If you’re wondering if Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is a good guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that iconic model. It’s a really popular vintage-style bass, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is a fantastic instrument. It’s a really versatile bass that looks and sounds absolutely magnificent. Surely, a lot of bass players will immediately fall in love with it. It’s definitely worth the money!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this bass guitar so good and so popular among the bassists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that model. We’ll also investigate the pros and cons of that guitar. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well!
Overview – Specs & Pricing
Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is a high quality bass guitar suitable for the most demanding bass players out there. This type of bass is known as a favorite guitar of Paul McCartney (The Beatles), but the truth is that it can be used in a lot of other genres as well.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features an iconic hollow body which looks a bit like a violin. The guitar features a spruce top with flame maple back and sides. On top of that, it has a very comfortable neck which guarantees an enjoyable playing experience.
The manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of Höfner Ignition pickups, which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Surely, a lot of bassists are going to appreciate that iconic, deep bass tone.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar. But on the other hand, it’s not overly expensive either. This is a mid-range bass guitar, but considering how unique that model is, it’s actually really affordable. Undoubtedly, saving up just to get that model won’t be a big problem.
Here’s a quick sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Pros And Cons
Although Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is generally a fantastic instrument, it’s not a high-end bass guitar. That being said, it has its own pros and cons. Don’t worry though – the disadvantages of that model aren’t that serious and they’re really subjective.
Pros
- Vintage Look
- Iconic Body Shape
- Versatile Sound
- Affordable Price
- Great Quality
Cons
- May Be Uncomfortable For Players With Long Fingers
- Usually Comes Without A Gig Bag
As you can see, this vintage-looking bass guitar has a lot of great advantages. It sounds absolutely amazing and it features a cool look, which is one-of-a-kind. On top of that, it’s not too expensive and it’s really well made, so it’s unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws.
On the other hand, it usually comes without a gig bag, so if you’re planning to travel or commute with that bass, you’ll have to get it separately. Additionally, since it’s a short scale bass, it’s not ideal for players with really large hands and long fingers.
Still, the advantages of that bass outweigh the disadvantages of that model. There’s not much to complain about, especially when you think of how affordable this guitar actually is. That being said, it’s worth every cent!
Who Is It For?
Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is suitable for bassists of all levels. It doesn’t really matter how advanced you are – you will definitely appreciate the high quality and uniqueness of that instrument.
Since it’s a really versatile bass, it means that it can be used in a lot of different genres of music. Many bassists associate that bass with The Beatles and Paul McCartney, but the truth is that this bass can be used in other styles of music too. So even if you’re into blues, rock or indie – this guitar will be a good fit.
It is also worth mentioning that it’s one of the most affordable violin basses that are available on the market right now. Honestly, it won’t be easy to find a similar guitar at this price level. As I said before, it’s truly one-of-a-kind!
Overall, the Ignition Violin Bass is an excellent bass guitar which is totally worth the money. It’s not perfect, but it guarantees a comfortable and enjoyable playing experience. Isn’t that all that really matters?
Here’s a really good video that highlights the versatility of that bass guitar – feel free to check it out below.
Hofner Violin vs Club Bass
A lot of bass players wonder whether they should choose the Violin or the Club Bass by Hofner. The truth is that there is no clear winner of that fight – both of these basses are equally amazing.
Still, Club and Violin basses look and sound slightly different. Personally, I prefer the Violin bass more – for me it just sounds and looks way better. It’s only my subjective opinion though, so you may have a completely different opinion on that matter.
If you want to find out more about the differences between the Club and Violin models, here’s a really good video that covers that subject in a lot of detail.
Anything To Worry About?
The Ignition Violin Bass is really well made, so it’s unlikely that you’ll experience any major flaws after unboxing the guitar. Some bassists mention that the fretboard of that guitar tends to be a bit dry, but it really depends on the model. If that occurs, you can easily fix that by applying some fingerboard oil.
Although it’s not a high-end guitar, it usually features a really nice setup, so it’s ready to play straight after unboxing. In very rare cases, you’ll have to adjust the string action a bit to make it more comfortable to play, but again – it’s all really subjective.
Undoubtedly, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to quality of Hofner Ignition Violin Bass!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound or look of the Ignition Violin Bass or you simply can’t afford it right now, don’t worry – that’s totally fine too! There’s still a lot of other really good bass guitars that also deserve a lot of recognition. Of course, it all depends on what you’re looking for and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few more great short scale basses that are also worth checking out.
Firstly, you should definitely check out Epiphone EB-0. This is a SG-style bass guitar, so it features a really cool, vintage design. It’s a bit cheaper than the Violin Bass mentioned in today’s article, but it offers a fantastic value for the money. Some bassists claim that it sounds a bit muddy, but in my opinion it’s actually a big advantage of that guitar!
Alternatively, you can also check out Ibanez Talman TMB30. This is an another inexpensive and great sounding short scale bass suitable for both beginners and more advanced bass players. I had the pleasure to use that bass on several occasions and I can confirm that it offers an excellent value for the money.
Additionally, you can also check out Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass. This is definitely one of the best short scale basses available at this price level. It sounds a little bit different than the Violin Bass from today’s article, but it’s definitely worth checking out anyway. Gretsch makes absolutely amazing guitars!
Still, bear in mind that Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is truly one-of-a-kind. It’s just impossible to replace it – you either love it or hate it. But considering how great sounding and versatility it is, there’s a high chance that you’re going to love it anyway.
FAQ
Where is Hofner Ignition Violin Bass made?
Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is currently manufactured in Indonesia. Back in the days, it was made in China.
Is the Violin Bass good for beginners?
Yes, the Violin Bass is a great choice for beginners! This is a short scale bass, which means that it’s particularly good for bassists with small hands.
Where can I find out more about Hofner guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Hofner.
Summary
As you can see, Hofner Ignition Violin Bass is a truly remarkable bass guitar. Although it’s not that cheap, it definitely deserves a lot of recognition. I’m positive that the vast majority of bass players will appreciate the high quality of that model. It’s just one-of-a-kind!
What do you think of that bass? Would you add it to your own collection? Leave a comment down below and let us know what you think, our team is really interested to hear your thoughts!
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