LeftyBassist.com

... from my friends.

Someone posted a long youtube about the Beatles' amplifiers, and when they changed and to what, etc. Very interesting. Then I noticed a history of Sir Paul's various guitars (and basses), starting with the British form of a Western Auto acoustic guitar. My wife watched it with me for a bit. I told her that I had always wanted a Beatle Bass - not necessarily a Hofner, but even a cheap knock-off.

She told me to pick one and she would get it for me.

I realize that all of the knock-offs are likely Chinese, but how do I know a decent one from ones to avoid? Jay Turser? De Rosa? Rogue? ___(fill in the blank)_____? There is no Guitar Center for four hours (one-way), no way to play a bunch and pick one.

Or, anyone have a lefty violin bass that would like to sell?

I highly recommend looking at a real Höfner. The Chinese-made, affordable Ignition (formerly called Icon) and Contemporary series offer great value for money, are really well-made (in fact, Höfner opened their own factory/workshop in China, where they also have parts made for their high-end German series!) and have the proper looks, tone and name on the headstock. The Contemporary (or CT) is the more expensive of the two, and differs slightly from the traditional models in that it has a solid center block down the length of the body. This adds weight and alters the tone (less boxy and more modern and tighter). The Ignition is built like a traditional Höfner 500/1.

There are two versions of the Ignition at the moment, one CITES with a rosewood fingerboard and one non-CITES with a lighter-coloured jatoba fingerboard. I highly favour the darker rosewood.

https://www.hofner-guitars.com/guitars- ... -1509.html

https://www.hofner-guitars.com/guitars- ... -lh-c.html

I've got a Hofner HCT 500/1. Great little bass. I just had mine set up and coincidentally had a good play on it this morning.

If you don't have the 2 thousand plus for a German made Hofner--and that is best--then I would choose the HCT over the Ignition.

CITES is no longer applicable. Get the rosewood model.
I had the Jay Turser version for a bit, it was ok. And tried the Epiphone one as well. For the money, get the Hofner Ignition - it sounds and feels right.

I own two cheap Hofner/clones, a Rogue VB-100 and a Hofner Hi Series B-Bass (Union Jack finish). I play the Hofner all the time in one of the cover bands I'm in specifically for Beatles songs and 'cause it looks so cool. But truthfully, I prefer the Rogue. Wider neck, feels a little more solid, and still tubby and boomy but not as muddy sounding as the Hofner. But the Hofner's the head turner. Both are close enough in sound to the real deal, IMO, and for my needs I could never justify paying what a German Hofner goes for.

I have a Rogue that I would consider selling for $150 plus shipping. It's mint condition.

Are you in the continental US?

If so, I'm selling my German Euroburst '62 Hofner. It had a headstock repair in 2016, but it's as solid as the day I bought it. I've been gigging with it ever since with no issues. I'm only selling to finance another Hoffy I can't live without, or I'd rather keep it.

Anyway, I don't know if it's in your budget, but it's a good deal on a solid German model (I paid north of $3000 USD for it). I'll knock a little off for you here if you are interested. Here's the reverb listing. Happy to answer any questions you might have!


https://reverb.com/item/27225724-lefty- ... eatle-bass

Man, that Hofner is gorgeous! Would you be interested in mostly cash, partly trade? If not, I understand. But Yikes that looks great.

Sorry, no trades. Gotta finance another one

No problem. Good luck. I might have enough money coming in next week to cover it. I hope you have sold it, but if not, I'm definitely interested.

Just Pm'd you.

Are you going for a Club again?

I wish! A 500/1 Cavern actually

Didn’t get a PM

So, today I received a Rogue violin bass from our fellow lefty member crescenze. I have played with it unplugged only so far, but I have a gig tomorrow and will run it through some paces. I actually ordered a h/s case and sent it to him to pack and ship back to me. It is in pristine condition. I am happy but will know more tomorrow night.

Thanks, guys.

My wife says that this is a combination birthday/anniversary/whatever gift from her, and she is paying for it. I think I'll keep her. (Maybe I should have looked harder at that Hofner after all....)