Höfner / Hofner

want to date your old Hofner? Please look here...

 

   

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1956-58	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: Same model as above but with two pickups and appropriate control plate

 

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1959-60	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: 'Toaster'-pickup, rectangular contol plate; dark pickguard and control plate, tailpiece hence without the 'Karl Höfner'-sign.

   

 

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1961-62	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: First 'Cavern' model, diamond pickups, this one is a lefty (same as Sir Paul plays) having already single string tuners. This is the first model which should later become famous as 'Beatle Bass'.

   

 

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1963-64	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: Best known model also played by Paul McCartney since 1963, new pickups (type 511) are now on neck and bridge (first pickup type not manufactured at Hofner themselves)

           

 

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1965-66	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: Same model as above with some changes like split back, axis through tuning knobs, and the most significant modifications on the body, refer to comparison below. The changing of the decal-logo to the raised plasic-logo isn't a reliable characteristic, since it differed, not only depending on the 'export-model' question.

       

Comparison 63 vs 65 model:

Pickup type 511, small frame 4 locking screws sidewise pickguard has only small cuts for the pickup frames long tailpiece and small  control panel, both adopted from the cavern

Pickup type 511 large frame later used for pickup type 513 pickguard needs larger cuts for these frames shorter tailpiece large control panel

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1967-71	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes:  New pickups (type 513), large control panel and short tailpiece adopted from the 65 model, now closed string tuners

 

type	origin	year	neck	construction	headstock	zero fret	trussrod
500/1	West-Germany	1972-	set	violin	wave	yes	yes
notes: Farewell of the 'tea cup'-knobs and cream slides. New active versions as the 500/1M (sound mix) and the 500/1B (bass boost). These sound-improved models were already in the Höfner program since 1967 mainly for the export. Although perhaps better sounding they hadn't the look customers expected and the sales never reached the figures of the 'Original'.

 


 






click HERE for the 5000/1, the 'de luxe' version of the 500/1

click HERE for an overview of  Hofner basses produced in the current millennium

click HERE to find help to date your old Hofner