Höfner H500/1 Artist Violin Bass
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Höfner
H500/1 Artist Violin Bass
Product Info
Article Number:
488815
Brand:
Höfner
Model:
H500/1 Artist Violin Bass
Category:
Short Scale Basses
Price:
$2,076.80
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The H500/1 is a beautifully made, instantly recognizable bass. It nails that classic Beatles vibe with a warm, punchy tone and a surprisingly comfortable short scale. Ideal for players seeking a vintage aesthetic and a playable instrument for rock, pop, and blues.
Product Description
- Höfner H500/1 Artist Violin Bass
- Electric Bass Artist Series
- Beatles Bass
- Top: selected spruce wood
- Back and sides: flamed maple
- Neck: 2-Piece maple/beech
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- 22 Frets
- Nut width 42 mm
- Scale: 760mm (30")
- Pickups: 2 Staple humbuckers
- Electronics: Höfner HA2-B: control panel with 2 volume controls
- 2 on/off switches
- rhythm/solo switch for volume boost
- Finish: Poly lacquer
- high-gloss
- Includes Höfner case
- Made in Germany
PROS
- • German craftsmanship delivers exceptional build quality and resonance.
- • Spruce top and flamed maple back offer a warm, woody, and articulate tone.
- • Staple humbuckers provide a thick, vintage growl perfect for classic styles.
- • Short 30in scale offers comfortable playability, especially for smaller hands.
CONS
- • The short scale might feel cramped for players with larger hands.
- • Poly lacquer finish, while durable, lacks the vintage vibe of a nitro finish.
- • The rhythm/solo switch offers a subtle boost, not a dramatic tonal shift.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Material
Selected spruce top, flamed maple back and sides
Neck Material
2-Piece maple/beech
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Pickups
2 Staple humbuckers
Scale Length
760mm (30in)
Frets
22
Strings
Nickel-plated steel (likely, standard Höfner spec)
Weight
Approximately 4.2kg (9.3lbs) - typical for a bass of this construction
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's warmer and less aggressive than a Fender Precision Bass, but more defined than some of the very early Höfners – the spruce top adds clarity.
While playable, the 30in scale and neck profile are best suited for players with smaller or medium-sized hands; larger hands might find it a little cramped.
Yes, the staple pickups are standard size and easily swapped, allowing for customization of the bass's tone.
