I just got my ignition club bass, and it had the most terrible E string ever! You could barely tell what note you were playing. So today a fresh set of Hofner strings like the flats that came with the bass, came in the mail and I put them on the bass. The A D and G strings sounded OK on the factory-installed set. The new set was brighter overall and the problem was solved with the E string. I can deal with a little chunky sounding E string, so long as we can hear the pitch OK. I love the bass now. I think I'll take it to my luthier and have him either work with the factory-installed nut or better yet have him make me a Corian nut for it. He did that on other basses of mine and it sounded better, more sustained, and more resonant than a cheap plastic nut. Plus he's great at getting the action like butter. For an inexpensive bass, it's really fun to play and it sounds totally different than any of my other basses. Ryan points out the roughness of the bridge frets. Mine are like that too. I might have those replaced and upgraded as well.
I’m playing mine right now. I’m re-learning the full Abbey Road album. For the rough bridge (fret wire in the bridge) some fine sand paper and elbow grease smooth them out nicely. The dead E is a combination of bridge placement, and the stock Hofner strings. I’ve read stock Hofner strings are rebranded Pyramid Gold strings. Pyramids are very good strings, however Pyramids are round core strings, and if the string is not crimped before trimming, it can ruin the string. More so on the E. I’ve experienced many dead E strings with Pyramid Gold over the years. I solved all my intonation problems with a fresh set of D’addario Chromes (medium scale). They are perfect! For the price, this bass is awesome! Personally, I can’t justify spending almost $3K on a Hofner, and the Ignition series is a full hollow body just like the almost $3K German made Hofners. This one is close enough for rock -n- roll, and you don’t have to cry as much if it gets dinged up or scratched.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet you seem like a very kind person who is trying to help others and I do not want to sound as if I am being a jerk but I feel you may confuse people when you refer to intonation over being in tune. Intonation is setting up the bridge so each note is in proper key so you don't hit a flat or sharp because of bad intonation. The basic intonation test is making sure the 12 fret matches to the open string and then testing each note up the fretboard on each string. If you are aware of this my apologies but wanted to clarify as I realize this video is not new. First thing I did when I got my Hoffner was tear it apart to see how it all works and boy did my dad get pissed lol. They even installed the pickups backwards from the factory (Asian Hoffner,) also found putting a piece of foam behind the pick guard helped a lot with vibration of the pick guard. Ghs flat wounds sound amazing on the bass. Has a nice deep tone with the hollow body and tones down the treble a little but you still have plenty of treble and mids to play with. If you like the round wound sound the roto sounds are a flat wound with round wound sound. Again if you know these things already I don't mean to sound like a jerk. I don't know many things but the things I do know I love to share. Thank you.
@@silencedones4421 I'm always open to idea and information sharing. It's great to hear clarifications and explanations from different perspectives. Your valuable insight will help others have a better understanding of the intonation. Hofner basses are definitely a "close enough for rock -n- roll when it comes to intonation. It's very difficult to get perfect intonation with this design.
Great video. I saw a guy modify the Ignition with an after market zero fret nut. He had to level the frets and he pulled the low E bridge fret wire and moved it to the same place as the A string for better intonation.. I like this bass because it's hollow, unlike the Contemporary series.
I bought an Ignition (sunburst) about 5 years ago-at the time I didn't know about the difference between 'cavern' (pickups close together) and 'se' (pickups far apart) models. I fitted the original Hofner flatwounds (not the Chinese make) and there was a distinct 'thump' from the E string but more sustain from the others (notably D and G). Soon after I got a black SE Ignition (pickups far apart) and fitted it with some GHS Brite Flats. The black one definitely has more sustain on all 4 strings. Even allowing for the difference in the strings between the two models (sunburst has pickups close together) there is a very distinct difference to the sound from the 'treble' pickup between 'cavern' and 'se' versions whereas the 'bass' pickups are very similar in the open sound they produce, which is noticeably greater when playing the strings at the neck end. Probably the Hofner flats on the Ignition Cavern produce the so-called 'authentic sound but the combination of the black Ignition SE and GHS Brite Flats provide a much more versatile sound. Tuning has always been a problem with any type of bass/guitar tuner having difficulty in getting a consistent reading, even when the strings are actually (audibly that is) in tune. Having recently renewed my interest in both basses I now plan to upgrade in order to get consistency in the tuning/intonation process. I'm going to replace the nut with a zero fret first of all-then check the stability of the cheap tail piece (and probably upgrade it) and I'll also replace the rosewood bridge with an ebony version. The fretboard and frets seem fine, and the neck is straight. Will post an update in due course. Thanks Ryan for the video😎
I’ve just bought a basic level hofner ignition but I guess i’ve just made a mistake when changing the strings (Labella) cos they lasted about a hour… all 4 strings just broke at the edge of the neck. I am waiting for a new set of strings (d’addario tapewound) and i’ll follow your video step by step!
