Its so refreshing to hear good awesome comments about the ignition bass. I am 70 and could not resist buying one last month as I have always thought they are so cool but couldnt afford one. I cannot put it down. I play all sorts of instruments but have only just realised how the bass falls to my musical soul....its my best friend! I find it very natural. I just love this cool looking bass maybe coz I am a violin player? It was cool when new and it still is!!! I suffer a bit from hearing loss so do not hear much difference between the original German 500/1. The ignition series suits my pension pocket and still gives a punch to my deaf old ears that I can hear really well. Being hollow you can FEEL the thing resonate against you!!. Guys ...I should have been a rock star 50 years ago. I have missed out!! Bugger!!! Pete
I had an original when I was a youngster back in the ‘60’s. All the street cred of a Gary Barlow signature Strat. Sold it with a case for £15 - wish I still had it now of course 😩
I absolutely relate to this comment. I could (almost) never afford the guitars I wanted in my youth but find now that I can. Two years ago I got a Les Paul and a Blackstar 40W club valve Amp. Wonderful. I say 'almost' because I did get lucky once about 40 years ago. I managed to save up £200 one summer and went to this used guitar shop in Birkenhead (still there ! Hammersounds - they mostly do repairs now). On the wall was a Fender Precision base and they only wanted £175 for it because it was shop damaged. The 'damage' was a chip on the bodywork on the side of the body just below the volume/treble pots. Back then, that devalued an instrument whereas now you'd pay extra because the 'damaged' look is in. Otherwise the bass was perfect and I now feel like an idiot for selling it as it was one of the best instruments I have ever owned.
Move over dudes! Hope room for one more nit-wit in this boat. Had 2 500/1's back in the day. One of them paid $100.00 the other maybe $150.00. This was late 60's now. Only a picture of one and an actual recording I used it on for the other.. At least I have that!. Of course, I know NOT to ever get rid of anything that cool again. Fortunately, got to aquire one of these Ignition's and boy I'm enjoying this one more than the 2 former ones. Guy sold it on E-BAY and I didn't hesitate. Price was unbelievable with the case. All good. Great shape. It was like brand new. Well worth the 50 years kicking myself in the arse!! And that's a longtime!!!
my grandfather apparently had one of the originals of these from the 60s. Good reason to learn how to play bass ig given that he's been dead for a few years and no-one else in the family has claimed it yet.
@@mytoosents8998 i wouldnt, even if it wasnt what it was. I have a shitty columbus stratocaster clone from the 70s that also belonged to him that i am no more willing to part with simply because they belonged to my grandfather. Rest assured the violin bass isnt going anywhere either.
I've seen a couple of the vintage German models. I think because of the hollow light wood that the violin style is more subseptable to moisture and dryness the neck can twist. Keep these bases in a climate-controlled environment. . I picked up Hoffner ignition series a few years ago very good well built violin Style bass. They sound great look great highly recommended made in Indonesia
I haven't seen anyone else say that copyright is a problem, but instead there where many video that show it correctly without any problems. So that's not a good excuse for having no idea what you're playing.
@@spaghettisauce445 I know that as well. I like hofner simply because the wieght feels like holding a pencil. Mccartney said it something like that in 'Get Back'.
Love The Beatles and love Paul McCartney's bass work on the Hofner but always thought this bass was a bit of a relic from early bass history. How wrong I was. Bought the Cavern bass a few moths ago and now I hardly play my other basses I'm so hooked on the Hofner. The fact it has some meaty tones and practically weighs nothing is a treat to the ear and my back. Good review for a very worthy instrument. Thanks.
Been playing P basses, Jazz basses since the 70's, went to Mustangs and Broncos in the 80's and 90's due to bad back. Turning 66 this November and been playing these "hofey's" for a couple of years now because of my back and will play them till I drop. 4 sets night, 4 nights a week and my back doesn't feel a thing, and they sound FANTASTIC!
He did not mention that this is a Hollowbody bass that plays much louder than any other bass unplugged. It's basically a small acoustic bass as well as a full on electric bass. Good deep tone, light weight, comfortable to play. A winner in many way's.
That I don't know. But recently I got a sunburst guitar online. In the pics it looked meh, at home way better, so ya just don't know without seeing it in a store.
EASY one of the top 3 budget basses around at the moment. Possibly a slightly unconventional choice for your first instrument ( personally I'd get one of the Squiers if that's what you're after - the Jaguar Vintage Modified being my personal favourite). I see this as the sort of thing an intermediate player (and beyond) player might buy. So they can branch out and experiment with different styles and tones but without shelling out a fortune for an instrument that isn't going to be their primary weapon.
Ignition basses are fucking awesome. I have vintage fenders a 63 jazz 66 Pbass. 74 jazz. But all I play now is the Hofner ignition. Best neck, so easy to play.
I played a contemporary model and it rocked. Comfortable, the boost is awesome, it’s lightweight and still feels very comfy. Although whenever I watch a video about a bass guitar, you have to turn the volume up on your phone to hear it.
