Hofner 500/1  Violin Beatle Bass Sunburst Vintage 1964

NB Commission Sale : Collection preferred or insured mainland UK only delivery/

The Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass was designed by Walter Hofner and launched at the Frankfurt Music Messe in 1956.  Paul McCartney bought his 1961 violin bass in Hamburg and famously used it throughout the 1960s live until the Beatles ceased live performance. His original 61 was stolen in 1972 and recently returned to him after 50 years of being out of his possession. 

This really vibey 1964 example is in appropriate condition for age with lots of playing wear. It has however been recently refurbished by CCGX and plays beautfully well with a great action.

The pickups were rewound there and they have done an excellent job, wiring circuit all functions as it should.

All tuners function but the D is quite stiff, there is a section of nut missing at the back between D and G, however the zero fret minimises the effect of this. There are numerous playing scratches on the top, buckle rash on the back, and 2 major sites of absent lacquer plus some headstock dinks. The bass weighs 4.7lb and is strung with flatwounds as you'd expect.  The original case is long gone but the bass is supplied with a TGI gigbag,

Hofner spec:

Fully hollow body.  

Finish: Sunburst. 

Body Wood Top: Spruce 

Back: Flame Maple 

Sides: Flame Maple

Neck Wood: Flame Maple/Beech/Flame Maple

Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood

Scale: 30"/76cm

Nut Width: 42mm

Number Of Frets: 22