Here for sale we have a Hofner 500​/​1 left handed electric bass in Sunburst finish. Although there is no serial number present on the instrument, the specification, hardware and headstock logo all point towards the instrument's manufacture around 1972. This includes the 513 'Blade' pickups with embossed Hofner logo, short trapeze tailpiece, single closed clip tuning machines, Lacquered Gold headstock logo and control panel configuration all being available from around 1968-'75. The control panel helps us to pinpoint the date more accurately to '72, with the pearl white backing plate, larger switches and black plastic control knobs with Aluminium tops seemingly only available in 1972. It would appear that the pots have been replaced at some point, with the codes on the replacement pots unfortunately containing no dating information. The Hofner 500​/​1 was invented by Walter Hofner in 1955, and first shown at the Frankfurt Music fair in 1956. In around July of 1961, Stuart Sutcliffe lent his Hofner bass to Paul McCartney until Paul was able to afford his own. At the time, Hofner did not make a production left handed model, and so the custom order that McCartney made in '61 was likely the very first left handed version of the instrument ever made. Paul eventually acquired another 500​/​1 in around 1963, which featured the wider pickup separation that was introduced by Hofner in 1962 to achieve a more distinct sound from each pickup. Both of these basses featured heavily in the Beatles work, with the '61 model making its final Beatles appearance in the 1969 Apple Corporation rooftop concert. The Hofner 500​/​1 has become synonymous with McCartney through his continued use of the instrument throughout his career, with the instrument maintaining an incredible level of popularity due to its association with McCartney & the Beatles. The 500​/​1 bass undeniably plays exceptionally well. It's hollow-body construction keeps the weight low, enhancing comfort for the player. The violin shape of the body lends itself very well to upper fret access. whilst the pronounced waist of the instrument means that it is comfortable to play in a seated position. The 30" scale is shorter than the typical 34" found on many Fender type basses, offering a reduced string tension for a slinky and smooth feel to the strings. The profile to the rear of the neck might be described as a rounded 'C' shape, which whilst certainly on the thicker side avoids feeling unwieldy. The 12" radius of the fingerboard is practical for a wide range of playing styles and techniques, whilst the Rosewood surface is comfortable under the fingers. The dual pickup setup along with the hollow-body construction delivers a deep, smooth tone, with plenty of dynamic range and control. The control panel is comprehensive, allowing you to blend the pickups into any combination and ensuring that the sound is versatile enough for almost any musical situation. An incredibly well-preserved vintage bass with an unparalleled pedigree. Brand- Hofner Model- 500​/​1 Finish- Sunburst Year- c.1972 Made In- Germany Body- Laminated Maple Neck- Maple Fingerboard- Rosewood Fingerboard Radius- 12" (Measured) Frets- 22 Scale Length- 30" Nut Width- 1.582" Pickups- 2x Hofner 513 'Blade' Pickups Controls- Volume 1 (Neck), Volume 2 (Bridge), Rhythm​/​Solo Switch, Bass On​/​Off Switch, Treble On​/​Off Switch

Verification report

Luthier Report Our ID: 1050825123540 Weight: 4.95lbs Serial: N​/​A Aesthetic Condition: Headstock: Overall very good condition. Light to mild indentation and chipping of the finish is present to the edges of the headstock, in places exposing the wood beneath. A moderate chip at the bass side of the headstock has been repaired to an acceptable standard by a previous owner. Moderate delamination of the finish can be seen to the front face by the A tuning post. Light to mild scratching to all aspects of the headstock is visible under direct light, as is common with high gloss finishes. Neck: Overall very good condition. Very light indentation is present to the rear of the neck, most notably behind the 3rd fret where the marking is lightly felt under the thumb. Light scratching to the rear of the neck is present throughout the register, not impacting playability. The fingerboard shows light indentation and scratching throughout the register consistent with playwear. Body: Overall very good condition. The front face shows mild lacquer cracking, most notably at the bass side. These do not affect the structure of the bass and are common with an instrument of this age. All aspects of the body demonstrate light to mild indentation & scratching, most apparent at the the bass side edge where the indentations have pierced the finish but do not expose the wood beneath. Light glue residue can be seen at the treble side waist edge. Condition of Frets: The frets demonstrate moderate signs of use, not affecting playability. Light flattening of the frets is apparent throughout the register. There is light material remaining for any fret work the new owner may wish to perform. Current Set Up: Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (4mm hex) not included. Hardware: Fully functional with light to mild oxidation to all of the metal hardware. This is most notable to the bridge pickup rail. Structural: No concerns or issues to note. Height of the string from the 12th Fret-2mm - Bass 2.5mm Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height. Strings on Guitar - 45-100 Electrics: Fully functional. Case & Accessories: Molded hard case. Fully functional with light signs of wear, most notably scuffing to the exterior.