To the page content
Includes 3 months of full access to ArtMaster.com

Includes 3 months of full access to ArtMaster.com – your online platform for bass education and modern musicianship.

When you purchase this bass guitar product, you receive a free 3-month voucher worth EUR 59, valid from 02.12.2025 through 28.02.2026, giving you access to all Artmaster courses including the essential bass course designed to strengthen your groove, timing, technique and musical creativity.

ArtMaster.com – learn directly from renowned bass educator Marek Bero, known for his holistic approach to bass playing, rhythmic mastery and practical exercises that help every bassist grow — from beginners to advanced players. Explore structured lessons, play-along tracks, technique workouts and musical concepts that will take your bass playing to the next level.

Electric Bass

  • Left-handed model
  • Hollow-body design
  • Spruce top
  • Maple body
  • Maple neck
  • Jatoba fingerboard
  • 22 frets
  • Scale length: 76 cm (30")
  • Nut width: 39.8 mm
  • 2 Höfner humbucker pickups
  • Control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, rhythm/solo switch for volume boost
  • Original 'Tea Cup' potentiometer knobs on the control panel
  • Nickel-plated hardware
  • Colour: Vintage Sunburst
  • Includes a certificate of authenticity and a 'Bassman' sticker
  • Available since June 2009
  • Item number 232785
  • Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
£349
All prices incl. VAT
In stock

A little piece of history

Few and far between are the bass guitars that have written more music history than the Höfner Violin Bass 500/1 – after all, it's been Sir Paul McCartney's instrument of choice since 1961. Part of Höfner's affordable Ignition Series, this legendary model is fittingly called the Beatles Bass, and just like Sir Paul's original instrument, this version is built for left-handers. With its short scale length, hollow body, and pair of Höfner humbuckers, it delivers exactly the vintage tone expected – and looks every bit as iconic. Another big plus is its lightweight build and compact size. Best of all, owning this piece of music history won't mean breaking the bank.

Höfner Ignition VSB LH SE, left-handed Beatles Bass

An electric bass like no other

Not long after its debut in 1956, the Höfner 500/1 earned the nickname Violin Bass – no surprise, considering it was directly inspired by the classical string instruments Höfner started out making. The compact body is made from maple and topped with spruce, and like an acoustic instrument, it's hollow – adding a woody character to the tone. The scale length is 76cm (compared to the usual 86cm, roughly 30" and 34"), so the maple neck with its jatoba fingerboard is shorter too, making it very comfortable to play. The lightweight, resonant bridge design also takes its cues from traditional string instruments. Two Höfner humbuckers – alongside the passive electronics with twin volume controls and three switches – deliver a very varied palette of vintage and retro tones.

Höfner Ignition VSB LH SE, left-handed Beatles Bass

Carry That Weight

This isn't just a bass for fans of the Fab Four – its light weight and compact shape make it a blessing for any players who like it a little lighter. The short scale also makes switching from guitar to bass a breeze, so six-stringers will feel at home in no time; that's a big plus for anyone who only plays the thicker strings now and then. Speaking of 'Now and Then': Anyone looking for piece of Beatles history that they can actually play, and at an attractive price, will find the Höfner Ignition Beatles Bass more than fits the bill. The instrument comes with a certificate of authenticity and Sir Paul's famous 'Bassmann' sticker.

Höfner Ignition VSB LH SE, left-handed Beatles Bass

About Höfner

The Höfner company has a long tradition and was founded by Karl Höfner in Schönbach at the end of the 19th century. Initially, the product range consisted mainly of bowed string instruments, and the first guitars were added around 1930. After the Second World War, the company was relocated to Möhrendorf in Bavaria. In the 1950s, the company flourished thanks to new musical trends, and basses were now introduced in addition to guitars. Legendary models were created during this time, such as the President, the Committee, and the 500/1 short-scale bass, which made music history a short time later with the Beatles. The subsequent boom in Beat music quickly brought Höfner enormous demand and enduring world fame. Today, Höfner is one of the best-known and largest manufacturers of bowed string instruments and of archtop, semi-acoustic, and solid-body guitars, as well as a wide range of basses.

Höfner Ignition VSB LH SE, left-handed Beatles Bass

Every day, in every way...

Music is all about authenticity – and the Höfner Ignition Beatles Bass has plenty to offer in this regard. For '60s Pop and Rock, classic Soul and Blues, vintage Rock and more, it delivers not just the right sound but the legendary look to match. The two humbuckers and the control circuitry provide a wide range of retro tones: With the rich, deep low end coming from the neck pickup and the clarity and articulation of the bridge pickup, there's room to dial in every bassist's dream tone for live gigs, studio sessions, or recording at home – so they can step right into the footsteps of Sir Paul McCartney.

82 Customer ratings

4.5 / 5

features

sound

quality

51 Reviews

BL
Beautiful instrument and top service from Thomann
Black Letter 27.01.2019
I decided to buy this for studio recordings and, though I'm a guitarist by trade and for recording purposes generally use a top-notch double-bass session player, I felt that a couple of songs could do with an electric bass. After reading a number of reviews, I decided to go for the Hofner. It really is such a pleasure to play and write with, lightweight and yet with a deep, earthy sound - it sounds how a bass should and with great clarity. I love the shape and size and, combined with a Fender Rumble amp, it really does the business. It suits most musical styles, though perhaps not metal!! For myself, it works perfectly in what I do: folk and Indie. Service from Thomann was excellent: the guitar was thoroughly protected throughout by protective packaging and delivery was within 5 days (I was out when originally delivered and they notified me that delivery would go ahead the following day - which it did. Perfect!!) I have already ordered further merchandise from them and feel very confident in all they do. Seriously, for the quality, care of build, sound and exquitsite finish, you can't go better than the Hof Ignition, especially for the price.
features
sound
quality
3
0
Report

Report

R
Hofner VSB LH
Robert98 15.05.2013
I had one of these as a teenager back in the early sixties and have always thought about buying or making another. There were very mixed reviews about this model at various places on the internet but being a luthier myself I thought that if it did have any minor issues I could easily sort them out. I must say the finish is stunning, I just don't know how a bass with a solid spruce top and flame maple back and sides can be made for this price.

Well there was a dry joint on the switch assembly which took about five minutes to fix. I have fitted flat wound strings, which is more or less essential if you want that 60's Beatle bass sound and now I have to say that I actually prefer the sound of this bass to that of the one I had all those years ago.

Update; two years on and I'm still totally happy with this bass. I play guitar mainly but take every opportunity I can to play bass just so I can play this one :)
features
sound
quality
8
0
Report

Report

A
Nice lefty short scale
Anonymous 14.08.2016
Love the spruce top on this one, 'though it's most probably a laminate of some sort. I have owned violin basses from Rogue and Rondo Music and this one feels like a better made instrument for sure.

If you caught the shorty scale bug and like the woody tone of these hollow body instruments, by all means, succumb to the little beast with abandon. :o)
features
sound
quality
2
0
Report

Report

T
Just what i wanted.
TobeyP 09.07.2021
I am a smaller guy so I like to use short scale basses. I bought this on a whim and straight out the box it's look's amazing. It's so light and feels very comfy in your lap. It does need a setup, but beside that it sounds great. It doesn't have no tone control but that's what an amp is for. I expect many people who buy this bass, does so for a specific reason but it capable of a lot more. I can say now that I am a Hofner fan.
features
sound
quality
1
0
Report

Report