blue Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) This is the one I looked at today at Cream City Music, [url="https://reverb.com/item/455772-late-60s-hofner-500-2-hollow-body-club-bass-in-sunburst"]https://reverb.com/i...ass-in-sunburst[/url] It's presented as a late 60s model, I have a few concerns. I know in 1969 Hofner was not using a raised logo on the head stock.Those are indeed the PUs they were using at the time. Someone put a gold strap button on the upper back of the body. I don't think they used 2 strap buttons at the time. One of the volume pots is solid and one is loose. In the mid 60s Hofners did not have binding around the neck ( if my old Beatles Pics are accurate ) Other than that it plays great and looks great. It's just that the $1,999.00 price seems low for a German crafted Hofner. Comments, is it a good deal, what should I offer? Blue Edited February 7, 2015 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) This is the one I looked at today at Cream City Music, [url="https://reverb.com/item/455772-late-60s-hofner-500-2-hollow-body-club-bass-in-sunburst"]https://reverb.com/i...ass-in-sunburst[/url] It's presented as a late 60s model, I have a few concerns. I know in 1969 Hofner was not using a raised logo on the head stock.Those are indeed the PUs they were using at the time. Someone put a gold strap button on the upper back of the body. I don't think they used 2 strap buttons at the time. One of the volume pots is solid and one is loose. In the mid 60s Hofners did not have binding around the neck ( if my old Beatles Pics are accurate ) Other than that it plays great and looks great. I My guess is, it's a 1968. It's just that the $1,999.00 price seems low for a German crafted Hofner. Comments, is it a good deal, what should I offer? Blue Edited February 7, 2015 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) I'm no expert but it seems the combination of blade pickups and raised logo might indicate 1967, not 1968. Have you tried cross-checking against Steve Russell's site at [url="http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/gallery/gallery2/bass.html"]http://www.vintageho...lery2/bass.html[/url] ? Edited February 7, 2015 by KK Jale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 From what I can see on the pics it looks as if it has suffered the classic Hofner neck coming unglued problem. They used an animal glue which used to age rapidly and the neck used to fly off. (I've got a scar on my left little finger when this happened whilst getting exited playing "I saw her standing there"). Genuine vintage replacement pots can be found, but they ain't cheap. Modern repro bits can be got here: http://www.projectguitarparts.co.uk/Pages/hofnerparts.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 See your other topic in General..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybertect Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I'm no expert on 500/2s, but my 1967 Verithin doesn't have the raised Hofner logo, as you say, but it does have binding to the edges of the fretboard. The pickups and bridge look identical to the Club model pictured, though the tail piece is a little longer on the Verithin, which also has the front button located on the upper horn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Hofner are well known (at least in aficionado circles...) for the variance in their production. There is an awful lot of cross-dating, as they were wont to use whatever they had in stock sometimes (and perhaps, still...). A year or two (occasionally more..!) of leeway is perfectly 'normal' when dating from their details, such as binding, logos, p/ups etc. From the photos, I'd say that it's probably perfectly original, and dated to the right period. I'm not sure about the strap button, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, as I always fit straplocks, anyway (I'm not a 'museum' collector; I play my Hofners...). As to the price: it's always delicate. I'd love a German Club bass, but, personally, I wouldn't pay that much for a s/h one, whatever its provenance or condition; I'd go that little bit further and buy new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 knowledgeable and friendly facebook group for these,, great guys, an experts... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddy Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 [url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=329769803775341&ref=ts&fref=ts"]https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=329769803775341&ref=ts&fref=ts[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 [quote name='grenadilla' timestamp='1423403891' post='2684356'] If it has neck issues I would bet the current Contemporary Hofner Club would have a good neck, staple pickups, and cost less than $1000. [/quote] Probably, however I already have a German Made Hofner 502 Limited Edition Club Bass. I am only interested in German made. I am also thinking that since I already have a a German made Hofner Club, I might look at a 4001 Rickenbacker. See thread. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.