Happy Jack Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 (edited) Step back 45 years to the sort of bass your dad (or maybe your grandad) learned to play on. [url="http://tinypic.com/a/pjwx/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/pjwx/3[/url] That glorious tobacco sunburst finish is a true picture, it really is that rich. The bass is all original, and has picked up a couple of marks along the way. There's a none-too-obvious blemish on the front and a repaired hole on the back. The neck was re-set in 2007 by the top Hofner man in London (Andy Gibson, who does all of Music Ground's and Macari's Hofners). The electrics work fine, she's strung with period-correct flats and high-ish action. Sound? Woody. No, very woody. No really, I mean [i]seriously[/i] woody. Can easily deliver a truly superb, dark dub sound but switch in an instant to a classic Beatles tone. And the case ... ah yes, the case. [attachment=21278:DSCF2031.JPG] [attachment=21279:DSCF2032.JPG] This case has more mojo than Muddy Waters. This case looks like it stepped out to the corner shop in 1969 for a packet of Rothmans and came back 30 years later after touring the States and Japan. This cased is [b][i]relic'd[/i][/b], OK. If you want to try this bass out, find a way of getting to Chiswick W4. Alternatively, send me £400 in used fivers and I'll let you try it out in the comfort of your own rehearsal studio. Jack 07786 251295 Edited May 19, 2009 by Happy Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99ster Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 These are great basses - I've just had one restored (by Andy Viccars) & the tone is fabulous... And they're very light weight as well. Don't be put off by mention of a neck re-set - virtually all of them have needed this done after 40+ years. Mine did & it plays beautifully now. A great buy at that price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='422677' date='Mar 1 2009, 09:15 PM']Step back 45 years to the sort of bass your dad (or maybe your grandad) learned to play on.[/quote] Or maybe you. Gee, thanks Jack. I may have to ritually set fire to this if I see you tomorrow ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I learned to play guitar on a Hofner Senator - exactly like this one: That would be almost exactly 50 years ago........................................ G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 So we are talking (in a good way, obv) "I seem to have travelled back in time and my bass is making a dull kind of 'thunk' sound" here. I am not trying to de-rail the thread, I really do mean that as a compliment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 (edited) Got it in one - if you play down by the nut. "Dull thunk" is about right, and a fabulous tone for reggae. Play higher up the neck (as McCartney did on his violin bass, for example) and you get a lovely melodic tone which is not at all "thunky" but very tuneful. Out of interest, I should mention that I'll be listing a 500/5 shortly (that's the original bass on which the President was modelled) which is effectively a 2-pickup version of the Senator. Played with just the neck pickup it sounds exactly like a Senator. The addition of a bridge pickup allows more flexibility of course, and the creation of a more 'modern' sound with a bit of knob-tweaking - if you know what I mean. Edited March 2, 2009 by Happy Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I wish you lived closer to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Aaah, Owen ... and I never even guessed. :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 I've just had a quick play on this, and it's a really nice instrument. Jack is a top chap too, buy with confidence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 2, 2009 Author Share Posted March 2, 2009 Why thank'ee kindly, zur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 That looks like my kinda bass and if it's still there next time I'm in town late April, I'd like to give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 2, 2009 Share Posted March 2, 2009 [quote name='redstriper' post='423774' date='Mar 2 2009, 10:57 PM']That looks like my kinda bass and if it's still there next time I'm in town late April, I'd like to give it a try.[/quote] Buy it so I can try it! I cannot possibly justify this, but I would love to try and then persuade myself that I need it. I don't need it. I fancy it. This place is lethal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='owen' post='423780' date='Mar 2 2009, 11:06 PM']This place is lethal.[/quote] Tell me about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='owen' post='423780' date='Mar 2 2009, 11:06 PM']Buy it so I can try it! I cannot possibly justify this, but I would love to try and then persuade myself that I need it. I don't need it. I fancy it. This place is lethal.[/quote]Owen, buy this BASS. In all seriousness, Owen, buy this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 [quote name='steve-soar' post='423816' date='Mar 3 2009, 01:08 AM']Owen, buy this BASS. In all seriousness, Owen, buy this.[/quote] If you do, I don't want a go on it because I'll just be jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I`ve got one of these bought it in the 70s- has unoriginal tuning pegs and the pickup has been moved- thinking about restoring it but i might just sell it for a restoration job ( no time ) have played some gigs with it and yes- really woody big warm sound Hope you get a good price Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 This bass is now Gone West ... literally. I'll be listing another Hofner (or two) in a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I hope you are all proud of yourselves, bullying me into getting this. It is lush though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Nice one Owen - look after it for me......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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