1966 Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass Vintage Beatle Bass, Collector-Grade w/ Staple Pickups & Case
$5,399.99
$5,399.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1966 Hofner 500/1 Violin “Beatle Bass” in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Indelibly linked with Paul McCartney and the Beatles, this genuine vintage 500/1 captures the round, pillowy thump and definition of the iconic Beatles sound, with a fully hollow body and “staple” pickups.
There's a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two pickups. The bridge pickup has more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck position has a warm, broad thump. Controls include individual Volume knobs for each pickup as well as a two-way Rhythm/Solo Tone switch which adds a tic-tac cut and punchy presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at just 4lbs 9oz, this Hofner 500/1 Violin bass has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 45-100 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium U, measuring .885” 1st fret, 1.015” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
-Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Open-gear, pearloid buttons
-Factory Markings: “Made in Western Germany” stamp
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, maple
-Pickups: “Staple” single coil x2
-Controls: Volume x2, Rhythm/Solo, Bass On/Off, Treble On/Off
-Harness: Untouched solder, Preh pots date to the 35th week of 1966
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Pearloid pickguard and control plate, “teacup” knobs
The Sunburst gloss finish is 100% original, exhibiting prominent vertical checking (particularly on top), and cosmetic wear is limited to a couple scuffs on the perimeter and a few tiny marks on top at the lower bout. The gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, with a few shallow nicks along the profile length that are not distracting to the palm while fretting.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
There's a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two pickups. The bridge pickup has more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck position has a warm, broad thump. Controls include individual Volume knobs for each pickup as well as a two-way Rhythm/Solo Tone switch which adds a tic-tac cut and punchy presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at just 4lbs 9oz, this Hofner 500/1 Violin bass has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 45-100 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium U, measuring .885” 1st fret, 1.015” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
-Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Open-gear, pearloid buttons
-Factory Markings: “Made in Western Germany” stamp
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, maple
-Pickups: “Staple” single coil x2
-Controls: Volume x2, Rhythm/Solo, Bass On/Off, Treble On/Off
-Harness: Untouched solder, Preh pots date to the 35th week of 1966
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Pearloid pickguard and control plate, “teacup” knobs
The Sunburst gloss finish is 100% original, exhibiting prominent vertical checking (particularly on top), and cosmetic wear is limited to a couple scuffs on the perimeter and a few tiny marks on top at the lower bout. The gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, with a few shallow nicks along the profile length that are not distracting to the palm while fretting.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
