LeftyBassist.com

Saw this on my local Craig's list
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/clt/3106539596.html
I'm close if anyone needs a hands on.... Not a short scale fan but would be happy to check out for any of you that are.

All the parts look more or less correct for the period, except it looks waaaay too new for a 50-year-old bass. No finish checking? No bumps or dings? No worn spots?

The biggest concern I have is the sticker on the back of the headstock. Shouldn't it say "Made in West Germany"?

I think this is a modern V62 upgraded with period-correct strap buttons, available now for just under $2K or so.

On the current Höfners, the sticker says Made In Germany. I don't know what the vintage ones were supposed to say. I have a book on these basses but it's at home and I'm on vacation.

I live in the Philly area as well and not an expert but I suspect this is not a real 60's Hofner. A few items stand out, back in 62 or 63 they did not have "Original Hofner" on the headstock. I love Hofner basses, the history is the bass started in 1955 and did not make it until the The Beatles on Sullivan.

I have seen only a few early Hofners (as late as 68) that had the raised logo on the headstock. Here is a link of some nice pics of a 64 Hofner.

http://www.thebeatalls.com/Beatalls%20Web%20Pics/1964%20Hofner%202002%20restoration%20page.htm

He says it's registered with Hofner.... in that case, it would be easy enough to verify the year...

The raised logo was not introduced until 1964; in later years Hofner went back to the logo decal.

AFAIK, Hofner does not have a database of 'registrations'. There is an online database not maintained by Hofner, available here.

I have checked through the archives and did see a '68 500/1 with the 'Made in Germany' sticker, but not anything earlier. I still don't believe this is an authentic '63, however. Maybe the best thing to do would be to check the pot codes.