Great videos! I'm brand new to Hofner (and basses in general) and these videos are fantastic. Just set the intonation and your instructions worked flawlessly. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this. I've been playing and setting up my Hofner bass for years thinking I knew so much. The marking of the strings and intonating them one at a time to see the saddle pattern is a brilliant tip, thanks for sharing your experience and passion for these wonderful instruments.
I appreciate your videos I enjoy them and look forward to them, keep them coming and I prefer no background music as others have mentioned :) Thank you for what you do.
Phenomenal video. I learned so much as a beginner bass player. And I need to go restring my hoffner now that I’ve watched this because I definitely screwed it up when I did it!
Love your videos! Combining two of my favourite things - Beatles nostalgia and tinkering with guitar setups. We really appreciate your passion and attention to detail. Keep up the great work 😉
Thank you E.J., I like the way you do a step by step clarification of how to properly set things in motion. I thought the video was inspiring and point on. The music track turned off makes it easy to understand what is being done. Please continue to make more videos. Stay safe and thank you for answering my questions about the recommended strings for the Hofner ! All My Best - Rick
Thanks for another great lesson on the Hofner mystique. We all have another think coming if we think LaBella, Hofner/Pyramid, TI strings are gonna elevate our playing/sound. Sir Pauly could play a tin can and still make it sound good. And there is more in his sound chain than just “strings”. His hands for starters. His “little baby” bass too. We couldn’t begin to imagine his rig setup. All the highest end gear, the recording techniques, etc. I use LaBella strings because they sound great, long lasting, and are cost effective. Yes I have used TI stings too, but the LBs feel better (to my hands/ears). Thanks again EJ for your passion on this quirky little bass. I am Jonesing for a Cavern 500/1 or 500/2!
Michael Eisenman I have short scale TI jazz flats on my 63 reissue, they went on fine. Mind you they have been on for years now, so they could of changed something along the way. Definitely my favourite strings for my Hofner 63. I do have however La Bella strings on my 61 reissue which is quite the combo, rattles the windows!
You need to use Medium Scale Bass Strings due to the tailpiece and there's a variety of them. LaBella Hofner Beatle Bass Strings (or their Medium scale Bass strings) are one of them, Thomastik makes good ones too, one of my favorites is Daddario because the Colored Ball ends make it easier to see which string is which
Hey EJ, it’s Ernie again. thanks for another great video. The number two pencil trick alone was worth the price of admission. In fact, I used it tonight! The slots on my guitar were too tight for the caliber of the string which meant I had to overcompensate when tuning. 15 minutes later, once the strings adjusted, the bass would be out of tune again. But with a little sandpaper and the shavings from a number two pencil the problem was solved - thanks to you, EJ. One thing in your video though just doesn’t make sense to me: When tuning an open string, if you press that string on the 12th fret (assuming the 12th fret is properly placed), wouldn’t that note always be a little sharp due to the added finger pressure on the string, especially if the action is high? Moving the bridge to compensate for that wouldn’t fix the problem because moving the bridge would affect the tuning of the entire string, not just from the 12th fret on, right? So assuming the nut is straight and the frets are straight, shouldn’t the stainless steel pieces on the bridge be as straight as possible and not In different spots on the bridge like they are on my Hofner? Maybe the remedy to all this is is to go against convention and if you want to assure the best possible tuning, always tune with your finger pressing on the string at the 12th fret or 9th thread or 7th fret and forget about tuning an open string or using harmonics. The harmonics don’t really help you in this regard because if the open string is in tune, the harmonic on the 12th fret would have to be in tune, if the fret is properly placed. What am I missing?
Hi Ernie, Great question. Assuming everything is set to hofner specs (string gauge, string height at the 12th fret, neck joint is tight and not leaning forward) then tune the open string and the 12th fret harmonic so they match. I’m assuming your tuner shows cents. Once you have that then tune the 12th harmonic so that the 12th fret pressed down note matchs the harmonic on your tuner. Or at least as close as you can get it. Put a small mark on the string where that is. Do each string like that and you will see where the small frets on the bridge should be located according to the marks on the strings. But...I have found that the stock location of where those bridge frets should be (not the bridge its self) is usually that the E bridge fret is the only one that sometimes needs to be moved forwad a slot. Remember that these guitars are equal temperament and not true temperament guitars. Google the difference if needed. Does this help?
