Hofner HCT 500/1 Bass Zero Fret Nut Reset & Pickguard Swap.
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- A Hofner Contemporary Bass, Hofner 500/1 CT Bass with a tuning and intonation issue is resolved. Stock pickguard and control plate is swapped out for a tortoise pickguard. A sound test jam is performed. Hofner hct violin bass. Hofner 500/1 CT. Hofner CT Bass. HCT bass. Hofner Bass. Violin Bass. Beatle Bass. McCartney Bass. Hofner Repair. Sound Test. #backbeatvintage #hofner #beatles #paulmccartney #thebeatlesgetback
Wow. Nice jam. Listened with earbuds. I think your refinements were perfect. Tortoise pickguard and control cover look really nice. Congratulations EJ.
nice burst on this one...awesome content!
The tort pickguard looks pretty sweet especially on that specific burst
Not only a great craftsmen but awesome musician
I put a piece of foam behind the bridge and up against the tailpiece and it actually works, gives a slight mute and a soft resting place. BTW love the jam track session, and IMO you have the most informative luthier site on youtube.
Thanks Doug. Much appreciated for sure.
I love your youtube channel & all your Hofner bass videos. Thank you so much you have helped & taught me so much. Since I subscribed to your channel I've switched out my knobs, my nut plus added the zero fret, and my bridge from ignition to German parts with ease and no problems and before watching your videos I didn't know where to begin so thanks so much
Thanks for taking the suggestions todo the jam tracks great video as usual keep it going EJ!
Thanks again. Good suggestion. Ej
Got curious about Hofner basses and found your vid: ‘61 Hofner HCT 500/1 Cavern Bass Review & Updates‘ and just watched this one. Beautiful basses, interesting vids, subbed!.
Fantastic…as was the jam at the end.!
Great pickguard and panel alternative. EJ Another instructive and great video. Thank you!
I like the jam tracks at the end, and much better without the background music that you used to have, i appreciate you gifting us your knowledge.
Thanks!
Nice jam and tort change!
Very good Job! Regards from Germany... Home of the Höfner
Enjoy all your videos
Great video ! I have this exact same bass , same colour and everything ! I play it everyday .
That was an interesting point of distinction you demonstrated regarding the nut. Very dramatic difference.
Love that simple and rich jam at the end!!!!
Excellent!
The jam track sounds awesome
Thanks!
Loving the jam at the end. Your video are excellent..... the detail that you give is much appreciated.
I have just ordered a HCT ( on your recommendation) which I expect to be delivered sometime in December. It will be interesting to see if the nut is the same as this one in the video.
I have asked the shop to put Flat Wound Strings on but wanted to ask you..... What flat wound string would you recommend “La Bella or Hofner?
Labella are much more affordable but I favor the hofner flats. Most of my basses have the labella flats. Thx!
Great video! I love hollowbody basses and Hofners!
Awesome!!!
Yep, love the jamming..... how about a video of Beatles music!
Possibly....its tough without vocals. Thx!
Great stuff 👍
I also have an IBJL 65 Casino, love it 👍
Would you be willing to show those beautiful Vox amps/ cabinets ? In-depth look of why you like them and which ones sound the best for those Hofners. You know , elaborate like you do about the Hofners. Thanks E.J. this is my favorite channel now. Thanks from Chicago...
Hi, i will put it on the list of future videos. Thanks for watching i really appreciate it. Thx! EJ
@@BackbeatVintage Thanks I subscribed the minute I saw those Hofners. Your workshop is cool. I'm 70 so I remember plenty from the 60s. I remember the small music shops that filled the windows with Vox amps here in Chicago. Your shop reminds me of those days. Beautiful !
Nice jam!
Smashed it again!
Rock on mate!
Hey EJ! Love your channel! I learned a lot from your videos so thank you for that. I was wondering if you already found out wether the neck joint of the HCT is the same as the completely hollow ones? (Because of the weight of the body) Thank you so much!
I actually havent done that yet. Might be awhile before someone needs that done. Unless I find a sacrificial bass. EJ
Update. Check this link out. Apparently not. Very disappointing. Maybe I should pull this one apart and see for myself. Hummmm...... www.talkbass.com/threads/hofner-hct-contemporary-bass-neck-body-separation-fix-dropped-bass.1478658/
@@BackbeatVintage First of all thank you so much for taking the time to answer me! I am a bit shocked how they connect the neck to the body. What a blunt connection....never expected that. I can’t wait till you get one to work with. I’d love to know what you think about the way they connected it... thanks again!👍
Great Video - Thank you for posting !
