Lightest Semi-Acoustic 335 type guitar?

[Cavalier]

Call what? - not sure what you mean. The "CT" or "Contemporary" Verythin appeared on Hofner's 2006/2007 catalogue/price list. Because it has some distinctive design features (shape of cutaways, depth of rims), there are no other-badged versions, unless they are ones slipped out of the back door under cover of darkness. From day one, they have been shipped as completed guitars, fitted out with Chinese and Korean hardware. They are nicely-made, inexpensive Chinese guitars. These are the "Verythin CT" models shown on Hofner's website.

Sorry Stephen, a source at Hofner suggested they had the bodies made in China and flown to Germany for finishing and assembly to meet the requirements to be listed as of "German" manufacture. The body shape is a popular one with the main differences being depth, center block and F-holes. They were some steins into the evening so were perhaps trying for shock value. Have you ever seen the factory molds and top pressing etc? Lovely guitars but variable.

[kris]

My Frameworks is about 1,5 kg..
For me, it is a very comfortable weight ...
Happy New Year
Kris

[Hammertone]

Sorry Stephen, a source at Hofner suggested they had the bodies made in China and flown to Germany for finishing and assembly to meet the requirements to be listed as of "German" manufacture. The body shape is a popular one with the main differences being depth, center block and F-holes. They were some steins into the evening so were perhaps trying for shock value. Have you ever seen the factory molds and top pressing etc? Lovely guitars but variable.

The Verythin Singlecut, Verythin Special and Verythin Custom models were made in China, painted in China, and sent to Germany, where their hardware was installed, and they were put into Winter cases. These are the ones that had what Hofner calls "batwing" soundholes, (which were poorly executed versions of the soundholes of the old Model 459 and 464 archtops). The Winter cases, some of the tailpieces, and the Schaller tuners were all marked "Made in Germany," so, it certainly created an impression that the guitars were made in Germany, which was not true. Nice enough Chinese guitars, and better than the CT Verythins - specified with ebony boards, bone nuts, some Schaller hardware and Hofner OEM mini-humbuckers.

The labels inside the guitars of those three models did NOT say "Made in Germany" - that was their "get-out-of-jail-free" card in case anyone called them out on it, I suppose.

Yes, I have checked out their flitches of veneers and their plate pressing machines - very cool stuff! They continue to pump out tons of student classical guitars with laminated backs and rims, and the occasional Beatle bass.

[Cavalier]

Thanks for the clarification Hammertone!

[Irishmuso]

The Hofner Verythin (the german handmade models) is a superb Instrument in all aspects and re light weight a serious candidate. Brighter than your typical 335 but it’s got a tone pot….

Anytime I take my Hofner John Stowell out of the case, I have to remind myself how light it is. German hand-made Hofners really are superb instruments. I have several. If the OP can try one, I don't think he'll be disappointed.

[jhall1984]

I’ve owned quite a few in this sort of category, though nothing sounds exactly like a 335 except a 335. Pretty much all of these have been covered but…

I also owned a German made Hofner John Stowell Verythin and it’s one of the few guitars I truly regret selling. It was simply amazing, though mine did not sound anything like a 335, surprisingly more like an archtop. It was honestly my favorite gigging jazz guitar I ever had. Archtop type sounds with absolutely zero feedback and responded the same regardless of the room or volume. The JS was a single neck pickup with a floating bridge and spruce top so I suspect the standard tune o matic/ maple top version would get a little more into 335 territory, but I would bet it’s still got a bit more air than a 335. And that may be the case for any lighter version. It’s crazy, one of the only other guitars I regretted seeing was the only other Hofner in ever had, a rare thin president from the early or mid 2000s. I think I sold it on here years ago. Best archtop tone I’ve ever had. Nailed the Peter Bernstein sound. But German Hofners are definitely slept on. Their mini humbuckers are special. I typically hate them, but Hofner has more of a PAF sound.

I haven’t played an Eastman Romeo as suggested above but I bet that would be great as well. It has a 1 11/16” nut which few Eastmans do, which is a big selling point for me. I had an Eastman T185 years ago that would totally fit the bill. It sounded amazing. Great straight ahead sound and can also rock out. 1.75” though at the nut if that’s a problem for you like it was for me. The T186 was suggested above would also work. They’re basically the same just the 185 is a 15”, 186 is a 16”.

the Eastman ER3 is another possibility. Small block just under the bridge as well. Super light.

the D’Angelico EXSS I had was super light. The ones with the trapeze tailpiece have a very small block just under the bridge, I think I’ve heard the stoptails have the full block. The trapeze model I had didn’t really sound like a 335, more hollow though it could take a little gain without much problem.

All in all, the Hofner is probably the best guitar. The Eastman T185-6 probably the closest to a 335 in sound. The D’Angelico would be the lowest quality and least like a 335, and least versatile, but still a good guitar, versatile in its own right and certainly the most affordable if price is an issue. Though a used Eastman can be cheap as well, so if money is an issue just look for a used Eastman.

One last note, all of these except the T185 I played were neck heavy if that bothers you. It doesn’t bother me but some people hate neck dive.