Hi, nice video. This Bass Will never hurt your back on long gigs and it sounds amazing. Try to get one older from the chinese factory, before they sold the licens to the Indonesians. Its plays better and is far closer to the german original. This Bass is a real keeper 👍🎸
Looking forward to the delivery of my bass later this week. Thanks Dagan. I fooled around playing the bass in college 45 years ago, and have lusted over the violin bass ever since. Even if I never learned how to play as well as you, I'll still look good doing it!
@@drewtube9367 Oh really? Wow! I heard you can't get it in person at Guitar Center, is that correct? How did you get it and is it worth it? Sorry if I'm asking too much, I want to get it. And I'll comment on your video and heart me because I only get like and heart notifications if you heart me I know that you made a reply
This sound not like Beatles because default strings made roundwound. If you want beatle bass sound, you put flatwound string & mostly play with a pick.
Sounds not like Beatle because , if the guy knew anything about instruments he would have removed the protective foam between the bridge and the body ;)
@@vexingvortex4764 Yeah, but flatrounds make them sound more like upright basses which is probably why someone who doesn't like the Beatles would get one.
I recently bought this bass, it's my first one... and absolutely love the vintage Höfner bass sound, so I put the LaBella flat wounded strings on it. Actually I'm no bass player, but a drummer with some guitar, bass and keyboard skills... Of course it's a very personal choice, but i think, it perfectly fits my needs as an occasional bass player, and I figured out that it's obviously much harder to make a bass with solid body sound like a hollow body than the opposite way... So, if you look for an allround- bass, this one certainly won't be a bad choice. And then: is there any better-looking bass than this one???
I genuinely think it looks cool but basses with strap locks reaching the 12th fret balance better, better balance usually means better playability standing up. I'd take overall playability over looks if my decision counts on it imo.
I wish there were more comments from those who own one of these. Either positive or negative would do ...I know the Contemporary has the centre block but I like the idea of this being fully hollow even though its entry level. More comparison videos between the two please!!
Bought one of these from this very store (Newcastle branch) in August 2016 and I love it to bits. The Hofner switch system is a bit of an oddity, but if Macca can work it out I dare say I can. I wish it came with the traditional teacup controls, buy I think these can be bought as an add-on from Hofner themselves. Or maybe PMT have them...I should ask next time I'm in. :)
Not to be a party pooper and I'm sure most know anyway... but first song he plays here, "Come Together", that song's famous bass line with that fat bottomed, tight, punchy bass that carries the main riff is NOT a Hofner, but was played on a Rickenbacker.. ...which is truly "The Beatles Sound" when it comes to all the mid-period and later albums where you can actually hear detailed bass tones..... The very early with the Hofner records were poorly recorded, relatively. Even the tape stock that was used at EMI for those early sessions was low quality tape with poor "resolution" and frequency response... the records were mixed mainly for mono, AM radio, air play. When The Beatles began to come in to their own as writers and eventually on into creative studio production and experimentation, MCcartney had switched to the Rickenbacker and alternated with his Jazz bass. The Rickenbacker became his main bass before Rubber Soul... EMI had taken delivery of new tape machines and soon after the second legendary Redd console . Geoff Emerrick also began to experiment with more multi-tracking, changed mic-ing and tracking technique/procedures, you begin to hear instruments better... Revolver is the Rickenbacker, as well as Sgt. Pepper that followed and the bass really began to be featured by seriously boosting presence, tightening with compression. Listen to "Get By With A Little Help...." to hear bass featured in the foreground moving as a counter-melody to the lead vocal track. This new technique literally changed everything about the way ":bass" was recorded and used from then on... and is what we think of as "the Beatles Sound". The White Album had 30 songs and Paul did use the Hofner on one song, only. (Revolution). In the next and final 5 years, the Rickenbacker was used primarily, his Jazz bass was used often as well. The Fender VI is also only several tracks, then for their short departure from George Martin for the "live in the studio" project, "let It Be", he does bring back the old violin bass on some tracks. The ones with Hofner do have a cool character but you also hear the "wolf tones" from random, harmonic resonances of the plywood body that seem to double the fundamental tone as slightly out of tune, ghost harmonics. Odd and a bit sloppy sounding but happens to work musically with the vibe of the project. But in an instant, it's easy to understand why he scrapped it for the Rick. I didn't mean to get this deep into it, I love the Hofner bass and have owned a few vintage originals. I also know better than to stick my nose into posts like this and don't mean to discredit. I just think that sometimes many people think the Hofner bass was heard much more than it actually was. .I'm retired after 45 straight years in studio production as my sole career and actually ran across this while looking for clips of new Hofners. I plan to buy one for my personal production studio that I'll add to my instruments.. .. I want several voices of bass to choose when I feel like taking on a project. They are great for quirky or unusual sounding tracks when needed and I'm looking forward to finding the right Hofner. ...but if wanted to get "The Beatles Sound"... I'd use a Rick! And there's an amazing book, if you can find it, called "The Beatles: Recording Sessions: The Official Abbey Road Studio Session Notes". It's been out of print a while....unless reissued, but it's a massive collection of Geoff Emerick's personal hand-written session notes on EVERY SINGLE TRACK of EVERY SINGLE TAKE, of EVERY SINGLE SONG, from every session that was recorded from 1962 until 1970. Incredible track-by-track, take-by-take, (literally thousands of experimental takes) details of session progress the Beatles made while working towards the completion of their many albums. A must for all professionals or anyone in music production!! Peace.
