The Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass was designed by Walter Hofner and launched at the Frankfurt Music Messe in 1956. It has since gone on to become one of the most recognisable electric bass guitars in the music world in terms of both looks and sound.
The Hofner 500/1 'Cavern' Violin Bass takes it's name from the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England. Opened in 1957 this Club was one of the most important small clubs in Europe for bands trying to make it big in the Beatboom era. In 1960 the first beat night session was held featuring Rory Storm and the Hurricanes with Ringo Starr on drums and by mid 1961 the Merseybeat scene was in full flow with the Beatles and the Cavern Club centre stage.
Hofner’s Cavern basses are characterised by the two pickups being situated close together. The sustain block inside the body gives a modern, deep resonating bass sound, while still retaining the original Hofner bass character. This bass is inspired by the original 1961 model which was purchased by Paul McCartney in Hamburg.
Features
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Flame Maple
- Neck Wood: Flame Maple / Beech / Flame Maple
- Neck Construction: Three Piece
- Headstock Shape: Hofner Violin Bass
- Neck Joint: Violin Bass Set Neck
- Joint At: 16th Fret
- Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
- Scale: 30″/76cm
- Nut Width: 42mm
- Width At 12th Fret: 48mm
- Inlays: Pearl Dots
- Side Dots: Yes
- Number Of Frets: 22
- Bridge Material: Ebony
- Type: Hofner Fretted
- Hardware Tuners: Single Nickel
- Tailpiece: Hofner Trapeze Nickel
- Nut Material: Plastic
- Pickguard: White Pearl
- Pickup Neck: Hofner Staple Nickel
- Pickup Bridge: Hofner Staple Nickel
- Potentiometer Knobs: Gold top
- Electrics: Hofner Pearl Panel
- Strings: Hofner Flat Wound
- Hardcase included