Hi EJ Great Informative video as always, loving the jam at the end ( keep music live) these CT basses have a really hofner authentic sound, but I think paper CAPASITORS are the way to go for violin basses great job. more please....
Agreed Thx!
Did you put those diamond pickups in that '63 reissue because of my comment on your '61 reissue setup video? I've been extremely curious on how that would sound and I'd love to see a video all about that bass. Loved the jam at the end man, keep it up!
Hi, maybe but I had always wanted to install original 62 pickups on my 63 plus the two on a strip tuners. The 61 pickups are different from the 62 pickups. 63 is when the staple pickup came out. Once i come across a set of good 62 pickups (rare) i will swap them out again. I too am enjoying the jam’n. Thx! EJ
@@BackbeatVintage well either way, it's an interesting project that I hope you go into more detail with later. Love seeing your videos on my feed and I make sure to hit like on all of them, keep it up!
A question though.... Where do you get those parts??? like pots and capacitors.
How about those Diamond Pick Ups???
Thanks very much for sharing all of your knowledge regarding such wonderful instrument!!!
🙏
Great video EJ, can I ask what happened to your hofner ignition bass? You did a great job on that one, also seeing as you referenced epiphone, have you ever come across the epiphone viola bass? keep up the good work 👏 👍
Hi, I still have it. Its at another location. A friend is using it to record. I have looked at the epiphone bass but havent owned one yet. Maybe soon. Thx! EJ
Can just say you do a great job on Ll the videos but I own an ignition and a viola, gonna get a contemporary but like the ignition they really hold their price
All the videos
Nice video
I think you answered my question on the video: I am waiting on an HCT that should be arriving in late january. Is it worthwhile to replace the bridge with an ebony one? Also, the tort pick guard and control panel are great looking, you will probably start a trend now (I am going to try the felt pick for sure). Thanks as always for your videos!
Hi, thanks Jonathan. Some hofners come with the ebony bridge. If it sounds great theres no reason to replace it. Each bass is so different that some need help with sustain and tone. Actually on fast bass patterns I switch to a stiff plastic pick like on my latest video. Change the felt pick ofton as they get floppy when worn out. Stay well! Ej
Great video EJ, love the detail you go into explaining what you're doing.
I've got an HCT and wondering if you've done/gonna do anything on how to change the black slider switches to white slider switches? From what I've seen it looks like a soldering job to change them over. Is it that straight forward a thing to do? Cheers
Hi, you could do that but, you might like the tone better if you Put 250k pots in it too. Might be easier to pickup a german control unit and drop it in. You will get that classic warm woody hofner tone along with the white switches and some labella or pyramid flat wounds strings. Hope this helps.
@@BackbeatVintage Thanks for the advice. Sounds like a much better and less fiddly option.
I can get a new genuine Höfner control plate for around £90 ($130). Do any of your videos cover how to install a new plate? My soldering skills are mediocre at best!
Thanks EJ
I do notice the one you are working on has the pickups facing the same way.
I like the color and tortoise pattern on that one ply pickguard...did you make it or was that one off a particular model.
I’m thinking of picking up a HTC club bass for a backup to my mid 90’s V63. Do you know if the club has the block in the body like the violin model? Love the reset neck videos by the way..thanks Joe
Im not sure where that pickguard came from. I think it came in a case with a hofner I bought. It is my understanding that the hct club has the block too. Thanks!
Nice
Hi EJ, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. I’m learning so much in your channel and enjoy your videos very much. As a beginner bass player, would you recommend an ignition with possibly an upgrade to flats or is it worth it to spend a little more for an HCT? Loving the jam tracks - Thanks!
Both are nice solutions but if you can afford the hct I would go for that. It is a close match to the actual german hofner. Plus there isnt a lot of modifications to do. I have been able to pick up used hct hofners for about $580. You may have to spend about another $45 for flat wound labella strings. The ignition is much less initial cost but all the upgrades put you at about the same cost. Good luck and thanks! Ej
@@BackbeatVintage that is sound advice thank you for answering 😊
Hi. One question,
I will buy The Hofner bass artist, do you thing if its good? Do you know something about it?
Its the new Hofner of 2020.
Give your opinion please.
Sergio.
From spain to you🙋🏻♂️
Hi EJ! Love your stuff. Do you ever sell the Hofners, epecially the HCT's? Or the stuff like the pickups, control plate set ups, etc?
Hi, thanks! From time to time I sell off a few basses as others come along. Keep an eye on my reverb store. You can there using the link in the drop down. Regarding parts i dont sell my inventory. Sorry. But thanks for asking.
