Geni Swing Guitars

Hofner Beatle

The Electric Bass guitar has been around for over 70 years and has become an integral part in modern music. Whilst there have been a few design changes over the years - the fundamental role of the instrument remains forming the rhythmic, tonal and heartbeat of the music

There are thousands of different basses on the market today but here we list 10 classics of their genre - if your going to get a bass - these are the ones to aspire to.

1 Fender Precision

First introduced in 1951 - this was Leo Fender's baby that soon became the industry standard. Often called the P-Bass, it's solid "slab" body with single pickup it has perhaps became the most popular bass of all time.

2 Fender Jazz

Fender's "other" most popular bass - first seen in 1960 - this one differed from the Fender Precision by having a slimmer shaped neck, two pickups and a countered body design.

3 Rickenbacker 4001

Rickenbacker introduced the 4000 series in the early '50's as competition against the Fender series - there have been a number of variations within the 4000 series - (the 4001 and 4002 etc) - As with their 6 string counterparts the Rickenbacker basses have a unique tone and the 4001 has become the rock bass of choice .

4 Hofner

One name - Paul McCartney - usually seen with a 500/1 model (but this wasn't the only Hofner bass Paul had). This instrument has become iconic - you picture the Beatles and you picture Paul with his Hofner. Not particularly expensive or superbly made but it's association with The Beatles makes it a bass players must have.

5 Gibson Les Paul Recording Bass.

Gibson's iconic model - Bass style - introduced in the late 60's following it's 6 string sibling- Manufactured with the traditional Gibson Mahogany - it's a true design classic and despite various design changes over the years it remains much loved by bassists- great for studio use it's often referred to as the Recording Bass.

6 Musicman Stingray

This one came on the scene in the mid 1970's utilizing (at the time) innovate features such as humbucker bass pickups, active circuitry. Reminiscent of the Fender Precision (sharing a designer in Leo Fender) but with features that brought it bang upto date the Stingray has remained a favorite every since.

7 Steinberger Bass

Featuring the classic headstock-less design Ned Steinberger's guitar company were true innovators - a truly composite instrument (graphite and carbon fibre mix). Steinberger released the Q and M series basses and nothing else looked or sounded quite like them - immensely popular during the 80's/90's perhaps less so now - but still a true innovation in bass guitar design.

8 Gibson Thunderbird

Our second Gibson on the list the Thunderbird bass was first released in the early 1960's - sharing a similar design with the Gibson Firebird 6 string the Thunderbird was the direct competition for the Rickenbacker 4001 - Perhaps Gibson's most popular bass - it has remained popular with the hard rock fraternity over the last 20 years.

9 Fender V

Although short-lived, the Fender V bass gets onto our list by virtue of being the first 5 string bass to go mainstream, a change in the standard design this 15 fret bass had a high C string to allow bassists access to the higher register of tones. Only a handful of these basses were produced making them collectors items today - and whilst generally derided the V is an important stepping stone to the 5 string basses that are common today.

10 Gretsch Broadkaster

Gretsch Hollowbody - great tone - almost double bass like - first released in the 1960's - a unique tone all of it's own - Whilst Gretsch are not renowned for their basses this one's a beauty - somewhat distinctive from the Fender and Gibson basses - a unique sound drawing on the technology from it's 6 string Gretsch counterparts.

Bass-Soup.com - a resource for all Bass guitarists and enthusiasts - from articles, free bass guitar lessons through to Bass Guitar Reviews - Bass-soup has it all.

Vintage1967 Hofner Beatle Bass Snbst $2200 In Store Vintage VINT 1967 HOFNER BEATLE BASSSNBST

Vintage1966 Hofner Beatle Bass Snbst $2200 In Store Vintage VINT 1966 HOFNER BEATLE BASSSNBST

Vintage Hofner Beatle Bass Nat $1400 In Store Used VINTAGE HOFNER BEATLE BASS NAT 613 032806

Vintage 1967 Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass $1999.99 In Store Vintage VINTAGE 1967 HOFNER 500/1 BEATLE BASS

Vintage Hofner Beatle Bass Natural Finish 613 $1400 In Store Used VINTAGE HOFNER BEATLE BASS NAT 613 032806

Used Hofner Beatle Bass Hi Series $249.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER BEATLE BASS HI SERIES

Vintage 1967 Hofner Beatle Violin Bass Sunburst $1299.99 In Store Used VINTAGE 1967 HOFNER BEATLE VIOLIN BASS SUNBURST 6 234 071711

In Store Vintage Vintage Hofner '67 500/1 Beatle Bass $2699 In Store Vintage VINTAGE HOFNER '67 500/1 BEATLE BASS

