1974 Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass Vintage Violin Bass Sunburst w/ Blade Pickups, Case

Up for sale, a 1974 Hofner 500/1 Violin “Beatle Bass” in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Indelibly linked with Paul McCartney and the Beatles, this genuine vintage 500/1 captures the round, pillowy thump and definition inherent to the iconic Beatles sound, with a fully hollow body and blade pickups.

There’s a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even while unplugged, with a broad sonic range between the two pickups. The bridge pickup has a more nasally upper-midrange cut and sweet growl, and the neck position has a warm, broad quality. Versatile controls include individual Volume knobs for each pickup, as well as a two-way Rhythm/Solo tone switch which adds a tic-tac cut and punchy presence in the “Solo” position. Featherweight at just 4lbs 11oz, this Horner has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 45-100 flatwound strings, easy-playing action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Flame maple
• Shape: Round C, measuring .865” 1st fret, .970” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlay
• Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, no wear
• Scale Length: 30”
• Nut: 1 9/16”, bone (replacement), zero fret
• Tuners: Sealed-back, white button

Body Specs:

• Wood: Spruce, flame maple
• Pickups: Blade single coil x2
• Controls: Volume x2, Rhythm/Solo switch, Bass and Treble On/Off switches
• Harness: Preh pots date to the 5th week of 1974
• Hardware: Ebony floating bridge, trapeze tailpiece, “Hofner”-stamped pickup covers
• Plastics: Pearloid control plate, ridged knob inserts

The gloss Sunburst finish is exceptionally dark and rich by Hofner standards, exhibiting limited isolated checking on top and a small area of finish reaction adjacent to the control plate. There is light buckle rash central to the back and just a few small nicks on the body, while the gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included.