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1967 Hofner Model 459 'Violin Guitar'

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SN#: 193, back of headstock. Body size at lower bout: 11" Body depth: 2" Scale length: 25 1/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/12th frets: .91/1.05

Materials: Arched spruce top; arched flame maple back; maple sides; 3 piece maple neck; inlaid rosewood fingerboard; 3 ply body binding; bound pearloid inlaid headstock.

Hardware: All original chrome hardware includes Hofner 511 'staple' humbucking pickups; trapeze tailpiece and strap buttons; open-back tuners with pearloid keys; adjustable ebony bridge with brass saddles; master volume control with individual pickup tone controls; knurled numbered cream 'top hat' knobs; 3 way pickup selector switch; adjustable truss rod,

Notes: Founded by Karl Hofner in 1897, the company that bore his name became the largest maker of fretted instruments in his native Germany, and quite likely in all of Europe as well. Moving energetically into guitar design after the war, Hofner soon assembled a formidable array of models, whose breadth and range rivaled any catalog of the era. Its original Model 459 was a full depth archtop introduced in 1952 and produced in both cutaway (S) and noncut versions until 1960.

By Fall of 1966 Selmer of London advertised a radically different guitar bearing the same model number. Riding on the success of its Model 501 Violin Bass, made famous by Paul McCartney, the Model 459 Violin Guitar fitted the body with an inlaid 22 fret neck, two model 511 'staple' humbuckers, a master volume control, 3 way pickup selector switch, and a tone control for each pickup, similar to the configuration found on early Fender Stratocasters.

It's estimated that perhaps fewer than a hundred or so of this original version of the 459 were sold before Hofner redesigned the guitar, adding Type 513 'blade' pickups, as well as some questionable novelties including active treble boost and fuzz tone controls, and an optional vibrola. Blonde finish, added purfling, and gold hardware appeared as premium options as well, until all versions of the Violin Guitar were discontinued in 1970.

This example has been maintained in exceptionally fine condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and with all original hardware. The original sunburst finish is in gleaming shape, with a few wisps of the age checking that is virtually universal in 60's Hofner finishes. The neck has a generous C profile, with smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup. An unusually lightweight instrument, this example tips the scales at a mere 4lb 12oz. (2.16kg). The voice sparkles in the upper register, with an appealing clarity and balance in the lows: all in all, just a delight to play, and a barrel of fun to boot.

A special plus, the guitar remains fitted in its original tweed 'thermometer' hardshell case, just as nice as the guitar, and quite a rarity in itself. Surely one of the finest specimens of this vanishingly rare debut model: be the first on your block to rock this little wonder. One only: call now.

Setup: The frets have been precision leveled, recrowned and polished; trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; string slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; bridge foot contour inspected and fit to top as necessary; bridge radius inspected and recurved as necessary; bridgewheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with light gauge nickel roundwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

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