Hofner 4 String Contemporary 500/2 Club Bass-Black w/Case, Right Handed, (HCT-500/2-BK)

2.5 2.5 out of 5 stars | 7 ratings

Price: 799.99

Last update: 01-31-2025


About this item

Spruce Top
Maple Body
Rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets
Original Hogner HS11B 'Staple-Top' Nickel pick-ups
30" short scale length

Product information


Top reviews from the United States

  • Wes F
    4.0 out of 5 stars Much Better Than Reported
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2020
    I don’t understand the negative reviews for the CT club bass. Back in the 60s I had an original and in most every way, this is superior. Intonation is unbelievably good for such a simple system. And the German components are still German components even if they were assembled in China. Tone is remarkably versatile, as soon as you get rid of the round wounds and install some LaBella’s. My only complaint is a slight buzz at the trapeze. I fixed it using a small piece of cork to damp out the buzz. All in all a good instrument well worth the money.
  • Julian
    2.0 out of 5 stars Hofner CT Club Bass, Poor Quality Control and No Customer Support!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019
    I actually had a 1964 500/2 back in the day and sold it when I got married in 1973. I've been kicking myself ever since. Also, I did not purchase this through Amazon as I was given a professional setup by the supplier. However, although I am a big Amazon customer.

    When I saw the Contemporary Series, I felt it was a good compromise between the over priced German Hofners and the cheap Chinese versions, although it is still make in China. When it arrived, however, I was disappointed that the pick guard appeared to be poorly edged with a black magic marker! There were even marks on the top of the pick guard which it appeared were attempted to be removed. Pictures are included.

    I contacted my sales person who after some delay was able to get in touch with Hofner. He was told a new pick guard would be shipped directly from China. It never arrived. A month later, I had him contact Hofner again, but they never replied! Very poor customer support! OK, it is only a pick guard, which looks tacky and unprofessional (I removed it!), but poor quality control is unacceptable. Maybe this is the problem with the early post regarding the "D" string (i.e. poorly wound pickup).

    Too bad as otherwise this bass looks great, plays well, is very light and sounds fantastic. However, you are probably taking a roll of the dice if you buy one with virtually no customer support on the back end.
    Customer image
    Julian
    2.0 out of 5 stars
    Hofner CT Club Bass, Poor Quality Control and No Customer Support!

    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2019
    I actually had a 1964 500/2 back in the day and sold it when I got married in 1973. I've been kicking myself ever since. Also, I did not purchase this through Amazon as I was given a professional setup by the supplier. However, although I am a big Amazon customer.

    When I saw the Contemporary Series, I felt it was a good compromise between the over priced German Hofners and the cheap Chinese versions, although it is still make in China. When it arrived, however, I was disappointed that the pick guard appeared to be poorly edged with a black magic marker! There were even marks on the top of the pick guard which it appeared were attempted to be removed. Pictures are included.

    I contacted my sales person who after some delay was able to get in touch with Hofner. He was told a new pick guard would be shipped directly from China. It never arrived. A month later, I had him contact Hofner again, but they never replied! Very poor customer support! OK, it is only a pick guard, which looks tacky and unprofessional (I removed it!), but poor quality control is unacceptable. Maybe this is the problem with the early post regarding the "D" string (i.e. poorly wound pickup).

    Too bad as otherwise this bass looks great, plays well, is very light and sounds fantastic. However, you are probably taking a roll of the dice if you buy one with virtually no customer support on the back end.
    Images in this review
  • D. W. LANG
    2.0 out of 5 stars While the HCT-185 is a nice looking instrument
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2018
    I've been playing Hofner bass guitars for years, and I've owned them all except for the Club bass. While the HCT-185 is a nice looking instrument, it is the worst Hofner I've ever played. The pickups are anemic, the sound is thin, and the neck is thick and chuncky. I found this all to be especially surprising as I LOVE the short-scale HCT-GLXB, which is a pure joy to play, has a smooth and easy neck, and decent pickups. Do yourself a favor, and steer well clear of the HCT-185
  • Darwin T.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great bass with action problems
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2015
    My Contemporary Club bass arrived in good shape (from a different dealer). The workmanship, overall, was good; the high-gloss finish is stunning, but the nut was cut haphazardly, although with a zero fret, it's not a problem. I replaced the strings with LaBella flats that are made for the Hofner violin and club basses. If you choose these, you will get slightly higher tension and a great mellow tone. A very attractive, lightweight bass.

    Now the bad news. If yours is anything like mine, you will find the action way too high, and a truss rod adjustment will not do a thing. (And the neck on mine was fitted properly and was straight--the problem was not an error, but a result of the way the bass is built.) I had to have the floating bridge removed and sanded down, which cost me $100 but resulted in good playability. Of course, you could do this yourself and save money, but be aware of the hazard of taking off too much wood, or letting the strings touch the lower pickup.

    Some players will like the sharp, trebley sound of the bridge pickup. If you want the fuzz tone of "Think for Yourself" you'll love it. I don't. But both pickups are very responsive; you can overdrive the bridge pickup easily. The neck pickup, used alone, produces a huge, fat tone. The bass is very easy to play, the neck is narrow, and the experience is very different from playing a slab bass.
  • TAMPABLUES
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
    I did not buy this Bass on Amazon. But IMO this Bass is a very light good looking Bass with plenty of low end. Comfortable to play. I have to agree with previous review about the pickups being a tad weak but the sound and playability makes this Bass just awesome. Has become my favorite. I did add a zero mod thumbrest. That was made for a Sterling music man 5 string. Using the top screw and some double sided tape I did not have to drill any new holes and I kept the integrity of the original Bass but it made the bass so much more comfortable to play. I really dig this Bass and I did not expect that I would like it as much as I do. Its a keeper for sure.

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