Hofner HAB-01E Acoustic Bass Guitar

The Hofner Acoustic Bass was built in China in 2005.and has a medium scale despite the hofner web site and all reviews stating that it is long scale. The top is definitely laminated not solid as others are. it has a piezo undersaddle pickup and control system by Belcat. Tuners are Gotoh copies and work well. string pins are black plastic and brittle - see later. The finish is highgloss spruce and rosewood

I play in a ceilidh band and for pub music sessions and for both the bass is ideal. The acoustic sound is rich and loud, the amplified sound is very versatile ranging from deep bass through to crisp treble. no real problem with acoustic feedback at normal volumes. The medium scale is actually better to play whilst seated as is normal in sessions.

This is the second one that I have had. the first arrived and was a 34" scale solid top one with wooden bridge pins. on close inspection all of the belly braces were either broken or split.needless to say it was returned. the second one was a 32" scale laminated top with plastic bridge pins two of which were broken in half. the nut was loose with 3mm gap between it and the fingerboard. As I repair guitars for a hobby this was not a problem but it was not a good start

now I've set the thing up and obtained a new set of bridge pins from Hofner its fine. I play live at least once a week and so far it is standing up to it. medium scale is a pain to buy strings for as most shops only stock long scale. The bridge pins give cause for concern, they seem to be modified guitar end pins with a slot routed out for the string. this leaves little plastic left. time will tell if they last.

My local music shop found hofner good to deal with, the first bass was replaced without quibble and the replacement bridge pins were sent by return. but... there should not have been a problem in the first place. I can't understand why the scale length was reduced from 34" to 32" any body else got a medium scale one? Their web site still states scale as 34" but as I said earlier the medium scale suits me better anyway.

I've played bass for over 30 years and bought Hofner because of the name. the quality control is terrible. The first one should never have left the factory and the second one needed a lot of work to get it in tune and playable.If it were lost or stolen I would not buy another. In its favour the sound is good both acoustically and amplified and the Hofner name should ensure that it does not loose too much value.Hofner should have charged a bit more for this bass and improved quality control instead of having to cut corners.

Solid Top....Very Nice
Nice Rossette, Binding & Inlay
Rosewood Bridge & Bridgepins
Flexible Preamp with easy to change Battery Compartment
Gloss finish looks very nice
Very, Very nice fret dressing (especially for the price)
Jumbo Frets
Well Balanced
Nice Big Jumbo Body
I wish a Case was an option.

Unplugged: it's on par with far more expensive instruments.......... I tried out Tacomas, Martins and even a couple of Taylors.......all of which sounded a little fuller unplugged. Not as huge of a difference as you might think but a difference all the same. But at over a grand a pop there was no way I was going to take one of those out camping.

Plugged in: Very rich tone and a very flexible preamp. Very pleased!!

I highly Recommend Thomastik Acoustic Bass Strings!!!!

Very well set-up.
Nice fret work
Some fret buzz, but easily adjusted

It appears to be very well assembled. Nice neck joint work.........Beautifull finish.
Tuners are Gotoh Type knock offs.......Solid and nice a Ratio
I think it'll do fine out in the real world

I called the company to find out more before I bought, they answered the phone, and were helpful
They have an up to date website: http://www.hofner.com

No issues yet so we'll see.

Been playing Bass 22 years or so
I also use a 60's Tele-Bass, a frankenstein P-Bass, Demeter preamp and Bag End Cab.
I'd buy one again if stolen or lost.

Body shape: Grand Auditorium
Scale length: 33 7/8? (86 cm)
Neck width at nut: 11/16? (43 mm)
Top: SOLID spruce
Back & sides: mahogany
Neck: mahogany
Fingerboard: rosewood
Bridge: rosewood
Active pickup-system with 4-graphic-equalizer
Chrome-plated, closed tuning machines
White binding around body, fingerboard and headstock
High gloss finish
Abalone ring around sound hole
Truss rod tool, battery, and amp cord included

LOUD! I couldn't believe how good this bass sounds without being plugged in to an amplifier. It has a great deep woody tone. I think the fact that it has a solid top must help. It's sound much better than many other basses I've played in this price range. It also sounds good through an amp.

Beautiful! Frets, fretboard, finish, tuners, etc...all equal quality.
Hofner must have overseen the building of these instruments. Head and shoulders above brands like Johnson.

No probelms here. Should last for years.

I've never had to deal with Hofner. I guess they will stand behind their product. The fellow I bought it from seemed like a nice guy.

I had tried several acoustic bass guitars before I bought this one. I am really pleased with the way it sounds. It also looks super. I recommend it for those looking for an inexpensive acoustic bass guitar. I would buy another one if it were stolen. It costs less than a Johnson but it is a much better bass. I'd say it is on par with a Takamine. It has such a full sound acoustically.