A brilliant summary and spot on. Macca's Rick bass is a beast, as is his playing. If only Rickenbacker made an affordable version😬. Stretched to a v64 360/12 back in the 90s..... But will have to stick to my jazz for the time being🙂
I love mine. I’m surprised they’re not more popular than they are. I’ve seen a lot of people turn their nose up at them but they usually change their mind when they hear one. Can take a little bit of getting used to if your used to a fat neck from your average bass.
Well, I have several Bass guitars, though I have always played lead guitar in various bands, including a couple of Beatles Tribute bands, and I tend to play my Hofner more than the other bass guitars I own, simply because it's fun to play and it's light as a feather. When you have had neck surgeries, it's a PLUS. Besides, I love the sound I get out of my Hofner, especially if I am doing a Beatles Tune.
Finally bought one of these myself after loads of research. Obviously wanted to be convinced anyway out of McCartney fanboydom. Well with a bit of experimentation on a Hartke bass combo amp...jesus....would never have thought I could get such an unmatchable deeply rich warm meaty bass sound out of just these two components. £300 for the bass, £80 for the 15w amp (I'm only recording, not playing live). Plus physically it's just such a pleasure to play. You shockingly feel like you've got a real instrument in your hands, not just some electric guitar.
I want to engineer a basswood of the guitar body-chamber that is sealed so it can hold ‘noble gases’. I know the wood has micro-caves that can avoid echoes in the chamber. Then experimental varnishes can be applied to experiment with variances in the band of sound.
is this a good beginner bass? id love to have Paul McCarthy sound as i was born and raised in Liverpool and grew up with the Beatles blasting up and down my street
I find it interesting that they make the cheapest line of Hofners, fully hollow like they should be, while their mid-priced line are braced or blocked. I don’t know about about most people, but if I have a Hofner, I want it to be fully hollow.
I bought a Hofner copy back in 1996 (made by "Rogue"), which is for my taste a terrific bass, and so much more like the authentic 60's Hofner Beatle bass than anything Hofner produces now overseas. I have played the bass show here, and it feels like a toy by comparison. But I'm not bitching. It looks cool, it plays easy, and it sounds OK. Just my two bits. And by the way, Rogue itself now makes a far-inferior (to what they made 20 years ago) "copy of a copy." As for the 60s Hofner, have you got a spare $4,000?
Thank you, Dagan for the review! I have ordered one from Thomann, and I am going to use it to Irish folk music. The sound and the looks suits that as well. As a little, comfortable, electric "upright" bass. :) Ps. Pay more attention on your muting!
Technically their midrange model would be the Hofner 500/1 Contemporary Bass or Hofner CT. However, it's quite different. It has a center block so it's not fully hollow. It's still manufactured in Asia like the Ignition. The control panel appears to be similar too. Quality control is all over the map on both lines, so it's tough to have a consistent judgement call on that, but the CT is going to give you better pickups than the Ignition. With the center block, the CT is a more modern sounding bass, and arguably more versatile, but if you're going for that Beatles tone, which most people who have their eyes on these are, the Ignition is going to be closer to the true German Hofner 500/1. For my money, the ignition is much more bang for your buck. We're talking a nearly $600 price difference for a bass that's still made over seas. I'd just get the ignition for $300, which is a fantastic bass for the price and make incremental upgrades over time. Just find a decent shop for a good set up and slap some LaBella Flatwounds, and you're in business, provided you have a decent amp.
I need one of these in my life, PRONTO! By the way...even though these are a low-cost Hofner, the Germans are NOT going to allow anyone to manufacture junk that would tarnish their legendary reputation!
So I've never played bass or guitar before, but I am interested in bass. Should I spend the money I have now and get the ROGUE VB100, or save up a little more and get this instead?
The most recommended at similar prices is the Epiphone Viola Bass it is slightly more expensive than the Höfner Ignition but it is really well made and it is better quality than the Höfner. If you're a Beatles fan that's just looking for the original Höfner because you love Macca, do the Höfner. If you just want a similar one to a Hofner that's cheap it would be the Rogue, the Rogue isn't really good quality. I don't recommend it.
I was wondering the same thing. I haven’t played either so I couldn’t tell you but I think I’ve seen more people on the internet say that the Hofner is better than the Rogue. I’m not sure about that though. If I were you, I’d do my own research and try to decide myself.
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Am eagerly awaiting for mine to arrive. To engage both pickups is it done by engaging the solo switch either way, with the the other two switches in the off position?
Hello Dagen, I just have to tell you that your accent is as beautiful to listen to as this Violin bass. Where in the UK are you from? My gut says Bristol, but it's hard to be certain these days. Haha. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoy listening to this video. Cheers from Canada!
@@JohnSmith-sz4cq Yeah I was wrong. He mentions in other videos that he's in Newcastle. I felt silly for getting them mixed up but to my Canadian ears there are similar sing-songy qualities.
