Hofner Chancellor

[Hammertone]

May as well update this thread, since it came up.

As of Jan, 2021, there are no European-built archtop guitars listed on Hofner's website. They are out of the European-built archtop guitar business until further notice. I'll be at NAMM-24 in January, working at the Höfner booth, and will post updates regarding any future European archtop-building.

Here's a clean-looking 2006 one for sale:
Used 2006 Hofner HC-V-0 Chancellor 17" Violin Finish | Reverb

[Hammertone]

And the current deal, at $3,250:
Hofner Chancellor (Updated pics)......

[SOLR]

Lots of suggestions for how to make the Chancellor even better - thanks!
Here's one with an different finish:

I know it's an old thread,

Seeing posts on Hofners today I was wondering if this very Chancellor is the one Torsten uses now and then?TopGearCheck! mit Torsten Goods | GITARRE & BASS

S

[Hammertone]

I know it's an old thread, Seeing posts on Hofners today I was wondering if this very Chancellor is the one Torsten uses now and then?TopGearCheck! mit Torsten Goods | GITARRE & BASS S

Yes, that's the one. It started out teal and has turned green over time as the clearcoat has yellowed.

[Hammertone]

Höfner originally offered the Chancellor in either a natural finish (poly) or a violin varnish finish (shellac). When the "Gold Label" Höfner guitars and basses were being made, a few one-off Chancellors were made in fun solid colours - white, black, light green, orange, dark green, and red. These were configured as CES-style guitars, each with two pickups, four knobs and a three-way switch. Torsten's guitar was a specific one-off custom order. All of these were painted in Europe.

During this period, two Chancellors were painted by the Hofner USA Custom Shop. One was finished in nitro made to look like a violin varnish finish. It is now in the hands of one of America's best jazz guitarists. The other was finished like Torsten's, with scraped binding (made of beech) but with conventional burst colouring.

Fewer than 150 Chancellors were ever made, between 2003 and 2020. In the early '20s, one was made with an "aged wax" finish, finished in Germany. I don't think any other custom colour ones exist, unless a refinished one is out there.

I have three Chancellors - a blonde prototype (w/24 frets), a blonde one with a nutty back, and a violin varnish one that sounds like god. Hmmm, maybe I'll post current pix of them.

[Benjamin H]

Hello guys and gals. I am considering selling my guitar and downsizing my collection of guitars which I was fortunate to have inherited from my stepfather.

It is a one off prototype 'brown high gloss' verified from Hofner and signed by Thomas Stühlein on the inside. It comes with a beautiful cream Hofner case. It's a truly astounding thing.

I am based in Europe. Any thoughts on price or where best to list it? It is in excellent condition very, very few tiny marks. (Barely visible)

Thanks for your thoughts. This seems like a nice place.

All the best. Benjamin.