When did Walter Höfner unveil the 500/1 bass?
Walter Höfner unveiled an electrically amplified semi-acoustic bass in 1955. The instrument first appeared before the public at the Frankfurt Music Fair in early 1956.
Questions about Höfner 500/1
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did Paul McCartney choose the Höfner 500/1 over other brands?
Paul McCartney acquired his first Höfner violin bass in July 1961 because it cost approximately £30 while Fenders cost about £100. He also felt the symmetrical shape meant playing left-handed would not look awkward since Höfner did not sell a left-handed version of the 500/1 at that time.
What changes occurred to the pickup configuration of the Höfner 500/1 after 1962?
A slight redesign occurred in 1962 to move the second pickup up against the bridge. This change gave each pickup a more distinct tone compared to the earlier configuration where two pickups were mounted near each other up against the heel of the neck prior to 1962.
When was Paul McCartney's stolen 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass recovered and played again?
February 2024 revealed that the bass had finally been found by investigators after being missing for over fifty years. The bass played onstage for the first time in decades on the 19th of December 2024 at The O2 Arena in London.
Which companies produce affordable imitations of the Höfner 500/1 violin bass?
Several guitar companies offer more affordable versions including Greco, Epiphone, Tokai, El Dégas, Jay Turser, Duesenberg, Rogue, Douglas, Harley Benton, and Eko. Carl Wilson and Al Jardine of The Beach Boys occasionally played a Höfner imitation bass during the late 1960s.