1970 Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass Vintage Violin Bass 100% Original w/ Blade Pickups, Case

Up for sale, a 1970 Hofner 500/1 Violin "Beatle Bass" in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. The bass indelibly linked with Paul McCartney and the Beatles, this genuine vintage 500/1 captures the round, pillowy thump and definition of the Beatles sound, strung with a set of 45-100 D'addario Chromes flatwound strings.There's a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two "blade" pickups. There's more nasally upper midrange cut and sweet growl from the bridge pickup and a girthy, broad thump from the neck position. 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 presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at 4lbs 11oz, this fully hollow instrument has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with comfortable action and accurate intonation.The maple neck has a round, substantial C-shaped profile carve which fills the palm and chords effortlessly, measuring .875" deep at the 1st fret and .960" at the 12th. The rosewood fretboard retains the original slender frets, which are practically perfect. This bass plays cleanly in every register with a straight neck and responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The scale length is 30", and the fretboard width at the zero fret is 1 9/16", forward of the carved bone nut. On the headstock, the Hofner gold silkscreen text is present and there’s some minor cloudiness in the gloss on the headstock face. The original sealed back tuners with white hexagonal buttons turn smoothly and hold pitch well, displaying heavy patina across their gear housings.The electronics function as intended, and the Hofner-embossed blade pickups are wired to the original harness with Preh pots that date to the 24th week of 1970. The harness includes the trio of white switches and stock white teacup knobs. The chrome plating on the Hofner-embossed pickup covers is bright and clean, and the original nickel trapeze tailpiece is present. The original ebony floating bridge is intact too, as is the elevated white pearloid pickguard, which retains the original Hofner black silkscreen logo.The original Sunburst gloss finish shows broad, prominent checking across the body, and the burst frames straight flame figuring that extends across the maple back. Cosmetic wear includes a finish chip on the bass-side lower bout of the spruce top, a few small nicks adjacent to the control plate, and an area of light buckle rash central to the waist on the back. The gloss finish on the neck profile is smooth and clean.The original black form-fit hardshell case with green plush interior is included.