Hofner Senator (1950's) restoration

[GuyBoden]

I enjoyed this video of the restoration 1950's Hofner Senator.

But, this is a very inexpensive Hofner, what would be the cost of such a restoration?

[TheModiesel]

Given that he didn't do a neck reset, this shouldn't be too expensive as its a standard archtop setup but for me, that bridge is probably a bit too low which he covers at the end.

The relief is also a bit of a concern and could be fine for you, but for me is also not ideal so this whole work is (like he says) probably the best you can do without either sinking a load of labour or money into it.

[GuyBoden]

Given that he didn't do a neck reset, this shouldn't be too expensive as its a standard archtop setup but for me, that bridge is probably a bit too low which he covers at the end.

The relief is also a bit of a concern and could be fine for you, but for me is also not ideal so this whole work is (like he says) probably the best you can do without either sinking a load of labour or money into it.

There are plenty of these old Archtops available for sale in the UK/Europe at very low prices, because they need a neck reset and a lot of work.

[Sigmund451]

It can be worth it if you do your own work and/ or if you really want the instrument. The problem is that its easy to surpass street value if you pay for quality work to be done. There are so many of them it really pays to find one that isnt a complete mess. Im a bit picky, I would want one from at least the 60's with a working truss rod. That said, Im not in the market at all, its tempting but old instruments can quickly turn into black holes for cash.

[GuyBoden]

It can be worth it if you do your own work and/ or if you really want the instrument. The problem is that its easy to surpass street value if you pay for quality work to be done. There are so many of them it really pays to find one that isnt a complete mess. Im a bit picky, I would want one from at least the 60's with a working truss rod. That said, Im not in the market at all, its tempting but old instruments can quickly turn into black holes for cash.

These very inexpensive old archtops mostly have no Truss rod and usually need a neck reset.

[Dennis D]

These very inexpensive old archtops mostly have no Truss rod and usually need a neck reset.

And what needs to be mentioned here is that, even with a full restoration - neck reset, bridge adjustment, those magic new strings of your choice, etc etc, that ' classic' archtop probably won't sound very good.
Maybe a best suggestion would be to find one that doesn't need a reset, and see if you like how it sounds....I 'paid up' once for a clean, natural finish Harmony Patrician, then had it set up by the best luthier in town, and bottom line, it looked pretty good but sounded like all the other Regals -- Sears Catalogue Silvertones, etc etc.
It looked ok hanging on the wall for a while, though. : )

Just MHO

[Hammertone]

I have piles of old archtops, and am finally making them functional and selling them. Here are two of them from the 1960s (both required neck sets) and one from the 2000s, all put together with period-appropriate hardware. The folks who bought them are all quite pleased with the results. I think that old Höfner archtops are very easy to work on and I encourage anyone with basic motor skills who is interested to give it a try.

[Hammertone]

These two are next up:

[GuyBoden]

HammerTone, that's a beautiful looking President guitar:

[Hammertone]

HammerTone, that's a beautiful looking President guitar:

Thanks. It's a Model 463 (w/sapele rims and back). Here's a 1957 President:

[GuyBoden]

Thanks. It's a Model 463 (w/sapele rims and back). Here's a 1957 President:

Very nice, I don't know much about vintage Hofner guitars, I find that the model numbers/names are confusing, probably due to 'Selmer London' Hofners.

But, the 1950's 'Selmer London' Hofner Committee is a great guitar, that holds it's value.

Below is the superb Hofner Committee Deluxe: