HÖFNER, BUBENREUTH, 1963-65, A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR, 500/1

HÖFNER, BUBENREUTH, 1963-65
A HOLLOW-BODY ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR, 500/1
The applied logo at the headstock Hofner, stamped to the reverse 393, with later hardshell case bearing a label inscribed HOFNER VIOLIN BASS #393 and SERIAL NO. DG1078; accompanied by a business card from The Bass Place
Length of back 17.15/16 in. (45.6 cm.)

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Pre-Lot Text
THE HÖFNER 500/1
The Höfner 500/1 electric bass guitar is instantly recognizable to all students of popular music and rock and roll. Sometimes called a violin bass because of its hollow-body construction and shape, it more often carries the moniker of a Beatle Bass. Designed by Walter Höfner this German-made bass made its debut at the Frankfurt Music Fair in 1956. In 1961 its unique shape caught the sharp eye of a young Paul McCartney. Being a lefthanded player McCartney immediately realized that the symmetrical viol shaped body would not appear upside down when played left handed as a standard cutaway guitar body would. With the global fame of The Beatles, the Höfner 500/1 and subsequent model variations would become forever linked to those avatars of the British Invasion.