by the way: my Rickenbacker guitar sounds most jangly with an old cable with a relatively high capacitance of about 2000 µµF (giving a peak at 2KHertz))
When you turn your volume pot a bit down (to 80% or so), there comes a resistor in line,
that means between pickup and guitar cable. The sound is smoother now,
there is no presence peak left.
The same happens (a resistor (100KOhms) in line between pickup and guitar cable) when you switch to the RHYTHM-setting of your Hofner.
It is not a big difference of the Hofner sound.
But the BASS-settings gives that deep bass sound with the Hofners, a bit like the "deep" switch in some Fender amps.


Wolfgang

[DavyR]

Hi Wolfgang,
Therefore small differences in tone can be produced depending on cables, volume pot settings, etc.?
BTW, was my "layman's" explanation of the Hofner controls more or less correct a few posts back?
Thanks,
DavyR

[wolfgang]

DavyR,
you are absolutely right.
Wolfgang

[revolver323]

However Paul has controls set now, I detect considerably more presence (or treble) and attack on "Memory Almost Full" than in previous recordings, especially on something like "Only Mama Knows." I heard Paul in DC in August and the live bass sound is full and punchy, with not quite as much top end as on the recordings. I know that on my Icon, I can achieve this sound by tweaking the amp EQ while running just the neck pickup or by running both pickups in solo position and rolling the volume back by at least half on the bridge pickup. Judging from the remasters, I'd say that Paul was indeed using the neck pickup most of the time time the studio. I've recently relistend to Flowers in the Dirt, the LP where PAul started to use the Hofner again, and there's a good bit of presence on the bass, but not like MAF.

[Prowl]

A bit off sides this question but in regards to the Icon bass, which I also own, how do you get volume on the bridge pup? I've tried every switch combo and I can't seem to get volume from it. I wonder if its broken. Both knobs are wide open, its in Solo position with Bass on and treble off I think. I've tried to switch it around and still I get nothing.

[brammy]

For those who dont want to (or cant) spend big bucks on a real Hofner base, The Eastwood Club is a great alternative:

and besides, the Les Paul shape is a lot nicer than the violin style and unless you're in a real Beatles recreation band I think it's the better... less assuming... way to go.

I have a black one and it's really nice *

*non-bass player speaking here

.... sounds GREAT with Pyramid flats.

[Prowl]

I ended up getting rid of my hofner Icon. I spent more time intonating it than actually playing it. I think I'll save up and get a cavern re-issue somewhere down the line.

[jps]

The V63 I had never had that issue.

[Prowl]

yeah its awful. I even put medium scale flats from Rotosound on it and they were too long, so I don't think the icon is even the right scale. Needless to say it never stayed in tune either. After about two or three songs live I'd have to re-tune it