Other vintage basses

1963 Hofner 500/1 Beatle bass

FlyGuitars You've got a large collection of Gibsons, Fenders, and guitars made by other manufacturers...

Bob Daisley Yeah I've been collecting them for a long time but I think I really started seriously collecting them in the late '70's. In those days I just had two Precisions. Then the first one that I added to the collection was the 1963 Hofner Beatle Bass which I bought from Orange Music in London and I paid about 90 quid for it. I thought gotta have one of those cause Paul used one of those and it'd be a good thing to have. At the time I bought it out of ignorance because I didn't know that 1963 was the year to have because there were others, they made lots. There were the ones they churned out in '64,'65,'66 after he was known to have used one but the one I got was a '63 which was the same year as the one he had so that's the year to have.

FlyGuitars You managed to pick up the right one at the right time then.

Bob Daisley Yeah, I didn't realise it, I thought well that's nice I want one of those so I got it.

FlyGuitars You've obviously got a very interesting collection of basses and not just because it includes some fine examples of vintage basses but some of your basses have had interesting owners like the Framus that was formerly owned by Bill Wyman, how did you come on to own that bass?

Bob Daisley Well, I saw the Rolling Stones in 1965, the original line up with Brian Jones. They were young lads themselves and I saw them in January '65, I was still 14 and I was so impressed. I was used to seeing Bill Wyman in either films or photographs using his big bodied Framus bass you know the sort of cherry or maroon coloured one but this time when I saw them live for the first time he came out with that humbug finish small bodied Framus bass. I was very, very impressionable in those days being a fourteen year old kid, I'd just began to play myself and seeing that and seeing him live use that I thought god I'd love one of those.

Since then I've been after one and they're like hen's teeth, you can't find them anywhere, they must have only made a few. I suppose he had a few them cause he'd probably have more than one on the road with him in a band like that and I used to put the feelers out. I had friends in guitar shops in London and in America and when they went to guitar shows you know I'd always say look keep an eye out for a humbug cause it's just something that I got a bug for then you know, I had to have one.

Left: Bill Wyman in 1965 playing a Framus, and right: Bob Daisley's Framus

It took me about forty years cause I think it was 2005 or something, somebody sent me an email and said there's a bloke in America and he's got a humbug finish Framus and it's supposed to have been one of Bill Wyman's. If you look at the one Bill Wyman used in the Stones most of the time in those days his has got dark edges but mine hasn't. It's still supposed to have been one of his. Now it's in pretty good nick so maybe it was a spare or something if it was his. There's no real proof but the bloke I got it from in America said that he'd brought it from a doctor that had had it for over twenty years that said it was definitely one of Bill Wyman's. I just wanted it as a collectable piece and it was something I always wanted from being a kid and I actually used it. We did an album with my blues band here the Hoochie Coochie Men, which Jon Lord (Deep Purple) plays keyboards with us when we do stuff and I used it on a track. We did a cover with Jimmy Barnes singing Heart Of Stone which was my idea to do that song, a very early Rolling Stones song from about '64 and so I thought well what better song to use the old Framus on so I used it on that song.

FlyGuitars Having been after one of them for so long how does the bass feel to play and sound, has it met your expectations?

Bob Daisley Oh I probably would have enjoyed it more as a kid because it's ok but they were a low budget bass. It's good but probably limited in what I would use it for now. It's just lovely to have as a part of a collection it's very, very rare.

1964 Rickenbacker 4001S bass

FlyGuitars Definitely. One of the rarer basses you have in your collection is the 4001S Rickenbacker bass.

Bob Daisley Yeah, the Rickenbacker 4001s is very, very, very rare. It's another one that took me years and years to get. It took me probably 15 years of hunting around asking people for one of those as well cause there are lots of Rickenbacker 4001 but the 4001s is the same dot neck one like the one McCartney had in the days of The Beatles around Magical Mystery Tour and Sergeant Pepper. Apparently they only made about 150 of them and there aren't many original ones left. Even McCartney's had had the finish taken of it, it was fireglo when he had it in The Beatles but now he's got all the paint taken of it so it's just wood colour. That's a real rare one and I use that on a couple of tracks on the Hoochie Coochie Men album and it has got that McCartney sound you know it's a lovely bass it's a nice one to play too. It's not ideal for every track on the album but for some of them it was really good and.

