#324

I wonder if anyone happens to know whether this is a guitar by a known manufacturer. This is my first band guitar. I bought it from my guitar teacher by the time (Jazz). I doubt that it is a quality guitar, it has no label or inscription whatsoever and maybe it was fabricated by some hobby guitar builder. The pickup and the volume knob was added later and I guess it was never planed to be amplified (hollow body); the tuning keys are not original; it has an extraordinary thick neck. And right now it is in rather bad shape. But it sounds quite nice and also I have some memories tied to it.

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#325

have you spied inside the f-holes (possibly with a light/mirror) to check for labels or inscriptions? how long have you had it?

#326

Oh yes, I have. Nothing to see.
I own this guitar since around 1982 (my oh my … time goes by).

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#327

could be a hobbyist then, who knows. Usually a professional maker would inscribe the underside of the top at the least (unless they’re working undercover :crazy_face:)

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#328

Yes, I think so. Well, obviously it was an ambitious one. So despite its flaws I did and further will honor the instrument as a precious unique piece.

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#329

Looks pretty similar to this Hofner: c1952 Hofner 457 Archtop Guitar

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#330

Oh, nice! Yes, you are right.

So either it is a variation of that or the secret hobby master regarded the Hofner as an inspiration.

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#331

It looks quite german to me also.
You might want to ask the guys who run this site, they are deep into this type of guitar.

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#332

Thanks a lot for all your input.

After the hint to Hofner, I think it could be this model (1950s Hofner 456 Sunburst Schlaggitarre):

I remember, it had a darker color by the time I bought it. It did change that (probably not in a very professional way). I once even had to glue (don’t know if this is the correct expression) the neck because the guitar broke into two parts during a rehearsal). A violin builder told me that would be too expensive (?! I was young and ignorant) and how to do it on my own. So I fixed it and it is okay until today…

Edit: The head has a somewhat different shape and matches more the 457-model.

#334

Just for those who took part in my search for the origin of my first guitar:

A friend of mine said, the red color on the 12th fret points to a Hoyer Alva:

I think he is right :slight_smile: .

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