Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Any word yet on the Hofner Contemporary Beatle Basses?

As far as being in stock? Or if they are cool?

North Coast had a batch last year which sold out quickly. I inspected one alongside an Icon, and the contemporary was much better quality. Gary Hahlbeck at North Coast Music told me he heard from customers who bought them that they didn't sound as good as the Icon (!). He also said the latest batch of Icons he received looked a lot better than the first. My guess is that Höfner is trying to get the cheaper Chinese versions to look better, and they may not continue with the intermediate-price Contemporary. Only my guess, probably not right, but seems to make sense.

It seemed to me that they thought the Contemporarys might have been "too good" and might discontinue them. Oh well.

Paul, any experience with the Icon? Thoughts?

Only to look at it. The original batch had yellowish finish, not as nicely applied, the pickup surrounds are the wide style, the neck is block set in, not cantilevered as the original (and the Contemporary), kinda cheesy control knobs and panel, etc. They probably play fine, but were equivalent to other Chinese/Japanese/Korean copies.

If Hofner touches up on that finish to make it look more like the German models I'll buy one.

I played one of the black Icons in Montreal. for the price, I'd dig it. felt much nicer than some of the junk I've played in the price range. didn't plug it in though