What's the difference between this bass and the special edition? (Ignition models) All I can detect is the Hofner sign near the pickup on the special edition and a separate Bassman sticker to attach to the bass to make you feel like McCartney on the roof of Apple.
I went to guitar center, and I saw the hofner, it sounded great, but I'm left handed and the hofner was right handed, and I thought that would be one of the left handed basses in the bass section, but there wasn't a single lefty there sadly, so no basses for me
Hi, How are you doing? I have a Hofner ignition bass like yours. It sounds fantastic and no complaints about it, but I ´ve got a question for you. What did you do to the little foam under the bridge? Did you get rid of it or you still keep it under the bridge? One problem I faced when I had to change the bass strings was when the floating bridge moved from its place and I couldn't put it back in its original position! I found one way to avoid this problem, a famous luthier here in Mexico glued the floating bridge with high quality glue and I have played my Hofner bass for around five years with this little modification and the sound hasn't changed at all, and every time I change strings I don't have to face this problem any more.
If you replace strings one at a time the bridge shouldn't move. Glueing the bridge isn't a good idea as when you change to a different set of strings you may need to move it backwards or forwards to dial back in the intonation.
It is recommended to remove the foam and not glue the bridge in place. I have done this with jazz guitars. Not glueing it in place allows you to change the bridge later if for repairs or upgrades. Also, the string pressure will keep the bridge in place just fine. The bridge should come in flush and direct contact with the body of the instrument for optimal resonation. I play upright bass and the same rules apply to that instrument, as well. Hope it helps.
I own one but there is something that makes the strings vibrate abnormally, making the instrument unplayable... can anyone tell me how I can solve the problem?
Its so refreshing to hear good awesome comments about the ignition bass.
I am 70 and could not resist buying one last month as I have always thought they are so cool but couldnt afford one.
I cannot put it down.
I play all sorts of instruments but have only just realised how the bass falls to my musical soul....its my best friend!
I find it very natural.
I just love this cool looking bass maybe coz I am a violin player?
It was cool when new and it still is!!!
I suffer a bit from hearing loss so do not hear much difference between the original German 500/1.
The ignition series suits my pension pocket and still gives a punch to my deaf old ears that I can hear really well.
Being hollow you can FEEL the thing resonate against you!!.
Guys ...I should have been a rock star 50 years ago.
I have missed out!!
Bugger!!!
Pete
I love this comment.
I had an original when I was a youngster back in the ‘60’s. All the street cred of a Gary Barlow signature Strat. Sold it with a case for £15 - wish I still had it now of course 😩
I absolutely relate to this comment. I could (almost) never afford the guitars I wanted in my youth but find now that I can. Two years ago I got a Les Paul and a Blackstar 40W club valve Amp. Wonderful. I say 'almost' because I did get lucky once about 40 years ago. I managed to save up £200 one summer and went to this used guitar shop in Birkenhead (still there ! Hammersounds - they mostly do repairs now). On the wall was a Fender Precision base and they only wanted £175 for it because it was shop damaged. The 'damage' was a chip on the bodywork on the side of the body just below the volume/treble pots. Back then, that devalued an instrument whereas now you'd pay extra because the 'damaged' look is in. Otherwise the bass was perfect and I now feel like an idiot for selling it as it was one of the best instruments I have ever owned.
Move over dudes! Hope room for one more nit-wit in this boat. Had 2 500/1's back in the day. One of them paid $100.00 the other maybe $150.00. This was late 60's now. Only a picture of one and an actual recording I used it on for the other.. At least I have that!. Of course, I know NOT to ever get rid of anything that cool again. Fortunately, got to aquire one of these Ignition's and boy I'm enjoying this one more than the 2 former ones. Guy sold it on E-BAY and I didn't hesitate. Price was unbelievable with the case. All good. Great shape. It was like brand new. Well worth the 50 years kicking myself in the arse!! And that's a longtime!!!
It's not too late!
I swear to god if he plays Come Togeth-
He played it wrong too 💀
Is that what he was trying to play?
😀
Do you not think it could be due to copyrights? 🤔
the coolest ever looking bass guitar, imho.
Most of the time in exchange for looks the ergonomics take a beating
And I think it only cost about $400 so it won't break the bank.
Rickenbacker imo
@@MikeVoss I agree, the 4001
I think there are so many different basses and a lot of them look really cool so it’s hard to have just 1 favorite
0:16, heart skipped a beat, thought he was gonna smack the other guitars
That's where all PMT's battered b-stock comes from
Im so proud of having this bass. My grandfather got that bass in the 70s I think. I must say that it’s an very nice sound on the bass:)
my grandfather apparently had one of the originals of these from the 60s. Good reason to learn how to play bass ig given that he's been dead for a few years and no-one else in the family has claimed it yet.
Don't ever get rid of it!!!
@@mytoosents8998 i wouldnt, even if it wasnt what it was. I have a shitty columbus stratocaster clone from the 70s that also belonged to him that i am no more willing to part with simply because they belonged to my grandfather. Rest assured the violin bass isnt going anywhere either.