Left: Ronnie Lane plays his Zemaitis bass, and Right: the bass today

FlyGuitars And you have two basses by Zemaitis, including one formerly owned by Ronnie Lane

The Ronnie Lane Zemaitis, that's one I saw him use live in London in the early 70's when he was with Rod Stewart and The Faces and I remember trying to track Tony Zemaitis down to see if I could get one or how much they would be when I was in London but I never ever did. Eventually, it wasn't until about '90 that somebody phoned me and said I've got a number for Tony Zemaitis if you wanna contact him and I did. I went to his house and talked about The Faces and the sort of thing I want so he made me the single cutaway Les Paul sort of shape with the metal front engraved by Danny O'Brien. I asked him about Ronnie Lane's bass and he said "oh that one's just a one off, I made that for Ronnie and he brought along his own pickups". They were vintage Fender bass pickups, the straight pole ones, the early 50's ones and he put those on there. After that I became an honorary member of the Zemaitis owners club. They send me this news letter thing and I noticed it must have been early 2005 that there was an ad for Ronnie Lane's bass and I thought god now there's one to have in your collection and a bloke in Australia had it. I phoned the guy in England, Keith at the Zemaitis owners club and then he gave me the details of this bloke here and I ended up having a deal with him for it. There was only one of them in the world so it was a very rare one. The value of Zematis have gone through the roof in the last few years since Tony died as well because he didn't make that many when he was alive, there aren't many around. I know there being reissued in Japan through the name Zemaitis and there's also a bloke in Newcastle in England. He just goes under the name of Dave Of England and he's got all the tooling and the patterns and jigs and things from Tony Zemaitis himself and he makes them. His have the real Danny O'Brien engraving on them which I think makes them more attractive than the ones in Japan which are just done from a machined template. I had an acoustic fretless bass made by Dave Of England last year and Danny O'Brien did the engraving on it.

1959 Danelectro Longhorn bass

Early 1960s Harmony H22 bass

FlyGuitars Another bass favoured by Ronnie Lane in the early days was the Harmony H22

Bob Daisley They were another low budget thing in the early to mid 60's. American, the Harmony and I always wanted one just out of curiosity. I saw one in Los Angeles in the early 90's and it wasn't much, it was like 500 bucks or something so I brought that and it's a great little bass. I remember that Muff Winwood with the Spencer Davis Group used one and Ronnie Lane used one with The Small Faces in the early days. They do have a distinctive sound and they are a pretty good little bass.

FlyGuitars Yeah, I was listening to Ogden's Nuts Gone Flake the other night and you can hear that sound on there.

Bob Daisley Yeah, and the bass sound with the Spencer Davis Group was quite distinctive as well. Things like Keep On Runnin' and Gimme Some Lovin' and all that sort of stuff.

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Framus Wilke Star Bass 5 / 150 Thin line Guitar 1960s

West Bend, Wisconsin, 530**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$875

1960s Framus Wilke star bass thin line 5 / 150 guitar. Missing 2 of the 4 strings. Really nice condition on everything.... more

Hofner HCT-500 / 1 CV CONTEMPORARY CAVERN VIOLIN "BEATLE BASS" w / HARD SHELL CASE

Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$895

Subway Guitars is pleased to offer up one of the most iconic basses- the Hofner "Beatle Bass "
It is in Mint Condition with no playing wear on the neck or in the finish. It is strung with flatwounds for the classic tone. The setup is excellent with lowish action and no buzzes
CHIPS WITH NICE FORM FITTING HARD CASE
The Cavern contemporary violin bass differs from the standard model by placing the pickups nearer the neck for that classic Paul McCartney tone of the early to mid 60s. The... more

Hofner 500 / 1 Bass

Cincinnati, Ohio, 452**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

Hofner 500 / 1 contemporary series bass. Solid center block with German pickups and upgraded German electronics control panel. Plays amazing and sounds amazing. New set of hornet flat wound strings. No case or bag. Local pickup only
... more

