AudioFu

Best Höfner Basses 2025

Premium Höfner basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $800 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Folk For Unplugged For Acoustic Sessions For Singer-Songwriter For Jazz For World Music
BRANDS: Höfner
Höfner HCT-500/2-SB Club-Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Höfner HCT-500/2-SB Club-Bass

by Höfner
Folk Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • No amplifier needed for small venues
  • • Rich, woody tone
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive construction
  • • Limited volume output

Höfner HCT-500/2-SB Club-BassElectric BassClub-Bass Contemporary SeriesDesign: semi-resonant body with sustain block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 207090
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner HCT-500/2-BK Club-Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Höfner HCT-500/2-BK Club-Bass

by Höfner
Singer-Songwriter Unplugged World Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate performances
✓ PROS
  • • No amplifier needed for small venues
  • • Perfect for intimate performances
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Höfner HCT-500/2-BK Club-BassElectric BassStyle: semi-hollow body club bass with cutaway and sustain blockBody:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 207091
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Club Bass Vintage Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Höfner Club Bass Vintage Relic

by Höfner
Folk World Music Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Authentic unplugged bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged bass sound
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • May need pickup for larger venues

Höfner Club Bass Vintage RelicElectric BassTop: SpruceBody: flamed maple2 Piece maple neckFretboard: RosewoodScale:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571314
$3,666
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 61 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 61

by Höfner
Acoustic Sessions Unplugged Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed for small venues
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Authentic unplugged bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Limited volume output

Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 61E-BassInspired by the McCartney bassTop: SpruceBack and sides: Flamed...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 437322
$4,169
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 63 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 63

by Höfner
Acoustic Sessions World Music Unplugged
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed for small venues
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate performances
  • • No amplifier needed for small venues
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for larger venues
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 Relic 63E-BassInspired by the McCartney bassTop: spruceBack and sides: Flamed MapleTwo-piece...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 437305
$3,949
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner H500/1-61-0 Beatles CavernBass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Höfner H500/1-61-0 Beatles CavernBass

by Höfner
Singer-Songwriter Unplugged Folk
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged bass sound
  • • Perfect for intimate performances
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume output
  • • May need pickup for larger venues

Höfner H500/1-61-0 Beatles CavernBassBeatles Cavern Bass"The original" Paul McCartney Cavern bassTop made of...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 262297
$3,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Shorty Bass Root Beer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Höfner Shorty Bass Root Beer

by Höfner
Singer-Songwriter Folk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate performances
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, woody tone
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for larger venues
  • • Weather sensitive construction

Höfner Shorty Bass Root BeerElectric Bass80s ClassicBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard: JatobaFrets: 24Nut width: 43...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525594
$230
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Shorty Bass Cadillac Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Höfner Shorty Bass Cadillac Green

by Höfner
Singer-Songwriter World Music Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate performances
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Authentic unplugged bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume output
  • • Weather sensitive construction

Höfner Shorty Bass Cadillac GreenElectric BassClassic from the '80sBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 540390
$241
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Shorty Bass Turquoise Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Höfner Shorty Bass Turquoise Blue

by Höfner
World Music Jazz Folk
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed for small venues
✓ PROS
  • • No amplifier needed for small venues
  • • Perfect for intimate performances
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive construction
  • • May need pickup for larger venues

Höfner Shorty Bass Turquoise BlueElectric BassClassic from the '80sBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 567784
$230
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 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 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.

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