Description
The Hofner Model 185 was built from 1962 to 1970, named 'Artist Bass' for the UK market, and replaced the 1961 Model 182 'Solid Bass', both built at Bubenreuth, Bavaria. This example dates to 1963, with the first wiring modification - the addition of two sliding pickup selector switches.
While Hofner is best known worldwide for the Model 5000/1 violin shaped ‘Beatle Bass’ used by Paul McCartney, they also made many solidbody guitars and basses.
At the time, the Shadows (with or without Cliff Richard) were a dominant band and guitar manufacturers rushed to meet demand for Stratocaster style instruments. The Hofner models 182 and 185 were examples of that trend. Hofner also made changes to the names depending on market and distributor, which in the UK was Selmer.
While the Model 185 had two pickups with two slider pickup selector switches near the neck pickup plus individual volume and tone controls in a curved line, the Model 182 had one (185E1) or two (185E2) pickups and no slider selectors. On the 182, the controls were sometimes mounted on a plate, as on the violin bass, other times directly to the pickguard.
The Hofner Model 185 Artist Bass and the its siblings used many of the same components as its more famous cousin, particularly the pickups; the 182 sometimes used the same control plate with 'teacup' knobs as the Violin bass.
Based on a double-cutaway body design with styling clearly influenced by Fender products like the Precision Bass, the Model 185 bass features a figured Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard bolted to a solid body. The woods used for the body seems to have varied from solid and light woods like Poplar, Ash or Alder, to wood laminates and composites on models with the Tolex-style covering.
The scale length is 30 inches or 762mm, the same as the Violin Bass models.
This Hofner Model 185 Artist Bass is in good, original and complete condition and plays well. It has very recently been set up by The Twelfth Fret repair shop with round wound strings. It plays well and is fully functional.
With its short scale and light weight, this is a fun bass to play and delivers vintage tone!
This Hofner Model 185 Artist Bass is sold with a non-original hard shell case.
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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: Model 185 'Artist Bass'
- Instrument Manufacturer: Hofner
- Instrument year: 1963
- Instrument Finish: Red Faux Gator
- Instrument Class: Solidbody Electric Bass Guitar
- Instrument serial number: N/A, dated to 1963
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Playing Condition: Very Good
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 6.77 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 3.45 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 30 in
- Scale Length Metric: 762 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.702 in
- Nut Width Metric: 43..23 mm
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: No
- Case Type: Hard Shell
- Items in Case: N/A
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190501
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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 |