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

#2,941
Doctor Intrepid said:
The necks on the Ignition models are wider than the German models and HCT models. If neck width is part of your struggle there ya go.
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This is a moving target. My current Ignition feels fatter to me than any German model I have played, but I had a different one some years back that seemed skinnier. Plus, nut width isn't the only factor. The neck profile is important. One of the reasons I think the German models are so superior is those hand carved necks. Another is the nut shaping and height. Etc etc.

I have yet to play an Artist model but around here they aren't that much less expensive than other German models.

[If we are playing "what's your dream bass?" mine would be a German Violin Cavern bass. Just saying...]
 
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#2,943
JohnMalay said:
This is a moving target. My current Ignition feels fatter to me than any German model I have played, but I had a different one some years back that seemed skinnier. Plus, nut width isn't the only factor. The neck profile is important. One of the reasons I think the German models are so superior is those hand carved necks. Another is the nut shaping and height. Etc etc.

I have yet to play an Artist model but around here they aren't that much less expensive than other German models.

[If we are playing "what's your dream bass?" mine would be a German Violin Cavern bass. Just saying...]
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I suspect you are in North America like me? You can order from Thomann in Germany from North America no problem. That is where I usually order my Hofner stuff from. The Mark up for retail is not as bad.
 
#2,945
theRocco said:
Do most Hofner basses have 42 mm or 1.65 inch nut width?
Is this the same for Ignition, Contemporary and Made in Germany models?

So it seems just a tad bit wider than a Fender Jazz bass at 1.5 inches?
Precision basses might range from 1.75 for Vintage ones to 1.63 for Modern model Ps.

Does this seem about right?
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The specs are on the Hofner website. Based on my experience, Hofner necks are narrower than any Fender I have played. They are also not tapered like Fenders. But the Ignition necks are wider.
 
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#2,946
theRocco said:
Do most Hofner basses have 42 mm or 1.65 inch nut width?
Is this the same for Ignition, Contemporary and Made in Germany models?

So it seems just a tad bit wider than a Fender Jazz bass at 1.5 inches?
Precision basses might range from 1.75 for Vintage ones to 1.63 for Modern model Ps.

Does this seem about right?
Click to expand...
The nut width on my HCT 500/1 is 42 mm which I think is the Hofner standard. Though the nut width on my ''64 500/1 is around 38 mm, I think for a short while in 64/65 Hofner used this pencil thin neck.
20240715_200939 - Copy.jpg
 
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#2,952
Well Boys & Girls, I got one! And it was a surprise indeed that I got this one.

IMG_6431.jpeg


I've been researching the various Hofner's models and colors and trying to decide on either an Ignition, Contemporary, or Made in Germany hollow body, and either a Black or Sunburst one. I loved the look of a vintage Sunburst but the new ones didn't quite match the image I had in my mind of the color I lusted after. In my mind I saw an old Violin sunburst with vintage lacquer and checking. So I was probably gonna go for a Black one and found a nice used German Club in black from 2005 that looked pretty good.

But, then I found this one! I know, many of you probably don't like Relics but this one came up very unexpectedly and was local and when I held in and played it I knew this was the one!

IMG_6433.jpeg


Tiger Burst like an old Violin and aging that is tasteful and perfect! Made in 2020 and the COA is signed by luthier Thomas Stuhlein who has captured the perfect look and feel and a 1965 instrument. I saw some real vintage instruments that were amazing looking but way out of my price range and this Relic plays perfect like a new instrument with perfect intonation, electronics and playability.

I own many Relic guitars and basses as well as shiny new Gloss examples and they all live happy together in my room and my hand and ears love them all! I am sooo happy, this bass feel so good, the neck is not small but just right, almost a very slight V shape and full and the nut width is just right and not narrow as I feared it could be.

I get lost gazing into the Tiger Burst and Flame Neck! So beautiful and a joy to play!

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#2,954
theRocco said:
Well Boys & Girls, I got one! And it was a surprise indeed that I got this one.

