Up for sale, a 2004 Hofner 500/1-62L Vintage ‘62 left-handed Violin “Beatle Bass” in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and hangtag. The H500/1 Vintage ‘62 is a faithful replica of Paul McCartney’s 1962 Hofner Violin Bass, more exacting in its specs than earlier reissue iterations and boasting vintage-correct touches including strip tuners and a two-piece maple neck.

A genuine "Made in Germany" example representing Hofner's highest tier of modern production, this Vintage '62 model features traditional tonewood construction with a highly figured, bookmatched flame maple back, flame maple rims, and an arched German spruce top. Weighing just 4lbs 11oz, this fully hollow Hofner has a distinctive acoustic thud and pluck, smooth and sweet sounding via the pair of 511B Staple pickups. The bass has a warm, woody, upright bass-like amplified tone with a pillowy thump, indelibly linked with Paul McCartney, and the Beatles-style sonic signature is further cemented by a set of 45-100 flatwound strings. This Hofner benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with comfortable action and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple (two-piece)
• Shape: Round C, measuring .905” 1st fret, 1.030” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid dot inlays
• Frets: Slender, no wear
• Scale Length: 30”
• Nut: 42mm, zero fret
• Tuners: Strip, squared-off oval buttons

Body Specs:

• Wood: Spruce, flame maple
• Pickups: 511B Staple single coil x2
• Controls: Volume x2, Pickup On/Off switch x2, Rhythm/Solo switch
• Hardware: Ebony bridge, trapeze tailpiece
• Plastics: White pearloid pickguard and control plate, teacup knobs
• Serialization: E-prefix (2004) on label (control cavity)
• Factory markings: ‘Genuine Hofner Original Made in Germany’ decal on back of headstock

The gloss Sunburst finish highlights the figuring in the maple and is framed on both sides by an lightly ambered binding. There’s faint pick scuffing on the bass-side of the upper bout and just a few additional faint marks on the body. The gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean.

The original black tolex hardshell case and serialized hangtag is included.