Höfner 500/1 Ignition

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$378.78 to $499.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.0 (81)

14 Reviews

Find out who is using Höfner 500/1 Ignition

17 community setups

59 wishlisted

272 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

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

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (4)

$499.99

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5.0 (52)

$378.78 2 available New

$369.00 4 available Used

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4.5 (168)

$389.00 $388.00 $1.00

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£349.00

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Average Price: $409

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Höfner 500/1 Ignition is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Höfner 500/1 Ignition". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass guitar is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of musicians worldwide. Known for its distinctive violin-shaped body, this electric bass is a nod to the legendary instrument that helped shape the sound of a generation. Crafted with a spruce top and flamed maple back and sides, it offers a rich, resonant tone that’s both warm and versatile. The maple one-piece neck and jatoba fretboard provide a smooth playing experience, perfect for both budding bassists and seasoned pros.

With a scale length of 30 inches, this short-scale bass is comfortable to play, while the 22 frets offer ample range for melodic exploration. The Höfner Ignition Staple humbuckers deliver a classic vintage sound, perfect for rock, blues, and beyond. The individual machine heads with pearloid plastic buttons ensure precise tuning stability, and the Original Tea Cup potentiometer knobs add a touch of nostalgic flair to the control panel.

Whether you're channeling the spirit of the '60s or crafting your own iconic sound, the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass is an instrument that blends history with modern craftsmanship. It's more than just a bass guitar; it's a piece of musical heritage.

Key Features:

Spruce top
Flamed maple back and sides
Maple one-piece neck
Jatoba fretboard
White binding on top and back
Scale length: 30 inches
Nut width: 42 mm
22 frets
2 Höfner Ignition Staple humbuckers
Individual machine heads with pearloid plastic buttons
Original Tea Cup potentiometer knobs on the control panel

Product specs

Available since	January 2020
Colour	Sunburst
Top	Spruce
Back and Sides	Maple
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Jatoba
Frets	22
Scale	Mediumscale
Pickup System	HH
Incl. Case	No
Incl. Gigbag	No
Soundboard	Maple
Body	Maple
Pickups	HH
Neck Width	42,0 mm
Elektronic	Passive
Mechanics	Höfner

FAQs

What type of music is the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass best suited for?: The Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass is ideal for genres that benefit from its warm, resonant tones, such as rock, pop, and jazz. Its iconic sound is reminiscent of classic British Invasion music.
Is the Höfner 500/1 Ignition suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Höfner 500/1 Ignition is suitable for beginners due to its short 30-inch scale length, which makes it comfortable and easy to play, especially for those with smaller hands.
What are the tonal characteristics of the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass?: The Höfner 500/1 Ignition offers a rich, warm tonal character with solid lows and smooth highs, thanks to its spruce top and maple body construction.
Does the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass come with a case or gigbag?: No, the Höfner 500/1 Ignition does not include a case or gigbag, so you may need to purchase one separately to protect your instrument.
What is the neck width of the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass?: The neck width of the Höfner 500/1 Ignition bass is 42.0 mm, providing a comfortable grip for most players.

Videos

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PMTVUK

Hofner Ignition Series Violin Bass - The Beatles Sound!

PMTVUK

Hofner Ignition Violin Bass (Sunburst) Demo at GAK

GAK

Hofner Ignition Violin Bass - Variety of tones

CrisSkyTube

Hofner Ignition Violin Bass Review

Bass Guitar Review

Hofner's Ignition Violin Bass

James Wang

Hofner Ignition Violin Bass, Sunburst

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

Achieves the iconic Beatle bass sound with flatwound strings
Lightweight and comfortable due to its hollow body design
Short scale neck enhances playability, especially for smaller hands
Retro styling and vintage details appeal to enthusiasts
Cost-effective alternative to the German-made original
Unique "plunky" or "rubbery" sound with flatwounds
High-quality tuners for the price point
Versatile for both live performances and recordings
Fun and enjoyable to play, with a nostalgic vibe
Hollow body allows for unplugged practice

CONS

Requires a professional setup for optimal playability
Default strings are subpar, necessitating an upgrade
Intonation and neck adjustments often needed out of the box
Electronics may feel limited to some users
Thick neck may not be comfortable for all players
Lacks sustain compared to other basses
Tuning stability can be inconsistent

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Höfner 500/1 Ignition.

Build quality

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The Contemporary's German pickups provide superior sound compared to Ignition's Chinese pickups, with noticeably better binding quality.
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Ignition models may have issues with strings staying in rivets on the bridge.
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User experience

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The Ignition model is significantly lighter than the Contemporary, which can be important for long playing sessions.
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One user mentions Harley Benton VB as a cost-effective alternative, offering a similar novelty appeal without the high price of the Hofner.
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Comparisons

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Aria 1540 is suggested as an alternative for achieving similar sound and feel to the Ignition, with a better aesthetic.
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Some users find German-made Hofner basses offer superior sound and feel, recommending them over the Ignition for those willing to invest more.
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Some users find the Guild Starfire, Gretsch G5540B, and Harmony H22 provide similar sound to the Hofner with a more comfortable body size.
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The Hofner Club Bass is suggested as more ergonomic than the violin bass, retaining similar sound qualities with improved playability.
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Use cases and applications

