For Sale: Hofner New President hand carved archtop hollowbody - Page 2

spiral · #31 02-18-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

the Guitar advertised here: $1700
the same guitar at the Old Town School: $2200
the one my guitar teacher bought from CL: $1300--(plus $300 in additional expenses related to the replanning, resanding and refretting due to the left and right sides of the neck being concave in different directions where the neck meets the body).

These are all USED prices, which may account for the difference in terms of the figure you are citing. So, yeah, it may lose half its value just as soon as you walk out the door.

I have been watching used prices on this guitar for about a month because i wasn't sure if i wanted to sell it. My observations:
1. They don't come up used often.
2. $1700 is slightly below the average price from private sellers.
3. You can't even buy a New President new other than from J. Hale (that i know of). You used to be able to find them on Musicians Friend a few months ago. So they might be discontinued or being replaced by a new model.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #32 02-18-2010, 03:30 PM

Someone's got to wake Randy up from his nap!

randyc · #33 02-18-2010, 04:48 PM

That's uncanny, how did you know I was napping?

I just received a PM from spiral about the guitar. I was pretty pumped up about it at first but the lack of a response for three days sort of turned me off. (You know, like getting asked to the prom an hour ahead of time?)

spiral · #34 02-18-2010, 05:15 PM

Please PM, email or call me if you are interested in this guitar. I don't monitor this thread daily. I also didn't realize offers were so time-sensitive. Sorry!

773 865 4265
jef

SamBooka · #35 02-18-2010, 09:43 PM

I never pegged Randy for an impulse shopper lol.

randyc · #36 02-18-2010, 10:26 PM

I'm not an impulse shopper as a rule, Drew. By coincidence, I withdrew some money from savings to cover an anticipated lapse of medical coverage for my wife's chemo. Happily, the lapse didn't occur, so there was excess cash in the checking account and the pretty guitar caught my eye. After a day, the desire started to wane and - well, you know the rest of the story ...

How is YOUR guitar shopping going, BTW? Maybe this Hofner could make you happy for a while. I'm getting cynical, I guess, because I no longer believe in the "one guitar for life" that I used to believe. I do still believe that one should always tighten the belt and buy the instrument that you think is just out of your reach.

That's the way it goes with real-estate, anyway; the concept always seems to work pretty well for both personal satisfaction and re-sale.

cheers,
randyc

SamBooka · #37 02-18-2010, 10:56 PM

I went to a local shop today.. it makes me depressed..
"So you dont sell archtops.. do you know who does in town?"
"Uh no.. we have some nice Godins.. or we could order you a Gibson. 10% down"
"Hmmm.. so I am shit outta luck?"
Dude litterally just walked away and started putting on his shoes.
Now.. this is the largest best known shop in a city of 2 million (which hosts the largest jazz festival in the world btw (source:wikipedia lol)) I have said it before.. I will say it again. NOT a guitar town (DJs are king here)

I could theoretically tomorrow buy an eastman 810, one of three 175s or a hofner jazzica deluxe. That is one pro quality archtop per 400000 people. Maybe this summer I will buy something while I am on vacation.

I dont believe in one guitar for life either. One guitar for life means I have stopped growing. (although others may look at it this way, if a guitar is rich an complex enough it takes a lifetime to fully explore its possiblities.. that aint me

Having said that.. 3K for a guitar is a major outlay for me. I dont want to spend 1.7K on a guitar that is just Ok (especially since there is no resale market here in montreal). Truth be told, in every respect my Epi is where I want to be but as you know, as nice as it is, the quality isnt there. 100$ for a new pickup next month, maybe new tuners, but that is the limit of what you can really do with the guitar. but it is what it is.. an entry-level guitar. So I check CL and Kijiji 3X a day (which I do anyway) ask around.. be a nuisance.. something will turn up. Slowly slowly catchy monkey.. patience.. little by little.

randyc · #38 02-18-2010, 11:40 PM

I'm in the same situation, sorta' - I live just outside the largest city in our county (25,000 people, LOL). The population per square mile is considerably less than New Zealand - There is ONE music store and (this is good) it's open Monday through Friday!

I've been totally dependant on internet sales for the past ten years. I've been lucky because I deal with two great places (Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto and Archtops.com in Seattle). I bought two guitars from Musician's Friend during this time; one was returned and the other was the infamous Epi Emp-Rej.

