blue

IMO, MIJ is a much higher level crafed bass. Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1484248657' post='3214042'] The oval control plate is the original shape, but that's not an original item. The knobs were 'teacups' right from the start. The original Hofner logo was where it is on this bass, just below the bridge pickup ... hardly high-vis! [/quote] Are those real Hofner tea cups, the centers on my 500/1 German Made Limited Edition Club Bass are gold. Blue

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1484236655' post='3213850'] Apologies for sidetracking, but I'm a little confused. Are you saying you believe the tone comes from the "playing" hand, the fretting hand or a combination of both? [/quote] Tone comes from a combination of how your hitting the strings and how your fretting.IMO Blue

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1484213648' post='3213519'] Hmmmmm ... now that is a tricky one. First up, it's an absolutely beautiful bass and in staggeringly good condition for its age. What's the playability like? I imagine it must have had a neck re-set by now; if not, then one is probably very overdue. And how's the neck? No trussrod this early in the instrument's development. It's all original apart from the control plate, as you say, but also those appalling control knobs. He should replace them immediately with 'teacup' knobs -a very cheap job and they will transform the look of the bass. They'll add nothing the the value of the bass, but the ones they replace are knocking a lot OFF the value at the moment! Value. Ah now, there's a thing. Vintage Hofner Violin basses are worth a lot of money because (i) Paul played one, (ii) they're old and rare. If you want to talk prices >£2000 then you need to have (i). Unfortunately, you have only (ii). Your friend's bass pre-dates Paul's by five years and two models; it's just not the same. If it's a nice player, and it sounds as good as it looks, then it's certainly worth >£1000. But I suspect that no one is going to get rich selling this bass. I genuinely hope I'm wrong. [/quote] I did a little research because I thought the control panel was wrong. However, it seems like that was the design until they moved to the rectangular panel with 2 tea pot volume controls (cream for with a gold center)and 3 switches. I guess in 56 they didn't feature the Hofner logo on the headstock. Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1483956990' post='3211319'] I think the OP is referring to the EB (2013-2015) because of the phrase "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]a conventional shaped bass with decent pups" [/font][/color]but I don't blame anyone for the confusion - it was a terrible idea to call it that. Is this the bass you're talking about? [/quote] I own a Gibson 1991 Thunderbird, ES-335 Custom Shop bass and a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top bass. The bass in this pic looks pretty generic,like a combination of a 1960s Mosrite with G&L PUs. No classic good looks IMO. Blue

[quote name='bassmayhem' timestamp='1484168595' post='3213321'] A friend asked me to get some opinions concerning the value of this bass. It is a stock 1956 Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass from the first batch produced in 1956. All original except for a missing scratch plate. Original sh*tty case. Here are some pic's. The owner bought it new... I'd be glad for some input... [/quote] My knowledge of Hofner basses only goes back to 1962. I guess they made a huge control panel design change by 1962. Interesting they didn't put the Hofner logo on the headstock in 1956. I've seen 64s go for a little over 2 grand. I would think this bass new in 1956 sold for a little over a hundred bucks. Blue

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1484149020' post='3213055'] Yes they do. [/quote] That's because we define tone differently. To be fair, respectfully keep your definition of tone and I'll keep mine. Blue

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1484133395' post='3212871'] Yeah, a lot of T-Bird players use a long strap and play with it resting on their right legs. I notice blue has a bass fairly low slung in his pic. It's a great rock bass and I suspect if I was a pick player that's what I would do, problem solved. As a fairly small framed finger player I don't find it very comfortable with a long strap. That neck was so gorgeous though. The EB looks to have a wider neck. [/quote] That position wàs really only for the picture. I don't actually perform with it strapped that low. And the Les Paul Gold Top Bass is really for looks more than anything else. It's certainly not my favorite bass to play. Blue

[quote name='McBass' timestamp='1483985320' post='3211724'] Chorus and compression are tone shapers...which i think is what the OP was asking. [/quote] In my opinion chorus and compression are effects and have nothing to do with tone. Tone comes from your fingers. Maybe the proper question should have been "What effects do I use to get my bass to sound like this?" Blue

