I am offering a German-made Höfner 500/1 Vintage ’63, manufactured in 2004. This is a high-quality, fully resonant version of the famous Violin Bass, built in Germany as a reissue of the 1963 instrument specification.

The 500/1 model is inseparably associated with the sound of Paul McCartney and The Beatles. The Vintage ’63 construction recreates the most important features of the classic early-1960s instrument – a lightweight, fully hollow body, short scale, widely spaced Staple pickups and Höfner’s characteristic control layout.

Instrument number E12173 indicates that it was manufactured on December 17, 2004, as the third example of this model produced that day.

The body is completely hollow, without a centre block. The top is made from spruce, while the sides and beautifully figured back are made from flamed maple. The transparent Sunburst finish highlights the grain of the wood particularly well, especially on the rear of the body.

The multi-piece maple neck is joined to the body using set-neck construction. The rosewood fingerboard has 22 frets, traditional dot markers and no binding, in keeping with the styling of the recreated 1963 version.

The short 762 mm / 30" scale, combined with the lightweight and resonant body, provides excellent playing comfort and the instrument’s characteristic fast response. The nut width is approximately 42 mm. The model’s construction includes a spruce top, maple back and sides, a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard.

The sound is produced by two original Höfner 511B Staple humbuckers. The neck pickup offers a warm, deep and soft tone, while the bridge pickup adds more attack and definition. Together, they provide the classic, short and “woody” character associated with German-made Violin Basses.

The controls are mounted on a traditional pearloid panel:

• Volume 1
• Volume 2
• Rhythm / Solo switch
• Bass On switch
• Treble On switch

The instrument features a characteristic pearloid pickguard, a movable wooden Höfner bridge, a metal trapeze-style tailpiece and open-back vintage-style tuners with light-coloured buttons.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Höfner
• Model: 500/1 Vintage ’63
• Year of manufacture: 2004
• Production date indicated by the number: December 17, 2004
• Number: E12173
• Country of manufacture: Germany
• Construction: fully hollow body
• Top: spruce
• Body back: flamed maple
• Body sides: maple
• Neck: multi-piece maple
• Neck joint: set-neck
• Fingerboard: rosewood
• Number of frets: 22
• Inlays: dots
• Scale length: 762 mm / 30"
• Nut width: approximately 42 mm
• Neck pickup: original Höfner 511B Staple humbucker
• Bridge pickup: original Höfner 511B Staple humbucker
• Controls: 2 × Volume
• Switches: Rhythm / Solo, Bass On, Treble On
• Bridge: movable wooden Höfner bridge
• Tailpiece: metal trapeze tailpiece
• Pickguard: pearloid
• Finish: Sunburst
• Made in Germany

Technical and cosmetic condition

The bass is in very good vintage condition and retains its attractive, original character.

The most noticeable sign of use is the localised finish wear visible in the photographs on the rear of the body. In this area, the lacquer and colour layers have been worn through, exposing the lighter wood of the maple back.

This is a typical type of wear known as buckle rash, caused by prolonged contact between the rear of the instrument and a metal belt buckle or elements of clothing. The damage is purely cosmetic – it is not a crack or structural damage to the body.

The instrument also shows:

• Minor scratches and signs of normal use
• Natural patina on the metal hardware
• Minor marks on the pickguard and control panel
• Typical signs of use on the headstock and body

The frets remain in good condition. The neck is straight, the truss rod operates correctly, and the electronics and all switches function without issue. The bass has been prepared and is ready to play.

Included

• Fitted hard case with green interior
• Original Höfner hang tag identifying the model as 500/1 Vintage ’63
• Höfner documents
• Additional materials and accessories shown in the photographs

The case shows natural signs of use. A localised area of discolouration is visible on the green interior material, which does not affect its functionality.

• 14-day return policy.
• Safe, professional courier shipping.
• Local pickup available in Łódź.
• VAT invoice.
• No trades.

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