Vintage Hofner 66'-67' Beatle Bass Snbst W/Ohsc $2199.99 In Store Vintage VINTAGE HOFNER 66'-67' BEATLE BASS SNBST W/OHSC

Vintage 1967 Hofner Beatle Violin Bass Sunburst 6 234 $1299.99 In Store Used VINTAGE 1967 HOFNER BEATLE VIOLIN BASS SUNBURST 6 234 071711

In Store Vintage Vintage Hofner Late 60'S Beatle Bass W/Blade Pickups Vint Snbst W/Case $1399.99 In Store Vintage VINTAGE HOFNER LATE 60'S BEATLE BASS W/BLADE PICKUPS VINT SNBST W/CASE

Hal Leonard Hofner Violin Beatle Bass Book $16.16 Made famous by Sir Paul McCartney, the 500/1 Hofner Violin Bass is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This is the only book dedicated to this historic guitar. New edition features hardcover format, all color and updated with new McCartney photos and letter from the founder.

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Black 886830146695 $703.99 A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter Hofner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. It has a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs." It's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear.Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature Hofner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes.On the electronics side, you're working with two original Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound.

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Black $879.99 A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter Hofner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. It has a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs." It's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear.Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature Hofner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes.On the electronics side, you're working with two original Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound.

Hofner H500/1-CT Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Sunburst $879.99 A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter Hofner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. It has a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs." It's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear.Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature Hofner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes.On the electronics side, you're working with two original Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound.

Return Of The Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes $64.99 Return Of The Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes

Hofner H500/1-Ct Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Black $879.99 A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter Hofner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. It has a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs." It's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear.Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature Hofner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes.On the electronics side, you're working with two original Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound.Rosewood fretboard22 fretsMaple-beech-maple set neckNeck width at nut 1-5/8"4 individual machine headsEbony bridge with movable metal saddles for perfect intonation and string spacingBrass trapeze tailpieceSelected German spruce topFlamed maple back and sides2 Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickupsControl panel with boost and individual on and off switches and boostNickel-plated hardwareFloating celluloid pickguard, pearl designedMother of pearl inlay dots

Hofner H500/1-Ct Contemporary Series Violin Bass Guitar Sunburst $879.99 A year after celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walter Hofner's original violin bass, made famous by a certain Beatle who shall remain nameless, they have decided to produce a contemporary version. It has a vintage look that will produce many "oohs", and an internal sustain block that creates a more modern, deep-resonating sound that will produce many "aahs." It's the kind of bass guitar people love to see, play, and hear.Aesthetically, this model features a maple-beech-maple set neck with rosewood fretboard accentuated by mother-of-pearl dot inlays, the signature Hofner violin bass headstock, a brass trapeze tailpiece, and glossy spruce top with glossy flamed maple back and sides. An ebony bridge with movable metal saddles maintains intonation and string spacing. The nickel-plated hardware and floating celluloid pearl pickguard give it an extra little pop for the eyes.On the electronics side, you're working with two original Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickups, as well as a control panel with 2 volume controls, 2 on/off switches, and a rhythm/solo switch for volume boost. The overall sound is warm like the original model, but with a little more sonic kick for a more "now" sound.Rosewood fretboard22 fretsMaple-beech-maple set neckNeck width at nut 1-5/8"4 individual machine headsEbony bridge with movable metal saddles for perfect intonation and string spacingBrass trapeze tailpieceSelected German spruce topFlamed maple back and sides2 Hofner 511B 'Staple' humbucking pickupsControl panel with boost and individual on and off switches and boostNickel-plated hardwareFloating celluloid pickguard, pearl designedMother of pearl inlay dots

Used Hofner Hf12 $299.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER HF12

Used Hofner Hf75 $299.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER HF75

Used Hofner Colorama 052012 $174.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER COLORAMA 052012

Used Hofner 63' Reissue $1499.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER 63' REISSUE

Used Hofner Cavern Bass $1699.99 In Store Used USED HOFNER CAVERN BASS

Hal Leonard The Hofner Guitar - A History $22.49 Hal Leonard The Hofner Guitar - A History

The Return Of The Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes $31.99 The Return Of The Fabulous Hofner Blue Notes

Vintage 1966 Hofner 12Str Wc $350 In Store Used VINTAGE 1966 HOFNER 12STR WC

Hofner HC Chancellor Electric Guitar Violin $4899 Hofner's top-of-the-line jazz box.

Hofner HC Chancellor Electric Guitar G01276 $4899 Hofner's top-of-the-line jazz box.

Hofner HC Chancellor Electric Guitar H07108 $4899 Hofner's top-of-the-line jazz box.

Hofner HC Chancellor Electric Guitar G01274 $4899 Hofner's top-of-the-line jazz box.