Simon Paja
Hofner 500/1
Now I’m going to make a bass. I selected this kit for the project. A Hofner 500/1 copy. A violin bass Paul McCartney used in his Beatles times.
Nice work. Neck sits perfectly in the cavity. There is no zero fret on the fretboard, I try to figure out if I can make one.
Back.
From here you can see the support under the bridge. Body is laminated.
Seems like it is a piece of mahogany.
Neck is really narrow, tuners fit to holes.
Control panel. Two volumes, on-off switches for both pickups, switch for tone: Rhythm/Solo.
Other stuff; tail piece, bridge, pickups and pick guard.
The starting point. Starts with sanding and making sure all parts are fitting. I’ll put there a veneer on the peghead.
Since the zero fret was missing from the fretboard I installed it by cutting a piece of plastic nut away and then making the slot for the zero fret. The plastic nut wouldn’t have been my choice anyway, now the zero fret is a step towards the correct sound. I added also a rosewood veneer to the headstock. Replacing the plastic trussrod cover with a piece of rosewood.
A clue of the person who is going to get this.
First colors on the wood. Hand made burst.
Gluing the neck.
All parts together for the first time and everything is working ok.
Some nitro sprayed. Nice amber tone, looks like an old guitar.
This is the backside.This is the backside.
Pearl figured pick guard and control panel.
Amber color suits very well to this bass.
