Old Höfner Archtop

**jokkolor** · 07-14-2022, 09:17 AM

Hi everybody,

I just got this beautiful archtop from my uncle who passed away. My aunt guesses he bought it somewhere in the fifties, but she's not too sure.

The guitar overall is in used but good condition, a fret is missing, neck might need adjustment and the bridge and nut need to be replaced, but plays good and sounds fantastic. I'm bringing her to a luthier soon to take care of everything that needs to be done.

I'm guessing it is a 455 from the mid fifties, but because I don't see some kind of logo like you usually see I'm not sure if this could be from another manufacturer? I didn't have time yet to look inside with a mirror to date it. Maybe some of you know more just by looking at it?

Thank you!

**Hammertone** · 07-14-2022, 03:21 PM

It's an early post-war Hofner Model 455, from @'50-'52.
Note the lack of edge binding around the rims, typical of Hofner models prior to @'53.
Hofner many thousands of these guitars over the years, but not that many of these very early ones were made and fewer have survived. It's a lovely old guitar.
The Model 455 specifications evolved once production ramped up in Hofner's new Bubenreuth factory in 1953, with additional less fancy / more fancy models introduced.
These are inexpensive, all-laminated guitars, but can be quite nice, none-the-less.
There may or may not be a hand-written date on the underside of the top.