Hofner 500/1 and Chinese Hofner Ignition Bass Comparison

[@squirrel400]

I have 4 Ignition Hofner basses, 2 Clubs and 2 Beatle Basses. The sound on all is just the way I like it with flat wound strings. I did play around with the pickup height to get the sound but you do that with any bass. I used Labella strings on one of each model and Hofner contemporary strings on the other two. I find with the Club with the Hofner strings is my favorite to play.

[@vishnualcyone9170]

Where did you buy your Hofner ignition bass?

[@andreylebedev1988]

The best video with a detailed explanation and comparison in sound that I have seen lately! Thank you so much!!!

[@cjsciandra2623]

I own two German 500/1 a 1971 I bought new and a V63 that was purchased new in 2010 and the original Icon , which later became the Ignition as you know them . I love all 3 of them for different reasons.

[@skyking95]

I had two German Horner’s 😅back in the 60’s and ended up selling them as I hated the pickups. Today I play a Epiphone Viola and love it. Like McCartny I only use the forward pickup. The Epiphone is also Chinese but the quality is fantastic. And why won’t Horner use good tuning keys! BTW, Most people, when playing out, think I’m playing a Horner even though it says Epiphone on the headstock!! Very nice comparison. People have to remember what they hear Paul playing on Records, etc., has been altered in editing and that was all analog!

[@Kopperafiel]

Just bought a Hofner Ignition bass. It came with the teacup knobs and flat wound strings. It sounds great. The only mod I made was installing a zero fret nut from Zero Glide. Great bass for the price. Nice review and playing. Thank you.

[@iangarrott21]

Was thinking of having a brass nut installed for the zero-ish fret. Had a brass nut on a jazz bass decades ago.

[@emankayker8257]

did you have to sand paper down the other frets?

[@iangarrott21]

@@emankayker8257 thanks for your comment. not sure what you mean. In reference to what and which bass?

[@vishnualcyone9170]

Where did you buy your Hofner ignition??

[@skarloeyexpress4353]

It just makes sense for Hofner to have the cheaper version of their own guitar be the most famous one.

[@gilpi552]

Excellent comparison video. Please remove the effects from your voice when talking into the microphone.

[@georgeemil3618]

I have the Chinese hofner and the Epiphone Casino. I saw the Hofner at Tom Lee Music in Hong Kong and thought the price was really attractive. I have the Epiphone Viola bass for about the same price in 2001 but I didn't like the neck dive. The Casino I bought it used. Turns out the previous owner only had it for a few months. So for under $700 CAD, I got a good as new beige Casino with the carrying case. Love them both.

[@labajadaman]

Years ago I owned a ‘65 (which I sold and have regretted it ever since) which had no side markers. I had a friend (Ed Roth) paint little marker dots with pinstripe paint which made a world of difference! Later on I learned it was not uncommon for people to use finger nail polish to paint them on. I wouldn’t recommend you do it on your brand new 500/1, but it is an option. I now own a ‘64 reissue which thankfully comes with factory side markers.

[@iangarrott21]

I didn't notice much tone difference when I changed out the control panel.

[@MR-rp8hw]

Really good explanation, thanks. I’ve had an Ignition for about 8 months now, and am getting on with it well, but it doesn’t seem to be in tune when I play some intervals further up the fretboard. So I was thinking of changing to a 500/1. But after listening to you talk about it and hearing yours, I think I’ll stick with the Ignition - I need side markers too as I’m a relative beginner - a thicker neck and the slightly bulkier shape might be not right for me at the moment, I’ve got used to the Ignition. But the thing I can’t sort out is this - when I tune it (using a tuner) and then play an octave between the 5th fret on the A string, and the 7th fret on the G string, the top G is sharp. In fact the 12th frets all seem to be out of tune slightly with the open strings. (I’m an orchestral violinist so I do understand when something is out of tune, plus I’ve checked the now notes with the tuner!) Did you find this problem with your Ignition? Is there some other adjustment that needs to be made? I play in a band, and on a couple of songs I have to detune the G string a bit, so that the octave is in tune! This can’t be right. Have you checked your octaves with a tuner? Brilliant video, thanks again.

