Hofner Bass restoration...questions!

V8 · 2015-09-15T12:13:07+00:00

Sooo, I got 'lucky' and got this beastie last week. A hofner 189 (circa 1971-1983), jazz bass copy. I say 'lucky' because it's been quite abused and I'm d...

Hofner Bass restoration...questions!

RCVN

@V8 Looking good

modulator

Good going. Six years, time flies. Good that the project not only survived, but advanced. How does this rank on your favourite scale?

V8

modulator Good going. Six years, time flies.

Thanks! Eish, time has indeed whizzed by, the 'rona interlude' made things seem a bit surreal maybe?

Wellll, great question - so far #1, because I still have , play it and dig it. 😀 I have been looking around for something else for ease of slapping - I might add a cheap Gio Soundgear or similar - they are a lot easy to play and have a active circuit. No rush though, I'm playing more guitar lately, working on getting some shreddiness back in my life.

RCVN

V8 Have a look at them Yamaha's.

I paid about the same as for a gio, and its 300% the instrument. TRBX 174. It is passive though.

V8

RCVN Have a look at them Yamaha's.

Thanks, I have 🤔 They are good, I dug on the RBXA2 a long while back, just wasn't cheap enough at the time to tempt. Played great, sounded real good.

I'd have have a (Gio) Soundgear, just because I'm used to them. Everytime I play one (4 string) it's a familiar, easy playing, place. Can't say I like the sound - it's McD's compared to the Hoff's homemade fatty mids 😆

modulator Sometimes the gems are just a bit mud-crusted.
Enjoy.

Too true, thanks! I remember having fun with the refurb, getting all the overspray off the headstock was extremely satisfying. I've been looking around for a sister guitar to join, but nothing turn ed up quite as beat up.

guidothepimmp

Nice one

modulator

Had a conversation recently, guy bought a left-hand bass with obvious neck issues, just because it was left. Could not sort it with truss rod, threw it in the cupboard. Some time later he looked at it again: previous owner(?) had shimmed the neck to sit with more than 10 mm action. Sorted that, set the truss rod, is a good player now, and has active pickups.
Sometimes the gems are just a bit mud-crusted.
Enjoy.

blood_bought

looking good indeed! Id say you should totally remove all the finish from the neck, I cannot tell for sure but it almost look like the neck has a flame going on? or is it just my eyes

V8

blood_bought cannot tell for sure but it almost look like the neck has a flame going on?

Eyes are good! Fairly sure it's a hunk of maple and the ribbing of the flames looks cool - makes me wonder what grain is lurking under the headstock.

From left to right are the various stages of erm...'finishing'

Freshly sanded, then first applications of 'stain', post oiling and buffing then 6 years later. I agree, expose more of the wood. Means neck off, so I'm waiting for a reason to re-string (I'll have to redo setup anyways).

blood_bought

V8 Ooh yes flamed for sure! If it was me id totally remove all the finish and get that flame to pop! Id be curious as well too see what is going on under the headstock!
Reminds me of a Squier hello kitty strat I bought for peanuts, when I got the guitar I found out it had a flamed maple neck haha. Rare but it happens. then I sold it :/

Tuckstir

I would so strip all that paint off and highlight the flame..