Hofner 500/1 Violin Beatle Bass Sunburst Vintage 1964
NB Commission Sale : Shop Purchase / Collection preferred.
Insured mainland UK delivery can be quoted for at cost, call 0208 977 7788 to find out more or email your address etc to help@hillsound.co.uk. £9.99 standard delivery does NOT apply.
The Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass was designed by Walter Hofner and launched at the Frankfurt Music Messe in 1956. Paul McCartney bought his 1961 violin bass in Hamburg and famously used it throughout the 1960s live until the Beatles ceased live performance. His original 61 was stolen in 1972 and recently returned to him after 50 years of being out of his possession.
This really vibey 1964 example is in appropriate condition for age with lots of playing wear. It has however been recently refurbished by CCGX and plays beautfully well with a great action.
All tuners function but the D is quite stiff, there is a section of nut missing at the back between D and G, however the zero fret minimises the effect of this. There are numerous playing scratches on the top, buckle rash on the back, and 2 major sites of absent lacquer plus some headstock dinks. The bass weighs 4.7lb and is strung with flatwounds as you'd expect. The original case is long gone but the bass is supplied with a TGI gigbag,
Hofner spec:
Fully hollow body.
Finish: Sunburst.
Body Wood Top: Spruce
Back: Flame Maple
Sides: Flame Maple
Neck Wood: Flame Maple/Beech/Flame Maple
Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
Scale: 30"/76cm
Nut Width: 42mm
Number Of Frets: 22