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet I know! I really didn't expect it. I think it depends on the fact that when I mounted them I didn't do as you did, but pulled the full extension of the rope through the peg and then rotated to tension it. Maybe that's what caused them to snap from too much tension...? Anyway, thank you for answering!
@@giulianogalluccio8702 ah, yes, that is not how you string an instrument, but I guess you found out the hard way. You must allow the necessary length for at least a couple of winds around the pegs.
When you are putting on a new string, you always measure the distance between two pegs as the slack, right? Same for all four? I just bought an Hofner and I have to restring it. Thanks.
I just got a used one for $200. It’s in good cosmetic condition, it’s practically brand new but it needs a fresh set up because it sounds terrible. Seller said it was set up professionally but it seems to have been set up by Stevie Wonder. The action is way too low and extremely buzzy, but for $200 I can deal with that.
I was disappointed with my New Ignition Bass as the A string Buzzes like a chain saw in D and D flat positions. I will try a set of Flat wounds to see if this will cure it. The Bridge is as far as I want to raise it as well. Any further tips would be welcome 🙏.ß
It is locked in. I guess everyone has their own individual method. I'm not a fan of "tying" steel string like some people do. These strings will never slip as they are in my video.
I think you may be referring to the string clearance at the first fret, and how the strings sit in the nut. This is something I do not recommend working on yourself because if done incorrectly you can render your instrument unplayable. The genuine German made Hofners and the HCT series have a zero fret system that allow the open strings to sound more like a fretted note. This series of bass has a regular nut with no zero fret. Most of the time the nut doesn't need adjustment from the factory as long as you keep the same gauge strings as the factory.
@@JoseGarcia-yk3dl it shouldn't be a problem. Does it sound good, and have good intonation? If the nut slots are excessively too big for your strings, and it is affecting the tone or intonation, the only solution would be a new nut. I wouldn't worry about it. The Hofner tone isn't known for super accurate intonation. I think you'll be fine.
It is not my question. I need to know what the space is between the string and the first fret, I need to know if I have to deepen the grooves to make that space smaller
@@JoseGarcia-yk3dl I would not make any adjustments to the nut. I've owned three of these basses, and I've never had to make any adjustment to the nut slots.
I have a question i just got my hofner ignition bass and the action is super low and the first fret of every string buzzes and I have know idea how to fix it can anyone help?
Did you order MEDIUM scale? Although this model is a "short scale," you need MEDIUM scale strings because the Hofner bridge creates a need for a longer string. The short scale strings are too short.
The metal saddle pieces are basically a short piece of fret wire. You can pull them with needle nose pliers. I’m not sure what you mean by the beveled tailpiece.
I just got my ignition club bass, and it had the most terrible E string ever! You could barely tell what note you were playing. So today a fresh set of Hofner strings like the flats that came with the bass, came in the mail and I put them on the bass. The A D and G strings sounded OK on the factory-installed set. The new set was brighter overall and the problem was solved with the E string. I can deal with a little chunky sounding E string, so long as we can hear the pitch OK. I love the bass now. I think I'll take it to my luthier and have him either work with the factory-installed nut or better yet have him make me a Corian nut for it. He did that on other basses of mine and it sounded better, more sustained, and more resonant than a cheap plastic nut. Plus he's great at getting the action like butter. For an inexpensive bass, it's really fun to play and it sounds totally different than any of my other basses. Ryan points out the roughness of the bridge frets. Mine are like that too. I might have those replaced and upgraded as well.