Hey man, your channel is geat! I wanted to ask you, how do you remove the sweat stains from the pickup covers? I clean them with a cotton cloth, but some of them won't come off even if I use an abrasive cream like Brasso. The plating is looking a bit dull around the borders/corners of the pickup. I'd appreciate your help!
Hi, I use a metal polish. Try stewmac.com but be carefull those metal polishes can dull the lacquor finish on your bass. Best to wipe it down before putting it in the case. Its from the sweat on your hands. Those pickups are nickel plate.
I've found it's a crap shoot changing electronic related pieces on a guitar. Even using a different switch, jack changes things. If you like the sound of your bass it will be trial and error or you can luck out and get a hit on the miss with an improvement that sends you if one starts swapping parts. Even changing a control panel put in another guitar is a crap shoot. The pickups and then the body are different. The ear's ability/experience to note subtle changes is key. Caps could be a rabbit hole. One can see on so many forums someone asking for cap value tips and the answers are stock "put this on put that on" but taking the individual guitar into consideration, it's hardly ever a one size fits all situation.
Putting in a better switch might be mechanically better but how does it affect the tone you had before? Will you like it?
Howard Dumble would talk about "circuit constants" meaning things like wire length, gauge affects the tone.
IMO the metal used in a switch or a jack vs another brand of the same can affect the tone. I've experiences getting all experimental and putting this switch and those caps and ended up putting the original parts back in.
Lessons learned from Page's fave guitar losing its tone just from an impromptu unsolicited paint job.
I'm thankful Backbeat Vintage is out there for Beatle bass enthusiasts!
Hi! First of all, you are great in taking care of these basses. I have a question. I have a 1962 reissue Horner 500/1. And I have seen a few beatle bass cases that have built in humidifier. I don’t know any manufacturer that make those cases. Do you recommend on getting one to store the bass? What manufacturer do you know that makes those special cases?
Thanks Charles. The hofner tweed cases have the humidity guage in them. I ‘ve yet to see one work or work accurately. The best case for the money is the newest black hofner cases. No gauge in it though. The new cases fit the bass snug and protect it well. They are black with the black interior. The reissue cases are one of the causes for neck resets due to no neck support and bad padding and protection. These cases came with the early reissues and are black with a green interior. Hope this helps. EJ
@@BackbeatVintage Thank you. Unfortunately I have the black case with the green interior. So I really need to change the case ASAP. Is there a place or website I can take a look at the cases? I think I will go for the tweed one with the built in humidifier. Since I live in NY, I think I will need the humidity with the horrendous winters we get. Unless you recommend the black with black interior be better. Thank you again.
Hi, the tweed case is just a gauge. Not a humidifier just to be clear. The gauge is usually very reliable. The hofner black on black case fits the bass perfectly. Tweed case does too but more money for a faulty gauge.
Hofner CGC-VB hard shell case
Got it. I’ll look in to the Horner CBC-VB. Thanks for the advise. Please keep making these informative vids. 👍✌️
EJ, I have a question, a few years ago while in Guitar Center I saw a Hofner Ignition Violin bass that did not have the standard three color sunburst but a brown violin sunburst like a standard German Hofner. Never saw one like it before or since. I already had an Ignition otherwise I might have been interested (even though I'm not a bassist but a guitar player/Beatlefreak.). I asked the kid at Guitar Center about it, but of course, he was clueless. I even emailed Hofner about it but never got a response. Any idea about this? I figured if anyone would know it would be you. Thanks.
John
The bass you saw was an Ed Sullivan limited edition ignition. The burst was mich better and came with the CT/ German style tailpiece.
@@Peacefrog35 Thank you.
I agree with Peacefrog. EJ
@@BackbeatVintage Thank you.
How do you deal with the neck dive issue? Puts me off owning one.
Hi EJ, a question was brought up in another forum about the pickups on the CT basses. The German basses usually have the screws on the pickup both placed forward towards the neck. But the CT's have the rear pickup facing the bridge. The question was brought up if anyone ever noticed a different tone because of it. I myself am just curious, why would they turn them opposite. I don't see it making much difference in the tone, but I didn't turn mine. (Most people try to emulate McCartney's tone which shuts off the rear pickup anyway). Do you think it would matter, or if it is just poor quality control vs. the German made ones?
Hi, stock would be both facing forward. On some guitars where you might need to adjust an individual string closer to the pickup you normally would back out the screw to help with that adjustment. On a bass like these hofners it doesnt make a difference. Usually I find if a string needs that kind of adjustment its most likely a dead string. Although…i have put them in backwards if the wire was cut short at the controller and by turning it around it gives you about an inch more wire. Thx!
when you painted the pickguard and truss rod cover gold on the 325, you only painted the back of the plastic right? if so, how did you keep the paint from getting on the sides?