@@BackbeatVintage Well after watching a couple of equal/true temperament videos, I am more confused than ever! Here is what I find so illogical: Why would the halfway point for any string, namely at the 12th fret, not be the actual halfway point and would require moving one of the metal pieces on the bridge? Said another way, assuming the bridge markings are in line and parallel with the nut, why would the center of the G string be different from the center of the E string? Again EJ, thanks for your help with this and all you do for the Hofner community.
Hello from Norway....:-) I think you are doing a GREAT job with your videos. Thanks so much for this...!!! Really enjoy your work !!! All the best form Norway.
Love your videos! Will you do one that compares the various flatwounds for the Hofner 500/1? Thomastik Infeld JF324 vs. LaBella 760FHB2 vs Hofner strings?
Jeremy , hi guys,I’d love to hear a comparison vid between thomastik and labella,have a set of thomatik on a 65 for nearly 10 yrs and they only seem to be getting better,love the show....
Loved your detailed video as usual. One thing....... one minute your strings were not threaded and the next they were. Can I ask if it would be possible for you to actually show a string being threaded and turned in lock... thank you again from Scotland
Hi. How can you move or reset the wire fret of the bridge to adjust the intonation? especially in a contemporary bridge, what tools are required or how is the procedure safely for the bridge? I would like to see a video of how you do it and thus we would save a lot of headaches with intonation for lovers of the hofner! greetings from Mexico your videos are great
Yes! I have been searching everywhere for the best tools and/or technique to use for re-setting the fret wire saddle into another groove without damaging the wood bridge.
Did you mention that some short scale bass strings don't work on the Hofners due to the extended length of the tailpiece and that medium scale is recommended for the wraps to line up to the tuners correctly...maybe the labella's HF set takes this into account I'm not sure but whatever you put on was the right scale length...looking forward to the sound examples..glad your doing fine....
Hi EJ I love all your videos. Was wondering if you could to a very detailed video showing precisely how you work with the bridge for the intonation. Thank you very much for the consideration
I usually raise the neck pickup almost level with the fret board (not the frets). The bridge pickup I raise up but not as high as the neck pickup. Here’s the issue. The new pickups have output readings all over the place. Vintage pickups were usually around 6 to 7k output. New pickups I’ve seen as high as 11 or 12k. So…after adjusting if you are getting a loud distorted or not clean thump bring the pickup down away from the strings. Hope this helps. Thx! EJ
Awesome video! I always learn a lot with your videos EJ. What is your opinion about the Pyramid strings? Thank you and congratulations again. Please don´t stop in upload your videos.
Hi, at the 12th fret the distance between the fret and the bottom of the string should be 4/32 on all strings. I usually set mine at 3/32 but 4/32 is roughly the factory setting. Use the thumb wheels on the bridge to lower. If all the way down then check the neck to see if the neck has too much forward bow and needs to be adjusted back using the truss rod. Turn slowly and in little amounts. Should have some forward bow but very little. If your bass is vintage and the neck joint is starting to let loose it may need a reset. Thx! EJ
Hi EJ! Amazing video as always! I have been saving up for an Ignition bass myself, and I was wondering where you get them and how much they usually cost. I REALLY want one, and I'm planning on starting a tribute band. Thanks! William, a 13 year old bassist
Great video and very informative. What you didn't explain though, is how to move those little fret wires on the floating bridge. I tried to gently pry one out, but didn't pry too hard for fear of damaging it. Do you have a video, or any kind of explanation for that? Thanks!
just ordered a set of these La Bella's for my Ignition and they're coming anytime next week. your video came at the right moment :) something that seems to occur a lot in Hofners with flats is the dead/muted E string. you can see even in videos of people playing here that the overall volume of the E string tends to be a problem. could you give some advices about it? does that occur because of the nut or anything else? thank you and great video!
Hi Pedro, it could be because of a lot of things...dead or muted could be a totally different issue then the volume. Sometimes the pickup just needs to be raised on the bass side. The other issues could be in the nut or at the bridge. Hard to diagnose without seeing. Thx!
Hi EJ I love your videos! I was actually inspired to pickup a german Hofner cavern bass by watching them! I have a quick question! Are these basses noises? My neck pick is pretty noises, my thoughts that i need to retouch the soldering ! Basically when I have the neck pickup on, the bass buzzes until I actually touch the strings! Thanks in advance!
