Best Höfner 4-String Lefthanded Basses 2026
Premium Höfner 4-string lefthanded basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: August 27, 2026
⚡ The best 4-string lefthanded basses in 2026 are Höfner Club Bass Vintage Relic BK LH (top pick), Höfner H500/1-64L-0 Violin Bass for tighter budgets, and Höfner H500/1 LH Artist Violin Bass for pros — selected from 10 options, priced $465–$4,199, ranked by brand, price and popularity.
#1
⭐
4.7/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
7/10
Value:
3/10
Höfner Club Bass Vintage Relic BK LH
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Scale
762 mm (30")
Frets
22 frets
Body
Maple body
Fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboard
Comfort
Natural Playing Position
Proper Technique
Key Feature:
This is a solid left-handed bass with a warm, thick sound thanks to the humbuckers. The flamed maple body looks great on stage, and the trapeze tailpiece keeps it in tune well. It comes with a case but no strings, so you'll need to buy those separately to start playing.
PROS
- • Left-handed design suits mirror-image playing styles perfectly
- • Flamed maple body adds unique visual texture and warmth
- • Trapeze tailpiece offers stable tuning for live performances
- • Two humbucker pickups deliver thick, powerful low-end tone
CONS
- • No strings included means extra cost to play immediately
- • Weight is not listed so heft may surprise some players
- • Vintage Relic finish might wear faster than standard paint
⭐
4.7/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
7/10
Value:
3/10
Art. 641002
$4,200
#2
⭐
4.7/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
3/10
Höfner H500/1-64L-0 Violin Bass
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Scale
762 mm (30")
Frets
22 frets
Fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboard
Natural Playing Position
Proper Technique
Left-Handed Bass Players
Key Feature:
This is a solid choice if you play left-handed and need a bass that looks as good as it sounds. The flamed maple and spruce top give it a classic warm tone, while the two humbuckers deliver plenty of output. It comes with a case and factory strings, but the unmounted pickguard is a weak point you should watch out for. Ideal for session players who want reliable performance without extra modifications.
PROS
- • Left-handed build for comfortable playing orientation
- • Flamed maple back adds visual appeal and resonance
- • Two staple nickel humbuckers for warm output
- • Three-piece maple neck ensures stability and playability
CONS
- • Pearloid pickguard is unmounted and vulnerable to damage
- • Weight not specified makes handling uncertainty
- • No active electronics mentioned for low-end boost
⭐
4.7/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
3/10
Art. 640992
$3,839
#3
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
5/10
Höfner H500/1 LH Artist Violin Bass
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Scale
760 mm (29.92")
Frets
22 frets
Fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboard
Correct Form
Ergonomic Performance
Proper Technique
Key Feature:
This lefty Höfner Artist is a fantastic choice for players seeking that iconic Beatles tone. The build quality is superb, and the unique electronics provide some interesting tonal flexibility – it's a premium-priced instrument perfect for classic rock, pop, and vintage-inspired sounds, especially for those who appreciate a shorter scale length.
PROS
- • Select spruce top delivers a bright, articulate tone with excellent projection.
- • German craftsmanship ensures exceptional build quality and long-term reliability.
- • The HA2-B electronics and rhythm/solo switch offer useful tonal shaping options.
- • Flamed maple back and sides add warmth and sustain, balancing the spruce top.
CONS
- • The shorter 30in scale can feel cramped for bassists with larger hands.
- • The vintage-style humbuckers might lack modern high-gain versatility.
- • The high-gloss finish, while attractive, can be prone to fingerprints.
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
5/10
Art. 488849
$2,556
Höfner Club-Bass 500/2-L-0 SB
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Frets
22 frets
Body
Maple body
Fingerboard
Rosewood fingerboard
Proper Technique
Natural Playing Position
Correct Form
Key Feature:
This is a great bass if you need a left-handed instrument but want the classic Höfner look and sound. The flamed maple top looks stunning, and the humbucker pickup cuts through the mix well. However, right-handed players won't find this easy to use, and the missing weight and string specs mean you have to guess how it feels in your hands.
PROS
- • Left-handed design for right-handed players who play backwards
- • Premium flamed maple top adds visual and structural beauty
- • Höfner Humbucker pickup delivers strong, clear signal output
- • 22-fret scale length allows for high notes and smooth bends
CONS
- • Left-handed orientation makes it awkward for standard right-handed users
- • No weight specification listed prevents checking comfort during long sessions
- • Missing string gauge details limits knowledge of playability feel
⭐
4.6/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
7/10
Value:
3/10
Art. 640995
$3,500
Höfner HCT-500/1L-SB Violin Bass CTLH
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Frets
22 frets
Body
Maple body
Fingerboard
Jatoba fingerboard
Proper Technique
Comfort
Natural Playing Position
Key Feature:
This Lefthanded Höfner is a fantastic option for Beatles fans or anyone wanting that classic, upright-like vibe. The short scale makes it surprisingly comfortable, and those humbuckers deliver a really warm, powerful sound. It's a budget-friendly way to get a seriously iconic bass tone.
PROS
- • Spruce top adds warmth and clarity to the tone.
- • Maple body provides focused, punchy low-end response.
- • Jatoba fingerboard offers a smooth, snappy playing feel.
- • H511B humbuckers deliver thick, vintage-inspired growl.
CONS
- • Short scale length may feel cramped for players with larger hands.
- • Antique Brown Sunburst finish can be prone to fingerprints and scratches.
- • Limited tonal versatility compared to more modern bass designs.
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 202970
$932
Höfner Vintage Mersey 500/1 62 Left
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Scale
760 mm (29.92")
Frets
22 frets
Natural Playing Position
Comfort
Correct Form
Key Feature:
This lefty bass feels like the original Beatle with its wide maple neck and spruce top. The dual humbuckers give it a thick, modern sound while keeping that vintage look. It suits players who want that classic tone without switching hands.