[@frankjuster8726]

no need to change the pups on the ignition series bass , they sound great . the german pups won't fit on the chinese model . the only up-grade was replacing the stock roundwound strings with labella flats to bring out the deep woody tone , marvellous sound .and for the price ? can't be beat !

[@iangarrott21]

👍

[@JodyDube]

Late '70s early '80s Hofner 500/1 basses had the neck close to the body as you like. They have hotter "blade" pickups as well, in my opinion.

[@rickkaylor8554]

Really good review. They do sound different but both sound good and the quality is good on both. I have an Ignition model and like it. I'd love to have a German model but $2,000 more is hard to justify unless I was a professional bassist. I own some expensive 6 string acoustic guitars but can justify it since I'm a semi-professional guitarist.

[@Jkaterchannel]

You're fun to listen to. Very enjoyable review.

[@SanCarlos___]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@renatovaldivia814]

Pls make a comparision with the contemporary series

[@sd3falco]

I'm curious about the Contemporary Series. Any info? Thanks!

[@jorgemellooliveira9611]

Ótimo vídeo congratulações

[@shugarbage]

what's with all the reverb on your voice?

[@jimmyaudiophreak1671]

Block in the cintemopray is not the same bass, the body is different. Plus the workmanship on German 500/1 is superb, I played Chinese basses with the average contraction and it needed fret work right off the bat. For a professional musician, the German in the only way to go. I have two in my studio.

[@intuicjaofficial]

Liked it!

[@ujnhunter]

Knowing nothing of Hofner bass except my experience with my Hofner Ignition... is the German Hofner bass light and hollow like the Ignition is? Truth be told I'm more of a heavy handed bass player and the Hofner is too... clacky... for my playing style... especially being so light and hollow... I should stick to my 5-string Ibanez perhaps.

[@iangarrott21]

Hofner is a different animal. Lighter yes about 6 lbs. Different feel. Not much tone response above 700 hz. Yeah keep your solid body Ibanez IMHO.

[@minstrelofMir]

i have a pot code 393 (electrics done in sept 1963) hofner bass ..and a younger 1971 (before it was stolen) both hofners but seemed totaly different,,so i dont think you can compare yours,since every german one may feel different

[@intuicjaofficial]

Yes, the Ignition is lower in volume

[@waskerbasket9601]

like that shirt

[@iangarrott21]

I don't remember. Not bad. good for sing-gen.

[@brandonbrandon2822]

The Chinese made one compared to the German sounds more hollow-y.

[@ujnhunter]

My Chinese Hofner is definitely very hollow-y... trying to figure out if the original German Hofner's are this light and hollow too.

[@DavidSumeray_BassGod]

This video is terribly quiet

[@nunoharris]

Hi. So with the Solo switch on you get a Overdrive distorted sound? Did Sir Paul McCartney used his basses with the Solo on 3:40 ? Thanks

[@iangarrott21]

I don't notice any distortion with the solo switch on just a boost. I heard Paul plays on the neck pickup and not using the solo boost. That's what I heard on a KZbin site.

[@vishnualcyone9170]

Where dis you buy the Chinese Hofner??

[@iangarrott21]

Guitar Center

[@TeleNikon]

Noticeable volume difference between them.

[@DavidSumeray_BassGod]

That's better!

[@stephendarwin2154]

Sort the audio level on the vid recording & take off your effects.

[@intuicjaofficial]

Please, stand closer to the mike,

[@intuicjaofficial]

Sounds distorted on boost

[@LN41ED]

Worst comparison ever Played similar licks instead of showing how versatile each bass was Seemed to want to change the pickups ..........what ! All style and no substance

[@iangarrott21]

thanks for your comments. always appreciated. Please send me your link when you have done the proper compairison of these instruments. Please make sure you purchase each instrument with your own money like I did. have a nice day.

[@ralphchavez6025]

can't hear a word you're saying so later

[@iangarrott21]

Turn up the volume......

[@supersueca1]

@@iangarrott21 it is on max...

[@peterstephen1562]

The noodling with no groove is annoying.

[@iangarrott21]

thanks for the comment. people like you annoy me.