Höfner 500/1
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. Its hollow body construction made the style of bass very light and easy to play. This design also gave it a rich tone similar to that of the traditional double bass. Builders used a fairly traditional style for the instrument, much like that of an acoustic guitar. A thin maple body formed the core structure alongside a spruce top and a maple neck. Rosewood traditionally served as the material for the fretboard, though modern models utilize other tonewoods. The system featured two pickups mounted near each other up against the heel of the neck prior to 1962. These pickups had very similar tones even when played separately during those early years. 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. Additional cosmetic changes included a different logo on the headstock and new tuning pegs. The instrument retained its brunette sunburst finish and pearloid pickguard throughout these iterations.
Paul McCartney acquired his first Höfner violin bass in July 1961. He borrowed Stuart Sutcliffe's bass briefly until he could afford one of his own. McCartney felt the symmetrical shape meant playing left-handed would not look awkward. Using a cutaway guitar designed for right-handed players looked wrong to him. Höfner did not sell a left-handed version of the 500/1 at that time. His specific model was custom-built through Steinway Musikhaus in Hamburg. That store stood as the largest and most prestigious music shop in the city. McCartney recalled ordering the bass because it was quite cheap compared to other instruments. Fenders cost about £100 while he could only afford around £30. He found this Hofner violin bass for approximately £30. It is likely this was the first left-handed 500/1 bass Höfner made. McCartney eventually owned two basses of this model including an original 1961 unit with stacked pickups. A second 1963 model featured widely separated pickups instead. By early 1964, McCartney began using the newer bass almost exclusively. The original instrument served primarily as a backup during those years. In 1964, he had his 1961 model refinished in sunburst. A new wooden pickup holder replaced the original plastic surround near the neck. The plastic surround had snapped during regular use. He can be seen using this bass in the Revolution promo video with the strap attached to the headstock. This attachment countered the instrument's tendency toward neck dive caused by its light body.
Höfner released multiple variations of the 500/1 from 1958 through 2024. The company produced a Vintage '58 re-issue and a Vintage '59 re-issue over the decades. A Cavern Bass version appeared but is no longer available directly from Höfner. The 2011 model known as the Vintage '61 Cavern Bass matched Paul McCartney's original specs. As of 2024, a vintage-style and color model exists based on McCartney's '63 500/1. The Vintage '62 Mersey model also entered production alongside other iterations. A 50th Anniversary Edition of The Ed Sullivan Show appeared in 2014 as a limited run of only 64 units. The Vintage '63 model ceased production while the Vintage '64 replaced it. Höfner created a 125th Anniversary Black Violin Bass for special occasions. Klaus Voormann designed graphics for the KV 60th Anniversary model. The Contemporary Series H500/1-CT bears the text Designed in Germany on the back of its head. Made in China appears on a sticker attached to that same head area. The Icon series B-Bass was manufactured in China before changing names to Ignition for legal reasons in 2010. Limited runs of the Icon B Bass featured five custom color schemes with only 150 units per color sold in 2008. An additional Dark Burst finish edition produced just 88 copies that year. The HI series B-Bass made in Indonesia served as a cheaper budget option starting from 2010. Various colors and versions remain available including Cavern and two-color sunburst options.
Paul McCartney's original 1961 bass disappeared after being stolen from a van in 1972. The instrument remained missing for over fifty years until its recovery in 2024. Nick Wass, a Liverpool native and former Höfner marketing manager, launched the Lost Bass Project in September 2023. His goal involved recovering McCartney's stolen Höfner bass specifically. February 2024 revealed that the bass had finally been found by investigators. The project traced the instrument to the south coast of England. Someone who unknowingly possessed the bass in their attic contacted the organization for its return. The bass played onstage for the first time in decades on the 19th of December 2024. This performance occurred at the end of McCartney's Got Back tour at The O2 Arena in London. McCartney switched back to using his 1963 model for the remainder of the Let It Be film after the rooftop concert. He continued to use the Rickenbacker for the recording of Abbey Road and throughout his Wings career. As of 2024, he remains in possession of the 1963 bass and uses it regularly for performances.
Several guitar companies offer more affordable versions of the violin bass due to the cost of official Höfner models. Greco, Epiphone, Tokai, El Dégas, Jay Turser, Duesenberg, Rogue, Douglas, Harley Benton, and Eko all produce imitators. Carl Wilson and Al Jardine of The Beach Boys occasionally played a Höfner imitation bass during the late 1960s. They notably used these instruments at the 1967 concerts in Honolulu, Hawaii. Those events produced the long-unreleased live album Lei'd in Hawaii. The Höfner 500/1 appeared in Guitar Hero II as part of its instrument selection. A replica of the Höfner bass used by McCartney serves as the basis for a guitar controller included with The Beatles: Rock Band special edition bundle. Paul McCartney continues to play the instrument despite switching to other models later in his career. Satomi Matsuzaki of Deerhoof and Angel Deradoorian have also utilized this specific model. Murray Cook of The Wiggles and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala frequently use a Höfner to create their songs. Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith played a Höfner on recording sessions for Just Push Play. Robbie Shakespeare and Chris Wood of Medeski Martin and Wood have performed with the instrument. Doug Fieger of The Knack owned a Höfner while Jon Anderson played it on Olias of Sunhillow.
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Common questions
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.
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.