DESCRIPTION:
The Hofner Cavern Bass 500/1 appeared in 1961, though that was not its name – from its first appearance at the 1956 Frankfurt Musikmesse, it was known simply as the Violin Bass. The bass earned its ‘Cavern’ moniker through frequent use in the Liverpool Cavern Club by a young bassist named Paul McCartney in The Beatles.
This Hofner Club Bass 500/1 example dates to 2024 and is in excellent condition throughout, with very little signs of playing. Fret wear is very light – it is strung with flatwounds and this extends fret life. As a 30 inch or short scale bass and with its light weight, this is a very comfortable bass to play.
The original Hofner hard shell case is included.
While it is based on the Violin bass, there are some differences – the back is flat rather than arched, and the two pickups are mounted in the neck and middle positions, rather than neck and bridge positions. This increases the bass output of the ‘Treble’ pickup and was used from 1957 to 1962. The top on these is Spruce, with laminate Flame Maple for the back and sides, and Flame Maple and Beech for the neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Indian Rosewood.
Here is Hofner on the history of the Hofner Cavern bass:
“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.
Inspired by the original 1961 model which was purchased by Paul McCartney in Hamburg. Fully hollow body. Original ’61 Neck profile. Also available in left-handed version. “
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Cavern Bass H500/1-61-0
- Instrument Manufacturer: Hofner
- Instrument year: 2024
- Instrument Finish: Sunburst
- Instrument Class: Electric Bass
- Instrument serial number: A0628H029, built during 2024 in Baiersdorf, Germany
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Instrument Condition: Excellent
- Playing Condition: Excellent
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 4.7896 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 2.18 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 30 in
- Scale Length Metric: 762 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.656 in
- Nut Width Metric: 42.06 mm
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Case Type: Hard
- Items in Case: COA, strap, stickers, hang tags
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190466
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |