I have had this German made Hofner since 1963 (when I turned 18). We bought it in Tacna,Peru. It had a amp and case for a few years but they are long gone. I played it more without the amp. For some reason I pulled the output jack and the pick-up and the switch for the rhythm-solo and volume knob are gone. I've been thinking about doing some repair work on it but I don't know the model number. It looks like a 455 but it has the sickle sound holes. The volume-pod has 250k 371 on it. It has a blue stamped date on the inside thats hard to read but the year does look like 1961. Any help on it will be greatly appreciated. Its had a hard life for the last 57 years.
The guitar appears to be a custom version of a Model 455/S/E1 from @'61 or '62. As usual, the date is marked on the underside of the top, and '61 is a match to the features of the instrument. It has the soundholes that were used on the Model 459 and the Model 464. It was either special-ordered that way (doubtful), was an experiment at Hofner that went nowhere, or was simply a mistake (Hofner served beer at lunch).
Reproduction "teacup" knobs are quite easy to find these days. Correct-looking switches are harder to find, but switches with black covers are around, and the covers can be painted. Complete new 2-pickup control panels are available, with pots and switches - one could be cannibalized for parts, or modified and replace what is currently on the guitar. Less expensive to find a switch and paint the cover (Testor's makes a colour that is a good match, and I can dig up that info if needed)
If you want to restore the guitar with a correct style pickup, I have plenty of them and would be happy to supply you with one. I also have complete new 2-pickup control panels available. I'll send you a message.
Last edited by Hammertone; 09-28-2020 at 01:32 AM.
Thanks hammertone for the info. I like beer for lunch also so I can see where it could be a mistake. I have looked all over the web and couldn't find one that I could say looked like mine so you have been a big help.
I'll get back with you on it.
Bah, humbug! :) If we skip the question how you'd even quantify quality objectively there's still the question that you simply can't know all the luthiers who achieve that level (esp. not if you take...
I have a bridge jack that I made from a paint can opener, free from the home improvement store. StewMac sells a bridge jack of similar design for much, much more money. The end is curved, and slips...
Grant Green. The tune “Exodus.” The album “Sunday Mornin’.”
https://youtu.be/A67SqWICnt4?si=WO7ja_aHlKt7nJbS
Grant Green. “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho.” Album “Feelin’ the Spirit.”...
As Paul said, absolutely follow the piano. It's playing the same basic thing all through and the drummer's faster rhythms don't change that.
Here's the opening salvo anyway, without sustain...
If you look at the 7th & 8th pics, they give a good idea about how much space there is. You could always remove the humbucker, put on whatever you want, and leave the partially covered hole. Would...
Haha undoubtedly
Trying to anticipate the bassline level of the average guitar player is mentally exhausting.
OTOH they don’t need to know what notes they are playing, so long as they play...
I listened and can hear the issue you reference.
I don't recall hearing anything like that with my LJ amp.
Speaker issue? I don't know for sure.
How long have you owned the amp? How long...
It does, indeed, seem to be very impressive. It seems to be the only mic that does what it does – automatically sync the video and audio, without any cables or extra equipment, with M/S stereo, and...
Sometimes there is so much friction between the wheels and the bridge top that they are difficult to move. A trick that I have used is to insert a wide flat screwdriver blade between the top and...
Uniquely uninspired? :D
Neck material apparently affects tone so I wouldn't be surprised if headstock weight has some effect too (try fixing sufficiently heavy sufficiently solidly and have a...
Gibson Thin line Guitar Models
Yesterday, 11:07 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos