Höfner 500/1 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass
Vintage 1962 model
Manufacturer	Karl Höfner GmbH & Co.
Period	1955-Present
Construction
Body type	Hollow
Scale	30 in (760 mm)
Woods
Body	Spruce (Top), Maple (Back/Sides)
Neck	Maple
Fretboard	Rosewood
Hardware
Bridge	Höfner Ebony Bridge
Pickup(s)	Höfner 511B Humbucking Pickups
Colors available
Sunburst, black, laurel, rosewood and many others

A 1961 Höfner 500/1 "Cavern" Bass reissue

The Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass is a special electric bass guitar. It has been made by the German company Höfner since 1955. People often call it the "Beatle bass" or "Cavern bass" because of its famous user. This unique bass became super popular in the 1960s. That's when Paul McCartney from the legendary band The Beatles started playing it.

The Story of the Höfner Violin Bass

The Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass was first created in 1955 by Walter Höfner. He wanted to make a semi-acoustic electric bass that was light and easy to play. He also wanted it to sound a bit like a double bass, which is a much bigger instrument.

The bass was first shown to the public in 1956 at a big music fair in Frankfurt, Germany. It quickly caught the eye of musicians.

Paul McCartney's Famous Bass

In 1961, Paul McCartney bought his first Höfner 500/1 bass. He was in Hamburg, Germany, playing with The Beatles. He liked its unique violin shape and how light it was. This bass soon became his main instrument for almost his entire career.

Because Paul McCartney used this bass so much, it became incredibly famous. Fans around the world saw him playing it. This made the Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass one of the most recognizable basses ever. Höfner still makes this bass today because of its lasting popularity.

Images for kids

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  Höfner H500/1-62 Mersey Bass