I've seen a couple of the vintage German models. I think because of the hollow light wood that the violin style is more subseptable to moisture and dryness the neck can twist. Keep these bases in a climate-controlled environment. . I picked up Hoffner ignition series a few years ago very good well built violin Style bass. They sound great look great highly recommended made in Indonesia
To everyone saying he can’t play Come Together: theres a little thing called copyright that can be a pain in the ass if you get striked by it
I haven't seen anyone else say that copyright is a problem, but instead there where many video that show it correctly without any problems. So that's not a good excuse for having no idea what you're playing.
@@counterfeit1148 Those people probably aren't monetized so they don't have to worry about copyright
@@Paul-gf6kp your right pal..... this lad does know how to play a base
@@Paul-gf6kp it’s better to be safe.... copyright could be a problem
have you ever heard of a cover? If you yourself play a song, it will not get copyrighted.
Got one of these last year, love it !
Paul Mccartney, my main bass inspiration. That hofner bass is on top my list.
But he mostly used the Rickenbacker on his best lines
@@spaghettisauce445 I know that as well. I like hofner simply because the wieght feels like holding a pencil. Mccartney said it something like that in 'Get Back'.
You're the only who explains the control panel clearly and able to understand. Thank you.
Love The Beatles and love Paul McCartney's bass work on the Hofner but always thought this bass was a bit of a relic from early bass history. How wrong I was. Bought the Cavern bass a few moths ago and now I hardly play my other basses I'm so hooked on the Hofner. The fact it has some meaty tones and practically weighs nothing is a treat to the ear and my back. Good review for a very worthy instrument. Thanks.
Been playing P basses, Jazz basses since the 70's, went to Mustangs and Broncos in the 80's and 90's due to bad back. Turning 66 this November and been playing these "hofey's" for a couple of years now because of my back and will play them till I drop. 4 sets night, 4 nights a week and my back doesn't feel a thing, and they sound FANTASTIC!
He did not mention that this is a Hollowbody bass that plays much louder than any other bass unplugged. It's basically a small acoustic bass as well as a full on electric bass. Good deep tone, light weight, comfortable to play. A winner in many way's.
I just got one of these today and I'm stoked to play it!!!
Why is this sunburst colour so attractive compared to when you actually get it in the mail
That I don't know. But recently I got a sunburst guitar online. In the pics it looked meh, at home way better, so ya just don't know without seeing it in a store.
Justin Almazan I saw this exact bass at PMT and the colour looks just as good.
i think it looks even better in the mail
@@pieta9097 how do you like yours?
@@blablablabla8613 i love it
EASY one of the top 3 budget basses around at the moment.
Possibly a slightly unconventional choice for your first instrument ( personally I'd get one of the Squiers if that's what you're after - the Jaguar Vintage Modified being my personal favourite).
I see this as the sort of thing an intermediate player (and beyond) player might buy. So they can branch out and experiment with different styles and tones but without shelling out a fortune for an instrument that isn't going to be their primary weapon.
£256 NEW!! I bought one from Norwich PMT. Love it!!
Then I put flatwound on. Not my preferred sound but this means I won't be selling my 80's Yamaha bass as planned. They sound so different.
Ignition basses are fucking awesome. I have vintage fenders a 63 jazz 66 Pbass. 74 jazz. But all I play now is the Hofner ignition. Best neck, so easy to play.
I played a contemporary model and it rocked. Comfortable, the boost is awesome, it’s lightweight and still feels very comfy. Although whenever I watch a video about a bass guitar, you have to turn the volume up on your phone to hear it.
Hi, nice video. This Bass Will never hurt your back on long gigs and it sounds amazing. Try to get one older from the chinese factory, before they sold the licens to the Indonesians. Its plays better and is far closer to the german original. This Bass is a real keeper 👍🎸
Do you know how to tell whether the bass is from the Chinese or Indonesian factory?
Wait they make these in Indonesian factories now? Gotta get me one of these bad boys ASAP
I'm so in love with the sound of this bass.
Looking forward to the delivery of my bass later this week. Thanks Dagan. I fooled around playing the bass in college 45 years ago, and have lusted over the violin bass ever since. Even if I never learned how to play as well as you, I'll still look good doing it!
I bought one two days ago. I love it.
Awesome! 🤘
How does he not know how to play come together
Probably a guitar player lol
@@Anthony-df4bs yes, he's a great guitar player, not much of a bass player
he’s a guitar player lol
@@Anthony-df4bs you play it the exact same way on both guitar and bass
He can, but he just played it on a different key
I love The Beatles. Edit: this bass sounds SOOOO good!
I agree! I want to learn bass after guitar, I have a love for string instruments!
@@Max-dr6rz so do I!
@@Max-dr6rz I just got this bass 3 days ago
@@drewtube9367 Oh really? Wow! I heard you can't get it in person at Guitar Center, is that correct? How did you get it and is it worth it? Sorry if I'm asking too much, I want to get it. And I'll comment on your video and heart me because I only get like and heart notifications if you heart me I know that you made a reply
i have one and it's simply amazing. IT'll never lose price. A trendy bass, forever.
The tone form it is what I want and it’s super light damn I might buy one
This sound not like Beatles because default strings made roundwound. If you want beatle bass sound, you put flatwound string & mostly play with a pick.
just because paul mccartney used it doesnt mean that it HAS to sound like the beatles.
