Hofner HCT-500 Contemporary Series vs. Hofner 500/1 Vintage '62 violin bass

This video shows an October 2006 Hofner HCT-500 Contemporary Series bass on the left side, made in China originally (but customised with German parts by me) and a December 2006 Hofner 500/1 Vintage '62 re-issue on the right hand side made in Germany.
The Contemporary Series bass has had genuine German Hofner tuners (63 -type) installed, along with genuine German Hofner bridge, tailpiece, tea-cup knobs and flatwound Hofner strings. Even so you can still tell the difference between the two basses. The sunbursting is a lighter more yellow colour on the 500/1 and its flame maple on the back is less prominant. The perloid and binding on the 500/1 is much more aged in appearance than on the contemporary series. Apart from Contemporary Series bass being heavier than its All-German counterpart, it's definitely not the same quality of instrument. That said, Contemporary Series bass is a good well made bass in its own right and is far superior to the Jay Tursur/ Rogue/ Tanglewood knock-off basses. This one is the same dimensions as a 500/1 bass.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hofner
• 500/1
• Contemporary
• Series
• violin
• bass
• HCT-500

[rajjar52]

The V62 Hofner Reissue has 2-on-a-strip tuners...if your doesn't I don't think it's a V62 reissue.

[dw909]

@rajjar52 Just realised I had mis-responded previously to the question on tuners. Clearly forgot that my most recent Hofner does actually have the two on a strip tuners, so is indeed the Vintage 62 re-issue. That said, at the point the question was asked I had already sold the Contemporary series bass, so wasn't in a position to confirm whether two on a strip tuners could be fitted to it or not.

[letole]

Sorry for this, I feel so ashamed. Leandro is my name and I live in Argentina. I bought the contemporary and I wanna put the genuine hofner machine heads like you did. The thing is that the dealer in the united states does not ship to argentina any more. Perhaps you could help me as you live in the states , I send you the money to buy them and then you ship them to me. If you think this could be done i really apreciate. thanks a lot

[dw909]

@letole Actually I live in Europe...but you don't need to buy your parts from the USA. Most of my parts were from Europe and my teacup knobs came from Australia. A good source for parts is in Germany from Musikkeller (a dot com website). If you go there, change language to English by clicking flag in top left corner of webpage, then click on "Spare Parts" at top, then "mechanics"on left side you will see the Hofner machine heads. I also bought many parts off Ebay.

[letole]

Hi again , did you change the chinese tailpiece for a genuine hofner one as well? thanks

[dw909]

@letole - as per the video description I changed the tailpiece, bridge, control panel knobs, tuners and strings all for genuine German Hofner parts. Tailpiece was a very straight forward swap - the German one has a bit more of a curve to it, but screwed in no problem re-using screws from the Chinese part. Should be noted that one my Vintage 62 the tailpiece is actually nailed in, as is most common with the German models

[KoombaBubble]

500/1 violin bass is better than the one on the left

[dw909]

@letole To be honest it might be risky with strip tuners? I only have the Hofner Vintage 62 now (Contemporary is sold) and this has single tuners, as did the Contemporary. I have never owned a violin bass with two on strip tuners and I can't tell you 100% whether the spacing on a Contemporary would be the same as on a bass with strip tuners. Sorry I can't help you, but I am sure someone else might know? You could try the Hofner Hounds forum on hofner.co.uk?

[letole]

Do you think the v62 (two on strip) originals machine heads will fit or it will be too risky to try. I mean the space between the holes in the wood must be the same in both the contemporary an the v62, can you measure it, it will be really helpful. thanks a lot again

[dw909]

@letole I actually sold the Contemporary shortly after making this video, but I do have lots of info on it, as I previously wrote a review when I first bought it. From my records It weighs 6lbs 2oz, which is about 2.8kg. In actual fact it weighs as much as my previous Tanglewood Hofner copy (commonly sold as Rogue, Jay Turser etc.) The V63 500/1 weighs around 4lbs 2 oz, which is about 1.9kg which is considerably lighter.