Bulding a "Beatle Bass" - Hofner factory video

[Daniel_J]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but here it goes:

[Dave W]

Where are the robots and CNC machines? 

Thanks, Daniel.

[Stjofön Big]

Now, that's a beautiful piece to watch! Thanks, man!

[godofthunder]

 Thanks for posting that ! Man OSHA would have a fit! That is a great tutorial for those looking to build a bass hollow or other wise.

[eb2]

I would love to see the Chinese Icon factory.  A bit different I would suspect.

[Dave W]

Thanks for posting that ! Man OSHA would have a fit! That is a great tutorial for those looking to build a bass hollow or other wise.

I would love to see the Chinese Icon factory.  A bit different I would suspect.

I'll bet OSHA would really have a fit over the Icon factory. Imagine a giant sweatshop using the same unprotected machinery as in Germany.  I just read this about the Chinese electronic factories, would the guitar factories be much different?

[Thornton Davis]

I had the pleasure of visiting and touring the Hofner factory in Haganeu to see their processes first hand. Other than the basic forming of the necks which is done 7 at a time on a couple of propriatery home made lathes (they would not let me photograph) most of the manufacturing is done by hand and jijs. This includes all of their classical instruments as well.

FYI, the Contemporary Series are still made in China as you probably know, but the Ignition series (formerly known as Icon) are made in Indonesia. When the Icon's were made, they were made in China, but the General Manager of that factory who had a very good relationship with Hofner left to start his own company in Indonesia. He was successful in convincing Hofner to give him their business and the Icon Series was renamed Ignition.

Hofner gave me a VHS copy of the previous version of their Building a Violin Bass video when I was there. The latest version is better.

TD

[chromium]

Thanks, that was fun to see.

I've always wanted a Hoffie.  Maybe someday..

[nofi]

jeez, those guys are bass ninjas. very interesting.

[ilan]

Fascinating. And beautiful.

[OldManC]

I was surprised at just how "hand built" they really are. For those of you who have seen enough to know, is there much variation between examples?

[Highlander]

Beautiful to see... nice post, Daniel...

[copacetic]

The one constant about the Hofners out of Germany is they are all handmade as demonstrated in the video.
As anyone who has tried them you definitly get that feeling. I have 7 various (German made) Hofners starting from1964. I have a 500/1 (1994  limited edition of 20, not sure why it was labeled as limited edition except perhaps the fact that it was a flat back and for the finish which was I guess exactly like the very early 60'sfinishes), a  5000/1, a 500/2 (Club) 2002 version, a 500/2 (violin varnish and 'cavern' spacing) and a '58 500/1 50th anniversary version (Mr. Dieter Fischer's final Hofner. He'd been there from the inception of the 500/1series). It was great to see his (old but deft) hands doing some carving in the video. I will say that I prefer the ' 58 because you have seperate vol.& tone controls for each pickup as opposed to the panel switch system on all the others. I have a 1964 500/5(President) and a 1966 500/2 both with the seperate controls.  I do prefer the Club models from the standpoint of the single cutaway which makes it easier when sitting down. On all of them you can tell the handmade aspect. Somewhat delicate little things, require a different approach in attack than most other basses but big bass sound. My daughter and wife gave me a Kala ( ukulele sized bass) which overlaps the Hofner sound.

[mc2NY]

Wonder where that GREEN one is?

Really cool video. Makes me want one, after seeing how handmade they really still are.

I was surprised that the strings went one before the pickups.

But also surprised that there are actually NO Beatles in a Beatle bass ?!?!?!

[ilan]

Wonder where that GREEN one is?

There's one in Germany - the red pearl binding is so cool -