View attachment 7038832

I've been researching the various Hofner's models and colors and trying to decide on either an Ignition, Contemporary, or Made in Germany hollow body, and either a Black or Sunburst one. I loved the look of a vintage Sunburst but the new ones didn't quite match the image I had in my mind of the color I lusted after. In my mind I saw an old Violin sunburst with vintage lacquer and checking. So I was probably gonna go for a Black one and found a nice used German Club in black from 2005 that looked pretty good.

But, then I found this one! I know, many of you probably don't like Relics but this one came up very unexpectedly and was local and when I held in and played it I knew this was the one!

View attachment 7038837

Tiger Burst like an old Violin and aging that is tasteful and perfect! Made in 2020 and the COA is signed by luthier Thomas Stuhlein who has captured the perfect look and feel and a 1965 instrument. I saw some real vintage instruments that were amazing looking but way out of my price range and this Relic plays perfect like a new instrument with perfect intonation, electronics and playability.

I own many Relic guitars and basses as well as shiny new Gloss examples and they all live happy together in my room and my hand and ears love them all! I am sooo happy, this bass feel so good, the neck is not small but just right, almost a very slight V shape and full and the nut width is just right and not narrow as I feared it could be.

I get lost gazing into the Tiger Burst and Flame Neck! So beautiful and a joy to play!

View attachment 7038842View attachment 7038843View attachment 7038844View attachment 7038845View attachment 7038852View attachment 7038860
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That’s a sweet bass!
 
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#2,957
Last night I bought an original Hofner 500/1 case from 1961- 194, from eBay here in the UK for £250 "but" it needs a little bit of work on it.
It should be here either Thursday or Friday & then I can see about getting the work done on it. I have always wanted to get a period correct case for my '64 500/1 I doubt, I'll ever use it but it will be nice to have the matching case that came with the bass back in 1964.
 
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#2,958
I've got a question about pot values found in the HCT basses, specifically the Club HCT (I think they're the same though...). I've been generally struggling with my HCT Club's sound and getting it to comfortably fit in mixes of songs I'm trying to record. I used to have a full-Hollow MIJ 335-style bass and it *always* worked in songs without any effort. The HCT Club, in contrast, feels a little awkward and just never quite sits right. I've tried tracking the bass through my Great River MP2NV and also direct using the Origin Bassrig pedals and, again, it's never quite right. I can massage it into place, but it feels like there's an easier way.

Accordingly, I've been looking into ways I might improve/change the sound more to my liking.

While watching this video by Backbeat Vintage I've just learned that the HCT basses have 500k pots while the German-made basses have 250k pots, despite having the same pickups. After he swapped out the control panels, the sound on the HCT bass was significantly different (rounder/warmer/darker/thumpy), which is unsurprising because of the way the differing pot load (500k vs 250k) could affect the pickup's sound.

Can anyone confirm that: 1) HCT's have 500k pots paired with the German pickups and 2) the German-made basses have 250k pots paired with the German pickups?

If this is the case, can anyone confirm that this Hofner control panel is a drop-in replacement and that it has 250k pots?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2,959
infiniteposse said:
Can anyone confirm that: 1) HCT's have 500k pots paired with the German pickups and 2) the German-made basses have 250k pots paired with the German pickups?
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Can't confirm on the HCT but the baseline design calls for 250k

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www.talkbass.com

infiniteposse said:
After he swapped out the control panels, the sound on the HCT bass was significantly different (rounder/warmer/darker/thumpy),
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Exactly the behaviour that might be expected. I guess the point of the HCT is to be a 'modern' take - 500k pots will add a certain bite and presence to the tone which fits the remit.
 
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#2,960
SteveCS said:
Can't confirm on the HCT but the baseline design calls for 250k

Loading…

www.talkbass.com



Exactly the behaviour that might be expected. I guess the point of the HCT is to be a 'modern' take - 500k pots will add a certain bite and presence to the tone which fits the remit.
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The HCT is also semi-hollow, which changes the sound. I was able to drop in a genuine German control panel into an Ignition. Why not an HCT?
 
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