63 Hofner Beatle Bass 5k

[Bassaria]

Saw this on my local Craig's list
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/clt/3106539596.html
I'm close if anyone needs a hands on.... Not a short scale fan but would be happy to check out for any of you that are.

[mcarp555]

All the parts look more or less correct for the period, except it looks waaaay too new for a 50-year-old bass. No finish checking? No bumps or dings? No worn spots?

The biggest concern I have is the sticker on the back of the headstock. Shouldn't it say "Made in West Germany"?

I think this is a modern V62 upgraded with period-correct strap buttons, available now for just under $2K or so.

[Matt R.]

On the current Höfners, the sticker says Made In Germany. I don't know what the vintage ones were supposed to say. I have a book on these basses but it's at home and I'm on vacation.

[bobjones2260]

I live in the Philly area as well and not an expert but I suspect this is not a real 60's Hofner. A few items stand out, back in 62 or 63 they did not have "Original Hofner" on the headstock. I love Hofner basses, the history is the bass started in 1955 and did not make it until the The Beatles on Sullivan.

I have seen only a few early Hofners (as late as 68) that had the raised logo on the headstock. Here is a link of some nice pics of a 64 Hofner.

http://www.thebeatalls.com/Beatalls%20W ... 20page.htm

[fivebass52]

He says it's registered with Hofner.... in that case, it would be easy enough to verify the year...

[mcarp555]

The raised logo was not introduced until 1964; in later years Hofner went back to the logo decal.

AFAIK, Hofner does not have a database of 'registrations'. There is an online database not maintained by Hofner, available here.

I have checked through the archives and did see a '68 500/1 with the 'Made in Germany' sticker, but not anything earlier. I still don't believe this is an authentic '63, however. Maybe the best thing to do would be to check the pot codes.