PROS
- • Classic German spruce top adds warmth
- • Original 1962 neck dimensions for feel
- • Dual staple humbuckers for thick tone
- • Nitro finish ages beautifully over time
CONS
- • No string gauge options listed
- • Missing bridge pickup volume control
- • Left-handed setup costs more usually
⭐
4.6/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
6/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
3/10
Art. 156516
$3,733
Höfner Ignition Beatles Bass V Bundle
by
Höfner
Nut width
39.8 mm (1.57")
Frets
22 frets
Weight
4.5 kg
Left-Handed Bass Players
Proper Technique
Comfort
Key Feature:
This Höfner Ignition Beatles Bass V is a fantastic tribute to Paul McCartney's iconic instrument. It's surprisingly versatile for a short-scale, offering a warm, woody tone with plenty of growl – perfect for retro rock, pop, and Motown styles. Ideal for beginners or players seeking that vintage vibe without a premium-priced tag.
PROS
- • Spruce top offers a surprisingly articulate, vintage tone
- • Jatoba fretboard provides a smooth, fast playing experience
- • Classic Beatles bass aesthetics and vibe are instantly recognizable
- • Humbucker pickups deliver a thick, punchy low-end response
CONS
- • Shorter scale length limits low-end extension compared to standard basses
- • Hollow body construction can make it prone to feedback at higher volumes
- • Thomann Beat Bass case is functional, but lacks premium protection
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
6/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 239412
$571
#8
⭐
4.5/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
4/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
4/10
Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 61 LH
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Frets
22 frets
Left-Handed Bass Players
Ergonomic Performance
Comfort
Key Feature:
This lefty Höfner is a seriously cool piece of history, built with German precision. It nails that Paul McCartney vibe with its distinctive tone and comfortable neck – perfect for players chasing a vintage aesthetic and a focused, punchy sound. It’s a premium-priced instrument, but the quality and character are undeniable.
PROS
- • Relic finish authentically replicates a vintage '61, adding character and mojo.
- • German craftsmanship ensures exceptional build quality and hardware precision.
- • Höfner Staple pickups deliver that iconic, punchy, and warm vintage tone.
- • Rosewood fretboard provides a comfortable playing experience with a classic feel.
CONS
- • Short 30 in scale limits low-end extension; may feel cramped for larger hands.
- • Relic finish, while desirable, may not appeal to players preferring pristine instruments.
- • Premium-priced; represents a significant investment for many bassists.
⭐
4.5/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
4/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
4/10
Art. 437324
$3,383
#9
⭐
4.5/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
4/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
3/10
Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 63 LH
by
Höfner
Nut width
42 mm (1.65")
Frets
22 frets
Correct Form
Comfort
Proper Technique
Key Feature:
This Lefthanded Höfner 500/1 Relic is a seriously cool piece of history. The compact scale and unique tone are perfect for players wanting that classic McCartney vibe, especially those in rockabilly, early rock, or vintage-inspired settings. It's a premium-priced instrument offering a distinctive sound and feel.
PROS
- • Spruce top delivers a surprisingly articulate and resonant tone.
- • Relic finish authentically recreates a vintage instrument's character.
- • Ebony bridge adds clarity and sustain to the low end.
- • Compact 30in scale is ideal for smaller hands and quick navigation.
CONS
- • The shorter scale length limits low-end extension compared to longer basses.
- • Relic finish might not appeal to players preferring a pristine look.
- • Höfner Staple pickups are characterful, but not high-output.
⭐
4.5/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
4/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
3/10
Art. 437319
$3,839
Höfner Ignition VSB LH SE
by
Höfner
Nut width
39.8 mm (1.57")
Frets
22 frets
Natural Playing Position
Comfort
Correct Form
Key Feature:
This left-handed Ignition Beatles bass is a fantastic entry point to that iconic Hofner sound. The hollow body gives it a unique warmth and resonance, while the humbuckers deliver a surprisingly powerful low-end. It's a budget-friendly option perfect for beginners or players looking for a vintage vibe.
PROS
- • Spruce top provides a surprisingly bright and resonant acoustic character.
- • Jatoba fretboard offers a smoother playing experience than rosewood alternatives.
- • Hofner humbuckers deliver a thick, vintage tone ideal for classic rock and Motown.
- • The rhythm/solo switch adds a useful, subtle volume boost for stage performance.
CONS
- • Hollow body construction makes it prone to feedback at higher volumes.
- • 76 cm scale length feels shorter, might not suit players accustomed to longer scales.
- • Maple body, while solid, can feel a little dense for extended playing sessions.
⭐
4.6/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
4/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 232785
$466
4-String Lefthanded Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 109 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
Price
median $816
from $139 to $3,383
Nut width
median 39.4 mm (1.55")
from 38 mm (1.5") to 42 mm (1.65") · 92 models
Scale
median 864 mm (34.02")
from 760 mm (29.92") to 864 mm (34.02") · 90 models
Frets
median 22
from 20 to 24 · 59 models
Body
ash, alder, okoume
most common · 89 models
Fingerboard
maple, rosewood, laurel
most common · 68 models
Fingerboard radius
median 305 mm (12.01")
from 241 mm (9.49") to 508 mm (20") · 39 models
Neck profile
C, D
most common · 32 models
Strings
median 4-string
from 4-string to 5-string · 5 models
Weight
median 4 kg
from 3.5 kg to 7.5 kg · 11 models
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 10 of 109 4-string lefthanded basses from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 10 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
How to Choose the Best 4-String Lefthanded Basses
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string lefthanded basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
