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Up for sale, a 1974 Hofner 500/1 Violin “Beatle Bass” in excellent, 100% original 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 inherent to the iconic Beatles sound, with a fully hollow body and blade pickups.
There’s a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even while unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two pickups. The bridge pickup has a more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck position has a warm, broad quality. Versatile 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 5lbs 2oz, this Horner has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with D’Addario Chromes 45-100 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .855” 1st fret, .950” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood
-Frets: Slender, light wear on frets 1-10
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Sealed-back, white hexagonal buttons
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, flame maple
-Pickups: Blade single coil x2
-Controls: Volume x2, Rhythm, Bass, and Treble switches
-Harness: Preh pots date to the 7th week of 1974
-Hardware: Ebony floating bridge, trapeze tailpiece, Hofner-stamped pickup covers
-Plastics: Four-ply pearloid pickguard, white teacup knobs, pearloid control plate
The gloss Sunburst finish highlights tight flame figuring on the bookmatched back and sides, and there’s broad finish checking across the top. There are minor dings on the lower bout on top and along the body perimeter, shallow buckle rash on the treble side of the back, and some faint finish scratches in the clear coat. There are just a few shallow nicks on the smooth glass of the neck profile that don't distract 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 while unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two pickups. The bridge pickup has a more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck position has a warm, broad quality. Versatile 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 5lbs 2oz, this Horner has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with D’Addario Chromes 45-100 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .855” 1st fret, .950” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood
-Frets: Slender, light wear on frets 1-10
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Sealed-back, white hexagonal buttons
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, flame maple
-Pickups: Blade single coil x2
-Controls: Volume x2, Rhythm, Bass, and Treble switches
-Harness: Preh pots date to the 7th week of 1974
-Hardware: Ebony floating bridge, trapeze tailpiece, Hofner-stamped pickup covers
-Plastics: Four-ply pearloid pickguard, white teacup knobs, pearloid control plate
The gloss Sunburst finish highlights tight flame figuring on the bookmatched back and sides, and there’s broad finish checking across the top. There are minor dings on the lower bout on top and along the body perimeter, shallow buckle rash on the treble side of the back, and some faint finish scratches in the clear coat. There are just a few shallow nicks on the smooth glass of the neck profile that don't distract the palm while fretting.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
