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Hofner Bass and Violin Bass Guitars
Hofner Violin Bass
Budget-priced European bass
Designed 1955 -1956
Commercially introduced 1956
Revised 1964
Production life 1956 to date
In the history of the electric guitar, some instruments have been classic since their inception; others have had greatness thrust upon them. Perhaps the classic example of the latter species is the Hofner violin bass. First produced in 1956, this modest, low-priced instrument was a steady seller in its native German market, both to local musicians, and from the late 50s, touring British bands. In early 1961, Paul McCartney, who'd recently taken up bass with The Beatles, bought one of these budget basses in Hamburg for 350 DM. The Hofner violin bass is largely hand made in a factory that specialized in violins, violas and double basses. In production to this day, the guitar is fragile, temperamental, primitive - and totally ravishing, for its sound has become part of the pop music psyche, providing the bedrock for Beatles' songs from 'Love Me Do' to 'The Ballad Of John and Yoko'. It is a salutary reminder that guitars don't have to be expensive or superbly functional in order to become classics.
