Home
... Musical Instruments
Bass Guitars
Electric Basses
Höfner
Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty

Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty main image

Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty image 2

Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty image 3

Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty image 4

Höfner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty

$177.74 to $185.00 Price Tier: Budget

All time low price

0 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (2)

$177.74 3 available New

View Deal

4.2 (138)

$185.00

View Deal

£162.25

View Deal

Average Price: $181

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

^* 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

Edit description

The Hofner Contemporary Shorty electric bass is a nod to the classics with a modern twist, perfect for musicians on the move. Compact yet powerful, this bass is designed to fit your lifestyle without compromising on sound. Its basswood body offers a lightweight feel, while the maple neck ensures durability and a smooth playing experience. The jatoba fretboard with 24 frets provides a sleek surface for seamless transitions, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned players alike.

With a short 30" scale, the Contemporary Shorty offers a comfortable playability that's perfect for those with smaller hands or players looking for that distinct short-scale sound. The single humbucker pickup delivers a robust, punchy tone, while the intuitive volume and tone controls allow for easy tweaking to suit any musical style. Whether you’re rocking out on stage or jamming with friends, this bass is designed to keep up with your creativity.

The Hofner Contemporary Shorty is not just about sound; it’s about convenience. Its compact design, paired with the included gig bag, makes it your ideal travel companion, ensuring you’re always ready to make music wherever you go.

Key Features:

Basswood body
Maple neck
Jatoba fretboard
24 frets
Nut width: 43 mm
Scale: 76 cm (30"/short scale)
Pickups: 1 Humbucker
Volume and tone controls
Includes a gig bag

Product specs

Available since	December 2011
Colour	Black
Soundboard	Lime
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Jatoba
Frets	24
Scale	Shortscale
Pickups	H
Elektronic	Passive
Incl. Case	No
Incl. Bag	Yes
Electric Bass Guitar	1
Body	Basswood
Top	Non
Pickup System	H
Saddle Width	43 mm
Pickup Configuration	H
Incl. Gigbag	1

FAQs

Is the Höfner Contemporary Shorty suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Höfner Contemporary Shorty is ideal for beginners due to its compact size and lightweight design, making it easy to handle and play.
What is the scale length of the Höfner Contemporary Shorty bass?: The Höfner Contemporary Shorty features a short scale length, which is typically easier for new players to manage and offers a unique tonal character.
Does the Höfner Contemporary Shorty come with a gig bag?: Yes, the Höfner Contemporary Shorty bass includes a gig bag, providing convenient protection and transport for the instrument.
What type of pickup does the Höfner Contemporary Shorty have?: The Höfner Contemporary Shorty is equipped with a single humbucker (H) pickup, offering a full and powerful sound suitable for various music styles.
What materials are used in the construction of the Höfner Contemporary Shorty?: The Höfner Contemporary Shorty features a basswood body, maple neck, and a jatoba fretboard, contributing to its balanced tone and durability.

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Smooth, shiny finish and elegant design
Highly portable due to its compact body size
Short scale neck ideal for players with smaller hands
High sustain despite small body size
Well-stitched gig bag with free cable and Allen keys included
Great sound quality from the humbucker for its price
Budget-friendly option for those with limited storage space
Comes perfectly set up with smooth action out of the box

CONS

Significant neck dive makes it uncomfortable while standing
Tuners are low quality and struggle to hold tuning
Body shape may not suit medium to large-sized players
Static and background noise when adjusting the tone knob
Requires professional setup to fix fret buzzing issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hofner (Höfner) Contemporary Shorty.

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Neck dive is a common issue due to the strap button placement; wrapping the strap around the headstock is suggested to mitigate it.
Source
0 0

Users recommend .011 gauge strings to improve feel and tone, as .010s can feel too loose on this short scale.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners report varying experiences with tuning stability, some noting frequent retuning needs while others find their instrument holds tuning well.
Source
0 0

The Shorty is described as fun to play and comparable in feel to full-sized basses, making it enjoyable for spontaneous jam sessions.
Source
0 0

Some report the Shorty as a "shredding machine" due to its low action straight from the factory, enhancing its playability.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

It's considered a good option for travel due to its lightweight and compact size, reducing stress during transport compared to more expensive basses.
Source
0 0

The Shorty's compact size makes it an ideal sofa or travel bass, fitting well into dynamic lifestyles where space and portability are essential.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

Some users recommend considering a Steinberger Spirit XT-2 for a full-scale travel option, though opinions on its quality vary.
Source
0 0

The guitar is compared favorably to the Traveler Escape EG-2, with one user highlighting its superior portability for the price.
Source

Build quality

0 0

A few users mention that the instrument's tuning stability might be improved with better strings or addressing issues with the nut.
Source
0 0

Minor differences in body thickness and neck shape suggest variability between units, possibly due to transitional assembly phases.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Some owners use a "horn extender" to balance the neck dive, which significantly improves playability by shifting the balance.
Source
0 0

Some users suggest using a string to attach the strap to the headstock, similar to acoustic guitars, to address balance issues.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The stock humbucker, positioned close to the bridge, produces a treble-heavy sound, which some users find suitable for rock styles but lacks warm lows.
Source