1967 Hofner 500 / 1 bass w / case

Hixson, Tennessee, 373**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2295

Vintage 1967 era Hofner 500 / 1 "Beatle" Bass in good working condition except for the solo button which doesn't seem to do anything. Incudes hard shell case. Hard to date these but I would guess it is early 1967. Has the new bar pickups but still has the raised logo which will go away later that year. Some cracks on top that are not open and old from years ago. Has old flat wound strings, probably from late 60's or 70's. Classic sound that Paul McCartney put on the map. Listen to Sgt. Peppers ... more

1966 HOFNER BEATLE BASS 500 / 1 ONE-OWNER EXCELLENT CONDITION ORIGINAL CASE NO P / G

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2489

MEMORIAL DAY SALE& FREE USA SHIPPING!
Where else are you going to find an original vintage Hofner bass for $1000 less than a lot of sellers are charging for modern reissues? The Bass Palace, of course! This is a one-owner bass once owned by a local upright bass legend. It's well-worn but has always been stored dry & smoke-free so it's in very good condition cosmetically. It was lovingly played for 55+ years and even has the original flatwound strings that came with the bass! You will ... more

Hofner 1967 500 / 1 Beatle Bass Guitar

Hopkins, Minnesota, 553**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2500

Selling for a friend's estate, a very nice 1967 (fairly certain) Hofner "Beatle" Bass. No damage or repairs; the body is nice with some amount of "lacquer checking" on the front, along with a bit of wear on the left side of the pickups. Neck is very nice, no issues, sealed original tuners. Small stick-on fret markers added to the side, easily removed if desired. Very few nicks or other surface issues. Good working pickups and electronics. Includes original case.... more

Vintage 1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass Vintage Beatle Bass w / Case Staple Pickups

Santee, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2899

At Top 40 Guitars, customer satisfaction is our first concern All of our items have a 14 day return policy If after 14 days you are not completely satisfiedwith your purchase, please return it for a refund .Peace be with you
all returned items must be in the same condition theywere at the time of sale. All original packing must be included
#
Up for Sale is aVintage 1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass!
Violin Beatle Bass! All Original! Made In Germany!
This is really Cool. You ... more

Hofner 500 / 1-64-0 Bass Guitar Made In Germany With Case

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 554**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2900

Hofner 500 / 1-64-0 bass guitar made in Germany. Purchased in 2021 with a single owner. Condition mint. Includes tweed hardshell case, Hofner bass stap and all paperwork.... more

1970s Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass Sunburst w / OHSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3195

1970s Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass In Sunburst Finish
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Playwear Including Slight Buckle Rash, Small Dings, Marks And Scratches Throughout
Small Cracks On Near Neck Joint As Shown
Made In Germany
Figured Maple Hollow Body With Spruce Top
Maple Neck With Bound Rosewood Fingerboard And Dot Inlays
Original Frets In Very Good Condition
Dual Hofner ... more

1974 Hofner 500 / 1 Beatle Bass Vintage Violin Bass w / Blade Pickups, Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3400

Up for sale, a 1974 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin ??Beatle Bass?? in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Indelibly linked with Paul McCartney and the Beatles, this genuine vintage 500 / 1 captures the round, pillowy thump and definition inherent to the iconic Beatles sound, with a fully hollow body and blade pickups
There??s a distinctive pluck, percussive cut, and hollow thud that this bass delivers even while unplugged, with a... more

1978 Hofner 500 / 1 Beatle Bass Vintage Violin Bass '60s Spec w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

Up for sale, a 1978 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin ??Beatle Bass?? in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Unique among the standard production 500 / 1s in the late ?70s, this Hofner model faithfully replicates circa 1964 spec, with non-standard (and vintage-accurate) features including staple pickups, teacup knobs, a raised headstock logo, and white switches.
The bass indelibly linked with Paul McCartney and the Beatles, this ... more

1968 Hofner 500 / 1 Custom Limited Run (Rare) With OHSC

Georgetown, Massachusetts, 018**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3975

