Hofner Club

Jul 29, 2021
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Looks like there isn’t already a Hofner club thread?

My main bass is a Fender Jazz MIA but just bought myself a Hofner Ignition Club as a cheap plaything.

Got curious after ogling the McCartney basses on display when I visited the Cavern club in Liverpool. Then started reading up on the Club version which appealed to me more than the violin style.

Once I’d setup the bridge, action is reasonably low and intonation is surprisingly good (stock strings). Fretboard feels ok for cheap bass, only getting a slight buzz around 14th on G, not touched the truss rod yet but neck could be a little flatter.

But I have noticed the tailpiece looks slightly skewed, right side is about 2mm lower than left relative to bridge pickup, and strap button look’s about 4-5mm to left of neck centre line. Also the bridge height bolt annoyingly sticks out a few mm on the E side. Apart from above it seems to play pretty well, don’t expect Fender MIA perfection at this price. Not sure it’s worth sending back for this?

It won’t replace my Jazz but I’m enjoying the big contrast in sound and feel. The light weight, short neck and unplugged sound make it fun to pickup and noodle around without being so tiring.

Will probably get some flatwound laBella’s on it, tweak the neck and maybe ditch the pick guard as feels a bit flimsy to me. Also tempted to swap out the bridge for German ebony version, that E bolt really bugs me and it just feels a bit cheap and nasty.

5C767095-C614-4E6A-B697-F07C58CA295C.jpeg

…. weird square is a transparent “adhesive foot” I stuck on as a temporary thumb anchor
 
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No "Hofner Club?!?" How can this be?!?

Here's mine... Contemporary Series with some mods... Not my main axe... Loads of fun!

IMG_20211202_182825213-01.jpeg


I'm not sure what happened, but my pickups are kind of crooked... It's due for a set up, and some additional tweakng... I'll post more pics once it's done...

IMG_20211202_182839188-01.jpeg


I plan to have it ultimately looking like this 1960 model (link to its description below)...
Screenshot_20230115-175641.png


1960 Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass Sunburst > Guitars Bass | SS Vintage
 
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Just ordered a new German control panel for my contemporary . I tried the Labella Black tapewounds but did not care for them so I recently installed a new set of Pyramid flats and they are breaking in .
Question for those more knowledgeable here than me . Will the German control panel make a true difference in tone ?
 
Looks like there isn’t already a Hofner club thread?

My main bass is a Fender Jazz MIA but just bought myself a Hofner Ignition Club as a cheap plaything.

Got curious after ogling the McCartney basses on display when I visited the Cavern club in Liverpool. Then started reading up on the Club version which appealed to me more than the violin style.

Once I’d setup the bridge, action is reasonably low and intonation is surprisingly good (stock strings). Fretboard feels ok for cheap bass, only getting a slight buzz around 14th on G, not touched the truss rod yet but neck could be a little flatter.

But I have noticed the tailpiece looks slightly skewed, right side is about 2mm lower than left relative to bridge pickup, and strap button look’s about 4-5mm to left of neck centre line. Also the bridge height bolt annoyingly sticks out a few mm on the E side. Apart from above it seems to play pretty well, don’t expect Fender MIA perfection at this price. Not sure it’s worth sending back for this?

It won’t replace my Jazz but I’m enjoying the big contrast in sound and feel. The light weight, short neck and unplugged sound make it fun to pickup and noodle around without being so tiring.

Will probably get some flatwound laBella’s on it, tweak the neck and maybe ditch the pick guard as feels a bit flimsy to me. Also tempted to swap out the bridge for German ebony version, that E bolt really bugs me and it just feels a bit cheap and nasty.

View attachment 4937336
…. weird square is a transparent “adhesive foot” I stuck on as a temporary thumb anchor

The club already exists.

Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
 
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