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Description

The Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass "Bassman" 1963 is a timeless classic cherished by bass players for its unique look and legendary sound. Known for its distinctive violin-shaped body, this bass guitar gained fame largely through its association with iconic musicians. Built in 1963, it delivers a vintage tone that is both warm and punchy, making it a versatile choice for various musical genres. The hollow body design contributes to its rich resonance, while the short scale neck offers a comfortable playing experience, especially for those with smaller hands or those seeking a smooth transition between frets.

One of the standout features of this bass is its staple humbucking pickups, which provide a deep, mellow tone that has been a staple in many classic rock, jazz, and pop recordings. The control panel offers simple, intuitive adjustments with separate volume controls for each pickup and a tone switch, allowing for quick tonal shifts during performances. The Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass not only embodies a piece of music history but also offers players today a chance to explore its authentic sound and feel.

Key Features:

  • Hollow body construction for enhanced resonance
  • Staple humbucking pickups for classic, warm tones
  • Short scale neck for comfortable playability
  • Separate volume controls and tone switch for versatile sound shaping
  • Iconic violin-shaped design, reminiscent of the 1960s era
Perry Stanley

Perry Stanley

Real Vintage 1963 Hofner 500/1 bass VS Reissue V62

Video thumbnail for Real Vintage 1963 Hofner 500/1 bass VS Reissue V62 by Perry Stanley

Real Vintage 1963 Hofner 500/1 bass VS Reissue V62

Perry Stanley

Perry Stanley

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Artist usage

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See how Kevin Parker uses Hofner (Höfner) 500/1 Violin Bass "Bassman" 1963

Kevin Parker

Singer, Guitarist

Tame Impala

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Verified via YouTube

Kevin bought this bass in Japan (2009) along with his 1967 Rickenbacker 335 Jetglo. LINK: https://www.premierguitar.com/artists/guitarists/tame-impala-psych-wunderkind-kevin-parker . People seem to be confused as to what year but it can be boiled down to a 62' or 63' because the 64' 500/1 basses started using neck binding and the 65'+ basses have a wider pickup surround ring. Also it is a darker sunburst from a 62 model. Nick Albrook used it for live sessions/concerts and seen on the Expectaion and Elephant music video. This bass in particular was used up until 2013 since the bass fell over on stage before their Coachella 2013 week one performance. Dinasour Jr.'s Lou Barlow personally lended Nick his Rickenabcker 4003 bass for the performance. The bass was later replaced by a later year Hofner. *In this video at 1:14 Nick Albrook is seen playing this bass in 2012. Jay Watson describes what happened at Coachella in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chVA9Q9guJc&t=44s

See how Paul McCartney uses Hofner (Höfner) 500/1 Violin Bass "Bassman" 1963

Paul McCartney

Bassist, Singer

The Beatles

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Verified via Photo

This is the same bass paul used with The Beatles on the 60s, During the "Get Back" sessions paul placed a "Bassman" sticker, also it used on The Beatles final show, at the Apple Corps rooftop, on January 30, 1969

Album Usage

The Hofner (Höfner) 500/1 Violin Bass "Bassman" 1963 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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