Should be quiet. Check amp first and guitar chord. If not that then check that the ground wire that runs from the inside tail block is connected either to the output jack ground or to the ground on the controller. Also, check that none of the capacitors or bare wires on the contoller are pushed down and touching other connections. Also standing near a florescent overhead light can make it buzz. Most likely thats not it but worth mentioning.
Hi, usually once a bass is totally reset there is very little of those adjustments needed. If those adjustments are needed it would be because something else is off and this method can compansate temporarily for it being off. I think in a few videos I’ve had to move the e string bridge fret forward one groove. Thats most common. Thx
@@BackbeatVintage Hey thanks. I’ve been binge watching but haven’t come across those yet. I’m really enjoying your channel. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge.
Hey I have a question. I changed my strings on my Hofner Ignition SE to Pyramid flatwound and I made the mistake of taking all the strings off and then putting on the new strings. The Bridge moved a bit so I'm not sure if i put it back at the exact right spot. But the problem I'm having is that the thickest E strings sounds a bit dry I guess. There's not much clang and very short sustain especially when pressing down frets (the higher frets the worse). It sounds too bassy. Do you know how to fix this? Really wish I watched this video before changing the strings :/
Not sure what bass you have, ignition, hct or german. Make sure all strings are resting firmly on the zero fret and the bridge is correctly fit to the body shape. Thats how you get the best tone transfer. Pyramids are know to be warm and bassy. An ebony bridge properly fit is the best for tone. A lot of hct and ignitions have rosewood which is not as good for tone and sound.
Thanks for your videos. I need to install the original strap but I was unable to find a tutorial that teaches how to do it properly. Do you have any videos about it?
I love your videos- very detailed and clear! I have one question and apologize if you have already answered it: how do the La Bellas with the heavier gauge work on the CT series basses? I usually prefer a low action, but would like to be able to "dig in" just a bit more. My bridge is about as high as I dare put it- so i am wondering if the 50-100 gauge might be the solution for me? Thanks!
Thanks! You know I never tried those gauge strings. You might try the flat wound pyramids made for that bass. They are slightly heavier. If you do try the heavier labella’s be sure they fit the short scale. Hope this helps.
Great video 🎸🎸 I have a CT bass, it’s awesome. I have recently went from La Bella (39-96) to La Bella Black Nylons (50-100). The sound is fab;however, I note that the e string it’s a little more loose on the Black Nylon. Do you know if this is to be expected at all?
Awesome video. Currently trying to nail down the intonation on my bass, I’ve marked the strings and like you said it just so happens the the g and a need to be moved to the d track on the bridge. How did you go about removing and reinstalling the little piece of fret wire in the bridge? Thanks
Hi Alec, i use my fret puller pliers but you can gently use a small jewelers flat screw driver or blade an slowly work them up. To put it back in use a small light weight hammer or instrument and gently tap or press it in. Go to stewmac.com and search for these tools to see what they look like or purchase. Be sure to mark the string spacing on a piece of paper to use as a template for spacing. Good luck. EJ
Thanks much! Very helpful. I’m planning on buying a Hofner. Regarding strings. I just read that one should buy 32’ (?) scale strings for it because the extra length is needed due to the tailpiece. I wanted to run Rotosound tape wounds on it but I believe they’re too big around. Any suggestions! 🌞😎✌️
Hi, best to stick with what was made for that instrument. Things to consider are the string gauge to fit in the tuners, not having to refile the nut. The string end fitting in the tailpiece correctly and higher string tension in some cases plus staying in tune. I suggest flat wound pyramids or labella deeptalkn flats. My latest video where I work on a 66 hofner I show how to address the string winding at the nut for those years with the shorter tailpiece. Hope this helps.
Hi, nope…..never do that. The nature of this instrument is that it will always need readjusting due to use, temperatures, humidity, string tensions, fret ware, aging etc. These basses are more like violins and standup basses with the same issues and you know what their bridges look like….same reasons for that. Thx!
Hi EJ. Thank you for your tremendous video guides. Can you advise the smartphone tuner app you’re using in this video? I’m looking for a recommendation so any tips gratefully received!
