Hofner Beatle Bass Guitars

Hofner Beatle bass guitars were produced by the Hofner company in 1962 and 1963. They were styled in a violin shape similar to the bass guitar played by Paul McCartney of the Beatles. This is why they are called Beatle bass guitars. These Hofner basses are sought by collectors everywhere now.

Hofner Beatle bass guitars are unique in that they are a semi-acoustic bass. This gives the instrument a deep, woody tone that resembles that of an upright double bass such as you would hear with an orchestra. In 1956, Walter Hofner first got the idea for these basses. His idea is now considered legendary because of the change it made in popular music.

Most of the bass guitars are colored in an antique brown sunburst pattern. Some are all natural colored wood, however, without the sunburst. The backs of these bass guitars are arched like the back of a violin. The company is again making these violin bass guitars as vintage remakes. List price for the Vintage '63 reissue is around $2700.

One of the reissued Hofner Beatle bass guitars is called the Cavern '61. The name was taken from the name of the Liverpool night club in which the Beatles got their start. It has a flat back instead of an arched one like the other Beatle basses.

Hofner Beatle basses are compact in size, lightweight, and easy to play. They record well and are great on the stage. They are built to be durable as well. They are being reissued because the demand has gotten great for the original Hofner basses. In addition to the Vintage '63 and the Cavern '61, there is also a model called the Club Bass. It has a cutaway profile. It has a list price of $2300. All are four string bass guitars.

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