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Contemporary model can achieve versatility with EQ adjustments, unlike the more acoustically specific Ignition.
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The Hofner Ignition's small body size is noted to be challenging for practicing while sitting, better suited for standing play.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners suggest installing nylon tape strings or flat-wounds to improve sound quality and reduce initial twang in Hofner Ignition models.
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Adding specific aftermarket parts, like tuning pegs and electronics, can enhance the performance of the Hofner Icon series.
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Setup and maintenance

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Proper setup, including adjustments and string changes, can transform cheaper Hofner knockoffs into highly playable instruments.
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Upgrading with German control panels on CT models can closely replicate the sound of more expensive German Hofners.
Source

Features and functionality

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The use of a tone box, such as a Bass Pod, can significantly enhance the Hofner sound, especially for achieving a '63/'64 Beatles tone.
Source

Add review

4.0 out of 5

Based on 14 Reviews and 81 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

uranianteratology

421

6 months ago

Great Bass but Hard to take care of

This bass is great, but if you dont take specific care of it things like the gold on the knobs and parts of the Bridge will fall off.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Metal

nclsrfn

222

over 3 years ago

quirky little bass

Iconic bass, I think this model was kind of a joke and only used for lame Beatles tribute bands until it was legitimized in the early 2000s by the bedroom pop/psych scene (Kevin Parker, Nick Allbrook, Mac DeMarco..) and it's now a legit instrument to get "that sound". Kudos to Hofner for offering an entry-level model with "Hofner" on the headstock. There's really no reason to get an Harley Benton or an Epiphone Viola, get the real deal.

Snatched this on mercatinomusicale, mint condition, with its hard case. It also had the correct strings on (Pyramid flatwounds short-scale) but I had to change them because they were too old (and horribly wound at the pegs, the G string snapped).

It's a very frail instrument and if you are used to a Precision you'll have to adjust your approach or it will pulverize in your hands. The mobile bridge it's also a cultural shock, you'll have to spend and evening there to understand and tame it.

Waiting to use it live.

Edit: Ok, used in rehearsals and live, bass is legit, but I needed a compressor (I use an MXR Dyna Comp) to get a more even sound, because without it some notes are very loud and others quiet. The Dyna also scoops a bit the sound, and it works. You also have to tweak a bit the eq on the amp and add a bit of gain to get a snappier sound. With bass I also use an EHX Green Russian Muff and rules with the Hofner, very nasty, I was near my amp and I was able to do little feedbacks at the end of the songs like an electric guitar. I quickly became a fan of this bass.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

freedom_solossa

418

over 5 years ago

Well, it's a hofner.

My first bass. Got my ignition back at 2018, a '16 model IIRC. The tuners are wacky, the intonation never sounds good beyond the 12th fret (pretty hard to adjust the saddle to perfect tone), and painfully high actions. It got that classic Mccartney-ish tone, and surprisingly sounds well at small gigs with PA. Very lightweight bass with such a small scale (with a tolerable amount of neckdive). Stilll love it.

Roles:

Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Funk / Soul

From Gear Setup

jorgealb91

413

about 8 years ago

Not what i expected.

I think i was very hyped on buying my first bass, and after checking a lot of them i decided to buy this one because of the clean tones it could get. I was very dissapointed, it lacks the sustain i want, i guess shortscale isn't for me also, so my stars are based in my personal preference, so don't get me wrong, it is a nice bass, just not the best first bass for anyone i guess. My first impression was, Is this a toy?, i was really surprised since it felt and it feels like a guitar, not a bass.

dippypepsi123

590

almost 4 years ago

It's a great bass

It's a great short scale bass , I like how playable it is and it's a great sound and I like the weight of it.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

From Gear Setup

cbfintheflesh18

277

over 6 years ago

nice bass

I love it. It was my 2nd bass guitar and I love it and its tone. The problems are, It is a pain too string, the action is difficult to adjust so I only do so when I am re-stringing, and it does not stay in tune to well. But overall, it is a great bass.

softglas

over 9 years ago

So much fun

This thing is so much fun to play. It has it's quirks (tuning is a bit of a wildcard) but it truly is a unique instrument. From what i've read, the ignition series does a great job of emulating the Hofner experience while being cost effective.

adamdalby

164

almost 9 years ago

Does what its supposed too

I've had this bass for awhile and although its been a bumpy ride I've greatly enjoyed playing it. Although the output jack broke and the bridge pickup no longer works when its strung with flats this bass really does have a tasty tone

nicholas_poprocky

637

almost 11 years ago

Hofner Ignition Beatle Bass

Purchased second hand in early 2015 and used for Phased Out live shows and recordings of You Earn What You Get (2017). Sold in June 2018.

See the bass in use for Phased Out here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csBQq04MpQg ~~https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhO1PCrAIS4 ~~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tvzlNOG3wY

https://open.spotify.com/artist/29eta63JrfkfYrMay1Rgsu

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

jimmarchi1

41029

11 years ago almost 11 years ago

I had a MIJ violin body bass that was a gift from a studio owner I worked for. Like a boob I sold it. I miss that bass terribly. Cheers to your Hofner branded Chinese copy!