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Up for sale, a 1978 Hofner 500/1 Violin “Beatle Bass” in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Unique among the standard production 500/1s in the late ‘70s, this Hofner model faithfully replicates circa 1964 spec, with non-standard (and vintage-accurate) features including staple pickups, teacup knobs, a raised headstock logo, and white switches.
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 38-95 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 "staple" pickups. The bridge pickup has more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck has a girthy, 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 presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at 4lbs 11oz, this 500/1 Beatle Bass has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .815” 1st fret, .940” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid dot inlay
-Frets: Slender, faint wear on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Sealed-back, squared oval buttons
-Serialization: Six-digit sticker, “Made in Germany”
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, maple
-Pickups: “Staple” single coil x2
-Harness: Untouched solder, CTS pots date to the 47th week of ‘78
-Controls: Volume x2, Pickup On/Off switch x2, Rhythm/Solo switch
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: White pearloid control plate, gold-top teacup knobs
The gloss Sunburst finish has a very ‘60s-centric gradient, highlighting the uniform grain in the spruce top, and there is limited checking around the control plate. Cosmetic wear is limited to two dings on top at the treble-side upper bout and just a few faint marks on the body as a whole. The gloss on the neck profile highlights the flame figuring in the maple, flawless save for one shallow nick behind fret 9.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
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 38-95 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 "staple" pickups. The bridge pickup has more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck has a girthy, 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 presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at 4lbs 11oz, this 500/1 Beatle Bass has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .815” 1st fret, .940” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid dot inlay
-Frets: Slender, faint wear on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 30”
-Nut: 1 9/16”, zero fret
-Tuners: Sealed-back, squared oval buttons
-Serialization: Six-digit sticker, “Made in Germany”
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce, maple
-Pickups: “Staple” single coil x2
-Harness: Untouched solder, CTS pots date to the 47th week of ‘78
-Controls: Volume x2, Pickup On/Off switch x2, Rhythm/Solo switch
-Hardware: Ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: White pearloid control plate, gold-top teacup knobs
The gloss Sunburst finish has a very ‘60s-centric gradient, highlighting the uniform grain in the spruce top, and there is limited checking around the control plate. Cosmetic wear is limited to two dings on top at the treble-side upper bout and just a few faint marks on the body as a whole. The gloss on the neck profile highlights the flame figuring in the maple, flawless save for one shallow nick behind fret 9.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
