1990s Höfner '63 Reissue 500/1 Violin Bass

Introduced in 1955, the Höfner Violin Bass has become something of a legend, thanks to Paul McCartney who used one as his primary bass throughout the '60s. Because of that, the 500/1 model is often referred to as the "Beatle bass." The 500/1 may seem straightforward, but it's very different from other electric basses. Its small, violin-shaped body is totally hollow, but it has no f-holes so feedback is mitigated. It has a short 30" scale, a Spruce top, and Maple back and sides. Originally, the two pickups were close together, so between the two, there wasn't a huge difference in sound. But in 1962, the treble pickup was moved right up against the bridge, and that gives a much wider range. Plus, Hofners use a unique control configuration to coax a variety of sounds out of the pickups This 1990s 500/1 Reissue is a cool German-made interpretation of the early-'60s transition-era specs. It has the adjustable pole-piece pickups that rolled out in '61, and the pickup spacing is appropriate