Product: Hofner 459VTZ Vintage
Price Paid: US $200 used
Submitted
08/05/2004
at
11:08am
by
Anonymous
Features
:
10
Late 60's (1968), West Germany, 22 frets, two pickups, enclosed hollow-body. Hofner added this six string version of their enclosed hollow-body bass made famous by Beatles in the late 1960's. It's light weight and built-in electronics (treble boost, & fuzz) made it somewhat popular with "Beatle wanna be" bands. However, it was a little too pricely ($350 in 1968 dollars) for most. Not many were sold making them a rare find today.
Sound
:
10
Classic rock, blues, and jazz flow smoothly from this classic instrument. Hofner pickups are quiet with excellent tones: Clear, warm from the neck pickup, and clear, hot from bridge pickup.
However, this Hofner can handle most any modern music. The built-in variable Treble-Boost adds brightness & volume leads. The built-in variable Fuzz is still the finest I've ever heard. The wide range of combinations (pickups and built-in effects) make it a very versatile. Effects are switchable making stage work a breeze. (Who needs those pedals, anyway?)
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Neck is thin and straight with truss rod adjustment for different string gages. Excellent wood and craftsmanship.
Light weight is real plus on stage. Small body size fits most playing styles. I've never let anyone play it, that didn't like it!
Reliability/Durability
:
7
This guitar is still playing as well as new (1968 - 2004) even with a little fret wear! Some of the lacquer has yellowed on bindings, but that only adds character! Never had a problem. But, then I don't throw it around like a strat either. Even the best hollow-bodies can be damaged cosmetically. (Don't SIT on it!)
Customer Support
:
6
Company still in busness, but I've never had any problems.
Overall Rating
:
10
Iv'e been playing for over over 40 years. Latest is Washburn/OS OE30 which I recently added as a player. (Yes, I'm getting back into music...after all these years, and I didn't want to take the Hofner on the road - too valuable!) Vintage Ibanez 756 acoustic, and Vintage Memphis "strat" and "P-bass" copies. Ampeg Gemini II Tube amp with TWO REAL channels make everything sound great.