I’m playing mine right now. I’m re-learning the full Abbey Road album. For the rough bridge (fret wire in the bridge) some fine sand paper and elbow grease smooth them out nicely. The dead E is a combination of bridge placement, and the stock Hofner strings. I’ve read stock Hofner strings are rebranded Pyramid Gold strings. Pyramids are very good strings, however Pyramids are round core strings, and if the string is not crimped before trimming, it can ruin the string. More so on the E. I’ve experienced many dead E strings with Pyramid Gold over the years. I solved all my intonation problems with a fresh set of D’addario Chromes (medium scale). They are perfect! For the price, this bass is awesome! Personally, I can’t justify spending almost $3K on a Hofner, and the Ignition series is a full hollow body just like the almost $3K German made Hofners. This one is close enough for rock -n- roll, and you don’t have to cry as much if it gets dinged up or scratched.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet you seem like a very kind person who is trying to help others and I do not want to sound as if I am being a jerk but I feel you may confuse people when you refer to intonation over being in tune.
Intonation is setting up the bridge so each note is in proper key so you don't hit a flat or sharp because of bad intonation. The basic intonation test is making sure the 12 fret matches to the open string and then testing each note up the fretboard on each string. If you are aware of this my apologies but wanted to clarify as I realize this video is not new.
First thing I did when I got my Hoffner was tear it apart to see how it all works and boy did my dad get pissed lol. They even installed the pickups backwards from the factory (Asian Hoffner,) also found putting a piece of foam behind the pick guard helped a lot with vibration of the pick guard.
Ghs flat wounds sound amazing on the bass. Has a nice deep tone with the hollow body and tones down the treble a little but you still have plenty of treble and mids to play with. If you like the round wound sound the roto sounds are a flat wound with round wound sound.
Again if you know these things already I don't mean to sound like a jerk. I don't know many things but the things I do know I love to share.
Thank you.
@@silencedones4421 I'm always open to idea and information sharing. It's great to hear clarifications and explanations from different perspectives. Your valuable insight will help others have a better understanding of the intonation. Hofner basses are definitely a "close enough for rock -n- roll when it comes to intonation. It's very difficult to get perfect intonation with this design.
Great video. I saw a guy modify the Ignition with an after market zero fret nut. He had to level the frets and he pulled the low E bridge fret wire and moved it to the same place as the A string for better intonation.. I like this bass because it's hollow, unlike the Contemporary series.
Yes, the tone is like the original, and saves you a lot of money.
I bought an Ignition (sunburst) about 5 years ago-at the time I didn't know about the difference between 'cavern' (pickups close together) and 'se' (pickups far apart) models. I fitted the original Hofner flatwounds (not the Chinese make) and there was a distinct 'thump' from the E string but more sustain from the others (notably D and G). Soon after I got a black SE Ignition (pickups far apart) and fitted it with some GHS Brite Flats. The black one definitely has more sustain on all 4 strings. Even allowing for the difference in the strings between the two models (sunburst has pickups close together) there is a very distinct difference to the sound from the 'treble' pickup between 'cavern' and 'se' versions whereas the 'bass' pickups are very similar in the open sound they produce, which is noticeably greater when playing the strings at the neck end. Probably the Hofner flats on the Ignition Cavern produce the so-called 'authentic sound but the combination of the black Ignition SE and GHS Brite Flats provide a much more versatile sound. Tuning has always been a problem with any type of bass/guitar tuner having difficulty in getting a consistent reading, even when the strings are actually (audibly that is) in tune. Having recently renewed my interest in both basses I now plan to upgrade in order to get consistency in the tuning/intonation process. I'm going to replace the nut with a zero fret first of all-then check the stability of the cheap tail piece (and probably upgrade it) and I'll also replace the rosewood bridge with an ebony version. The fretboard and frets seem fine, and the neck is straight. Will post an update in due course. Thanks Ryan for the video😎
Forgot to say that I'll be tackling the Ignition Cavern (sunburst) first.😎
Thanks for the info. I’ve been wanting to check out a Cavern Club model to hear the difference.