Vexing Vortex true you can play it any way you want if it makes you play better
Sounds not like Beatle because , if the guy knew anything about instruments he would have removed the protective foam between the bridge and the body ;)
@@WRM-istomoveon it's a sale item, so it also still has the plastic wrap on the pickguard
@@vexingvortex4764 Yeah, but flatrounds make them sound more like upright basses which is probably why someone who doesn't like the Beatles would get one.
I recently bought this bass, it's my first one... and absolutely love the vintage Höfner bass sound, so I put the LaBella flat wounded strings on it. Actually I'm no bass player, but a drummer with some guitar, bass and keyboard skills... Of course it's a very personal choice, but i think, it perfectly fits my needs as an occasional bass player, and I figured out that it's obviously much harder to make a bass with solid body sound like a hollow body than the opposite way... So, if you look for an allround- bass, this one certainly won't be a bad choice. And then: is there any better-looking bass than this one???
I genuinely think it looks cool but basses with strap locks reaching the 12th fret balance better, better balance usually means better playability standing up. I'd take overall playability over looks if my decision counts on it imo.
I need one in my life, I'm a beatles fan. And that's the only bass I want. Nothing else.
I’m trying to give one to my brother. He’s a big Paul fan.
@2v_5r unfortunately by the time Christmas comes sales work probably be insane.. I only need a couple of 10 dollar bills to go
Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith also played a Hofner bass. You can see it in the video for What It Takes
I wish there were more comments from those who own one of these. Either positive or negative would do ...I know the Contemporary has the centre block but I like the idea of this being fully hollow even though its entry level. More comparison videos between the two please!!
I like the black , sunburst is nice but black looks better to me.
Damn love that tone
Just sounds perfectly
a pickup way towards the neck like that makes a big difference
i’m 15 and want this guitar so bad… i love the beatles and paul is a big bass inspiration for me !
Bought one of these from this very store (Newcastle branch) in August 2016 and I love it to bits. The Hofner switch system is a bit of an oddity, but if Macca can work it out I dare say I can. I wish it came with the traditional teacup controls, buy I think these can be bought as an add-on from Hofner themselves. Or maybe PMT have them...I should ask next time I'm in. :)
Not to be a party pooper and I'm sure most know anyway... but first song he plays here, "Come Together", that song's famous bass line with that fat bottomed, tight, punchy bass that carries the main riff is NOT a Hofner, but was played on a Rickenbacker.. ...which is truly "The Beatles Sound" when it comes to all the mid-period and later albums where you can actually hear detailed bass tones.....
The very early with the Hofner records were poorly recorded, relatively. Even the tape stock that was used at EMI for those early sessions was low quality tape with poor "resolution" and frequency response... the records were mixed mainly for mono, AM radio, air play. When The Beatles began to come in to their own as writers and eventually on into creative studio production and experimentation, MCcartney had switched to the Rickenbacker and alternated with his Jazz bass. The Rickenbacker became his main bass before Rubber Soul...
EMI had taken delivery of new tape machines and soon after the second legendary Redd console . Geoff Emerrick also began to experiment with more multi-tracking, changed mic-ing and tracking technique/procedures, you begin to hear instruments better... Revolver is the Rickenbacker, as well as Sgt. Pepper that followed and the bass really began to be featured by seriously boosting presence, tightening with compression. Listen to "Get By With A Little Help...." to hear bass featured in the foreground moving as a counter-melody to the lead vocal track. This new technique literally changed everything about the way ":bass" was recorded and used from then on... and is what we think of as "the Beatles Sound".
The White Album had 30 songs and Paul did use the Hofner on one song, only. (Revolution).
In the next and final 5 years, the Rickenbacker was used primarily, his Jazz bass was used often as well. The Fender VI is also only several tracks, then for their short departure from George Martin for the "live in the studio" project, "let It Be", he does bring back the old violin bass on some tracks. The ones with Hofner do have a cool character but you also hear the "wolf tones" from random, harmonic resonances of the plywood body that seem to double the fundamental tone as slightly out of tune, ghost harmonics. Odd and a bit sloppy sounding but happens to work musically with the vibe of the project. But in an instant, it's easy to understand why he scrapped it for the Rick.
I didn't mean to get this deep into it, I love the Hofner bass and have owned a few vintage originals. I also know better than to stick my nose into posts like this and don't mean to discredit. I just think that sometimes many people think the Hofner bass was heard much more than it actually was. .I'm retired after 45 straight years in studio production as my sole career and actually ran across this while looking for clips of new Hofners. I plan to buy one for my personal production studio that I'll add to my instruments.. .. I want several voices of bass to choose when I feel like taking on a project. They are great for quirky or unusual sounding tracks when needed and I'm looking forward to finding the right Hofner. ...but if wanted to get "The Beatles Sound"... I'd use a Rick! And there's an amazing book, if you can find it, called "The Beatles: Recording Sessions: The Official Abbey Road Studio Session Notes". It's been out of print a while....unless reissued, but it's a massive collection of Geoff Emerick's personal hand-written session notes on EVERY SINGLE TRACK of EVERY SINGLE TAKE, of EVERY SINGLE SONG, from every session that was recorded from 1962 until 1970. Incredible track-by-track, take-by-take, (literally thousands of experimental takes) details of session progress the Beatles made while working towards the completion of their many albums. A must for all professionals or anyone in music production!! Peace.
