The Last Bass Outpost

I don't think Nate and I will be going anywhere. We're happy to share our knowledge with everyone. I will tell you guys that Nate is a expert on Hofner guitars. Especially, big body jazz Hofner's. But his knowledge of German made guitars is extensive and he's a great resource for information.

You were asking about the differences between the Chinese made Icon Series and the Contemporary Series compared to German made models.

These are my opinions, so take them for what you will.

Icon B-Bass, 100% made in China available in a horrible 3-tone sunburst and a nice transparent black finish. This is a instrument that's designed to appeal to the student and the first time bass buyer. Comes standard with a set of not so good Chinese made roundwound strings. It compares to the other Chinese made violin basses in the market like Rogue, Johnson, Turser, ect.
The pickups are a poor copy of the staple pickup with large surrounds like those found on Hofners made after 1965. The pickguard is made from a very bright white plastic material and the control panel plate is also made from the same material. The control panel switches are black and not really very attractive IMO.
These are nice and sound very similar to their German counterpart. The neck has dot position markers located on the side for reference by the player something the German made Hofner's don't have. The Contemporary Series basses also has these reference markers on the neck.

Contemporary Series Bass, are 90% made in China. They're available in a beautiful brownburst or solid black finish. These are fitted with German made type 511 "Staple" pickups with small surrounds. These are the pickups installed in German made basses. Everything else is Chinese made. I must say that the quality of the reproduction components used on the Contemporary Series (CT) basses are excellent. The body shape of the CT HCT500/1 is also identical in shape to that of the German made 500/1v62 and v63 basses. The neck is 3 piece and identical in shape to a 500/1v63, thin and fast. Of course, as mentioned before the CT has a center block mounted in the body. It runs the length of the body between the top and the back of the bass. The purpose is to add sustain and give it more of a modern sound like that of a solid body instrument. Needless to say, the CT doesn't sound like it's German made 500/1v63 counterpart. These also leave the factory with those same cheap Chinese made roundwound strings found on the Icon-B-Bass.  I think the CT bass would appeal to anyone wanting a Hofner violin bass but don't want to or can't afford a German made 500/1, especially at the price point these are selling for. The quality of the build, components and finish are excellent and I think will impress anyone picking one up to play it.

TD

Thornton, having played all three basses (Icon, Cont. and German), can you give a description of how the two lower priced models compare to the German 500/1? Does the Contemporary sound so different that it wouldn't 'work' for someone who wanted that Beatle Bass sound? I'm drawn to the supposed better quality of the Contemporary, but it would be less attractive if it didn't sound like a Beatle Bass to me.

OldManC, fyi both Icon and Contemporary Series of basses come with cheaply made poor quality Chinese made ROUNDWOUND strings on them from the factory. The first thing that I did with my HCT500/1 was to replace them with another set of roundwounds. I had a new set of short scale D'Addario's XL-160S that I was keeping for a rainy day and decided to put them on. They work well on this bass.

As I mentioned above, the HCT500/1 has a block of wood sandwiched between the top and the back of the bass that runs the full length of the body. The result is that it does three things in my opinion;

- adds structural strength to the instrument
- adds sustain to the instrument (giving it more of a solid body sound)
- eliminates the hollow body sound associated with semi-acoustic ibasses

I have to mention to you that I don't gig with my HCT500/1. It's what I call a recreational bass for me. I don't take it to the studio or anywhere else for that matter. I bought it because I wanted to have a new well made Hofner violin bass that I didn't have to invest $2000 + in, only just to have it sit around the house. I've been there and done that a couple of times before. I gig and record with Musicman Stringray 5's only.  The Icon B-Bass was not a bass that I wanted to own, so I bought the CT.

I'm running out of time right now, but l'll come back later on today and give you my feelings on the 3 versions Hofner is offering.

TD

Hello to all,

FYI, here's the difference between the Icon B-Bass and the Contemporary HCT500/1 Violin bass.

Icon B-Bass is 100% made in China. Available in Trans Black, Sunburst and new custom colours. The Icon is also available in as the Club bass and Club guitar.

HCT500/1 is also made in China, but has German made reissue type 511 Staple pickups and surrounds installed in it. Everything else is Chinese made. This bass is very similar to a German made 500/1. There is NO Contemporary Club Bass! There is a CT guitar, but no bass. Available in sold black and brownburst.

As mentioned by Chris P in a presious posting, the HCT500/1 does have a solid block of wood mounted in the body of the bass positioned between the top and back of the instrument. The block eliminates the "hollowness" that's always associated with semi-acoustic basses, makng the bass sound more like a solid body bass.

I personally own a HCT500/1 (pictured below), and have been very impressed with it and i'm an good ole boy when it comes to Hofners.

TD