[Incidentally, those of you who are familiar with my tastes and prejudices might wonder why I EVER bought a Korean guitar. Simple - I wanted an L-5CES but I have small hands. I bought the cheapest 25-1/2 scale guitar that I could find, so that I could determine if my hand size was compatible with the L-5 neck. Obviously the experiment was a success, since I'm the proud owner of the guitar I've wanted for fifty years.]

Options are limited for those of us who can't personally evaluate an instrument. Sooooo ... If an attractive instrument pops up on the radar and if there is a forum member nearby, then why not take advantage of our fellowship and ask a member to act on your behalf?

This happens DAILY on the machine tool forum to which I belong. Those guys sometimes drive hundreds of miles to check out an old lathe or milling machine for a fellow forum member, there's no reason why it can't happen here.

Can't hurt to ask, right?

randyc · #39 02-19-2010, 12:24 AM

Spiral:

Still thinking about the guitar, it's really nice. (Maybe I'll buy it as a birthday gift for Drew - oops that's about nine months away.)

Seriously, I'll think about it and let you know within 24 hours, OK? If there is any other information that you think might be of interest to me (or others) please post or PM.

Come home, Honey, I'm not mad any more

randyc

PS: please take that in the spirit that it's meant, along with three dosages of prescribed medication and a glass of wine.

X-500 · #40 02-19-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

PS: please take that in the spirit that it's meant, along with three dosages of prescribed medication and a glass of wine.

Compliments of Robert Crumb!

spiral · #41 02-19-2010, 05:12 PM

Guitar is still for sale. i posted my contact details earlier. PM or call me. Working all weekend so i will be home.

SamBooka · #42 02-19-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

Spiral:

Still thinking about the guitar, it's really nice. (Maybe I'll buy it as a birthday gift for Drew - oops that's about nine months away.)

.

I just realised it is 25.5 scale.. according to jhale anyway.. .. hmm..

randyc · #43 02-19-2010, 08:03 PM

Drew - check your PM -

JimBobWay · #44 02-19-2010, 09:44 PM

Sorry I missed the last burst of communication. I'm back home now. After reflection on the drive back, I'm not sure my evaluation of a guitar model I already chose not to buy years ago could help someone who doesn't know me decide whether to buy it. I just try to help when I can. That sure is a fine axe though. Here's the late great Kenny Poole: YouTube - Remembering the genius of Kenny Poole

spiral · #45 04-16-2010, 06:11 PM

sold Thanks Jeff!
The original thread Hofner is still in Chicago, and I didn't want to start a new thread, but wanted to let you know i was also selling a Kay K-1 archtop acoustic w/ DeArmond FHC "guitar mike". Asking $650. Here is the local ad with more info:

randyc · #46 04-16-2010, 06:18 PM

Dang, Spiral, that's a nice Kay - looks like it's been stored under grandpa's bed for fifty years ! I don't recall why you're having to part with these nice instruments but I'm real sorry that it's happening.

sincerely,
randyc

mr. beaumont · #47 04-16-2010, 07:03 PM

Spiral! PM sent about yonder Kay.

spiral · #48 04-16-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

Dang, Spiral, that's a nice Kay - looks like it's been stored under grandpa's bed for fifty years ! I don't recall why you're having to part with these nice instruments but I'm real sorry that it's happening.

sincerely,
randyc

Thanks man. Selling to try and simplify my life and i just paid a huge amount of taxes (i am self-employed). No great hardships thankfully!

randyc · #49 04-16-2010, 09:38 PM

Those taxes can really sneak up on you especially if one is too stubborn to make the quarterly payments (me). I'm glad that you don't feel badly about parting with those guitars.

tonedeaf · #50 04-17-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-500

Compliments of Robert Crumb!

Ahhh, the good stuff never dies!

spiral · #51 04-19-2010, 07:00 PM

Jeff, It was really nice meeting you, and a pleasure to watch you play. Hope you enjoy the Kay.

mr. beaumont · #52 04-19-2010, 08:34 PM

ditto, brother--pleasure doing biz with you. The guitar is lovely, and it will be played often--starting with tonight! papers will be graded tomorrow!

spiral · #53 05-02-2010, 02:02 PM

Lowering the Hofner by $100 until 5pm CST: $1600.