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1478026825' post='3166176'] I presume you've seen the one that's up for sale on here? I'm far from a Mex hater, but new prices are getting hard to live with now (as are yanks). [/quote] I'm strictly a MIJ guy. Blue

I don't Blue

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1483974249' post='3211568'] Good for you, chap. Best wishes and let us know how it goes. [/quote] Thanks, I will, this weekend my plate is full. Band gig Friday, DEP on Saturday and another band gig Sunday afternoon. Blue

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1483950831' post='3211268'] Work? You're out enjoying yourself [/quote] Yup work, it's always work but it's fun work. Blue

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1483945654' post='3211233'] Good luck! Had to prep much new material? [/quote] No, none at all, these folks know me and are confident if they call a song and the key I can follow. We're not talking complicated songs or progressive stuff. I just have to show up with my bass and play for an hour. Blue

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1483964375' post='3211406'] The PA must have come from somewhere and will eventually need replacing though. [/quote] True, and I'll gladly contribute my share out of my pocket, no band fund for me. Blue

[quote name='Rocker' timestamp='1481321195' post='3191577'] Note: we are not auditioning for or planning to form a band. All of us did that 40+ years ago and none of us want to do that again. This is just purely for fun and for the joy of playing music together again after all those years.. [/quote] If it's for fun you don't have to look for anything in a drummer. It should be all about fun and the joy of playing music not not an exercise in evaluating a drummer. Blue

[quote name='IJE' timestamp='1483474362' post='3207506'] So... I've recently bought a 73' P-bass from the original owner. Bass came in the original case and both case and the bass smell pretty bad! I suppose the case could be Febreezed and aired, but what about the bass? Thanks! [/quote] It's the old glue in the case that stinks to high heaven. I'm dealing with the same issue. The case smells exactly as if someone pissed in it. Blue

Tom Peterson, bass player for our Cheap Trick has a 3 pick up Hofner Club Bass. Blue

I play a 1991 Gibson T Bird. I just put the thing on and play 4 hour USA bar gigs with it. I will never understand this complaint about this thing called "neck dive" with Thunderbirds. I guess mine doesn't have it. Blue

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1483911592' post='3211122'] Ok,I didn't mention tone, nor say anything about whether compression and chorus are effects or processing. Not sure what you're getting at....did you mean to reply to the OP ? [/quote] Well the thread reads, "How do I get this tone" I wasn't sure why chorus and compression were mentioned as they don't give anyone tone. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1483918816' post='3211196'] Our singer has never rocked up late. He's always there bang on 5minutes before we go on. Gives his SM58 to the guitarist to plug in, music stand to me to set up and goes straight to the bar. I think leaving the PA for him to sort out wouldn't be the best idea. [/quote] All members of my band are required to report for work and hour and a half before we go on. We all help equally with set up tear down. No divas in our organization. Blue

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1483910007' post='3211110'] What happens if you need something really expensive? [/quote] I'm not sure what we would need at the bar band level that's expensive. We own our own lights and PA. I'd still pay up. Nothing comes directly out of my cut. Blue

[quote name='Rocker' timestamp='1483914138' post='3211144'] What idiot decided that the front strap button on an ES335 or clone guitar has to be at the back (at the end of the neck). Guaranteed to introduce serious neck heaviness. The SG I had once had the same failing, it is gone now. Front mounted jack sockets on guitars. Means you have to have at least one guitar lead with a right angle jack... [/quote] Me, right angle into all my basses and the straight end goes into my wireless line 6 transmitter which goes into my right front pants pocket. Straight ends look like an accident waiting to happen. Blue

[quote name='Musashimonkey' timestamp='1483774661' post='3209962'] He he he! I thought I was the only one struggling with this! [/quote] A tiny cheap black button on black backing. Genius! Blue

Off topic, Yeah, I need money. Doing my first DEP gig this Saturday night which means I have work Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Blue