❌SOLD❌ Hofner Gold Label Violin Bass Berlin Purple, 2015

Hofner offers as the top of their line the Gold Label Violin Bass, hand built in Hagenau, Germany with custom wood and finish choices – here, a Violin Bass in Berlin Purple!

The Hofner Violin Bass is one of the most recognizable bass guitar designs, largely due to its use by an English guitarist turned bassist, Paul McCartney.

Here we are looking at a Hofner Gold Label Violin Bass in the 500/1 style during 2015 at the Hofner plant in Hagenau, about 35 km north of Nuremberg, Germany.   The iconic violin body is Maple Laminate for feedback rejection, with a zero-fret equipped Maple neck bearing an Indian Rosewood fingerboard.  The bridge is Ebony.  This is a ‘1962’ style design but with ‘Rugby’ tuners.  For electronics,  twin “Staple” 511B pickups are installed and spaced normally, at the bridge and neck positions.  Controls are classic Hofner, with teacup knobs. 

As a Gold Label instrument, it sports a custom finish Hofner calls ‘Berlin Purple’, and this is noted on the original case tag, applied by Hofner when first packing up the bass. This has been on our wall but otherwise could not be much newer. There is essentially no wear at all, this bass is almost totally unplayed.

At the moment, it is also one of the few Hofner Gold Label Violin Basses available.

This fine, unique instrument is sold with its original hard shell Hofner case, containing the hang tags, signed Certificate of Authenticity, and truss rod wrench.

Here is Hofner on the Gold Label Violin Bass series:

“Gold Label instruments are small runs or even single pieces with special finishes, colours or components. They are specially prepared and finished by our master luthiers in the workshops of Höfner in Hagenau, Germany.
They provide an opportunity to purchase a bass that is distinct, different, eye-catching. Some are subtle using exotic wood, while others are in outrageous colours for those who want to stand out.

All are handmade in Germany. Each piece comes with a Gold Label certificate of authenticity.”