NBD! Gagliano (Hofner) 182

[eskmsaul]

So it has been about 5 years since I've owned a normal 4 string bass. I had a Jazz Bass copy with really high action that pretty much turned me off full-scale basses. I was looking at musicmasters that whole time but none ever popped up at the right moment for the right price. I knew I wanted a shortscale because I had played my friend's bass back in high school and it felt right. Then a month ago at a Beach House concert, that same friend mentioned he's selling his old bass. I loved that bass because it was the only old instrument any of my friends had, and it was a more unique solidbody version of the infamous Hofner violin bass. I gave him my offer and the rest is history!

This thing has led a hard life, though. If I remember correctly, this bass was given to my friend by his brother in-law, who used it in a punk band or something. It was converted lefty, which broke the nut in the process, but it's still somehow playable. (The botched lefty conversion was our fault as kids ) I haven't plugged it in yet but even back then the wiring was pretty messed up. I think only one pickup worked. Those are the biggest issues, otherwise it's pretty structurally sound. The neck is unlike anything else I've played, it's narrow but chunky. As far as my research has told me, Gagliano was an import brand that Hofner used back in the day, which makes sense as it looks exactly the same as a 182 from 1962-63. I can't wait to get this thing back in action, it deserves it! It's weird owning an instrument I've known for years, it still doesn't feel like it's mine, lol.

[countertext]

So cool. I would desticker that before it even made it through the door, though. And a new bone nut makes every axe sound better!

[nanamour]

That’s a really cool bass (though I agree the stickers have got to go). I’ll have to keep an eye out for one of these-I’ve been casually looking for a Hofner 182 for a while and watching their prices creep far beyond what I’d ever be willing to pay for one.

Btw Jacco Gardner’s music is chock full of great 182 (as well as some hollowbody Hofners IIRC) thump. It’s amazing how much of that trademark sound is really just down to the scale length and pickups when you usually hear it being attributed to the hollow bodies of the violin and club basses.

Have a fun time fixing it up!

[DeathJag]

"I'm going to grow up without anyone to love, and die friendless and alone like Weird Al Yankovic."-Bobby Hill

That Bobby guy has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about. I’ve met and hung out with Weird Al and he is the opposite of friendless and alone. His band IS THE SAME BAND HE’S HAD SINCE STARTING OUT. That kind if thing doesn’t happen to people who have no friends. That quote sucks.

Cool bass tho!

[Squirrel]

Nice! I've bought and sold a bunch of these (ok, the Selmer distributed version) and I absolutely love the sound and the neck profile on them. I'm glad they're finally starting to increase in value as maybe it'll finally stop the 100%-historically-accurate-Beatles-tribute-band-estate-agents from cannibalising the fucking pickups out of them. Also, +1 on ditching the stickers.

[shadowplay]

Really cool bass, I'd also lose the sticker.

Btw Jacco Gardner’s music is chock full of great 182 (as well as some hollowbody Hofners IIRC) thump.

True. Mrs S had Linda Perhacs Winds of the Sky on earlier and that's also got that hofner Gardner/Air sound.

D

[eskmsaul]

Yeah, the stickers are going, though I'm gonna see if I can save the Rage Against The Machine sticker somewhere else, it's cool.

[eskmsaul]

"I'm going to grow up without anyone to love, and die friendless and alone like Weird Al Yankovic."-Bobby Hill

That Bobby guy has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about. I’ve met and hung out with Weird Al and he is the opposite of friendless and alone. His band IS THE SAME BAND HE’S HAD SINCE STARTING OUT. That kind if thing doesn’t happen to people who have no friends. That quote sucks.

Cool bass tho!

Haha, it's a joke from a show called King of the Hill.

[eskmsaul]

Really cool bass, I'd also lose the sticker.

Btw Jacco Gardner’s music is chock full of great 182 (as well as some hollowbody Hofners IIRC) thump.

True. Mrs S had Linda Perhacs Winds of the Sky on earlier and that's also got that hofner Gardner/Air sound.

D

Wow, I didn't know Linda Perhacs released new music! I've listened to Parallelograms and loved it.

[shadowplay]

Really cool bass, I'd also lose the sticker.

Btw Jacco Gardner’s music is chock full of great 182 (as well as some hollowbody Hofners IIRC) thump.

True. Mrs S had Linda Perhacs Winds of the Sky on earlier and that's also got that hofner Gardner/Air sound.

D

Wow, I didn't know Linda Perhacs released new music! I've listened to Parallelograms and loved it.

She's done two albums in recent years, prior to that she was living quietly as a dental hygienist (she's in her mid 70's) and from the sound of the lyrics getting into Jesus in a hippy nature Jesus style. Btw that track I posted has a (subtle and non wiggly) solo by OSG obsession Nels Cline.

The records are decent if patchy and not quite up to Vashti's twilight records but very much worth owning.

D