Then it is off to ebay for $1750.

spiral · #54 07-01-2010, 05:47 PM

I never listed this on eBay. Thought i would try 1 last time @ $1550 w/ split shipping. Payment as "gift".

FWIW: I went to J. Hale music last weekend and Jeff told me that Hofner is still making them, but stopped importing them into the US because the import duties were too high which is why they were affordable, then astronomical, then non-existant. So unless you buy overseas and have it shipped here, it sounds like they are no longer available in the US.

randyc · #55 07-01-2010, 11:10 PM

Spiral, I'm very surprised that your Hofner hasn't sold - a solid marque and your instrument appears to be in excellent condition ! I would be very tempted (again) to own this guitar ... poor timing, unhappily, since I just purchased a Carvin SH-550 to be reviewed by forum members.

I have no need for more guitars (haven't even seen the SH-550 yet since it was shipped first to other members participating in the evaluation) - but I'll toss out a suggestion to keep the topic moving (and "bump" it again). Are you interested in trading the Hofner for the Carvin, after the review is finished, of course?

I would be interested in having the Hofner reviewed as we've done for other products recently. Same type of situation: various members with various backgrounds of various ages but all jazz-oriented ... and I pay for the shipping.

The Carvin review will probably take another month ... apparently you're not pressed for time so maybe you can wait for the review and - if the Carvin seems interesting - consider the trade.

Cheers,
Randy

spiral · #56 07-01-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyc

I would be interested in having the Hofner reviewed as we've done for other products recently. Same type of situation: various members with various backgrounds of various ages but all jazz-oriented ... and I pay for the shipping.

Thanks for the offer but i need the cash. I am trying to minimize the loss of what i paid for the guitar, hence the holding on to it for so long. It will likely go on eBay, as annoying as that is. I would be willing to lend it to anyone that wanted to review it though, provided it wasn't gone too long.

randyc · #57 07-02-2010, 01:38 AM

Spiral, check your PM.

Cheers,
Randy

Hammertone · #58 07-07-2010, 01:14 AM

Hi All. I stumbled on this thread quite by accident while looking for info on something else. I've worked with Hofner for a few years, and am the Canadian distribution agent for Hofner - I just want to clear up a few things and provide a bit of useful info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

Those are very nice guitars, the only issue I've found (and this happened to one guitar bought by my guitar teacher) is the factory necks often have to often resanded/planed, as the left and right sides don't line up right, and a conventional setup/truss rod adjustment won't do). The guy who fixed my teacher's guitar was Goeff Benge up on Damen and Addison, and he says it happens a lot with these guitars.

Er, ah, Hofner's jazz guitars have an asymmetrical neck carve. It's, ah, ummm, done on purpose. It's very subtle. I guess it can be "fixed". In my experience, the truss rods work just fine on them.
------

spiral · #59 07-07-2010, 01:16 AM

Thanks Hammertone. I've not had any issues on my New President so i assumed it was an isolated incident. Interesting info.

Hammertone · #60 07-07-2010, 01:47 AM

These guitars have carved spruce tops, laminated "African maple" (Anigree) backs and sides. They are just shy of @16" wide and @ 3 5/8" deep;

They have a 25 1/2" scale - VERY FEW small bodied jazz guitars have this scale - most have 24 3/4" scale - 25 1/2" scale is found on 17" archtops like the L-5 and Heritage Golden Eagle, and on Strats and Teles;

They have a neck/body joint at the 16th fret - no one else does this and it's not very noticeable until one realizes how easy it is to play in the upper register;

They have a very open cutaway; again a comfortable thing;

The pickup is a 4-conductor mini-humbucker made by Schaller exclusively for Hofner. It cosmetically resembles a Hofner pickup from the early 1960's but is a modern floating pickup, attached to the end of the fingerboard, not the top of the guitar;

These guitars are made by hand in Germany, in very limited quantities. There are a variety of Hofner dealers in the US and Canada, but not that many of them stock the jazz guitars because jazz is a niche market. Jeff Hale specializes in jazz guitars and usually has some of them.

Spiral's guitar is being offered for an exceptionally good price, IMO.

SamBooka: there are Hofner dealers in most Canadian cities, including Montreal. Some of them carry the German jazz guitars in stock, some don't. But Spiral's guitar is available right now.... at an extremely good price.....