Hi Jack. I masked it off. Once paint has dried for a couple of days gentle buff the edges with 2000 grit carefully just to clean it up. Ej
@@BackbeatVintage did you just use regular masking tape? not much of an area to make it stick.
I have very thin blue painters masking tape. Try pin striping tape.
@@BackbeatVintage great, thanks for replying. i'll try that.
This might be a stupid thing to say but could you put quick connectors on the panel and the wires so you can swich back and fourth without soldering the wires every time you change the plate from one Dass to another or maybe you have some kind of system you have worked out to do this
Good idea …but I am used to sold soldering plus it makes the best connnection.
Is the rhythm guitar stereo or double tracked?
Double tracked. Thx! Ej
I’ve been looking for a contemporary Hofner 500/1 violin bass for weeks now and haven’t found any luck. Where did you pick yours up from?
Do you know where I could find one?
I do have some basses from time to time that are available. I usually find them on reverb.com or word of mouth. Thx! EJ
E.J. If I'm changing strings, could I just have them all off at once so that I could oil the Fretboard and then put them back on ? I know you said not to. But it would only be for 15 min. or so. Thanks
Yes, mark where the bridge is and be sure not to put the top of the bridge back on backwards. The bridge comes apart. Its up at the tuners where you are rebending the strings that have taken a set that makes it hard to hold tuning once rebent to a new shape. So, loosen the strings enough to pull the ends out of the tail piece but leave them wrapped on the tuners.
@@BackbeatVintage Great idea E.J I'm putting new strings on when they get here anyway.Still a great idea for the
future . how could I send you a message.I don't do social media.
Hi, My email is backbeatvintage@gmail.com
That bass seems low action but sounds good ,👍
I wouldn't shave the nut honestly. My HCT from AliExpress is setup the same way and if I understand correctly this is a design choice which is purposefully done to help with the added sustain (in addition to the solid center block) which was the whole point of the HCT series to begin with. It seems like taller plastic should = more stability which = longer vibration but I'm by no means an expert like you.. I wouldn't know the science of how effective it is but I *assume* its like that for a reason. The Chinese may build them but the Germans have to rubber stamp it.
Hi Phill, to get the sustain you are talking about you need for the strings to rest on the brass zero fret for sure. It also means that to get the correct intonation it needs to rest there too. The height of the nut doesnt matter as long as the strings are setting correctly on the zero fret. Thanks! EJ
How do you set intonation with zero fret?
Hi EJ I need your help please, my tailpiece earth wire came unsoldered inside the bass can you tell me were it solders to as I don't want to use the bass without an earth wire attached ? many thanks Rick.
Hi, usually it gets soldered to the ground on the input jack. Thx! EJ
@@BackbeatVintage Thanks EJ what would we do without you, Many Hofner violin basses would die. looking forward to the Rick video.
Hey man, where did you get that pickguard and control cover at.
Hi Reed, It came to me in the case of a hofner I bought so I cant say. So sorry. Thanks!
How do you attach the hofner strap on the back, once you loop it under the fret board?
Hi, i will try to explain but googling it might be best. The end of the strap with the clip is for the bottom where you attach the D rings. The part around the neck should have a hole in it and then about a foot or so up the strap there is another hole. Using the thin leather lace supplied you tie the two holes together. I usually tie two knots just to be sure. The strap adjustment for height is done using the buckle. Hope this helps. EJ
@@BackbeatVintage thanks helps a lot!
Are the pickups on the HTC's the same as the german ones?
Hi! Yes they are. Thx. EJ
@@BackbeatVintage thanks for the reply mate
Очень интересно.
Hi. how can I remove the tailpiece of a german Höfner? It's one screw but what about the two nails? Thank you
You have to work the tailpiece back and forth and very carefully get one of the nails to pop up a little and then carefully pull the nail out with fret pliers. Be careful not to clip it off with the fret pliers.
@@BackbeatVintage
Thank you !!
By the way … I greatly appreciate your videos.
Is the arced tailpiece the German made tailpiece?
Correct. It doesn’t make a difference in tone or performance. It just rubs me where my hand rests.
how often do you get a new höfner bass.
They seem to find me. Constantly looking and sometimes working trades or for cash. LOL
How do you set the intonation with zero fret?
That would be the same process as if you didnt install a zero fret. Nothing should have changed. Measure from the zero fret (not the nut) to the 12th fret. Now measure the same distance from the 12th fret to the e string fret on the bridge. This is a starting point but will be close.
OCD? Just joking.