This page about Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar is a stub. You can help improve it:

Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step back in time with the Hofner 185 Solid Bass Guitar, a vintage-inspired electric bass that captures the essence of classic rock and roll. Crafted by Höfner, a name synonymous with quality and tradition, this bass guitar offers a blend of nostalgic charm and modern playability. The 185 model is renowned for its distinctively deep, resonant tone, perfect for players who crave a rich, full-bodied bass sound.

The Hofner 185 features a solid body construction, ensuring durability and a consistent tone across any performance setting. Its sleek, double-cutaway design provides easy access to the higher frets, making it an ideal choice for both rhythm and lead bassists. The guitar is equipped with dual pickups for versatile sound options, allowing musicians to switch seamlessly between warm, vintage tones and brighter, more modern sounds.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring bassist, the Hofner 185 Solid Bass Guitar delivers a performance that will keep you inspired. Its blend of classic aesthetics and modern craftsmanship makes it a standout choice in any band's lineup.

Key Features:

  • Solid body construction for enhanced durability and tone
  • Dual pickups for a wide range of sound options
  • Double-cutaway design for easy access to higher frets
  • Vintage-inspired aesthetics with modern playability
  • Renowned Höfner craftsmanship and engineering

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar.

Features and functionality

  • The Hofner 185 has a bolt-on neck with a truss rod and dual pickups, each with individual volume and tone controls for versatile adjustments.

    Source
  • The tone control features reversed treble and bass adjustments, with anti-clockwise for treble and clockwise for bass.

    Source

User experience

  • The vinyl covering on some models may not be to everyone's taste, suggesting it might be worth considering a model without it for aesthetic preferences.

    Source
  • Hofner basses have a distinct feel and sound that might not suit all players, making it essential to try before buying to ensure it fits personal taste.

    Source
  • Original pickups may fail due to chemical reactions but can be rewound to original specs for consistent sound quality.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Hofner 185's unique tone makes it appealing for those looking for a quirky addition to their collection, especially for players interested in vintage styles.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Floating bridges require meticulous setup for intonation; when correctly adjusted, the bass remains in tune across the fretboard.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Offers similar thump to the violin bass but with more sustain, appealing to those who prefer solid bodies over violin-style basses.

    Source

Build quality

  • The neck's deep D shape and narrow fretboard are praised for ease of playability and quality construction.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Old School: 1964 Höfner 185 “Artist Bass” – No Treble

notreble.com

The 1964 Höfner 185 "Artist Bass" is a charming throwback to vintage design, boasting an eye-catching "offset-waist" body and unique PVC coating dubbed "Dragonskin." It's praised for its striking aesthetics and nostalgic resonance, often stealing the show at gatherings. However, its sound quality is divisive, with some critics claiming it pales in comparison to contemporary models. This model is a collector's delight rather than a musician's staple, offering a slice of history with its short scale and quirky controls, but it may not satisfy those seeking Fender's finesse.

Hofner 185 | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The Höfner 185 Solid Bass Guitar is a quirky relic from the past. While it lacks the iconic status of its hollow-body siblings, it stands as a testament to European craftsmanship during a time when American brands dominated the scene. Its design nods to Fender, yet diverges with unique features like textured naugahyde and staple-pole pickups. Despite its vintage charm, it doesn't quite match the sound quality of more renowned models, making it more of a collector's piece than a musician's staple. Overall, it's an interesting, though not exceptional, piece of history.

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Wyatt Shears uses Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar

Wyatt Shears

Singer, Bassist

The Garden

...
Verified via YouTube

Throughout this video you can see Wyatt using this Hofner 182 bass. At 15:49 he talks about how his iconic Hofner 186 (the tele-bass) was stolen and this was the next best thing that he could find. Although he tracked down another 186 in France (the black one that Rexx playing), he mentions that he favors the pickups on both basses.

See how Tim Bernardes uses Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar

Tim Bernardes

Singer, Guitarist

O Terno

...
Verified via Photo

Ele usou nas sessões do Mil Coisas Invisíveis

See how Guilherme D'Almeida uses Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar

Guilherme D'Almeida

Bassist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this videoclip, we can see Guilherme playing a Hofner 185 bass.

C

Chris Murphy

Singer

Sloan

...
Verified via YouTube

Chris used this bass from 1998-99 and then again in 2019-2021.

Album Usage

The Hofner (Höfner) 185 Solid Bass Guitar 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.

More Höfner Electric Basses

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides