PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I got that itch and made a slightly impulsive purchase. Been looking at vintage hollow body basses a bit, after enjoying my reissue Kay 162 a lot (when I'm not playing upright, which is most of the time). Framus star... gretsch .. Hmm, Hofner. I like that budget bass, warm tone. But not a violin thankyou. So along come a couple of Presidents and one is callings name particularly. It's 1963 I guess, by the serial number which looks like 12. There's a blob after the 12, but it isn't big enough to be a number. Even so 129 still puts it at 1963. I have to work on the bridge pickup circuit Cos it doesnt wirk - anyone know if that is a common problem? Otherwise it is immaculate, with stunning veneer on the back. I hope I'm as happy with it in my hand as I am looking at the pics... Now how do I post pics from iPhone...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Happy jack, what's your take on it, you're mr Hofner innit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1392653692' post='2371102'] Happy jack, what's your take on it, you're mr Hofner innit? [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Sweet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I've only been able to see four of the photos but that looks like a cracker, very deep tobacco-burst and in beautiful condition. What state is the neck in? Any banana there? What about the neck joint? If you want the electrics sorted out, my regular guitar tech is the main Hofner guy in London. He's based in Denmark Street - happy to take you down there if you want. If you haven't already pulled the trigger on this, bear in mind that the President was a sort-of slimline version of the 500/5 which has an even more woody, resonant tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1392653639' post='2371098']...It's 1963 I guess, by the serial number which looks like 12. There's a blob after the 12, but it isn't big enough to be a number. Even so 129 still puts it at 1963. I have to work on the bridge pickup circuit Cos it doesnt wirk - anyone know if that is a common problem?... [/quote] Good afternoon, Paul... Yes, you've already looked up the numbers on Steve Russell's excellent Hofner site, it seems..? Could I encourage you to register your acquisition there, if it's not already done..? The wiring for these is simplicity itself, being directly from the p/up to the volume pot; from then on it's common to the two p/ups, so your problem is there. The fiddly part is access, of course, only through the 'f-holes', I'm afraid. These p/ups are very old, and it is now very frequent to have a failure or weakening. It's a simple and (relatively...) inexpensive job to have them re-wound, though (My Hofners have all suffered from this; I had them re-wound by an excellent chap in Germany, PM if you want details...). There are Hofner specialists in the UK, of course, too. The photos show an excellent finish, so if the rest is in as good condition, you've got a winner. The neck joint has a charming habit of slipping after so many years, but it's an easy fix for a decent luthier with arch-top experience. Depending on the tone you're looking for, I'd suggest at least flat-wound strings, or for real 'thump', TruBass black nylon, from Rotosound. Not for slappers, though..! All in all, an enviable purchase; I'm not jealous at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks chaps, helpful as ever. Only 4 pics there so youve seen the lot. there are others, details all look healthy to me. Yes I found Steve Russels site, fantastic stuff. Flats for sure - I've got used to labella deep talkin jamesons on my Kay162, but I think they may be a bit too much for the Hofner. Don't labella make special Hofner strings? Seller describes playability as best he's had on a bass, with low action... Implies neck joint still solid, at least I hope. I put in a tester bid, and no one else responded so I kind if accidentally won it. Price about right I reckon. As for the fat bodied 500/5... maybe next , lets see if I get as obsessed by these little toy basses as I am about old plywood uprights... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Jack, is it that wuju / manju (?) place that does Hofners ... I've seen them down on Denmark st. I'll take you up on that if I need to, sounds likely. Happy days... a week or before I can collect though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Nah, not Wunjo's! The guy you need is Andy Gibson, whose workshop is underneath the Denmark Street branch of Macari's. Macari's are the official UK dealer for Hofner. Give me a shout when you're ready and we can hook up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumnote Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Great memories, a hofner president 6 string guitar was my very first guitar. 46gns paid at 11s 3d per week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) Picked up the bass, light as a feather, plays like a dream with ancient lightwieght roundwounds (43-97) on it, so easy on the fingers (at least when I'm used to Jamerson deep talkin La Bellas... I reckon the neck has shifted slightly, as you predicted ... the bridge has been altered: adjusting wheels removed, I think the base trimmed down a bit cos its wonky, and the fret wire long since gone, so the strings sit in grooves across top of bridge. (See pics). Presumably this all to cope with raised action if neck has shifted? What do you think? I'm surprised the bridge seems held in place by the pickup, wedged up against it ... is that right? The bridge is also attached to the scratch plate by a wires that sits in a little hole ... so I'm guessing it IS in the right place. But other basses I've seen have a clear space between the bridge and the pickup. Neck doesnt seem warped - Even held down at 1 and 24 there's barely any clearance beneath the string, so it seems pretty flat. But unfretted there's a good 6mm at the 12th which feels right on the edge even to me. What do you reckon? I'm not about to get the neck angle reset as it plays like a dream already ... but if I want to replace the bridge I