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Few basses are more instantly recognizable than the Hofner 500/1 or "Beatle Bass". The melodic low end pulse that defined a new breed of rock and roll and some of the most recognizable bass lines of the 1960s were produced by an unexpected source.
When the four lads from Liverpool got their first break, scoring a regular gig in Hamburg, Germany, a young Paul McCartney scraped together about 30 pounds to purchase a 1961 Hofner 500/1 bass. At the time, there was little demand for rock and roll instruments, even less so a left handed one. It is widely believed that Paul custom ordered this bass to be left handed - a relatively simple task, due to the symmetry of the instrument. It is also speculated that Paul's bass was the first left handed bass Hofner ever built. This affordable instrument (compared to about 100 pounds for a Fender bass) sounded good, looked cool and was very light, around 2 kilos - half that of a Fender. A welcome feature, on account of the 6 hour shows they were known to play at the time.
Paul's second bass, a 1963 500/1 was received by Paul just prior to their performance on the Ed Sullivan show, was to become Paul's main bass.
This example is very similar to Paul's 1963 "main" bass that he has played most and is most known for. This 1966 bass features the same staple pickups and pickup location as the 1963 as well as almost all other appointments. The differences between this and the 1963 are most notably the raised lettering on the head stock and a slightly wider control panel on the body.
This bass particular instrument has a rock and roll provenance of its own. Purchased new by its one and only owner in 1966 - this 500/1 bass was played by one member of one of the most popular Australian rock and roll duos of the 1960s. It has been lovingly taken care of by its original owner its whole life. There is minimal damage and a relatively light patina to the body and neck. The body binding is in great shape and the frets have minimal wear.
This bass has just recently been serviced by highly respected guitar maker and published Hofner expert Piers Crocker. Necks on the 500/1 bass a renowned for coming loose on account of the shallow mating surface. Piers reset and reinforced the fragile neck join with a steel bolt inside the body, pulling the heal securely down. This repair is invisible and a very practical repair which likely eliminates any further issues with the neck join.
The pickups were also non functional upon receiving this bass. Piers painstakingly rewound both pickups by hand using original vintage enamel wire identical to the original specs and thickness. The pickups now measure a healthy 6.56k resistance in the neck and 6.17k in the bridge. There is an observable raise in the fretboard from the 16th to 22nd fret. This can cause fret buzzing from 14th fret onwards as the action is set quite low. This could be remedied by either raising the action, or leveling the frets.
If only this bass could talk...! This is a lovely and well preserved vintage Hofner 500/1 with a rock and roll history all of its own. Truly a rare, interesting and iconic instrument.
Drop us a line at Fretboard Jungle, we'll happy tell you anything else you'd like to know.
Brand: Hofner
Model: 500/1 Bass
Year: 1966
Country: Germany
Case: Stamford HSC
Serial: 28XX
Colour (Body): Sunburst
Colour (Neck): Sunburst
Finish Type: Nitro
Body Material: Laminated spruce top/laminated maple back and sides
Neck Material: Maple
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Nut: Original
Scale Length 30"
Fret Number: 22
Neck Radius: 12”
Action: 2.5mm
Neck Profile: C Shape
Nut Width: 40.2mm
12th Fret Width: 46.6mm
1st Fret Depth: 22.6mm
12th Fret Depth: 25.1mm
Pickups: Original pickups - rewound by Piers Crocker using original wire specs
