LeftyBassist.com

What are you thoughts on this one? Seller has a good rating, I wish it were easier to date early Hofners. Shipping is high as it is from London, so far the price is very low.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hofner-1965-6-Violin-Bass-5001-Beatles-Very-Rare-Left-Handed-Mccartney-Model/321411162325?_trksid=p2050601.c100085.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211132617%26meid%3D7063425412848325836%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D20140211132617%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D321411162325%26clkid%3D7063426304187810305&_qi=RTM1562569

I've never been a big fan of Hofner basses. Owned a couple late 60's models back in the 80's when you could pick one up for $200. and always dumped them pretty quickly. They're kind of a specialty type bass and unless you're playing in a Beatles tribute band and need the look, I don't consider them great basses. IMHO if McCartney hadn't played one they would never be worth the $ they now command. With that said this one looks pretty beat and of course it's strung righty. I'd pass.

I have a secret adoration of Beatle basses. I have a Korean Rogue from the first series they made maybe 8 to 10 years ago, and I really love it and record with it on a regular basis, and I usually get inspired every time I play it and end writing something. It doesn't really fit my current band, so I don't bring out to gigs.

But if I had money. . . I'd definitely love to own a few. Responding to the original question: I like current ones. Buying an old one sight-unseen is a great risk, these being such fragile instruments.

I wish somebody would make Hofner-style hollowbodies but with a more normal, Fenderish body with horns. . . I personally find the violin shape awkward and not the most comfortable.

Like if they made these basses with longer horns (more like a typical Fender). . .
http://www.fender.com/basses/other/starcaster-bass-maple-fingerboard-black/

I wonder why no manufacturer has thought of that - they keep putting out hollowbodies with the same body shapes with short horns, which to me make for a miserable playing experience when standing up.

Fender used to make one. Never a lefty model AFAIK. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=fen ... tedIndex=9

Back to the Hofner topic, there is not a lot of speculation on vintage Hofners and consequently they remain affordable. Now I agree with Lefty007, the new ones are great. (I suspect he likes them because they are so light BTW).

Yeah I have a 2006 '63 reissue and it's great. The other Hofners I've owned have been from around the same year and all were excellent quality. Versatile? Of course not but they play & sound killer. I've never played an old one but I've heard they're not as good. Who knows though.

Affordable? Not so much. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-63-HOFNER- ... 962wt_1026 This one was a little more reasonable http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Circa-1 ... 566427ac72

Bob BTW if you're set on scoring a Hofner Jay at NJ Guitar and Bass has a 70's in stock. Don't know what he's asking for it but looks like it's in great condition from the pics and at least you would be able to play it and make a better decision. http://www.newjerseyguitarandbasscenter ... anded.html I know you've done business with him before so you know the deal.

I found this a while back: http://www.fanoguitars.com/models/alt-de-facto-gf4/
It looks amazing, however I got in touch with them at the time and they didnt offer lefties. Perhaps they have changed their mind now.

You could also go with Rob Allen or Rick Turner. Both offer lefty models and both are pretty high end and expensive. http://www.roballenguitars.com/ http://www.rickturnerguitars.com/

Those Fano basses sure look nice. . . Those Japanese hollow Fender from the 80s and 90s are more what I was talking about, but they were never made lefty. . .

Rob Allen, oh yes, but to get a bass from him with magnetic pickups is a custom order and you are talking about $4K, plus he doesn't make true hollows, they are chambered.

I was thinking more like this below. Fenderish body with long horns, but full hollow body. (Although those Schecter are more chambered than hollow, I have one, and are not very hollow body-sounding, but they surely are comfortable.)

I'm guessing that hollow-body basses are not in great demand, and the existing body shapes serve the public. I guess not everybody is as nitpicky about how a bass hangs on a strap as me. Or there haven't been any prominent artists who play hollow-bodies who has brought this issue to manufacturers.

Maybe it's all in my head. . .

Here you go, Carlos...

I had one of those Kramer Ferrington's (non pointy headstock). It sounded great but the bridge pulled off the body twice. After the second repair I sold it. You can still find them on ebay now and then in the $400-600 range. Like this one http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kam ... edIndex=11