1959 Hofner500/5 – Sunburst
Check out this beautiful Circa 1959 Hofner President Bass 500/5 in Sunburst (also called Model No. 333 in Brunette in the Selmer Catalog). This bass is often mistaken for the Hofner President Bass, as the 500/5 was essentially its predecessor. This model immediately makes us think of Stuart Sutcliffe, the original bass player for The Beatles. Before he left the band to pursue art school, you can find pictures of him with the group playing one from 1960. This particular bass is in stunning condition – so beautiful with its intensely flamed back and sides, tortoiseshell guard, and headstock inlay. This features some earlier appointments of this model, including this 21 fret neck and two black bar pickups. This bass is extremely lightweight (no center block), thumpy, and features a little more sustain and volume than its other Beatle Bass counterpart, due to its larger body. It’s definitely a cool find – we don’t get to see these very often at all because they were only produced from 1959-63 before the President Bass hit the scene.
Overall Condition: 8.5, light playwear, broken off strap button at heel
Specifications:
- Finish Details: Sunburst, Original, Great Condition with light playwear, broken off screw for strap button in neck heel
- Body Material: Maple
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Neck Profile: Full U
- Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz
- Scale Length: 30"
- Electronics: Original, Untouched
- Hardware: Original, Good Condition with some light patina and playwear
- Nut Width: 1-11/16"
Sku: H003
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We’d be happy to give you an in-hand description of the guitar. All of our guitars are properly set up by John Bertsche, our brilliant guitar tech, and will be professionally packed with care.