This is a 1968 Hofner 500 / 1 bass that has a mix of features from a 500 / 1 and a 5000 / 1 Deluxe. Per the appraisal from Gruhn Guitars (see last pic), they estimate this to be from a limited run of maybe 10 basses. The color and style of wood as well as the pickguard are consistent with a 5000 / 1 Deluxe but the rest is consistent with a 500 / 1 including the white binding. A 5000 / 1 Deluxe has tortoiseshell binding. The original hard shell case is included
The bass has been freshly setup... more

Hofner bass beatles 5001 1965 model

Baxter, Tennessee, 385**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3995

Hofner Beatles bass 5001 1965 model with original case and key to case .Great condition for a 60 year old bass .The neck has been reset .Back pickup rewound by hofner specs Everything works great .Weight 4lb 10 ozs .Strings is labella bass strings .Checking on front of bass body .The bass has been played but loved Raised Hofner logo on front of the head stock .Dots added on top of side binding on the neck side as you can see in the pictures. Made in Germany Serial number is gone . May have been ... more

Vintage 1966 Hofner Beatle Bass 500 / 1

Round Rock, Texas, 786**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4000

Here's a beautiful example of a well-aged 1966 Hofner Beatle Bass. All original with the vintage case, this one is unique in having a sleek, black finish on the neck. It plays extremely well and recording with it produces the sound this bass is known and loved for.
All electronics / pickups work and sound great! The neck is also remarkably straight for it's age. Set up by Kurt Viles guitar tech with flat-wounds, it's ready for any show or recording session. There are some knicks and ... more

Exceptional Hofner 5000 / 1 Violin Bass with Flight Case - Impeccable Condition

Monticello, New York, 127**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4200

? Rare Opportunity to Own a Legendary Hofner 5000 / 1 Violin Bass with Stunning Flame Maple Wood - Pristine Condition

Attention to all bass enthusiasts and collectors! Here is a unique opportunity to own an iconic Hofner 5000 / 1 Violin Bass, renowned not just for its distinct sound and classic design, but also for its exquisite flame maple wood. This legendary instrument has been the choice of professional musicians for decades and now awaits its next virtuoso

Key ... more

1962 Danelectro Longhorn Bass an original very desirable user friendly Dano Bass

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4495

Danelectro??s Longhorn Basses & Guitarlins are some of our favorite Vintage pieces anywhere. They were so simply made & inexpensive when made in the late 50??s thru the 70??s. Many famous people used & loved these as they had a tone & playability like no other cheap guitar. This example is a very unusual & rare all original model Bass IV in its factory Copper??burst finish on its front & back of its body & on its neck. It is a very cool variant of its other Bass ... more

Hofner 500 / 1 60th Anniversary Klaus Voorman

Anderson, Indiana, 460**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4950

2016 Hofner 500 / 1 60th Anniversary in like NEW condition! I bought this brand new in 2016. Never gigged out of the house. Played maybe 10 times. This Hofner 500 / 1 is a very special edition. Only 60 produced, this is #13. Artwork design by the one and only Klaus Voorman. Comes with the original ??bullet?? aluminum case and all of the amazing case candy. Very hard to find Hofner ??fuzz?? pedal, Hofner coffee mug, even a signed document from Klaus himself! Please shoot me a message for any ... more

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4995

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass, AKA the Beatle Bass, Hollow-body, Sunburst finish, Staple pickups, Large raised logo and larger Pearloid controlpanel, Fantastic warm and powerful tonality, Light weight, Plays great, Truly abeauty, VG++, Rare worn original hard case... more

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5395

1965 Hofner 500 / 1 Violin body Beatle Bass, Amazing sounding ??Staple??pole piece pickup, individual tuners, Raised logo, Nice light weight, Fun toplay, VG+, NSSC
... more

All-Original 1964 Hofner 500 / 1 "Beatle Bass"

Redwood City, California, 940**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6350

HISTORY:
The 500 / 1 bass was conceived in 1955 by Hofner Co. president Walter Hofner who believed a violin shaped bass would be easy to manufacturer along side of his existing double bass production line. It featured a symmetrical violin style design, was very light weight, had good playability and a was offered at a reasonable price. The 500 / 1 was unveiled in 1956 at the Frankfurt Music Fair however, ironically, was not made available in the UK until 1963 when it was imported for the ... more

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