I’ve just bought a basic level hofner ignition but I guess i’ve just made a mistake when changing the strings (Labella) cos they lasted about a hour… all 4 strings just broke at the edge of the neck. I am waiting for a new set of strings (d’addario tapewound) and i’ll follow your video step by step!
That is very unusual to break bass strings.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet I know! I really didn't expect it. I think it depends on the fact that when I mounted them I didn't do as you did, but pulled the full extension of the rope through the peg and then rotated to tension it. Maybe that's what caused them to snap from too much tension...? Anyway, thank you for answering!
@@giulianogalluccio8702 ah, yes, that is not how you string an instrument, but I guess you found out the hard way. You must allow the necessary length for at least a couple of winds around the pegs.
Thanks, this helped me out!
You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.
Do you have a link for Pt.1? Struggling to find it 😆
Yes. Hofner Beatle Bass - fret dressing work - Part 1
ruclips.net/video/xtrWCbFZMVk/видео.html
Cheers!@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet
When you are putting on a new string, you always measure the distance between two pegs as the slack, right? Same for all four? I just bought an Hofner and I have to restring it. Thanks.
I show exactly how to measure in the video at about the 18:30 time.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet thanks again.
@@nclsrfn Yes, of course. I'm glad I could help.
I just got a used one for $200. It’s in good cosmetic condition, it’s practically brand new but it needs a fresh set up because it sounds terrible. Seller said it was set up professionally but it seems to have been set up by Stevie Wonder. The action is way too low and extremely buzzy, but for $200 I can deal with that.
Good find! Adjustments to the setup are fairly simple. There’s many videos on RUclips to help you out.
I was disappointed with my New Ignition Bass as the A string Buzzes like a chain saw in D and D flat positions. I will try a set of Flat wounds to see if this will cure it. The Bridge is as far as I want to raise it as well. Any further tips would be welcome 🙏.ß
Try loosening the truss rod about 1/2 turn, and let it settle in for a couple of days to see if that helps.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet thank you, will do.
Why do you not lock the strings as is done on a 6-string guitar?
It is locked in. I guess everyone has their own individual method. I'm not a fan of "tying" steel string like some people do. These strings will never slip as they are in my video.
It would have been useful if you showed the exact set of strings you used.
The string set is right there in the video in the first of the video. D'Addario Chromes EC881M
Thank you! @@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet
Looks like your string are catching on the rear of the bridge before going over the fret wires.
That’s a possibility. Good eye.
Thanks! . one question: What is the nut action?
I think you may be referring to the string clearance at the first fret, and how the strings sit in the nut. This is something I do not recommend working on yourself because if done incorrectly you can render your instrument unplayable. The genuine German made Hofners and the HCT series have a zero fret system that allow the open strings to sound more like a fretted note. This series of bass has a regular nut with no zero fret. Most of the time the nut doesn't need adjustment from the factory as long as you keep the same gauge strings as the factory.
@@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet yes. But i used the labelle strings flats, and the space is a litte more big....
@@JoseGarcia-yk3dl it shouldn't be a problem. Does it sound good, and have good intonation? If the nut slots are excessively too big for your strings, and it is affecting the tone or intonation, the only solution would be a new nut. I wouldn't worry about it. The Hofner tone isn't known for super accurate intonation. I think you'll be fine.
It is not my question.
I need to know what the space is between the string and the first fret, I need to know if I have to deepen the grooves to make that space smaller
@@JoseGarcia-yk3dl I would not make any adjustments to the nut. I've owned three of these basses, and I've never had to make any adjustment to the nut slots.
I have a question i just got my hofner ignition bass and the action is super low and the first fret of every string buzzes and I have know idea how to fix it can anyone help?
Loosen the truss rod about 1/2 turn and check it tomorrow.
I love the internet.
Yes, the internet is awesome!
What is the size of those strings I have the same bass and orderd same brand of bass and it does not fit :(
Did you order MEDIUM scale? Although this model is a "short scale," you need MEDIUM scale strings because the Hofner bridge creates a need for a longer string. The short scale strings are too short.
why is my tailpiedce beveled ?
I can't move shit with saddles
The metal saddle pieces are basically a short piece of fret wire. You can pull them with needle nose pliers. I’m not sure what you mean by the beveled tailpiece.
?
@@profile2047 ?