RARE; Hofner 5001/B Natural- Active Bass Boost circuit

I think I can confidently call this one rare: Hofner Violin Bass – 500/1-B – ’70-ish?? Gold tone hardware, brass pickup selector, rose leaf headstock, natural finish. Serial no. - 2 2 6 1 (7?). Hofner produced two active electronics versions of the 500/1 for a few years from 1967 (Bass Boost circuit) and 1968 (Sound Mix circuit- 500/1B and 500/1M, respectively) into the early 1970's.This Hofner bass 5001/B appears to be ca. 1969/71 but it has some curiosities to it that some alleged Hofner experts could not our would not divulge! The instrument is straight and true and plays extremely well and fluidly, and appears to have been used and played a great deal. The pickups seem to be late for this year, and the toggle switch does not have the usual wooden escutcheon and no sign of previous mounting holes, so that switch installation is OE. The headstock does not conform to any model around that year that I have been able to find on the web. I do find that rose leaf style documented on acoustic 6 strings but resources say that design was last used around 1969, and the rose inlay I DO find don't look like this one. With the company having changed hands so many times and relocating, maybe this is a bored technician one-off with stuff that was lying around, yet enough to finish an instrument, OR, a very beautiful custom order; that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it! HIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful period proper finish checking; no body cracks! Caramel pearl bindings everywhere, all in perfect condition! Bass boost active electronics, serviced in 2021 and working as designed! Original case; all latches work! Original strap! Plays and sounds amazing! No reasonable offer refused!

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