
Hofner VINTAGE Model 500/1 Bass '66
Product Condition
Brand New | Unused, as sold. |
---|---|
Mint | Like new, no flaws. |
Excellent | Barely used, very minor wear. |
Very Good | Light wear, fully functional. |
Good | Visible wear, plays fine. |
Fair | Heavy wear, still playable. |
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
Description
The latest addition to our inventory is the "500/1" bass, shipped around 1966, commonly known as the violin bass.
【body】
The overall weight is approximately 2.0 kg. The body is made of spruce top with maple back and sides, and is approximately 11 inches wide and 2 inches thick. It features a sunburst color that complements the violin shape. There is some weather checking, scratches, and tarnish on the metal parts, mainly on the body top, but the guitar is in good condition. The original condition was poorly centered, so we adjusted the position of the tailpiece at our shop.
【neck】
The neck is made of maple. The fingerboard is made of rosewood. The headstock logo is a raised gold logo. While there is some weather checking and minor dents, the condition is relatively good. The tuners function well with little variation in winding. The frets have been filed and adjusted in our shop, and the neck is in excellent condition, ensuring good playability. The nut width is 40.0mm. The neck has a relatively thick, solid shape.
[Electrical system]
The controls are the familiar two volume/tone switches and two pickup selector switches. The Bass On switch and the volume knob on the end of the guitar work in tandem, while the Treble On switch and the volume knob on the neck work in tandem. The Staple Top pickups, standard until around 1967, are extremely popular and have contributed to the sound of many world-famous songs. The instrument itself sounds great, and you'll be able to fully enjoy its distinctive woody sound when plugged in. Experience the sound of this world-renowned instrument.
*Currently set with Pyramid strings
Included case: Black hard case, slightly worn
Weight: 2.0kg
Body Material: Spruce/Maple hollow, 11inch
Neck Material/Scale Length: Maple 2 piece/760mm (30inch)
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Rosewood w/single binding/Pearloid dot/184.15mm (7.25inch)
Nut Width/Fret Size: 40.0mm/2.0mm, 22 Fret
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/12F): 22.4mm/23.5mm/24.5mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): Hofner 511B Staple Top Bass Pickup
-------Heartman Vintage Guitars is Ikebe Music's vintage guitar and bass specialty store-------
Payment & Security
Payment methods
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For orders exceeding Paypal’s transaction limit of 1 million yen, we will provide more details. For secure transactions, items will only be shipped to the address registered in your Paypal account.
Regarding detailed information and contact information to us, please check FAQ.
Please Note
The following information applies to international orders.
■ Condition
Items with “USED” in the product name are pre-owned and will be delivered as shown in the photos. Signs of wear may be present. All items are function-tested by our staff and rechecked before dispatch.
■ Stock
Many products are stocked across Ikebe stores in Japan. As a result, shipment may take several days. In-store sales may also cause items to sell out. If an item is unavailable, we will contact you promptly; in that case, the order will be canceled and any payment will be refunded.
■ Shipping
We ship via FedEx. Shipments are fully insured against damage or loss during transit.
- Asia: 10–20 days (estimated)
- North America & Oceania: 20–30 days (estimated)
Shipping costs are calculated based on the delivery address and confirmed at the time of dispatch.
■ Taxes & Duties
Import duties, taxes, and fees are the buyer’s responsibility and are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These fees are typically collected by the carrier upon delivery or at pickup. Please check with your country’s customs office for details before purchasing.
■ Other
We cannot declare a reduced item value or mark purchases as gifts.
* Warranty
Our product warranty is valid only within Japan.
* Voltage
All electrical products are intended for the Japanese market and are designed for 100 V operation.

About us
Founded in 1975, Ikebe Music is one of Japan's largest general music stores.Thanks to its long history and proven track record, it has earned the trust of musicians and music fans not only in Japan but around the world.
Ikebe Music ships not only within Japan, but also overseas.As a well-known retailer of used musical instruments in Japan, we have a wide selection of used and vintage instruments.
We have a wide variety of unusual and rare instruments, so please take a look.Please note that we do not list new products, as our contracts with our suppliers prohibit international shipping.
About our stores
In Japan, we have about 30 stores in Tokyo (Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Akihabara) and Osaka.
We have just opened our flagship store, IKESHIBU (IKEBE SHIBUYA), in Shibuya, Tokyo, which brings together numerous musical instrument specialty stores and serves as a hub for entertainment culture.
Please be sure to stop by if you are visiting Japan.


About Shipping





We carefully pack every item with protective materials to ensure it arrives safely.
The photos above show an example of how we securely pack a bass guitar for shipping.