phil.mcglassup Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Hi All, Due to a problem with my shoulder which makes playing a bass stood up painful I have considered changing from a Hohner B2a to a violin bass. The short scale will help and the hollow body will help with the weight issue too. I will be looking at getting a copy of the Macca one, but there are so many copies out there it is difficult to choose mainly because this style of bass are not stocked in the local shops to try them out. I haven't yet looked into the different makes and models. It might depend on what I can get for existing Hohner. I'm not bothered about sound or quality too much, as long as it is playable and there is no fret rattle!! Has anyone got any opinions of this type of bass? Phil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Might not be of much use,but here's a bit of a thread, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=70544&hl=beatle+bass"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...;hl=beatle+bass[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Sounds like you're looking for one of the cheap Far Eastern jobs, something like a Shine. Or you could push the boat out a bit and get a bass with Hofner on the headstock, maybe a Legend or a second-hand Icon. In truth, there aren't many really bad new basses out there these days. Build quality in China (and Korea and Indonesia and Vietnam etc.) is usually at least adequate. You may have to put a bit of effort into getting the set-up right, though. A genuine German-made Hofner 500/1 will weigh about 5lbs. A Chinese-made Hofner has a "sustain block" (which is no such thing, of course) and will weigh nearer 6lbs. Even the really cheap copies will still weigh less than 7lbs, and should be much easier on your neck & shoulder than your Hohner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 The Hofner Contemporary Series model is very good. I owned one for a while & the only difficulty I had with it was the lack of dot markers on the side of the neck. Lovely instrument, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 I think you should take a look at the for sale section, there is a very nice epiphone EB-1 there for £180 posted. Sorry for the shameless plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkonthehill Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='891727' date='Jul 11 2010, 01:58 AM']I think you should take a look at the for sale section, there is a very nice epiphone EB-1 there for £180 posted. Sorry for the shameless plug.[/quote] +1 on the EB-1 in sale section, Stephen is a great guy to deal with also and his setup on basses is top notch too. A bass to seriously consider as its not pricey, looks the part and in mint condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 As cool as it looks, the EB1 isn't hollow body though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munkonthehill Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 [quote name='BigRedX' post='891765' date='Jul 11 2010, 08:47 AM']As cool as it looks, the EB1 isn't hollow body though.[/quote] no but it is very light and theres no chance of busting it up if you look at it wrongly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.mcglassup Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 It would have to be hollow bodied to be honest to make the necessary weight savings. I am always careful with my basses. Would you say that the Hofner contemporary series is mid-way between a cheap copy and a German Hofner? I admit I don't know much about the different manufacturers and models. Where's the best (and cheapest) place to get one? Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.mcglassup Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Is the Hofner Contemporary Series Violin Bass the HCT5001SB? Sorry to sound a bit thick -but I'm new to these sort of basses, though I do learn quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 I used to own a Hofner Ignition (c.£200 model) it weighed next to nothing, sounded right and played fine. But the bass always felt very brittle, not terribly substantial. Therefore I never really gigged it, thinking maybe it's just a personal thing as I usually abuse 70's Fenders. Eventually, I managed to compare mine with a friends' Contemporary (c.£500) model and the build quality was evident - more robust all round, better paint job, seemingly better parts etc. I can't help but feel that if I'd have paid a little more I'd still own one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The HCT is the Hofner Contemporary. The Hofner Icon is essentially the same bass, but for the U.S. market. Both basses are well-made Chinese copies, built under licence with direct involvement by Hofner. They retain the deeply quirky controls used since 1959, which is part of the charm of these instruments (once you've stopped swearing). They originally sold for about £350. The Hofner Legend is a further step down in price. I haven't played one, so I can't comment on the quality, but I'd be surprised if Hofner have chosen to compromise too much. All the Chinese-made Hofners have a block of wood running down the centre of the body. This makes them easier and cheaper to build, but also heavier, and of course they do NOT sound exactly like the real thing. Every violin bass I've ever played has [i][b]felt [/b][/i]"fragile" or "brittle", but actually they're not. The original German Hofners, especially, are as tough as old boots. Easy to scratch the finish, yes, but you won't break the instrument in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 [quote name='phil.mcglassup' post='891540' date='Jul 10 2010, 07:38 PM']Hi All, Due to a problem with my shoulder which makes playing a bass stood up painful I have considered changing from a Hohner B2a to a violin bass. The short scale will help and the hollow body will help with the weight issue too. I will be looking at getting a copy of the Macca one, but there are so many copies out there it is difficult to choose mainly because this style of bass are not stocked in the local shops to try them out. I haven't yet looked into the different makes and models. It might depend on what I can get for existing Hohner. I'm not bothered about sound or quality too much, as long as it is playable and there is no fret rattle!! Has anyone got any opinions of this type of bass? Phil.[/quote] I tried the Violin bass for this exact reason, but found them to be uncomfortable. Depending on model they have a bit of neck dive and found this just as uncomfortable as a full sized bass. Plus, the small bodies make for seated playing awkward and clumsy. Is this something you've considered, because I know I hadn't? There are some good short scale semi acoustics out there. I've just picked up a Tanglewood TEB-12 for £100! A superb 30" lightweight bass with a good neck, and nice beefy humbuckers. There has recently been one on eBay (was called a Candlewood though - girl didn't know what she was selling!), and there has been one on here very recently in the sales section. Not sure if it's still available mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.mcglassup Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 Lots to consider!! Thanks all. Could someone explain what 'neck dive' is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GЯДИКФЯ Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 [quote name='phil.mcglassup' post='893710' date='Jul 13 2010, 01:50 PM']Lots to consider!! Thanks all. Could someone explain what 'neck dive' is?[/quote] Neck dive is a tendency for the headstock to fall towards the floor when the bass is on a strap and not supported with the left hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Basses with small bodies, particularly hollow bodies can suffer from this. It makes playing awkward and uncomfortable so can negate any benefits of the whole 'going lighter route' ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.mcglassup Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 That's certainly something to think about!! Finally, what is the best way to value the two basses that I need to sell? Is there anywhere in particular online? I have a red active Hohner B2a and an '85 ish Black Fender (Japan) Precision. Any info appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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