Paul McCartney Bass Tone on a Budget! - Hofner 500/1 Ignition bass
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2021
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In this video I show you my "Beatles Bass", tell you how I customized it, what plugins I'm using to get the tone and some history!
#TheBeatles #HofnerBass #Garagebandandbeyond 
Видеоклипы
![5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PAUL McCARTNEY'S BEATLE BASSES + Hofner Tone Demo [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqEg30rNmts/mqdefault.jpg)
![5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PAUL McCARTNEY'S BEATLE BASSES + Hofner Tone Demo [4K]](/img/tr.png)
I remember hearing or reading that when Paul took over playing bass from Stu Sutcliff, he picked the Hofner because it was cheap and he could afford it. Also, I don't know if this is true, but I read somewhere in the early days, Paul used piano strings to string his Hofner as bass strings were more expensive. Of course, the Beatles did very well and now Paul can afford actual bass strings.
Yeah, he used basically a 3 string bass strung with piano strings... not for very long and not with his hofner, but yeah, it happened!
Always wanted one of these, and a Rick bass. McCartney is the man. ✌️
The best sound is to wire the pickups directly to the output jack. Bypass the knobs & switches completely. Plenty of people on RUclips show how it's done and the great sound that's achieved.
The sound changes because the pots in the Chinese version basses are 500k while the original pots are 250K. The control module kits you can buy have the 250k pots. You can get a zero fret/nut kit that will improve the sound even more.
Why would either of those change the sound?
@@randyzeitman1354 can’t really explain the zero fret but the pots have a direct influence on how bright or dark your guitar or bass will sound.
Thanks, Lewin. It looks and sounds great!
Helpful thank you , just subbed . Cheers from New Zealand
literally ordered a control panel from Thomann two days ago and found this video! Great work !
Thanks! If you have the same sizing problem, this is a good easy fix. Just MAKE sure that when you're cutting the old one, that you leave something for the screws to go into! I ALMOST got it wrong.
@@GaragebandandBeyond thanks for the advice. do you have any references you used on the wiring that you can share?
Great tone !
I love that bass. I bought one (not the limited edition one) from Sweetwater a few years back. Also need to upgrade the tone control, but it’s such a good bass
Nice! DEFINITELY do that upgrade!
Great video and fantastic tone! I'll have to look into those plugins. I recently finished upgrading my Ignition as well. I agree, the German panel and Labella flats make a HUGE difference in tone. A proper setup is a must too. I was lucky with my copy (Chinese); the German panel completely covers the hole, but was warned that could be an issue. Replacing the nut, adding a zero fret and replacing the bridge and tailpiece with the German versions also made a big difference in playability/stability/resonance/tuning consistency. It's still light as hell but feels/looks/plays much more professional than before. Just for fun/aesthetics, I rotated the bridge pickup 180 degrees like the 501, replaced the pick guard with the German version, painted the screws in the pickup mountings black, removed the writing on the truss rod cover, painted a white stripe around the headstock, replaced the strap buttons with Germans and aged the tuning keys to match the color of the German panel and pick guard. To anyone interested in making these upgrades/changes, I'd recommend having a trusted shop do them unless you're a professional. The stuff I did myself aside from painting screws and pickup rotation (aging keys and painting the stripe) yielded mixed results. At a distance, the stripe looks real sharp IMO, but up close - ehh - a tad sloppy. The key aging should be easy enough, just be patient to ensure even coats on each key. Start with less than you think first, let it dry then assess. I rushed and they ended up a bit too dark and a little uneven. If anyone has questions about these upgrades, lmk. Keep up the great content!
My Ignition Special Edition is from 2024, it is very well built.
I don't have a problem with the jack or the frets. The electronics of the switchpanel are good and the different settings are precise
No need to change anything at the moment, especially since the sound is very good (for me)
Sounds awesome
Absolutely love the tone. Great video. I’m a huge Hofner bass fan. I too have one. The labella flatwound strings are huge!!! Do you mind me asking… what did you record this through? A DI? Preamp? Compressor?
Also… the TG12345 and the J37 tape plugins pics you showed… are those your settings on those plugins. Sorry for all the tech questions but you really nailed a fantastic bass tone. Love it!
Cool 💯💯💯😎✌️
That sounds pretty darn close, nice tone Lew.🅱️🅰️ss👍
I think the lefty basses have righty control panels. The one I played the rear volume control controlled the neck pickup.
I have and original 67 500/1 it actually was a big departure for the model it had a much more powerful p/u set up the blade type the tuners are individual locking tuners it came with the nylon tape wound strings that sounded quite nice but they eventually delaminated and the electronics began cutting out last year for Christmas my brother gave me a trip to a specialist in hofners I purchased a set of labella light guadge strings that said beatle bass on them from the internet there what Paul uses I asked him to give it and evaluation of what repairs it may need because of it's age I was expecting a neck job intonation but he said for a bass that had had been used the finish was spectacular he removed the contoll panel and tested all the electronics everything was fine just years of dirt in the switches and pots he put a towel on the body sprayed everything and kept working everything and the black mud was running out of it he used a brass brush on the jack he tuned It and it plated great then he put the new strings on and it was very easy to adjust the international once he plugged it in to the playing Amp it sounded great he played a bunch of beatle riffs checked the tuning and the whole think took and hour he let
I love the celebrity comment, fantastic bass guitars.
