Hofner Violin Basses

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:58 am

Got it Jon, thanks. I'll try to post a pic of my bass here later today..

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 12:11 pm

Here is my Klira, a bit different from Jon's:

Anybody seen one like this one?

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 3:32 pm

John, is the bolt-on a 4 bolt pattern on your bass? Mine is a single bolt with a large washer.

And are the tuners MOP or steel ended?

Interesting looking bass!

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 1:05 am

Yep, it's a 4-bolt neck and the tuner buttons are MOP, bigger than Hofner tuners of the era. How 'bout the raised logo...LOL

In the middle of the top between the p/ups there is a faint ink stamp that says "Made in Western Germany".

höfner · Post by **höfner** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 9:08 pm

About quality of eightie´s violin basses.
I have -60 500/1 and unfortunately it came to end of career on early eighties.

I wrote straight to Bubenreuth factory -84 and the answered to my letter. Guy who aswered was Mr Karl Höfner himself.
They promised to build a new 500/1 to me. It took couple of months and they sended it straight to me (no any dealers on country that time) and also they payed custom-fees etc. Price was something about 500 $ !!

I was more than happy. And I have to say after these 20 years hard playing, that quality of this bass is excellent. I haven´t any reason touch to truss-rod or bridge at all. It´s on tune perfectly!
They hadn´t 500/1 on the regular lists at that time, so they built it from spare and storepieces.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:00 am

Cool story Mika.

But Mr. Christen Benker, was the owner of Hofner during this time period. Karl Hofner himself passed away long before then.

Mr. Benker is married to Gerhilde Benker (nee Hofner), who is the daughter of Walter Hofner. Karl Hofner's son. Walter was born in 1904.

It was Christen and Gerhilde Benker who sold Hofner to Boosey & Hawkes in the early 90's.

I remember needing a couple of parts for my 60's 500/1 back in the early 80's. I mailed a letter to the factory and Mr Benker sent me the parts no charge. I still have his letter.

Cheers,

höfner · Post by **höfner** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 7:31 am

Oh yes. You´re absolutely right about Mr. Benker.

I´m so so sorry for that disinformation.

I mixed up badly. Immidietly after your message I remembered that Mr. Benker too. He wrote me back of course.

I feel stupid. Anyway I have that letter too somewhere, I got to find it. That long stand by this.

Rest of my story pose to be correct.