{"product_id":"hofner-5001-beatle-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-11777","title":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)","description":"Hofner 500\/1 Beatle Bass Model Hollow Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Germany, serial # 37044, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body with spruce top, laminated maple neck wirh rosewood finferboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat can be said about the classic Hofner Beatle Bass that has not already been in print for decades? This unique and quirky design (with the possible exception of the Fender Precision and Jazz) remains the most imitated electric bass of all time. If a certain Beatle had not made it his signature instrument in the early 1960s it would have likely faded into obscurity decades ago, but as we all know that connection is still as strong as ever; Sir Paul continues to use his live even now, 60+ years on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hofner Model 500\/1 is one of the earlier electric bass guitars, certainly one of the very first European designs. The \"violin bass\" layout was a natural for Hofner, much experienced with bowed instruments. With a laminated maple body and spruce top, the bass was assembled rather like an actual viol. Between 1955 and 1966 it went through many design changes; this version is similar in appearance to McCartney's famous 1963 model with a number of small differences. The bound neck, raised logo, larger control panel, larger pickup rings and shorter tailpiece are the most obvious. While now collectors have since cataloged all these changes and more none of it mattered much to the legions of mostly young aspiring bassists who flocked to the model in the mid-60s, hoping to grab a piece of Beatle magic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass dates to mid-1966 (the pots carry a code indicating fabrication in the 26th week of 1966). This model was exclusively distributed in the US by Sorkin Music, and proved a real windfall for them in Beatle-mad 1965 and '66. While now usually remembered as a \"cheap\" bass that was NOT true when new; the list price in 1966 was $335 plus $60 for the C-501 case. In July 1966 Fender Precision listed at $223 in Sunburst and $234 (for a Custom Color); the Jazz Bass was $271 or $285 (Custom Color). One would guess a lot of lawns were mowed and supermarket bags checked to enable teen players to afford this luxury! Numerous imitations of widely varying quality quickly hit the market, but the Hofner original was never surpassed as the REAL \"Beatle Bass\".\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eApart from this unavoidable connection, the 500\/1 has always been a most pleasant instrument to play. Extremely light and handy with its slim 30\" scale neck, the twin-pickup bass is also fairly versatile sounding with two volume controls and Hofner's proprietary (if confusing) \"Flick action console\". Young players who may have struggled to pay for one of these got an instrument that was exceptionally easy to learn on while maintaining an excellent sound and undeniable cool factor. In the uber-loud later 1960s this lively hollowbody bass fell out of favor somewhat but never really disappeared, and maintains a special mystique to this day.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 43 3\/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1\/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1\/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9\/16 in. (40 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis bass remains *almost* all original, showing some typical wear and maintenance repair and a truly excellent player. The finish shows some general wear, most notably checking to the top and a couple of deep wear spots into the wood above the neck pickup, where a player must have rested their thumb. The back has some chips up near the neck joint, and area of buckle scratches into but not through the lacquer. Overall the instrument shows small scratches, dings and dents. The treble side of the neck is worn to the wood along the edge, otherwise the neck finish is relatively clean. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs it almost ubiquitous with old Hofners the neck has been reset, in this case neatly and correctly with no extra shenanigans. The original binding around the heel and heelcap are still intact, with no extra screws and such added as has often been the case. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted with correct style wire, and the bridge rebuilt to the correct height by restoring the cut-down saddle. The top of the bridge shows holes drilled through over the adjustment screws in the base, no longer needed for correct height settings. The result of all this is one of the best-playing Hofner 500\/1 basses around, with a smooth low action over the entire neck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll hardware is original and complete except for one tuner button; either the button or the entire tuner was replaced long ago; the peg itself is an exact match, the button close but no cigar. A second matching plastic strap button was added to the heel probably when the bass was new. The oft-broken or missing original pickguard is fully intact. The Sorkin-applied serial number label on the back of the headstock has a piece of tape over it (it probably started to peel off) and an additional small \"BEATLES\" sticker below. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a super comfortable bass to play, sounding exactly as it should and residing in the original 1966 Sorkin case with a period strap some added Beatle-y decorative memorabilia inside and out. A tag on the handle indicates it once visited the Rock \u0026amp; Roll Hall Of Fame Museum. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Hofner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853481889932,"sku":"11777","price":3750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b7cff408-5afd-40f2-ba2b-ef792f880953.jpg?v=1774339778","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/hofner-5001-beatle-bass-hollow-body-electric-bass-guitar-1966-11777","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}