A brilliant summary and spot on. Macca's Rick bass is a beast, as is his playing. If only Rickenbacker made an affordable version😬. Stretched to a v64 360/12 back in the 90s..... But will have to stick to my jazz for the time being🙂
brilliant info i noticed they had a fender 6 string bass like a fender jaguar on the let it be sessions as well great movie just watched it.
I love how it looked in the music video for "Revolution" because it's so small!
Intro aka come together is played 1 octave below
these are so fucking light and they feel awesome
Sounds excellent. Well played Dagan, we'll played.
"THEY JUST RESONATE ABSOLUTELY MENTAL".
Right.
excellent demo video ~ thank you!!
I like it that you play it with the thumb.
I'm happy with my Sire Marcus Miller Bass but there is just something about this bass that makes me want one.
That
Is My Dream Bass
as a child in 1978 i saw this thing in the rehearsal room in our cellar. it had a green light on it
I love mine.
I’m surprised they’re not more popular than they are.
I’ve seen a lot of people turn their nose up at them but they usually change their mind when they hear one.
Can take a little bit of getting used to if your used to a fat neck from your average bass.
I'm as amateur a bass player as you can be, but I'm such a huge Beatles fan that I HAVE to pick it up to compliment my Squier P.
PMT should stock the hofner club bass as well. I was thinking of getting one.
Go for it. Both this bass and the club bass are great.
Bass guitar violin lines ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
How beautiful is this bass, it is very expensive, but one of these days I want to buy a Holfner bass. Hugs. Paul.
Charming chap! thx for the info! Excellent.
Just placed my order for one of you guys 👍🤘
Just bought one today. Real upgrade from the Rogue I played before it.
Well, I have several Bass guitars, though I have always played lead guitar in various bands, including a couple of Beatles Tribute bands, and I tend to play my Hofner more than the other bass guitars I own, simply because it's fun to play and it's light as a feather. When you have had neck surgeries, it's a PLUS. Besides, I love the sound I get out of my Hofner, especially if I am doing a Beatles Tune.
Finally bought one of these myself after loads of research. Obviously wanted to be convinced anyway out of McCartney fanboydom. Well with a bit of experimentation on a Hartke bass combo amp...jesus....would never have thought I could get such an unmatchable deeply rich warm meaty bass sound out of just these two components. £300 for the bass, £80 for the 15w amp (I'm only recording, not playing live). Plus physically it's just such a pleasure to play. You shockingly feel like you've got a real instrument in your hands, not just some electric guitar.
Mine has just arrived !!
Damn I kinda don't play bass but I still want one...
Awesome bass that I'd love to own one day...but I'm kinda eyeing that pearlesque pink back there.
For all friends of the Hofner Violin Bass...must listen to this: Chris Rea, CD 2003, Hofner Blue Notes !!!
I want to engineer a basswood of the guitar body-chamber that is sealed so it can hold ‘noble gases’. I know the wood has micro-caves that can avoid echoes in the chamber. Then experimental varnishes can be applied to experiment with variances in the band of sound.
is this a good beginner bass? id love to have Paul McCarthy sound as i was born and raised in Liverpool and grew up with the Beatles blasting up and down my street
cloop85 I bought this one today, as a beginner ;)
sounds really good
I understand that Hofner and Macca are basically glued to each other, but Come Together it was recorded with a Rickenbacker :-P
Nice strings! I was expecting mellow flatwounds. I sometimes use flats because they have a different sound than dead rounds.
I find it interesting that they make the cheapest line of Hofners, fully hollow like they should be, while their mid-priced line are braced or blocked. I don’t know about about most people, but if I have a Hofner, I want it to be fully hollow.
Should've played Tame Impala! He made some great basslines with the Hofner :)
I come to this video every few months it's just so beautiful I want to eat that bass looks like caramel
Right?
I bought a Hofner copy back in 1996 (made by "Rogue"), which is for my taste a terrific bass, and so much more like the authentic 60's Hofner Beatle bass than anything Hofner produces now overseas. I have played the bass show here, and it feels like a toy by comparison. But I'm not bitching. It looks cool, it plays easy, and it sounds OK. Just my two bits. And by the way, Rogue itself now makes a far-inferior (to what they made 20 years ago) "copy of a copy." As for the 60s Hofner, have you got a spare $4,000?
precisely why i would not buy a rogue!
DUDE dude I need this
Thank you, Dagan for the review!
I have ordered one from Thomann, and I am going to use it to Irish folk music. The sound and the looks suits that as well. As a little, comfortable, electric "upright" bass. :)
Ps. Pay more attention on your muting!
Come Together was recorded with the Rickenbacker.
Great video! If the Ignition is the affordable one,what is the next higher(mid-priced)one?Thanks!
