Members excitron Posted July 26, 2023 Members Share Posted July 26, 2023 I've come across an image an old friend took of a basement jam session held back in May of 1975. The fellow is holding what appears to be a white McCartney style Höfner bass, but the head stock is not that of the white Höfner basses I've run across online. I did come across a white Höfner guitar with a similarly shaped head (in black), but no basses with that head. I'm assuming it may have been a knockoff of the era, but curious if anyone may know better. The image is unfortunately blurred, but the head stock and part of the body is visible. So if anyone may have a clue, let me know. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted July 26, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 26, 2023 No idea. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted July 27, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 27, 2023 we would need a much clearer pic to even begin identifying a knock-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted July 28, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 28, 2023 So get back to 1975 and get us a clearer picture! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted July 28, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 28, 2023 2 hours ago, isaac42 said: So get back to 1975 and get us a clearer picture! Sherman ...set the Wayback Machine to 1975! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members excitron Posted July 31, 2023 Author Members Share Posted July 31, 2023 LOL, well I was hoping someone may have been familiar with either any Höfner knockoffs of the era, or if perhaps Höfner may have made a white violin bass in that time using a white version of the black head stock that is used on their similar violin line of guitars, which the head stock in the picture does appear to look similar to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted July 31, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 31, 2023 8 hours ago, excitron said: LOL, well I was hoping someone may have been familiar with either any Höfner knockoffs of the era, or if perhaps Höfner may have made a white violin bass in that time using a white version of the black head stock that is used on their similar violin line of guitars, which the head stock in the picture does appear to look similar to. I am actually somewhat familiar with many iterations, [as I would think Isaac42 would be as well] but, unfortunately, there were so many violin bodied basses in the late 60sup tothe early 1980s [I owned two, one an Eko, and another Japanese no-name] and beyond that definitively nailing this down from a fuzzy pic is nearly impossible. It is also possible that that headstock on the bass was refinished white to match the bass. But the head stock does not match Hofner of the era or the Eko: note the big 'scroll' block, and the offset tuners and, although closer to the shape, not the Epiphone version either: so my best guess is a Japanese no-name , although it also does not match with any Matsumoko version I am familiar with, like Univox which was very close to the Hofner's. Not even close to the Vox paddle headstock on their violin... and not a Teisco [Kawai] either [again, more Hofner-y] and not Ibanez [Hofner-y again] There is another headstock a rare 'paddle 3-1' [circa 1967] on the solid body version So good luck...if you get an answer, please enlighten us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted July 31, 2023 Moderators Share Posted July 31, 2023 3 hours ago, daddymack said: I am actually somewhat familiar with many iterations, [as I would think Isaac42 would be as well] but, unfortunately, there were so many violin bodied basses in the late 60sup tothe early 1980s [I owned two, one an Eko, and another Japanese no-name] and beyond that definitively nailing this down from a fuzzy pic is nearly impossible. It is also possible that that headstock on the bass was refinished white to match the bass. But the head stock does not match Hofner of the era Actually not. I don't think I've ever played one, and never really wanted one. I do find them more appealing now, in my old age. Probably due to dementia! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members excitron Posted August 1, 2023 Author Members Share Posted August 1, 2023 Yes, it's unfortunate that the image isn't clearer, but that was low light photography back in the day. 🙂 However that's a pretty good overview of what may have been available back in the day that you've posted daddymack. I have to say that for a knock-off, that white bass in my posted image was quite an attractive-looking bass, finished off with that black trim on the body. It may have looked far better than it played possibly, but still a nice-looking bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 2, 2023 Moderators Share Posted August 2, 2023 most of them sounded like crap...cheap p-ups and junk pots, wacky necks [the Eko 'nose dive' was notorious]...but you got to look like Paul.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted August 2, 2023 Moderators Share Posted August 2, 2023 Pickups and pots can be replaced. Necks, not so much. I have long thought that, if it feels good in your hands, and sounds good unplugged, everything else can be dealt with. And a lot of problems can be fixed with a good setup. Took me a while to learn that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted August 3, 2023 Members Share Posted August 3, 2023 Uhh... it was white? Does that help? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted August 3, 2023 Moderators Share Posted August 3, 2023 25 minutes ago, badpenguin said: Uhh... it was white? Does that help? with black binding...in the mid 1970s... nope...didn't help.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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