New Höfner Beatle Bass book

[bassduke49]

Got Steve Russell & Nick Wass' "Höfner - The Complete Violin Bass Story" (Centerstream, 2013) today, and its GORGEOUS! That said, you gotta like looking at hundreds of photos of antique-brown-burst Höfner violin-shaped basses ("Beatle Bass," 500/1 and its closely related models), and I do. This is a "coffee-table book" full of eye candy, history, and lovely photo montages of this graceful design. While it is an eye-pleasing layout, there's a lot of "white space" and the type size is rather large. My personal feeling is that the same information and photo quality could have fit into less space (and therefore fewer trees felled and perhaps a bit less expensive to buy). I'm a bit disappointed in its coverage of some of the color morphs of the violin bass produced since 2000, such as the trans blue and trans red ones made in 2001; they are mentioned in the V63 story, and we are told they saw few sales/demand, but not even a picture? The sections on the Chinese Contemporary and Icon/Ignition models show only the brown-burst and black finishes, but mention that other colors were available. I would have like to have seen more on them. The "Jubilee" edition is shown, but only the limited-edition German-made ones. The Chinese ones are mentioned but not shown. There is also mention of Höfner's Custom Shop in Chicago, and I would have liked to have seen some of the alternate finishes produced there. These omissions keep this from being a truly "complete" book.

The best parts of this book (after my 20-minute page-through) are the lovely photos and some of the detailed information on pickups, serial numbers, and production changes made to the iconic bass over the decades. This book beats the beans out of the Joe Dunn book, and I highly recommend this one for Beatle Bass enthusiasts.

When you find this book on Amazon, the listing also shows as "frequently bought together . . ." and "Customers who bought this item also bought . . ." my book! They would make an excellent pairing, if I do say so myself!

[Barlow]

Thanks for the quick review.
I'll pass on the Hofner book but I'm definitely getting your book!

[DavyR]

Mine is on it's way to me in the mail. Can't wait! Thanks for the review.

[ken_j]

...When you find this book on Amazon, the listing also shows as "frequently bought together . . ." and "Customers who bought this item also bought . . ." my book! They would make an excellent pairing, if I do say so myself!

I mentioned both books to my friend who owns quite a few Ricks and Höfners. He order both a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure if he received the Höfner book yet.

[T.A.R.]

I can say that I'm enjoying my copy, the pics are great and the story is excellent.

[AndyM]

I own the Hofner CT Beatle bass and that original book - which was rather disappointing. It could have used colour photography!!
I am getting Paul's book. As an aside, I'm shocked that Paul Boyer is selling off most of his collection. I also purchased the Hofner Club Bass (another Asian knock-off production), so I do like them. Will I get the Hofner book? - don't know.

[rickboy88]

I'm with Paul on the need to not go crazy on book size and weight. It seems that some books are made that way to make a statement. For a book nut like myself, the big/heavy books only make it more difficult to add more to your collection, especially when your house isn't all that large, and you wife also has storage requirements. It also isn't easy to take them on trips and don't drop one on your foot.

I use my Kindle for the books with text only when I can.

I am at the point of soon needing to go through my books again to see what I can part with since all of the bookshelf space is filled up. I went through that exercise when I got married four years ago and donated many moving boxes of books (at least ten). For some reason, I still have every tech school and college engineering text book I ever used. It doesn't help when your bass guitar and trombone collection blocks your bookshelves in the basement. I think I may need to get the bass collection down eventually, but I am keeping the four Ric basses.

[Chris P]

I need that book I already posted about it in the 'other basses' forum, co I thought it would be removed here:)

[DavyR]

Excellent book! It's not a BIG book. It's only 11.75" by 8.25". Wish it was bigger! The bigger the full page pics of the many basses, the better.

[ilan]

Ordered a copy. Happy?

[DavyR]

Ordered a copy. Happy?

Only if you order the RIC bass book, too!

[ilan]

Only if you order the RIC bass book, too!

I have placed my order in March.

[doctorwho]

Is there any mention/pictures of the 25th (IIRC) Anniversary "Silver Beatle" bass? I actually held and played one of these (new) at a dealer's store in the early 1970s.

[DavyR]

Only if you order the RIC bass book, too!

I have placed my order in March.

Sweet! Same here!

BTW Ilan, I really liked your video of the time when you got to see McCartney's instruments backstage.

[DavyR]

Is there any mention/pictures of the 25th (IIRC) Anniversary "Silver Beatle" bass? I actually held and played one of these (new) at a dealer's store in the early 1970s.

I do not see it. But, it can't be because 1956 + 25 = 1981!?