guess I'll need to bite the bullet. Edited February 23, 2014 by PaulKing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Ouch! Bin there, dun that. The neck does need a reset. The previous owner has clearly exhausted all possible options to avoid doing it ... if he even thought it worth while removing the fretwire in the bridge (thus saving what? a quarter of a millimetre!). Even with a functioning bridge, the intonation was always going to be interesting. God alone knows how far out it is with that arrangement. The bridge is fully-floating, held against the top of the bass purely by string pressure. There's nothing particularly wrong with it being hard up against the bridge pickup - if that is where the intonation works. In practice, it would normally be an inch (or less) behind that pickup. I'd suggest taking it to Andy for a neck reset (he's done loads of those, including one for me) and source a new Hofner bridge from eBay, there's plenty out there. Give me a shout if you want to hook up in/near Denmark Street, maybe grab a pint at The Pillars Of Hercules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Aye, gave it a good workout at a rehearsal tonight, intonation was interesting, shifted the bridge back 6 or 7 mm and made world of difference. It can't go too far back cos the scratch plate has to connect to it with that little wire pin, and it only reaches so far. Lovely to play... the strings lack punch in the upper register, but it belts out big round defined lower notes. Have to watch the E doesn't hit the pickup with big clonk and signal loss. Can't wait to get some labella flats on, I think they'll give me the balanced full tone I'd prefer. I'll take you up on the beer and Denmark St trip at spme point. What do you reckon I should budget for a neck reset ... I'm used to double bass luthier prices which would make this bass a write off pretty much... And yes, lots of bridges available on Internet, I've seen them. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1393196872' post='2377337']...It can't go too far back cos the scratch plate has to connect to it with that little wire pin, and it only reaches so far...[/quote] Good evening, Paul... The 'trick' with that pin is to replace it with a longer one, or, as is often done, extend it by joining a similar piece of wire with a short piece of brass tubing (modelism, anyone..?). The bridge has to be as far back as intonation needs, and certainly not touching the p/up, but is greatly helped by having the fretwires in the slots correctly placed. One never gets 'perfect' intonation with the Hofner arrangement, but it should be damned close. If inclusion of the fretwires raises the action too much, it's yet another sign that the neck needs resetting. [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1393196872' post='2377337']...Have to watch the E doesn't hit the pickup with big clonk and signal loss...[/quote] The p/ups can be lowered by loosening the tiny set screws each side of the p/up surround. Slacken only slightly; just enough to lower the p/up. Be careful when tightening them, too, as they're fragile. Just tight enough to pinch the p/up... [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1393196872' post='2377337']...What do you reckon I should budget for a neck reset...[/quote] Difficult to quote prices (more especially as I'm in France...). The last time I had my Comittee re-set it cost 80€, but I've known the luthier for many years. If there's no other work needed, I'd suggest £100-200 as being a fair starting point. The important part is making sure the luthier is recommended for arch-top work, preferably with Hofners. Not that they're difficult (quite the opposite...), but the right removal and correct glue will keep the instrument intact for a generation or two. Hope this helps; keep us posted, please..? Edited February 24, 2014 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Jack, Dad (!), Thanks. Yes, already plotting to extend the scratch plate pin, glad that wasn't a dumb idea. In new position intonation is as good as I need, with that pin just making contact. By the time I get some fret wire in it'll take the strings another few mm back, enough to get it right. I'll nick the wires from the bridge I took off my Kay 162 (made my own bridge for that...). Seems clear the strings are too close to pickups, so a neck reset will fix that. New strings ... New bridge (thomann have them for £27... wonder if they're decent ebony) ... neck reset... I love buying old guitars, never a bargain. At least I'm used to the costs of uprights, so eveything Hofner seems cheap in comparison! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Oh yeh, not forgetting pickup fix/ replace. New pup is about £100, I've seen them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 [quote name='PaulKing' timestamp='1393235699' post='2377527'] Oh yeh, not forgetting pickup fix/ replace. New pup is about £100, I've seen them. [/quote] Paul... Log on to 'Hofner Hounds' here... [url="http://hofnerhounds.myfineforum.org/index.php"]Hofner Hounds...[/url] ...and look up Hollywolf. He'll rewind a p/up for around £25 or so. Fast turnaround, excellent expertise; he's done several for my guitars and basses. You don't need a new p/up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Lovely colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Thanks Douglas ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1393236173' post='2377539'] Paul... Log on to 'Hofner Hounds' here... [url="http://hofnerhounds.myfineforum.org/index.php"]Hofner Hounds...[/url] ...and look up Hollywolf. He'll rewind a p/up for around £25 or so. Fast turnaround, excellent expertise; he's done several for my guitars and basses. You don't need a new p/up. [/quote] Excellent advice. Even if you need to replace the original pickup after all, there's no shortage of 60's 'staple' pickups on eBay if you keep an eye out. I've been using Andy for years so I'm never sure if he charges advantageous rates for me! Let's go and find out ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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