Hofner 500/1 1964 - £2950 Final Price Reduction £4000 Thurso

[Bassman1974]

Hi all,

 

Reduced from £3850 - £2950. This is my lowest price before it gets sold to the guitar shop !

 

I'd like to present for sale my lovely Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass, right handed, made in Germany in 1964. As my playing style changes, I find that it's living in it's case far more frequently, and really deserves to be enjoyed. I'll list what I know to be true of this instrument:

 

Built in Germany in 1964, it was sold to it's first owner by the Selmer Company, Charing Cross Road, London (Selmer Serial Number 1141 ). In the same year, Paul McCartney's presentation bass arrived at the same location. Perhaps the two basses rubbed wings at some point. The 2nd owner bought this in 1966, and kept it for 54 years, until he sold it to me in 2020. I was living in Finland at the time, and flew to London to collect it from a rather splendid Gentleman who felt that it was time for it to move on.

 

Having relocated to North Scotland soon after, I carried out a few reversible modifications to the bass. I fitted Labella Flatwound strings, and removed the pickguard. Both the original strings and pickguard come with the bass. The bass was then sent to my trusted luthier for a set up and check, and he also moved the rear strap button from it's very odd angled location, and fitted it to the proper location of the bridge plate. ( a tiny mark is left, but it's barely noticeable ). The bass was also cleaned and had some tarnishing removed from the hardware. A bespoke strap extender was added to the new Hofner strap, to prevent any damages to the bass from the bulldog clip. The bass did not require any setting of the neck or electrical work, as it was all perfect. Electrical work was carried out prior to my purchase, of which I still have the receipt. Just last month ( Sep 23' ) I fitted a brand new original German control panel with switches as the original was crackling when selecting the bridge pickup. The old control panel has been kept, and I'll include it with the sale for originality purposes.

 

The bass plays beautifully and without fault. I'd describe the condition as 9/10 for the age, and, in my humble opinion, you'd be hard pushed to find something of a similar vintage in such good condition. There are a few nicks on the body, and a touch of wear on the neck, but nothing really for it's 60th year. The neck is absolutely solid, and shows zero sign of separation.  Curiously, the case I received it in is not a Selmers tweed case, but rather a square hardcase. I am unaware of it's origin, but it looks to be as old as the bass itself. All of the original components are included in the sale.

 

I've priced it in accordance to what I see online already, and going with the great, playable condition that it's in. I am however open to serious offers around the asking price. I'm located in Thurso. That's at the very top of Scotland. Logistics for delivery etc would need to be worked out obviously, but I'm sure a solution could be found. Any trial, if you're in the area, would be more than welcomed. I've posted up as much pics as I have, but if you need a video of it being played ( badly ), or more pictures, info etc, just hit me up.

 

Cheers,

 

George

Edited February 13 by Bassman1974
Price reduction

[Schnozzalee]

Umm...Wow 🤪