@@BackbeatVintage Thank you very much, EJ! Please stay safe and keep up the great work. You are creating what feels like an online masters degree course in Hofner basses! Bravo!
Thanks for this, I received my Violin Ignition bass yesterday and finding it a little daunting compared with my Fender Jazz. I'm expecting a pack of LaBella flats in a few days and your video will certainly help. I have one question - how do I remove the piece of material from under the bridge? Is it simply a matter of loosening the strings and pulling it out? Many thanks :)
Hey Ian. Congrats on the bass. I'm in the same boat-just bought my Ignition bass on Saturday. Sounded like shit, intonation all over the place, dead E string with weird harmonics all along the neck. I ordered the same strings you did. To answer your question, loosen the strings and mark the position of the bridge with painter's tape. Once you get the strings somewhat loose you can grab a corner and begin pulling. Use your other hand to lift some of the tension off the bridge by lifting the strings gently. It'll slip out. Good luck getting a good sound out of your bass. Fingers are crossed that I can do the same!
Sounds good on how to remove that. Guys…once it is removed take a small flat piece of paper and try to slide it under the bridge where it sits on the body. If you can get it under partially then your not getting total tone transfer. In most cases with the ignition I find the bridge to the body contact needs fitting. Easy fix ….I did a video on the epiphone viola. Watch the part on fitting the bridge bottom to the shape of the body. EJ
Question: will the pick guard of an HCT contemporary bass fit on a German made v62 violin bass? Is there a size difference between the two basses, or are they generally similar in size?
Hi, generally same size but the pickguard neck nail hole in the hofner neck seems to be randomly drilled on all hofners. Also some randon placing of the pickups too. Some minor fitting may be needed.
I bought a used Hofner Ignition from someone who had Labella 760FHB2 stings on it. I didn't care for the lighter strings so I ordered Labella 760FS standard strings, which I realized (to my chagrin) are for long scale basses. I was told it was not a good idea to put these on my Hofner Ignition. Any thoughts on this? Could it do harm to the bass to put these long scale strings on?
My guess is the end of the strings wont go thru the tuner holes. The string tension will be more so it may be risky. Hofner pyramid flatwound short scales strings might be a better choice.
I’ve always had problems with Pyramid strings, or should that be string? A to G are fine but the E string is always lifeless. I even bought a long scale set for my Rickenbacker and had the same problem. It’s a shame as they do sound good, but you can get the same (if not better) sound from Ti Jazz flats or La Bella’s with the added bonus of less tension and a booming E string.
Tune the g string using a tuner then play the 12th fret g and if its sharp move the bridge back a little at a time. Each time you move it retune the open g and then check the 12th fret g tuning. Keep doing it until they are both in tune. Mark the sting with a sharpie and then do each string. Once done the markings on the strings will tell you where the bridge fret pieces need to be positioned in the bridge. McCartneys bass tunes slightly different. He doesnt play open strings and requests his bass to be intonated mid to upper neck. Hence the angled bridge. His 63 suffers from the neck being crooked. Older photos show the bridge cocked to compensate. Neck reset apparently fixed that issue from what I understood. Thx!
Hello! I have an ignition bass but it's a little different than the others I've seen. The pickups are in the same place as the bass shown in this video but the regular ignition bass they are farther apart. You got any info on that?
My friend you have what’s known as a “cavern bass” in 1961 Paul McCartney bought the “cavern” model and used it extensively through out the beginning of Beatles mania. This is the bass that is heard on “Please Please me” and “With The Beatles” then hofner ,grateful for the encouragement from such a star gifted him the classic bass we all know and love. You have a cavern version of the ignition bass. It’s a great bass to have man!
Hi Folks! What about the height of the pickups, please? My Hofner bass has blade type pickups, and I have to lower the neck pickup compared to the bridge pickup height, in order to balance the sound of both pickups... etc. Am I wrong? Best regards.
I generally put my pickups so the neck pu is level with the fretboard. Not the frets but rather the fretboard. The bridge pu i visually adjust it so it is almost the same distance as the neck pu. Regarding sound balance you may have a weak pickup. Might want to check the output with an ohm meter.
Hi, i use fret pulling pliers but you can carefully use a small screw driver or blade and carefully pry it up. To reinstall either press it in or tap carefully with a small tool. Be sure to make a template of the string spacing so you maintain the spacing. Thanks! EJ
