Product: Hofner 185 Solid-Body
Price Paid: 360.50 (Canadian) used
Submitted
05/13/2006
at
08:16am
by
Mike Knowler
Features
:
7
Pot Code 250K393 Places Production at 39th Week of 1963, Hofner Factory, Hagenau Germany.
I am not sure if it is a Laminated Top, I think so. Two Volumes & Two Tones ( Both Knobs. ) Two Early 60's Hofner Staple-Top Beatle-Bass Humbuckers...Passive Electronics.
Body is Laminated Maple I believe. Original Back Finish is Black " Alligator " Vinyl, Front has had Vinyl Removed and has been Re-Painted Black.
Fender Jazz Body Style...Offset Waist & Slim Shape. Bridge is Floating Metal with Adjustable Thumbwheels for Height. Metal Tailpiece.
Hofner Open-Gear Tuners Identical to Early Vintage Beatle Basses...Cool Amber Knobs.
30.5 Inch Short-Scale Neck, 1 & 5/8" at Nut, Kinda Chunky but Okay to Play.
Sound
:
8
For a Small Bass this Delivers BIG BASS TONE, Kinda like a P-Bass...Rich, Full and Fairly Warm.
I Play it through a Variety of Amps, as I do Mainly Open Stages.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
I had trouble Adjusting the Truss Rod to get the Action Low where I like it ( I am a Soft Touch ! ) Presently, it is Medium-Low and Playable, but I am having a Vintage Tech look at it & perhaps do a Neck Press.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
I have used it at One Open Stage and it isn't bad but needs Action and Set-Up Done to My Specs.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
1963 ? ...No Warranty !
Overall Rating
:
7
Playing 37 Years.
I wish I had known more about the Truss Rod.
