A classic with modern refinements.

A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter H&omul;fner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. With a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs", it's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear. Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature H&omul;fner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes. On the electronics side, you're working with two original H&omul;fner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound. All in all, this alteration of Walter's original guitar is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the ears.

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Features:

• Rosewood fretboard
• 22 frets
• Maple-beech-maple set neck
• Neck width at nut 1 5/8"
• 4 individual machine heads
• Ebony bridge with movable metal saddles for perfect intonation and string spacing
• Brass trapeze tailpiece
• Selected German spruce top
• Flamed maple back and sides
• 2 Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups
• Control panel with boost and individual on and off switches and boost
• Nickel-plated hardware
• Floating celluloid pickguard, pearl designed
• Mother of pearl inlay dots

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Includes:

• case.

Order today and play a thoroughly enjoyable bass.

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar

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Average of 8 User Ratings

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Very nice!

Posted by Minian from Indiana on Sep 26, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Classic Rock

The Hofner Contemporary is not only a beautiful bass, but it's classic mellow tone won me over. The build quality exceeded my expectations. The fretboard is smooth and extremely playable although not as wide as a many basses which gives you a better reach across the frets and improves my playing. If your looking for a classic look, warm earthy tones, nice sustain and German Electronics look no further. I think you'll be pleased. Quickly become my favorite bass. Light weight means you'll never get tired of playing it.

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Love it

Posted by Bottom thrower from Melmfus on Mar 11, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Former pro-now retired

Reviewer's Play Style: Whatever ya' got

I bought one of these because I always wanted one but didn't want to spend the scratch for the German made one. From what I can tell, about the only difference is the sustain block in the Chinese version which adds a little weight and a *TON* of sustain. Very nicely put together, plays like buttah, and needed no change in setup out of the box. These basses are deep and loud. You can use the combination of pickups and individual volume controls to get pretty much any tone you're looking for, but the neck pickup alone with just a touch of palm muting sounds like an amplified upright. Just magnificent. It comes with round wound strings which I really prefer over flats and gives you a lot more tonal flexibility. The intonation was fine and can be reset if needed. Hofner must be playing close attention to the Chinese production line because mine is just beautifully put together and a total gas to play. You can slap it, but that's not its strong suit. It does best for making deep rich bottom, but adjust the pickup volumes and go after it with a pick and it'll do Yes all night long.

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Why spend more?

Posted by Kissape from Maryland on Feb 24, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock/Pop

A couple of years ago, I bought a Hofner Icon. It was a decent little bass - enough like a Hofner to keep one satisfied and without breaking the bank. Within a couple of months, it was announced that the Contemporary was coming out. A Hofner nut/friend of mine saw it at NAMM and told me, "it was all that". Well, I bought one today. It's beautiful!!! Great tone and sustain... mine has NO flaws whatsoever. My title says it all!

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It's a keeper.........

Posted by John from Santa Cruz, CA on Feb 19, 2009

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Vintage Rock, Jazz

Ordered it with out even seeing the photo...(they claim it is "coming soon"). Very nice finish; nicer than the Icon. Mine had a tiny ding on the bottom back edge that polished out good enough. Comes with roundwounds which gave it a buzz that would probably go away when they wear in but it really needs a set of short scale flatwounds. Nice vintage whomp to it; I finally have a "Beatle Bass". I'm quite happy.

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Very underestimated

Posted by McKey from L.A., CA on Jan 29, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Songwriter/Producer

Reviewer's Play Style: Mainly indie, folk, blues, rock and jazz.

I've had this bass now for over a year. Its a good bass. It sounds fantastic. My favorite is the solo boost with only the neck p/u. Ridiculously warm. I mostly use it for recording and usually go direct with it. Its play is super slim and fast, which I love. The only thing I can say is the electronics are a little flaky. The pickups are great, but the wiring is shotty at best. My ground has always been patchy and now everything else is getting crackly. I'll be sending it to a luthier soon to get the more traditional nobs and switches anyways so it shouldn't matter after that. This bass is great, holds its own with my '62 Jazz Reissue. They are totally different though, so if your looking for a jazz bass tone, get a jazz bass. If your looking for an unbelievably warm and punch sound, this is a great choice. Finish is great, neck is perfect. Love the zero fret. Tuners are pretty decent. But yeah, wiring is a bit shotty.

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Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar

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$769.00

MSRP: $1,099.00 Savings: $330.00(30%)

Finance Now for $77/mo.

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