Hofner 5000/1 Deluxe

I am reviewing my 92 flamed maple sides and back. Features on the other review or at the Hofner site.
Just let me remark the manifacturing care, the sexi arches for top and back, the luxurious bounding and inlays for headstock, neck and body, not to mention wood grain and flames!!!!. NB: what surprises me it is laminated instruments. Nevertheless, see sound later on...
Electronics: stock on/off + volume per PU + rythm filter switch
see wiring on Hofner site

Vintage case (could be sounder) and Hofner strap.

MODIFICATION -completely reversible

I substituted the top of the bridge with a piezo compensated Fishman one (originally intended for mandolin):
- I adapted the post distance on a new Hofner bridge base
- sculpetd the Fishman saddles for correct hight
- wired the Fishman (entering the hollow body under the bridge pu cover) to the ring of a stereo jack (substituted to original mono one)

rating before modification: 9

Never played an Hofner before, I now understand the reasons for success. Sound is huge, still can be used to rock and to solo (talking the standard sounds).

Acoustically, it is very resonant, at least at the level of Washbun ABG.
Plugged, the structure comes from neck PU: deep mud or more focussed thicness according to tone switch position; the bridge PU, much thinner, can contribute attack and clarity. soled, is just too honky.

Piezo, as usal add a new realm.

It is sufficeint to use short-circuited tip+ring jack to add sparkle and finger detail to all stock sounds. Chords and solo, tapping and harmonics give new life to the bass. Of course, a pre amp (I use a simple Shadow which buffer the magnetics to mix a 3 ways EQ piezo channel) fits the bill to solo piezo parts. Double bass mimick is there, but is not what I do look for. In any case, I do not usually feel the need for the pre.

Is there an eleven note for my modification

I always heard of out of tune Hofners, especially as far as octave are concerned.

Sorry: this is perfect (according to a 0,1cent resolution tuner).

Action can be set very low without any buzz, but my taste goes with a medium low only.

Handle with care. But I do not have any specific concerns besides what common sense suggests,
Gold HW is still there after 15 years.

Outstanding:
Zuzane at Hfner customer care is listening, efficient, willing to help besides procedures.

I am sure I would enjoy buying her dinner (what she deserve since my many calls and request for out of catalog components)

I have been playing for some 25 years and I possess a large collection of first rate instruments, mainly 5 strings.
I can compare.

This 5000/1, also after my modification, is not the bass for everyone but, unlikely some other great and peculiar instruments, this could be the only bass you need. For your late nite solo tapping flight or for your Fab Four pub session or your Sunday morning service at the local Church.

Not to mention that my doughter (6) adopted it: "this one I like: it has my size, not too many confusing strings, and it is glittering!!" Probably, I should consider some 200??? too invest in a second hand epiphone viola. Later on I would be pleased to treat her with the real thing.

8 since this is a very pricey instrument (here the reason for the epiphone in the meantime....).

This is a brand new bass hand made in Hagenau, Germany. It has the standard 22 frets that all Hofners have and of course 4 flatwound strings. (Soon to be roundwound) The top is beautiful solid German spruce in a natural finish. The controls are the standard 2 volume and 3 sliders in between found on most Hofner basses. There are 2 gold-plated Hofner "staple" humbuckers which are passive. The short-scale neck is one-piece European maple with an ebony fingerboard. There are diamond-shaped Mother-of pearl inlays on the bound headstock. Instead of single pearl dot markers on the fretboard like the other Hofners there are double dots of abalone. The Deluxe comes with side-dot markers unlike the other models. The sides and back are stunning bird's-eye maple. The body and neck are fully bound with dark material contrasting with the light wood of the body. The whole bass is finished in a satin polyurethane. There are 4 individual gold-plated tuners with pearloid knobs. This wonderful violin bass comes in the locking Hofner aluminum Bullet case.

I'm in a 60's British Invasion band (The Blue Meanies) so this bass is perfect for our style of rock. I plug into an Ampeg 250 Portabass head with a 212 cabinet. It sounds like every other Hofner which is just what I want. Nothing else makes that wonderful thumpy sound like a Hofner. This will wear Hofner roundwounds so it will be a bit brighter. I've 3 other Hofners all with flatwounds. It's equally suited for the stage or the studio.

Bass NW did the set-up before they shipped it to me and it's perfect!
The pickups and everything else are flawless. This is a meticulously handcrafted instrument and I'm completely satisfied with this bass.

The bass will withstand live playing. All of the materials are of very high quality and everything is assembled tightly together. It's very light as it is a hollow-bodied instrument so it's not as tough as a Fender P-bass but with proper care I know it will last. Just look at McCartney's! I'd use it without a backup.

I've never dealt with Hofner. I own 3 other Hofners and I've never needed a repair on them. The warranty is 2 years.

I've been playing for 21 years and I own 19 other basses. (Fenders, Ricks, Epiphone, Reverend, G&L, Pedulla, Zon, Martin, Burns, Yamaha) I've always loved Hofner and I knew someday I'd own the Deluxe model. If it were stolen or lost I would cry for months!!! I love the extra care that was taken in selecting the woods and creating the extra inlays and plating all the hardware in 24 karat gold. It's simply gorgeous! There's nothing I wish it had....it's perfect as is. I'm so lucky to own such an exclusive instrument!