Custom Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass (AKA Beatle Bass)

Cool, vibey German-made Höfner "Beatle Bass." Includes McCartney-correct brown leather strap, non-original case and extra set of La Bella Beatle Bass flats. Looks like a V63 (a reissue most likely made in the 1990s), naturally aged.

The wood is in fantastic shape—very well cared-for—and the metal parts are somewhat tarnished.

As a player, this Höfner is ready to rock and roll. Frets are in great shape; there are no breaks, and the electronics work (though I've been told the pickup switches are wired backwards). Two of the bridge pickup height adjustment screws are missing.

It has been thoroughly cleaned and set-up. The truss rod works, the pickups are robust, and the bass intonates the way you'd expect a vintage Höfner to do. I used it two years ago for a couple small Beatles tribute sets and it performed like a trooper. It carries no smoke odor, but if you stick your nose under the pick guard, there is the unmistakable odor of that old tea chest or organ in your grandma's parlor. Yummy!