The Hofner Beatle Bass: A Short History
TrueFire courses and all access memberships available here:
https://prf.hn/l/64do8vq
Enter promo code “FIVEWATT35” to save 35%
Friends of five watt on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fivewattworld
T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tumblers
https://the-five-watt-world-store.creator-spring.com
For five watt world short history bundle and Favorite Preset pack:
five watt world
To make a donation to support the channel click here:
https://www.paypal.me/fivewattworld
Get regular updates on what’s happening at the channel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fivewattworld/
To see the original Klemens Cathcart video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9sbNJvbzpc
For the full Bass Emporium video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwy_ufG3Mtk
For the full Franscisco de Borjas video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfDbakB5-ac&t=11s
Before you fill the comment section, yes, I know, this turned out to be a history of Sir Paul McCartney’s use of the Hofner 500/1 bass guitar…but really…how could it be anything else. I’ve tried to give you a good helping of that, sound examples and a bit of history all rolled in one. Hope you dig it.
Keith
#Hofner #Beatle #Bass #Short #History
Originally posted by UC5OAMxnvhTyc3rjgpY6u8cA at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_CSfhOaWs
You said he used his 63 hofner on the rooftop, and then you said the playlist was on the stolen bass. That does not make sense. Also, they did not play on the rough of Abbey Road, and the Get Back film was not filmed at Abbey Road. How can one trust any of your facts if you get those super basic facts wrong? You even talk against yourself, with first claiming he used his later bass on the rooftop…but somehow, magically the setlist was on the old bass.
Paul, my fellow leftie, the struggle is still real!
A luthier friend of mine had a 63 he was working on. It was great. However he told me that not all of them are nice to play
Thank you for mentioning Elvis Costello persuading McCartney into breaking the Hofner outta the closet for the 89 tour. He also talked him into playing it on his track Veronica.
McCartney's tech was wrong about the set list taped to the Hofner. That list is from the 1966 North American Tour. Take a screenshot and see what I mean: "I Feel Fine," "She's a Woman," "Long Tall Sally" as the closer. This is clearly not "Get Back," "Dig a Pony," or "Don't Let Me Down."
I love all of this Beatles content as well, Keith. Fantastic Job!
And like Paul you have great time
I SENT A TEXT WITH MY INFO THEN A CALL TO STEPHEN THE HÖFNER REP AT NAMM 2025 ANAHEIM
HE SENT A TEXT BACK THAT HE WOULD CONTACT ME LATER ON
I WAS AFTER THE FLOOR MODEL CLUB BASS FROM GERMANY
HE KNEW WHO I THINK I WAS AND SOLD IT TO ME ON SATURDAY
I HAVE 45 VINTAGE BASSES BUT THIS HÖFNER IS MY #1 FORWARD
I WANTED A CLUB BASS SINCE I SAW THE BEATLES ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW IN 64
CARLOS GUITARLOS
HIGHLAND PARK 90042
This seems like a history of Paul McCartney. It would have been nice to hear more about the different pickups they used over the years and some of the modern players like Chris Wood from the Wood Brothers that use these basses. I usually love your videos, this one didn't seem as in depth as usual. Thanks
That was the set list for the summer 1966 tour and was there for all the shows, not just Candlestick. How do I know? I was at the show at Suffolk Downs in Boston, which was a week before Candlestick.
Hes a lefty. He chose it for symmetrical purposes. As mentioned, there wasnt a lot of rock instruments ordered then so Paul figured better to flip something already even on both sides instead of having to pull off something clunky like Hendrix
The remakes had flat backs but Paul's had a rounded back, it was how they knew it was his when it was returned a couple years back.
Well now that's it's been found guess you'll have to modify the story
It's been noted that the 61 bass was stolen in 1972 not 68 it was returned to him in 2023 ????
I instinctively felt this bass looked gimmicky and uncool, even as a child who was exposed to the Beatles phenomenon. It remains that way today.
Keith, how much does it weigh?
More bass playing & less about the Beatles would have been good ????
I always wanted a Hofner violin bass since I've always been a huge Beatles fan. I played a Fender Precision bass and upright bass in high school and then got a Fender Jazz Bass. Both Fenders are heavy and get very tiresome when played while standing for any length of time. Since I don't play bass that often I decided to get the Ignition model since I didn't want to spend $4K for the German model. The Ignition model I got is really well made with no flaws and the intonation is spot on. My stepson got an earlier Ignition model and it isn't as good for some reason. Maybe I just got lucky. I liked this Hofner so much I saw the 6-string model 459 and got one. It too is a really good guitar for the price. I really like playing both.
Thanks Paul for all. Desde Argentina.
As I guess you have heard, the Cavern bass has been recovered. It wasn’t actually stolen from Twickenham, but from an equipment van when it was parked in Notting Hill (back then Notting Hill was a slum, not trendy)
I often wondered why McCartney didn't play a Fender. I imagine even a special order Hofner was cheaper than the Fender.
The 1961 hofner bass found Paul ,good thing too cause fenders are so heavy
the tv show was called, Ready steady go.
I really dislike Hofner basses: overpriced, overrated by far.
Keith you had a chance to buy a 66 violin bass for under 4k cdn in mint condition would ya do it or recommend it ?
He got back the stolen hofner bass last year. (:
The setlist taped on the bass was the setlist for their last tour in 1966, not the rooftop concert
amazing
Good program. Thanks.
At 7:03 I think you mean the TV series 'Ready, Steady Go'. We also know that the bass was stolen 10th October 1972 and recently returned when found in a house in Hastings. McCartney lives in Peasmarsh 14 miles away.
Recently, perhaps late 2023, Paul was reunited with the stolen 1961 he first owned. A wonderful reunion.
The tone was great for AM radio
I recently got a Hofner and it is so great. It’s effortless to play and so fun to write songs with.
love these videos, the one about Pauk's guitars made me cry…
The show was ready steady go not ready set go
Big ol' goof – the setlist is NOT for the rooftop concert. That is for an earlier show. Nonetheless, very cool and informative video.