Technically their midrange model would be the Hofner 500/1 Contemporary Bass or Hofner CT. However, it's quite different. It has a center block so it's not fully hollow. It's still manufactured in Asia like the Ignition. The control panel appears to be similar too. Quality control is all over the map on both lines, so it's tough to have a consistent judgement call on that, but the CT is going to give you better pickups than the Ignition. With the center block, the CT is a more modern sounding bass, and arguably more versatile, but if you're going for that Beatles tone, which most people who have their eyes on these are, the Ignition is going to be closer to the true German Hofner 500/1. For my money, the ignition is much more bang for your buck. We're talking a nearly $600 price difference for a bass that's still made over seas. I'd just get the ignition for $300, which is a fantastic bass for the price and make incremental upgrades over time. Just find a decent shop for a good set up and slap some LaBella Flatwounds, and you're in business, provided you have a decent amp.
Love this guy mang
Cool!
Cool video
I need one of these in my life, PRONTO! By the way...even though these are a low-cost Hofner, the Germans are NOT going to allow anyone to manufacture junk that would tarnish their legendary reputation!
Both pick-ups off: the sound drops fast then resonates, but not too low.
I need that I'm starting a cover band
I...think you just won me over.
So I've never played bass or guitar before, but I am interested in bass. Should I spend the money I have now and get the ROGUE VB100, or save up a little more and get this instead?
Probably wait and get the Hofner since Rogue is questionable at best for quality
The most recommended at similar prices is the Epiphone Viola Bass it is slightly more expensive than the Höfner Ignition but it is really well made and it is better quality than the Höfner. If you're a Beatles fan that's just looking for the original Höfner because you love Macca, do the Höfner. If you just want a similar one to a Hofner that's cheap it would be the Rogue, the Rogue isn't really good quality. I don't recommend it.
Epiphone Viola Bass. Sounds and looks better than both.
I was wondering the same thing. I haven’t played either so I couldn’t tell you but I think I’ve seen more people on the internet say that the Hofner is better than the Rogue. I’m not sure about that though. If I were you, I’d do my own research and try to decide myself.
Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas, Wiggle Time! (1998), Yummy Yummy (1998), TV Series 1, TV Series 2, It's a Wiggly Wiggly World!, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Let's Eat!, Go Santa Go!, Rock & Roll Preschool, The Emma! & Lachy! Show, Wiggle Pop! and Party Time! brought me here.📀📼🎥📺😀😃😍
I have a hofner
Now review the Contemporary Series!
Am eagerly awaiting for mine to arrive. To engage both pickups is it done by engaging the solo switch either way, with the the other two switches in the off position?
Hello Dagen, I just have to tell you that your accent is as beautiful to listen to as this Violin bass. Where in the UK are you from? My gut says Bristol, but it's hard to be certain these days. Haha. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoy listening to this video. Cheers from Canada!
Definitely not Bristol/southwest; somewhere in the northeast of England, Durham/Middlesborough sort of way?
@@JohnSmith-sz4cq Yeah I was wrong. He mentions in other videos that he's in Newcastle. I felt silly for getting them mixed up but to my Canadian ears there are similar sing-songy qualities.
What's the difference between this bass and the special edition? (Ignition models) All I can detect is the Hofner sign near the pickup on the special edition and a separate Bassman sticker to attach to the bass to make you feel like McCartney on the roof of Apple.
i want one
yes!
@pmtvuk
it's made overseas? like, in USA?
I went to guitar center, and I saw the hofner, it sounded great, but I'm left handed and the hofner was right handed, and I thought that would be one of the left handed basses in the bass section, but there wasn't a single lefty there sadly, so no basses for me
Are they the exact same as the black ones?
I want one of those but can't find in South Africa. I've only seen epiphone viola bass. It's close but not like the hofner violin bass.
Hi, How are you doing? I have a Hofner ignition bass like yours. It sounds fantastic and no complaints about it, but I ´ve got a question for you. What did you do to the little foam under the bridge? Did you get rid of it or you still keep it under the bridge? One problem I faced when I had to change the bass strings was when the floating bridge moved from its place and I couldn't put it back in its original position! I found one way to avoid this problem, a famous luthier here in Mexico glued the floating bridge with high quality glue and I have played my Hofner bass for around five years with this little modification and the sound hasn't changed at all, and every time I change strings I don't have to face this problem any more.
If you replace strings one at a time the bridge shouldn't move. Glueing the bridge isn't a good idea as when you change to a different set of strings you may need to move it backwards or forwards to dial back in the intonation.
It is recommended to remove the foam and not glue the bridge in place. I have done this with jazz guitars. Not glueing it in place allows you to change the bridge later if for repairs or upgrades. Also, the string pressure will keep the bridge in place just fine. The bridge should come in flush and direct contact with the body of the instrument for optimal resonation. I play upright bass and the same rules apply to that instrument, as well. Hope it helps.
Nice
I own one but there is something that makes the strings vibrate abnormally, making the instrument unplayable... can anyone tell me how I can solve the problem?
WHAT IS BETTER ,HOFNER IGNITION OR EPIPHONE VIOLA BASS??
The one i own has the hofner logo as well as the "since 1887" thingy thing on the white part of the body. Is that supposed to be there? Just asking.