I'm writing this review to "set the record straight" about this bass. The previous reviewer gave this bass a bad rap about several things that he shouldn't have.
This bass has a solid spruce top! Mine has a removable sticker on the
bridge that states this fact. The previous guy was disappointed that the rear strap button was also the input jack. This is where most input jacks are for acoustic guitars with piezo pickups! What the hell is he talking about? The same is true for the front strap button. Most acoustic guitars do not come equipped with the forward strap buttom. My $2800 Martin did not. My $2700 Crafters of Tennessee Resonator did not. Most acoustics do not. Again, it just shows a lack of knowledge on his part.
As for the fret buzz. Mine was perfect. It sounds like the one he had just needed a truss rod adjustment.
This bass is made in China not Korea but the fit and finish is flawless. The body is very large. And yes a case is available for it! I have a hardshell case for mine. The case that Johnson makes fits it perfectly. Again, I don't have a clue what that guy was talking about. A lack of research on his part I guess. The back and sides are laminated mohagany with binding around the body, neck, and headstock. There is a herringbone stripe on the back and an abalone ring around the sound-hole. The guitar looks great!

The bass sounds really good for the money. It is fairly loud and has a lot of bottom end. It does not sound as good as a Tacoma but it's also a $1000 less in price. It sounds much better than a Sigma Martin acoustic bass that I had several years ago. I'm giving it a 10 because it sounds great for the money.

Action, fit, and finish was very good for a guitar in this price range.

I see no reason why it shouldn't hold up. "Would you use it on a gig without a backup?" Folks, I've been playing the guitar for 42 years.
I've played clubs and on the road. I never had a back up. Never needed one. Maybe I was just lucky.

Well, I know the store I bought it from (nealsmusic.com) seems trust-worthy. Hofner is a name brand. I do not forsee any problems.

I've been playing for 42 years. I own a Martin 00C-16DB, Crafters of Tennessee TN9 Resonator, Washburn R305 Parlor guitar, Marshall acoustic amp, Kustom Profile One PA System, Peavey Solo amp, Nobels Streetman Amp, Kustom bass amp, and assorted mics. I probably would buy another one if this one were stolen.
For the price this acoustic bass is hard to beat. Sounds good, looks good, and plays good. I've rated everything a 10 to compensate for the other guy and also because of the price. It's no where near the bass that a Tacoma is but again you don't have to rob a bank to buy one!

Body shape: Grand Auditorium
Scale length: 33 7/8? (86 cm)
Neck width at nut: 11/16? (43 mm)
Top: spruce
Back & sides: mahogany
Neck: mahogany
Fingerboard: rosewood
Bridge: rosewood
Active pickup-system with 4-graphic-equalizer
Chrome-plated, closed tuning machines
White binding around body, fingerboard and headstock
High gloss finish...made in Korea
Purchased on line from Musicians Best Buy dot com

This is an extremely beautifully crafted instrument visually...may be a bit bulky..with a rich warm tone plugged in or not

I was looking for a Hofner....and then an acoustic bass...bought this on the "name" value alone from a mail order in Idaho...the sound was rich and warm...unfortunately, the instrument buzzed on every string and every fret...it made me cry...I tried everything and nothing worked so I sent it back exteremely disappointed. The bridge has rosewood plugs for the string ends which seemed very fragile...plug-in is the strap mount on the bottom of the guitar (strange) but there is no nut for strap anywhere else...plus there is no case for something this big and I wasn't offered one!

I tried everything I knew for the better part of a week and I couldn't adjust anything on it and, as I mentioned, you have to tie a strap end around the neck...what you'd do if you had to strap the bottom button while you had it plugged in I don't know..you'd have to unplug it to take the strap off at any rate!

I didn't deal with Hofner direct but the mail order...apparently a drum store at their location but sell these guitars and others on line. http://www.musiciansbestbuy.com/page/musiciansbestbuy/PROD/HAB01E

They wouldn't pay for the return shipping...said they'd throw in a free gig bag...and then it was for an electric bass...when I complained..he said "We said free gig bag...not one that fits the guitar you bought!" They did completely refund my money and that is what got them a 2 rating otherwise completely and utterly worthless!

Been playing 40 years...have a Hohner acoustic bass which I purchased used after sending this one back and am thrilled with it...also a Rogue violin bass(see other review)a Ric 2004 and a Fender standard Jazz fretless...I just wish I hadn't assumed because it said Hofner it was gonna be great...they seem to look better than they play on all accounts...I would never even consider touching another Hofner acoutic anything ... I could have gotten a lemon...let's hope trhey're not all like this...but I would say overall if you have to have one have a music store order it and try it out before you buy it...let them do the returns