Do you recommend the violin or club bass model?
Confused which model you bought? I see Ignition models or a higher level 500/1 but not any with both names.
Did you record this using GarageBand amp? If so which one? Sounds great!
Yes I do. It's all in the video! I talk about everything I use to get the tone.
Had it made through The Steinway Shop in Hamburg Germany
how much this model goes for?
Is yours the Hofner Contemporary Series 500/1 or is it an Ignition? It can't be an actual Hofner 500/1 German production run as you mentioned Chinese electronics. I ask because the Ignition and the HCT are very different beasts. The Ignition doesn't have the overhang fretboard/set neck. The HCT does, but it also has a solid centre block which allows you the best of both worlds as it sustains more than the original Hofner. I think I will have to look at treating myself to the German electrics, and it seems the HCT has the correct size plate as well so the hole should be the same fit. Because I love the sound of the bass, but I've never been satisfied with the electronics, a lot of ground loop buzz when the treble pickup is activated. And the switches are a little noisy too. Also the pot knobs are black as are the three switches. It's just enough to annoy me, but the sound of the ground loop really bugs me because I cannot seem to get a good sound without it seeming to be just where I need the controls NOT to be in order to eliminate/minimise the ground loop buzz! Anyone know a quick fix that works to get rid of this infernal buzzing, it only happens on the treble pickup. And seems to get even louder when solo is activated. I think I must finish the job and get the german electronics because I'm a lefty so it will be even more like having a celeb in the room with me! Ha! Lol. 🤣
Is it enough to change the tone control or do you have to get something else as well?
Great question! I'd recommend the tone controls and the La Bella Beatle Bass strings. Those 2 will get 95% of the way there.
What amp would you recommend please
a tubes one, fender bassman or ampeg portaflex
How much did you buy the Hofner for (including shipping)?
$250 brand new, shipped from China.
Your bass sound is excellent but I'd like to hear the tone without the TG12345.
It's a homage
According to Paul in and interview I saw he wanted a p bass but they where a hundred pounds he saw the hofner and because of the violin shape he thought that it would look good flipped around and it was thirty pounds he asked if they had a left hand version the clerk said no but he called the factory and they could build one and have it in a month that was a 1960 model witch he used continuously until 62 when it needed repairs he put the bass into the shop for and overhaul new finish they even made a new bracket for the two p/u s he purchased a new 500/1 62 or 63 he's not sure witch
Thanks for posting, Russell. Paul did purchase the right hand version in Hamburg, known as the '61. However, he later contacted Hofner about a left hand version, which the company obliged, and that is the '63 Hofner. Paul no longer has the '61, because someone stole the bass from Abbey Road studios. Last seen played during the rooftop concert.
Paul did purchase that first bass in '61, but later acquired a left hand version from the company, known as the '63. Someone stole the '61 from a locker at Abbey Road studios.
How much was it?
I got mine used for $340
@@GaragebandandBeyondGot mine last month for $250, brand new direct from China. Finish and details are great, even has the teacup knobs. Only mod was adding the flat strings, works for me!
Ah man that sounds nearly cock on! HOW CAN I ACHIEVE THIS WITH AS LITTLE MONEY AS POSSIBLE!
"inexpensive upgrade to your Chinese Höfner" at $200 costs almost as much as the bass itself!
Yes, but if it get's you closer to the sound of the $3500 bass, then I think it's worth it! It truly is a night and day difference.
@@GaragebandandBeyond touché. What accounts for the difference in tone? Couldn't a person easily wire together their own 60s-style panel with high quality capacitors for much cheaper?
Why would I buy a Paul album if it's lousy? Are you saying that ANY of his solo albums have songs that are comparable to a Beatles song?
I'm definitely saying that his solo albums have songs that are comparable to a Beatles song. Listen to "Jenny Wren" for example or the entire album called "Chaos and Creation" which was recorded on all the BEatles old equipment and used a lot of their old instruments.
Also.... comparing Beatles songs to Paul songs is reasonable since the same person wrote a lot of those beatles songs. "Yesterday" and "Eleanor Rigby" were both solo Paul songs as well as "Fool on the Hill".
In the end I'm saying that if you love the Beatles it makes sense that you'd love Pauls solo work as well.
I don't understand why loving the Beatles means anyone would love Paul's work any more than loving Not a Second Time would mean you should love Woman. Should loving a Corvette mean you should love a Tahoe?
Is Jenny Wren is a better song than Junk? They're very similar and Junk never made it to any album. Jenny Wren is not a good song. (In fact that dissonant part is off-putting for me.)
I just again went through the songs on Chaos and Creation and Fine Line is more reminiscent of Wings and the best on the album ... no surprise it's the first track. English Tea is fun but not good enough for any Paul playlist I might create. This Never Happened Before could be a good song if it was rearranged.
And I've no idea why Beatles equipment would matter. Why would you care? Did it matter for Wings? Would me owning an Epiphone Texan make my songs more appealing?
@@randyzeitman1354 Jenny Wren is a fantastic song a real musician would know that.
If you own the studio that's great.... if you're renting the studio and your home you're broke
1:45 definitely not a beatles fan
It has a normal bass neck
You could have googled the neck before disagreeing with a guy that has that bass and others. Pretty hilarious man.
If you're not earning money playing the bass in the band you're broke