I've been interested in these for a while. They are solid body with more traditional controls and a single neck pickup so, do they sound like a Höfner or more like, say, a Gibson EB-1 that had the same construction?? Humbucker p'up?
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Hofner-(not just Beatle Basses)-Group Part 2
- Thread starter Bryan R. Tyler
- Start date
I've been interested in these for a while. They are solid body with more traditional controls and a single neck pickup so, do they sound like a Höfner or more like, say, a Gibson EB-1 that had the same construction?? Humbucker p'up?
Yeah I read that. Unfortunately I do not think the website is accurate.
I’ve haven’t had to opportunity to play one, but I think the neck at the nut may be the same, but at the 12th fret it gets much wider. 54 mm as compared to 48 mm. That’s why I don’t have one.
It’s also 1 mm thicker at the 12th fret.
At least according to the specs on the Hofner site.
It’s also 1 mm thicker at the 12th fret.
At least according to the specs on the Hofner site.
I played some Hofners in a local music shop yesterday. One was a newer HCT Cavern. It had a flat back and binding in the neck! I really liked it. My HCT Cavern has no binding and a curved back. I was tempted to buy the new one, but I didn't. I don't need an 8th Hofner!
7 might be enough Hofners. Not sure. I'm down to 4 but I may have had 7 or 8 at some point.
Was there any real difference (tonally) between your HCT CV and the new one. I suspect not, but the curved back might make a slight difference. I assume the necks felt the same, but you never know until you try one.
I also have the earlier version and might only be interested in the newer one if it were a club bass.
Was there any real difference (tonally) between your HCT CV and the new one. I suspect not, but the curved back might make a slight difference. I assume the necks felt the same, but you never know until you try one.
I also have the earlier version and might only be interested in the newer one if it were a club bass.
Doctor Intrepid:
When Nick Wass, of Hofner, got his hands on McCartney's long lost refinished "Cavern" bass, to authenticate it, he was surprised to see that it had a round back, and said that they had been making Cavern basses wrong, after discovering that. Live and learn, and enjoy your round backed HCT Cavern bass. It's more like McCartney's than you knew!
I didn't notice any tonal differences. Since the HCTs have the sound block I am guessing the structure matters less for the tone as occurs with the hollow body ones.
The necks are not the same. Besides the binding on the new ones, the newer one also felt chunkier than the one I have. It was certainly chunkier than the neck in the German Club they had at the shop.
I am still thinking of that flat back! I think that it might be more comfortable than the curved backs and less prone to leaning forward on the strap. So tempting!
I do prefer Hofner’s thinner necks, so thanks for that. Although a chunky neck may be more like the original.
So 8 Hofners then. Go for it
So 8 Hofners then. Go for it
my 1965 has a very thin neck on it. they state 42mm at the nut on their website and mine is 40-41 at best. were the late 50's/early 60's the ones with thick necks?
I believe you are correct. the width of the fretboard may be the same, but the thickness of the neck is deeper / chunkier.
When you shape necks by hand, even with a template, you are going to have variation.
That's why I never wanted to be a luthier. My first assignment in 9th grade woodworking shop was to plane 90° edges on a block of 1" thick pine. All of my classmates finished straightaway and started on something else. I got my block of wood planed down to about pencil size. Never got a square edge on it. I asked the teacher for another block of wood. He said no and gave me an F for that assignment.
Did you let your other HCT go & kept the Cavern HCT? Also how does the '63 Anniversary feel & play?
yeah i have no issue with the handmade nature of hofner's i was just misunderstanding the nature of "thick/chunky" necks. i personally have always understood that as WIDE necks (thicker at the nut and 12th fret), not realizing people were talking about the dimensions of top of fretboard to back of neck.
Yes I sold my 2007 HCT500/1 in April and kept my HCT500/1 CV Cavern. I recently replaced all of the hardware on it with German made counterparts including the control panel, and yes it has the flat back. I really like this bass.
The 60th Anniversary 63 (#24) is killer. My only complaint was the price.
TD
To my ears, the bridge pickup on the regular models is more or less useless: shallow and trebly. On the Cavern, the lower p'up is in what would be the "sweet spot" on a Fender and can be blended in with the neck p'up to get a nice sound. My opinion, of course.